An OWI charge in Wisconsin is always serious, but there is a major difference between a misdemeanor OWI and a felony OWI. For executives, licensed professionals, and others who have worked hard to build a respectable life and career, the risks of a felony OWI conviction can be very high indeed.
If you are facing an OWI charge in 2026 and wondering whether it could be filed as a felony, the answer depends on a few specific factors. Our Milwaukee OWI defense attorneys are highly experienced and absolutely tenacious about fighting for our clients’ rights and reputation. Let us take the lead on your case today. Call us now.
What Makes a Wisconsin OWI a Felony Instead of a Misdemeanor?
Wisconsin law draws a clear line between OWI offenses that are treated as civil or criminal misdemeanors and those that are elevated to felony status. Under Wis. Stat. § 346.65, several circumstances can push an OWI charge into felony territory.