Blog | Bucher Law Group, LLC

What Is the Definition of a Sex Offender in Wisconsin?

2026-07-11 00:00:00

In Wisconsin, a sex offender is a person who has been convicted of certain sexual offenses. They are then required by law to register with the state's sex offender registry. The definition covers a wide range of offenses, some of which people might not immediately think of as sex crimes. Understanding what qualifies under Wisconsin law and what the consequences of that label are can be critically important if you or someone you care about is facing charges. If you are dealing with a sex crime charge in 2026, a Dodge County, WI criminal defense lawyer can help you understand the charges and how to fight them.

What Offenses Qualify as Sex Offenses Under Wisconsin Law?

Wisconsin's sex offender registry law covers many different types of criminal convictions. Some of the most common offenses that trigger registration include:

First, second, and third-degree sexual assault under Wisconsin Statutes Section 940.225

Can I Face OWI Charges if My BAC Is Below the Legal Limit in Wisconsin?

2026-07-02 00:00:00

You can face OWI charges in Wisconsin even if your blood alcohol concentration is below the legal limit of 0.08 (or 0.04 for commercial drivers). If an officer believes your ability to drive is impaired by alcohol or any other substance, you can be arrested and charged regardless of your BAC reading. However, you may be able to use that in your defense. If you are facing an OWI charge in 2026 and your BAC was below the legal limit, a Waukesha County criminal defense lawyer can help you understand your rights and build a strong defense.

How Does Wisconsin Define OWI?

Wisconsin's OWI law is broader than most people realize. Under Wisconsin Statute Section 346.63, it is illegal to drive or operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant to a degree that renders you incapable of safely driving. It is also illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.08 or higher.

What Is the Difference Between a Misdemeanor and a Felony in Wisconsin?

2026-06-30 00:00:00

Criminal offenses in Wisconsin fall into two categories: misdemeanors and felonies. Which one applies to your case determines where you could serve time, how long your sentence might be, and what rights you stand to lose. A Milwaukee County, WI criminal defense attorney can review your charges and explain your options.

What Makes a Charge a Felony Instead of a Misdemeanor in Wisconsin?

Under Wisconsin Statute § 939.60, a crime punishable by imprisonment in the Wisconsin state prison system is a felony. Crimes punishable only by county jail are generally misdemeanors.

Misdemeanors include crimes such as disorderly conduct and battery, with a maximum punishment of county jail time. Felonies cover more serious offenses such as homicide, armed robbery, and sexual assault, where the legislature has decided state prison time is warranted.

Wisconsin's Move Over Law: What Drivers Need to Know to Avoid a Ticket

2026-06-18 00:00:00

Wisconsin's Move Over Law requires drivers to change lanes or slow down when passing stopped emergency vehicles, tow trucks, and highway workers. Many drivers do not know that the law also covers tow trucks and road crews. If you got a traffic citation in 2026 under this law, an Ozaukee County, WI traffic violations attorney at Bucher Law Group, LLC can explain your options before you pay or go to court.

What Does Wisconsin's Move Over Law Require Drivers to Do?

Under Wisconsin Statute § 346.072, a driver who sees a stopped vehicle with flashing lights must move over to a non-adjacent lane if it is safe to do so. If moving over is not possible due to traffic or road layout, the driver must slow down.

The law covers a broad range of vehicles:

What Should I Do if I am Facing False Allegations of Sexual Assault in Wisconsin?

2026-06-11 00:00:00

A false accusation of sexual assault can change the direction of a person's life almost overnight. These charges carry the possibility of prison time, a lasting criminal record, and registration as a sex offender, sometimes for the rest of a person's life.

Wisconsin prosecutors generally pursue sexual assault cases firmly, even when the evidence is limited or disputed. Understanding how the process works and what a defense attorney's role is can help someone facing this situation make sense of what happens next.

A Walworth County, WI sexual assault defense attorney can walk you through your options in your case that are available under Wisconsin law in 2026.

What Should You Do First If You Are Falsely Accused of Sexual Assault in Wisconsin?

The choices you make right after an accusation can help or hurt your defense. A few steps are especially important at this stage.

