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Wisconsin Drug Possession Law

Wisconsin Drug Possession Defense

What you're facing under Wis. Stat. § 961.41(3g), how the penalties scale, and the questions your attorney needs to answer, specific to Wisconsin (WI) law.

Offense Class

Misdemeanor (most first offenses); Class I Felony (certain substances or second+)

Maximum Penalty

1 year (misdemeanor); 3.5 years (Class I Felony for second+)

Maximum Fine

$5,000 (misdemeanor); $10,000 (felony)

Penalty Range in Wisconsin

StatuteWis. Stat. § 961.41(3g) — Possession of a Controlled Substance
Minimum Penalty
Maximum Penalty1 year (misdemeanor); 3.5 years (Class I Felony for second+)
Maximum Fine$5,000 (misdemeanor); $10,000 (felony)

Charge Enhancements

These factors can elevate the charge or penalty in Wisconsin:

  • Second or subsequent offense (Class I Felony)
  • Possession near a school, park, or public housing (sentence doubles under § 961.495)

Wisconsin-Specific Detail

First-offense simple possession of most controlled substances is a misdemeanor. Second or subsequent is a Class I Felony. Drug court and diversion programs available.

Is your Wisconsin drug case defense on track?

The free Defense Score checks 10 critical defense behaviors specific to drug-possession cases. Takes 2 minutes. Instant results.

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Drug Possession Defense Playbook$127

26 questions that change how the next attorney meeting goes, a case stage roadmap, red flag checklist, and a case progress scorecard. Instant PDF download, relevant to Wisconsin defendants.

Important: This page provides legal INFORMATION about Wisconsin drug possession law as of the date of publication. Laws change frequently. This is not legal advice. The analysis draws on methods developed by defense attorneys, applied to public data. Your attorney remains the final authority on defense direction.