State v. Clayton W. Williams

¶ 1. This is a review of a published decision of the court of appeals, reversing a decision of the Monroe County Circuit Court, J. David Rice, Judge.

¶ 2. The case requires the court to interpret Wis. Stat. § 346.65(2)(am)6. (2009-10)1 — the penalty statute for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) as the seventh, eighth, or ninth offense. The meaning of one key sentence in the statute is in dispute, namely: "The confinement portion of a bifurcated sentence imposed on the person under s. 973.01 shall be not less than 3 years." Wis. Stat. § 346.65(2)(am)6.

¶ 3. The parties agree that…