(608) 308-9645Warning: If you’ve received a ticket for Operating Under the Influence (OWI / DUI) you may have only ten days (or less) to keep your license!
Most people who get a Wisconsin DUI / OWI / drunk driving ticket get a slip that says it is a temporary driving permit. This is usually pink but can be white (or any other color).
Almost hidden on this permit is a notice that you have ten days from the date it was given to ask for a hearing about losing your license.
If it is mailed to you, you get thirteen days from the date of mailing. (If it was mailed to you, save the envelope it came in. It may establish a mailing date later than is printed on the notice.)
Most people stick the temporary driver permit in a pocket in place of a drivers license without really reading through it.
The time limit runs out before they even talk to a lawyer about their DUI / OWI!
Call your lawyer now! If you don’t have a lawyer, call our office at the number below.
This loss of license can have extreme consequences because it counts for most insurance like a drunk driving conviction. If you ever get another drunk driving ticket you may be treated as a repeat offender – even if this ticket is dismissed or you are acquitted at trial!
The ten days may be extended, but not by a court or the DMV. I recently had a case where a person received his ten-day notice on December 19. He had until January 8 to file the request because of the way the time limit statutes disregard some holidays and weekends in counting this. (Both Christmas and New Years Day were on Wednesdays, and that mattered!)
For more thoughts on what goes into defending against one of these tickets see my page on how to beat a Wisconsin OWI / DUI / Drunk Driving Ticket.
For information about “field sobriety testing” see that page.
DUI / OWI / DWI / Drunk Driving while Parked in Wisconsin
DUI / OWI / DWI / Drunk Driving Stop in Wisconsin – what to do?
If this is your third offense and you are charged in Dane County see: DUI / OWI Treatment Court Dane County Wisconsin.