What To Do If You Receive A Traffic Ticket In Wisconsin

2026-06-05 00:57:00

Most Wisconsin drivers pay their traffic tickets without a second thought. Paying seems simple, but it also means pleading guilty and putting a conviction on your driving record. That record follows you when insurance companies set your rates, and each conviction adds demerit points that can eventually cost you your license. If you received a traffic ticket in Wisconsin in 2026, you have more options than just paying. A Jefferson County, WI traffic violations attorney can walk you through them.

What Should You Do Right After Receiving a Traffic Ticket in Wisconsin?

Stay calm and look over the ticket carefully before you do anything else. The citation will tell you what violation you were charged with, the deadline for responding, and where to send payment or appear in court. Missing that deadline can result in a default judgment, additional fees, and even a license suspension.

What Happens at Your First Court Appearance After a Criminal Arrest in Wisconsin?

2026-05-31 00:00:00

If you or someone you love was just arrested, what happens at the first court date is probably one of the foremost questions on your mind. In Wisconsin, a criminal arrest triggers a series of court appearances that follow a specific order, and knowing what to expect at each stage can help you make better decisions about your case. If you are facing criminal charges in 2026, a Dodge County, WI criminal defense attorney at Bucher Law Group, LLC can support you through each step.

What Is the Initial Appearance After an Arrest? When Does It Happen?

The initial appearance is your first contact with the court after an arrest. Under Wis. Stat. § 970.01, any person who is arrested must be brought before a judge within a reasonable time. A probable cause determination is generally required within 48 hours after a warrantless arrest. This hearing is often held before a court commissioner rather than a judge.

What Are the Penalties for Driving Without Insurance in Wisconsin?

2026-05-24 00:00:00

Wisconsin did not require drivers to carry auto insurance until 2010. Since then, state law has made liability insurance a legal requirement for anyone driving on a public road. Despite that requirement, the Insurance Research Council found that more than one in seven drivers nationwide, or 15.4 percent, were uninsured in 2023. That number has climbed steadily since 2017. Wisconsin drivers facing a traffic citation in 2026 often do not know how serious the consequences can be. An Ozaukee County, WI traffic violations attorney can help you understand your options before you go to court.

What Wisconsin Law Says About Driving Without Insurance

Under Wisconsin Statute § 344.62, every driver on a public road must have a valid liability insurance policy in effect for the vehicle being driven. You must also carry proof of that insurance. An officer can ask to see it at any time. Proof can be in paper or digital format, so showing a card on your phone is fine.

What Are the Penalties for a Second OWI in Wisconsin?

2026-05-15 00:00:00

Drivers facing a second OWI (operating while intoxicated) charge in Wisconsin in 2026 are stepping into criminal territory for the first time. A first OWI is handled as a civil matter with no jail time in most cases. A second brings jail time, a permanent criminal record, and a license revocation that lasts more than a year.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation reported 18,645 OWI convictions in Wisconsin in 2023 alone, a number that reflects how aggressively Wisconsin prosecutors pursue these cases and why the legislature built mandatory criminal penalties into every second offense. A Milwaukee County, WI OWI defense lawyer can help you understand where you stand and what your options are.

How Wisconsin Law Classifies a Second OWI Offense Differently Than a First

Under Wisconsin Statute § 346.65, the penalties for a second OWI are far more severe than for a first offense. A first OWI carries no jail time in most cases and is handled as a civil forfeiture, meaning it does not result in a criminal charge. A second OWI is a criminal misdemeanor, which means mandatory jail time, a longer license revocation, and a criminal record that stays with you.

Can You Be Charged with Stalking in Wisconsin?

2026-05-07 00:00:00

According to the CDC's National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, an estimated 359,000 women in Wisconsin have experienced stalking in their lifetimes, a figure that drives prosecutors and courts to treat these charges with little leniency. In 2026, a conviction under state law can mean years in prison, thousands of dollars in fines, and a permanent felony record.

Whether the accusation grew out of a breakup, a contentious divorce, or a situation that got out of hand, you have the right to a strong defense if you’re being accused of stalking. Our Racine County, WI, criminal defense lawyer can help you fight back.

How Does Wisconsin Law Define Stalking?

Under Wisconsin Statute § 940.32, stalking means engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that the actor knows or should know will cause the person to suffer serious emotional distress or place them in reasonable fear of bodily injury or death. The law also requires that the conduct actually does cause that distress or fear.