What to Do After a DUI Arrest in Wisconsin

Getting arrested for a DUI — or OWI, as Wisconsin calls it — is a jarring experience. Your heart is racing, your mind is spinning, and you're not sure what comes next. But the actions you take in the hours and days after your arrest can have a huge impact on the outcome of your case.

Here's exactly what you should do after a DUI arrest in Wisconsin.

1. Stay Calm and Be Polite

This is the hardest thing to do in the moment, but it's the most important. Everything you say and do from the moment those lights flash in your rearview mirror can be used against you. Be polite, be respectful, and don't argue with the officer. You can assert your rights without being confrontational.

2. Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent

After you've been arrested, you have the right to remain silent. Use it. Don't try to talk your way out of it. Don't explain what happened. Don't apologize. Simply say, "I'm going to remain silent and I'd like to speak with an attorney." Then stop talking.

3. Contact an Attorney Immediately

This is the single most important step. In Wisconsin, you have only 10 days from the date of your citation to request a DMV administrative hearing to fight a license suspension. Miss that deadline, and your license is automatically suspended — no questions asked.

An experienced DUI attorney can also start working on your case immediately: requesting discovery, reviewing the police report, and identifying potential defenses before evidence gets stale.

4. Write Down Everything You Remember

As soon as you can, write down every detail you remember about the stop. What time was it? Where were you pulled over? What did the officer say? Did they ask you to perform field sobriety tests? Did you take a breath or blood test? What was the weather like? Were there any witnesses?

Memory fades fast, and these details can be crucial for your attorney. Write them down while they're fresh.

5. Save Any Evidence

If you have dashcam footage, save it. If there were witnesses, get their contact information. If you have receipts showing where you were before the stop, keep them. Any evidence that supports your version of events can help your attorney build a stronger defense.

6. Don't Talk About Your Case

Don't discuss the details of your arrest with anyone except your attorney. Not your friends, not your family, and definitely not on social media. What you say can and will be used against you. Prosecutors regularly monitor social media for incriminating posts.

7. Follow All Conditions of Release

If the court sets conditions — no alcohol consumption, no driving, random testing — follow them to the letter. Violating conditions can result in additional charges, revocation of bail, and a much harder road ahead.

8. Show Up to Every Court Date

Missing a court date is one of the worst things you can do. It can result in a bench warrant, additional charges, and a guaranteed loss of your case. Your attorney will keep you informed of all deadlines and appearances.

Don't Wait — Call Today

The 10-day DMV deadline is the most urgent. Call us right now at (608) 535-6554 for a free, confidential consultation. We're available 24/7.