OAR 51st Offense

On September 6, 2015 at approximately 7:20pm a Sauk County Sheriff’s Deputy stopped a vehicle on Main Street and Viking Drive in the City of Reedsburg for failure to display registration plates.  The Deputy identified the driver as Winona Ariel Rau Weirich, age 26, of Reedsburg.  The Deputy ran Rau Weirich’s driving status and was informed that she was suspended and that this would be her 51^st violation of Operating After Suspension.  Rau Weirich was issued a citation and released.

Earlier this year the Sauk County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council learned that in 2014 nearly 45% of the criminal traffic citations issued in Sauk County were for Operating After Revocation and/or Suspension; similar to the above case. 

The Operating after Revocation Diversion Program was born from the realization that this vicious circle is a large problem in Sauk County; therefore, this program has been open and accepting referrals since June 15, 2015.  Rau Weirich has been referred to this program.

Chip Meister, Sauk County Sheriff

Janelle Krueger, Sauk County Criminal Justice Coordinator