Panel approves bill to require jail for repeat DUI offenders

Proposal gives 3 years to 7, 8, 9-time drunken drivers

MADISON, Wis. — A legislative committee has approved a bill that would ensure repeat drunken drivers spend time behind bars.

The Assembly Judiciary Committee passed the bill Thursday on a 9-0 vote. The full Assembly is expected to take it up Tuesday.

The proposal would require judges to impose a three-year prison sentence on seven-, eight- and nine-time offenders and a minimum four-year prison sentence for 10-time offenders and beyond.

Judges also would be required to impose a mandatory 30-day jail sentence on anyone who causes an injury by driving with a blood-alcohol content between 0.04 percent and 0.08 percent.

The bill comes after a state appeals court ruled last month current law leaves a judge free to decide whether to impose prison time.