Posted on August 12, 2026 in Criminal Defense

Your Miranda rights protect you from self-incrimination. It requires police to inform you of your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney before questioning you. Understanding these rights can make a significant difference in how your case unfolds, especially if you're unsure when they apply or what happens if police fail to follow the proper procedure.

If you're facing questioning or charges in 2026, our Waukesha, WI criminal defense lawyer can help you understand your rights and protect yourself throughout the process. Attorney Paul E. Bucher spent 20 years as the Waukesha County District Attorney and brings that experience to defending clients today.

What Are Miranda Rights and Where Do They Come From?

Miranda rights come from the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Miranda v. Arizona. It established that police must inform suspects of certain constitutional rights before conducting a custodial interrogation. These rights include the right to remain silent, the right to know that anything said can be used against you in court, and the right to have an attorney present during questioning.

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 Posted on August 04, 2026 in Criminal Defense

If you're facing sexual assault charges in Wisconsin, the first thing you should do is talk to a lawyer before you say or do anything else. These charges carry some of the harshest penalties in Wisconsin's criminal code. How you handle the first few days after an accusation can shape the entire outcome of your case.

If you've been accused of sexual assault in 2026, our Waukesha County, WI criminal defense lawyer can help you understand the charges against you. At Bucher Law Group, LLC, we’ll start protecting your rights right away.

What Should You Do Immediately After Being Accused of Sexual Assault?

The first 48 hours after an accusation often matter more than people realize. Police may already be building a case against you. They could be gathering statements and reviewing your phone records before you're ever formally charged.

Steps that can protect you during this early period include:

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 Posted on July 31, 2026 in DUI/OWI

You can challenge field sobriety tests in a Wisconsin OWI stop. These tests are far from perfect. They rely on an officer's judgment, not hard science. Attorney Paul Bucher spent 20 years as the Waukesha County District Attorney. This gives him rare insight into how these tests get used to build a case against you.

If you’re facing an OWI in 2026, our Milwaukee County, WI criminal defense lawyer can look at whether the tests in your case were done the right way. He may also help you challenge them.

What Are Field Sobriety Tests and Why Do Officers Use Them in OWI Cases?

Field sobriety tests are physical and mental exercises officers use during a traffic stop. They help the officer guess whether a driver might be impaired. These typically include the walk-and-turn test, the one-leg stand, and the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, which checks for a certain kind of eye movement. Officers use these tests to build probable cause for an arrest. But the results depend a lot on how carefully the test was given and how the officer read your performance. This leaves a lot of room for error and challenge.

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 Posted on July 22, 2026 in Criminal Defense

First-degree intentional homicide in Wisconsin means causing someone's death on purpose. Second-degree intentional homicide involves an intentional killing too. But it happens under circumstances the law treats as less blameworthy.

Facing a homicide charge is one of the most serious situations a person can go through. You need to know exactly what you're charged with – and why – so you can fight it. If you’re facing charges in 2026, contact Bucher Law Group, LLC. Our Dodge County criminal defense lawyer can help you understand the charge against you. Together, we can begin building your defense right away.

How Does Wisconsin Law Define First-Degree Intentional Homicide?

Wisconsin defines first-degree intentional homicide under Wisconsin Statute Section 940.01. This law makes it a crime to cause the death of another human being with the intent to kill that person or another person.

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 Posted on July 11, 2026 in Criminal Defense

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

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 Posted on July 02, 2026 in DUI/OWI

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.

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 Posted on June 30, 2026 in Criminal Defense

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. 

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 Posted on June 18, 2026 in Criminal Defense

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:

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 Posted on June 11, 2026 in Criminal Defense

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.

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 Posted on June 05, 2026 in Criminal Defense

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.

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