Drivers are required to follow a multitude of traffic laws, and these laws are meant to ensure that people act safely while behind the wheel and protect others from harm. There are many different types of traffic violations that may cause a police officer to pull a driver over and issue a traffic ticket. Distracted driving is an offense that is commonly committed by drivers, and those who have been charged with this type of violation will need to understand the specific laws that apply to them and the possible penalties that they may face.

Wisconsin Laws Addressing Inattentive Driving

Distracted driving can take many forms. In Wisconsin, drivers are prohibited from engaging in any activities that interfere with their ability to operate a vehicle safely. These activities may include anything that takes a driver’s attention away from the road, such as eating food, drinking beverages, engaging in conversations with passengers, turning around to attend to children, reaching for objects in the vehicle, or adjusting a car’s radio, environmental controls, or the position of a seat.

While the distracted driving laws may apply for multiple types of distractions, they specifically address the use of cell phones or other electronic devices. Drivers are prohibited from texting while driving, which includes using a phone or another device to write or send text messages or emails. While drivers are allowed to make phone calls while driving, they cannot hold a phone or an accessory connected to a phone in their hands, and they can only make or answer calls by pressing a single button.

There are multiple types of property crimes in which a person may be accused of taking money or property that belongs to someone else. These cases can result in serious criminal charges. Depending on the circumstances of a case, a person may be charged with a misdemeanor or felony offense, and if they are convicted, they could be required to serve time in prison, pay fines or restitution, or follow certain requirements during a period of probation. A person will want to understand the specific offense they are accused of, and an attorney can advise them of their best options for defense.

Property Crimes in Wisconsin

Offenses in which a person is accused of taking or misappropriating someone else’s property may fall into one of the following categories:

• Theft - This offense covers any situations in which someone takes or obtains property from its rightful owner. In addition to stealing money or property, theft may involve the misappropriation of funds through embezzlement or other illicit activities, or a person may be accused of making false statements or misrepresenting facts with the intent to defraud someone. If the money or property obtained through theft is worth $2,500 or less, a person may be charged with a Class A misdemeanor. Felony charges will apply in cases involving amounts of over $2,500, and for higher amounts, a person may face more serious felonies that can result in longer prison sentences and higher fines.

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Being involved in a car accident can cause a number of difficulties in a person’s life. In addition to dealing with injuries and vehicle repairs, a person who may have been at fault for a collision may worry that they could face other consequences. This is especially true if an accident resulted in injuries to someone else, and in these cases, a person may be concerned about potential criminal charges that may apply. An experienced attorney can help people in these situations understand the specific charges they may face and their options for defense.

Cases Where Car Accidents May Lead to Criminal Charges

A person who is at fault for a car accident may be held liable for the damages suffered by other people, although they usually will not be charged with a crime unless they acted egregiously and put others at risk of harm. A person may face criminal charges for causing injuries to others in cases involving:

• DUI/OWI - The charge of Operating While Intoxicated may apply if a person is accused of driving a motor vehicle while they were under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any other substances that made them incapable of driving safely. In addition to OWI charges, a person may be charged with Injury by Intoxicated Use of a Vehicle if they caused great bodily harm to someone else due to driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This offense is a Class F felony. If a person caused someone else’s death due to driving under the influence, they may be charged with Homicide by Intoxicated Use of a Vehicle. This offense is a Class D felony, or a Class C felony for a person who had previously been convicted of OWI.

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When we think about criminal defendants, we usually picture an adult. However, some criminal defendants are still school-aged. One 17-year-old Manitowoc County resident is facing two decades in prison for a crime that he allegedly committed when he was just 14 years old. The case has brought up many questions regarding juvenile criminal charges and punishments for minors.

Teen Allegedly Killed 7-Year-Old Relative by Burying Him in the Snow  

According to the complaint against him, the teen was just 14 years old when he was allegedly tasked with carrying out a punishment involving his 7-year-old relative. The prosecution reports that, per the parents’ instructions, the young boy was forced to carry a large log around the backyard as punishment for not memorizing Bible verses. The 14-year-old sentenced with the boy’s death allegedly struck, kicked, and taunted the boy as he carried out the punishment. The complaint also states that he buried the 7-year-old in packed snow and left him there for 20-30 minutes. The medical examiner found that the boy had suffered from hypothermia as well as several blunt force injuries before he died. The now-17-year-old has been convicted of first-degree reckless homicide. The teenager’s parents have also been charged because of their role in the young child’s death.

Should Juveniles Be Sentenced as Adults?

The entire situation is disturbing and heartbreaking. It also brings to light questions about Wisconsin juvenile law. Presently, any defendant over 10 years old charged with homicide can be charged in adult court in Wisconsin. Some believe that this rule unfairly punishes children who are not old enough to know what they are doing. Others believe that homicide should always be charged as an adult crime.

Cases involving accusations of domestic violence can be very complicated and emotional. While many of these cases arise out of legitimate concerns about the safety of family members, others may involve false accusations or reports by neighbors or family members who do not fully understand a situation. Those who have been arrested because of alleged domestic abuse will need to understand their rights, the issues that may affect them going forward, and how they can defend against criminal charges.

Arrests in Domestic Abuse Cases

Wisconsin law requires a law enforcement officer to perform an arrest if they have reasonable cause to believe that a person has committed criminal acts that may be considered domestic abuse and that one of the following is true:

• It is likely that the person will commit continued acts of abuse against the alleged victim.

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