Posted on October 29, 2021 in Criminal Defense

Of the different types of criminal charges that a person may face, violent crimes are among the most serious. Because these offenses involve serious harm to an alleged victim, an alleged offender may be required to pay a high amount of bail following an arrest, and they may be subject to restrictions regarding the places they can go and the types of activities they can engage in. If a person is convicted, they are likely to be sentenced to a lengthy prison sentence, as well as additional restrictions upon their release. By understanding the types of violent crimes that are most commonly charged in Wisconsin and working with an experienced attorney, people facing these types of charges can determine their best options for defense.

Wisconsin Violent Crimes in 2020

According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, the rate of violent crimes in Wisconsin increased by 8.85 percent in 2020. According to reports submitted by law enforcement agencies in the state, the following types of offenses were charged most often:

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 Posted on October 22, 2021 in Criminal Defense

A sex crime conviction can have many different types of consequences that will affect a person’s life. In addition to criminal consequences such as a lengthy prison sentence, large fines, or periods of probation, a person must usually register as a sex offender. When a person is on the sex offender registry, they will need to meet a number of ongoing requirements, and they will face restrictions on where they can live and the places they can visit. Those who are facing sex crime charges can secure representation from a criminal defense attorney who can advise them of their options for defense and make sure they understand the potential consequences of a conviction.

Reporting Requirements for Sex Offenders

The sex offender registry will maintain information about a person who has been convicted of a sex crime, including identifying information such as their name, gender, date of birth, height, weight, hair color, and eye color, as well as details about the laws they violated, when they were discharged from prison or placed on probation or parole, and when their sentence will be completed.

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 Posted on October 15, 2021 in Criminal Defense

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.

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 Posted on October 08, 2021 in DUI/OWI

Drivers in Wisconsin and throughout the United States understand that it is illegal to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Doing so may result in an arrest by a police officer and charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI). Drivers who have been pulled over and are suspected of driving while intoxicated will want to understand their rights and the steps they can take to protect themselves from consequences. Tests used to measure a driver’s blood alcohol content (BAC) are one issue that these drivers may need to address, and it is important to understand whether a person can refuse these tests or whether they should consent to testing.

BAC Tests and Implied Consent

In Wisconsin and other states, drivers are considered to have given consent to chemical testing of their BAC when they obtained a driver’s license. This means that a driver could potentially face consequences for refusing to take a BAC test. However, it is important to understand that the implied consent law applies to tests that are performed following an arrest rather than to roadside tests performed by a police officer prior to an arrest.

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 Posted on September 30, 2021 in Criminal Defense

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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 Posted on September 24, 2021 in Criminal Defense

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:

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 Posted on September 17, 2021 in Gun Violations

Originally published: March 29, 2019 -- Updated: September 17, 2021

UPDATE: The state of Wisconsin does permit the open carry of firearms as described below, although there are a few cases where a person may be restricted from carrying a loaded weapon in public, such as when a person has been convicted of a felony or a domestic abuse charge. Gun owners should also be aware of the situations in which they could face criminal charges based on how a weapon was used. The offense of “endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon” may apply in the following situations:

• If a person puts someone else at risk of harm when handling or operating a weapon, they may be charged with a Class A misdemeanor.

• If a person carries or uses a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, this is a Class A misdemeanor offense.

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 Posted on August 30, 2021 in Criminal Defense

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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 Posted on August 26, 2021 in Criminal Defense

Among the different types of criminal offenses that a person may be accused of committing, sex crimes are some of the most serious. These charges carry significant consequences, including large fines and extended sentences in prison. A person convicted of a sex crime may be required to register as a sex offender, which will affect their ability to find a job and a place to live. Even if a person is not convicted, their reputation and relationships with others may be permanently affected. Some people may be unaware of the potential ways that using computers or the internet could lead to sex crime charges. Those who are accused of these types of offenses can work with an attorney to determine their best options for defense.

Sexual Offenses Involving Computers and the Internet

There are multiple ways that a person’s use of computer systems may result in sex crime charges. These offenses may fall into one of the following categories:

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 Posted on August 13, 2021 in DUI/OWI

Driving under the influence, which is known as Operating While Intoxicated or OWI in Wisconsin, is a serious criminal offense, and a conviction can lead to significant fines, the revocation of a person’s driver’s license, and a prison sentence. While most people understand the dangers of driving after drinking alcohol and the consequences they may face for doing so, some may not realize that they can face the same charges if they drive while under the influence of marijuana or certain types of prescription drugs, such as opioids. By understanding how Wisconsin law addresses these situations and working with an attorney who is experienced in defending against these types of charges, a driver can determine their best options for defense following an arrest for OWI involving marijuana or other drugs.

Wisconsin OWI Laws Regarding Drugged Driving

The laws in Wisconsin define a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of .08 percent as the point at which a person is considered to be intoxicated. They also state that a driver cannot operate a motor vehicle if they have any amount of a controlled substance that can be detected in their bloodstream. These substances include marijuana, as well as other drugs and prescription medications. In addition, the law states that it is illegal for a person to drive if they have used any intoxicant or combination of substances that would cause them to be unable to operate a vehicle safely. This means that even if a person has a BAC below the legal limit, they could still face OWI charges because the combination of alcohol with other drugs impaired their ability to drive safely.

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