Wisconsin lawmaker arrested for OWI for third time
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin lawmaker has been arrested for operating while intoxicated for the third time in a less than a year.
Rep. Jeffrey Wood was arrested Wednesday afternoon in Tomah after a citizen reported an erratic driver to police.
The Tomah Police Department said Wood was taken into custody for operating under the influence of an intoxicant and bail jumping.
The police said Wood, an independent from Chippewa Falls, was taken to the Monroe County Jail and would be referred to the district attorney for prosecution.
The arrest comes as Wood is already facing a resolution seeking his expulsion from the Assembly from one of his colleagues, Rep. Steve Nass.
Oct 23, 2009 at 7:22 p.m.
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um...NO one in this state gets the "full penalty" for drunk driving. You can kid yourself, but that's ok. And yes, I understand the dynamics involved with alcoholism. I'm finding it ironic that one of the reasons we have such lenient drunk driving consequences is because of lawmakers in this state...and apparently one of the lawmakers in this state finds drunk driving to be an acceptable means of transportation. I find that more than appalling. You are entitled to your opinion. But that's mine.
Oct 22, 2009 at 10:37 a.m.
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Inyafaze, 3rd offense is 30 days to 1 year in jail, but he has not concluded his trial for that 2008 offense, let alone the 4th a month ago. What is probably going to happen is a plea bargain that bundles the three open OWI charges and at this point I think jail time is a realistic expectation. He already went to detox last month so presenting a treatment plan to the court is not going to be worth much.
Oct 22, 2009 at 9:31 a.m.
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This state is known for alcoholics, they are everywhere. Does he not get like 6 months in jail for that like anyone else? I'm not too positive but I know other alcohlics and it seemed like they went to jail for a while when they got caught few times. I have no practical experience. I hate drinking unless in a resort or on a nice hot beach with a Redstripe or juice and rum.. No driving, just not worth the risks..
Oct 22, 2009 at 6:03 a.m.
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Per WISC-TV 5:am newscast...Woods facing(what could be) 5th D.U.I. Would any other citizen be allowed miminial bail,signature bond for this current offense,with bail jumping charge also?He needs to be in a treatment facility,not to appease public but for his own future.
Oct 22, 2009 at 1:48 a.m.
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Wood is clearly in a serious stage of alcoholism, and is resisting grabbing the second chances he's been handed. It's too bad for him, but expulsion is best at this point.
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ms_sassy_wi, you do realize that people can have the full penalty of OWI law given to them and still go out and get that 8th or 9th arrest, right? It isn't like being in jail cures alcoholism all by itself. What we need are alcohol/OWI courts with carrots and sticks to get treatment and stay sober. Increased jail time may keep people off the streets, but only temporarily; it does little to solve the issue of future behavior.
Oct 22, 2009 at 12:52 a.m.
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He is a drunkard. Like many, he probably thinks it is normal, just one of those things.
Oct 21, 2009 at 11:52 p.m.
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huh...perhaps it's "lawmakers" like him that keeps Wisconsin one of (if not THE) drunk-drivingest states...What an ironic turn of events. Perhaps he will be allowed 8 or 9 arrests like the other losers we see listed in the public record, before Wisconsin changes its policies on mistake vs. way of life...
Oct 21, 2009 at 11:29 p.m.
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According to quite a bit of the "logic" I've read on this site, the fact that Rep. Wood hasn't yet killed anyone means the authorities have no right to limit HIS rights to drive "under the influence"!
Oct 21, 2009 at 11:15 p.m.
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whoops. i assume he'll be no more repentant the third time than he was for #2.
Oct 21, 2009 at 11:11 p.m.
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Whoa. Thanks to teh LEO who picked him off the road. Saved a life.
Oct 21, 2009 at 10:58 p.m.
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Denial is not just a river in Egypt.
Oct 21, 2009 at 10:48 p.m.
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Third time in less than a year! Disgraceful for him and our state.
Oct 21, 2009 at 10:13 p.m.
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It wasn't that long ago that this guy was picked up.... wasn't it because he "mistook his anxiety prescription bottle for a tic-tac container?"
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