Wisconsin Rapids City Times

Top Menu

  • Contact Us
  • E-Editions
  • Subscribe

Main Menu

  • News
    • Around the County
    • Government
  • Covid 19
  • Community
    • Community Calendar
  • Sports
    • Sports News
    • High School Sports Scores
    • Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
    • Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Obits
  • Opinion
  • Classifieds
  • Business Directory
  • Contact Us
  • E-Editions
  • Subscribe

logo

Wisconsin Rapids City Times

  • News
    • Around the County
    • Government
  • Covid 19
  • Community
    • Community Calendar
  • Sports
    • Sports News
    • High School Sports Scores
    • Wisconsin Rapids Rafters
    • Wisconsin Rapids Riverkings
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Obits
  • Opinion
  • Classifieds
  • Business Directory
Top Stories
Home›Top Stories›Wood County Adopts Policy to Free Up Jail Space

Wood County Adopts Policy to Free Up Jail Space

By Julie Schooley
July 4, 2017
1132
0
Share:
The Wood County Courthouse

By Joe Bachman

WISCONSIN RAPIDS — Wood County has joined other state counties in how arrests for drunk drivers are managed in order to stay fiscally consistent and free up jail space.

“Several months ago, we looked at our policies for initial arrests on drunk driving cases, and that we were going to allow a responsible person to sign them out on the first through the third offenses,” said Sheriff Thomas Reichert. “The fourth offense is when it becomes a felony, and then we will lock people up.”

Wood County Sheriff Thomas Reichert. (Contributed Photo)

A policy decision put into effect in April of this year, it seeks to clear up jail space, and cut costs for jailing first through third time OWI offenders. It’s a policy followed by such neighboring counties as Marathon, Adams, and other municipalities across Wisconsin.

In Wisconsin, drunk driving is not considered a felony until the fourth offense — first and second offenses are considered a traffic violation, with the third being a class A misdemeanor that carries fines up to $2,000.

The standard policy of jailing a drunk driver up for 12 hours, otherwise known as the “drunk tank”, still comes at a cost to the taxpayers to house them. This has led to many other counties, including Wood County, to opt to release the person into the hands of a sober, responsible driver instead of jailing them, if applicable.

Often, first-offense drunk drivers taken into custody can be sent to Waupaca County if Wood County Jail is at full capacity. With state laws limiting how offenders can be housed with other inmates currently serving time, the move will likely save taxpayer money, while leading to a less-crowded jail.

“It’s about being congruent with neighboring counties, and freeing up a little jail space,” said Reichert. “It doesn’t have anything to do with setting some kind of social statement on drunk driving.”

 

TagsFeatured
Previous Article

Rafters Handle Rivets in First Meeting of ...

Next Article

Park Place Offers Weekly Respite for Caregivers

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

Related articles More from author

  • Top Stories

    Revised Chronic Nuisance Ordinance Passed by Finance Committee

    March 15, 2017
    By Julie Schooley
  • Coming events image
    Community

    Women’s Night to be held Aug. 16 at Lake Wazeecha

    July 16, 2018
    By kleonhardt
  • Top Stories

    Road Construction to Start on 24th St.

    April 5, 2016
    By Julie Schooley
  • Top Stories

    City Mulls Applying for Railroad Quiet Zones

    September 16, 2015
    By admin
  • Lincoln High School
    Education

    Lincoln Student Selected as National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist

    October 13, 2017
    By Julie Schooley
  • Community

    Neighborhood Table Announces New Operations Manager

    June 17, 2016
    By Julie Schooley

About Us


Wisconsin Rapids City Times is published by Multi Media Channels LLC, N2919 County Road QQ Waupaca, WI 54981.

Timeline

  • January 26, 2021

    Relief in sight; Central Wisconsin seniors eager to roll up their sleeves

  • January 25, 2021

    Riverkings top Hudson

  • January 24, 2021

    Brandl and Schulist sign for another Rafters season

  • January 23, 2021

    Their soul is fed with needle and thread

  • January 21, 2021

    DNR confirms CWD in Wood County, renews baiting and feeding bans

Find us on Facebook

Copyright © 2020 Multi Media Channels LLC.
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied, modified or adapted without the prior written consent of Multi Media Channels LLC.
×