In recent years, the number of teenagers and underage young adults who drink and drive has decreased. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the total number of high school students who drink and drive has fallen by more than half since 1991. Though this number has gone down, in 2017, more than 16% of high school students reported that they had ridden with a driver who had been drinking alcohol. Underage drinking and driving is a serious issue, because teens are already three times more likely to get into a fatal accident than adults--and alcohol only exacerbates that statistic. In many states, underage drinking and driving penalties have become more strict, including in the state of Wisconsin, where it is referred to as operating while intoxicated (OWI).

Absolute Sobriety Law

Most states have a law stating that those who are under the age of 21 are not permitted to drive if they have alcohol in their systems. In Wisconsin, drivers who are under 21 years old are not permitted to have a BAC of more than 0.00 if they are operating a motor vehicle. This is called Wisconsin’s Absolute Sobriety or “Not a Drop” law. A violation of this law will result in a $200 fine, four demerit points on an individual’s driver’s license, and a three-month driver’s license suspension.

The end of August signals the start of another school year. Any parent can become stressed or overwhelmed with the demands of the back-to-school season, but this time of year can be especially difficult for parents who are divorced. Arguments may arise over school supply shopping or emergency contact forms, and these disputes can get heated and out of hand if you let them. Co-parenting is not easy, and back-to-school time can make it even more stressful. The following tips can help you if you are recently divorced with a child who is starting school soon.

1. Figure Out Who is Paying For What

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Gun laws have been a hot topic for lawmakers and other government officials for the past couple of years. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 261 mass shootings (defined as incidents in which four or more people are shot or killed) in the United States so far in 2019. In the wake of the latest mass shootings in Texas and Ohio, which killed 22 and 10 people respectively, Wisconsin lawmakers have been discussing the possibility of new gun laws. The proposed legislation includes bills to make universal background checks a requirement, along with the implementation of red-flag laws.

Current Background Check Requirements

Federal law currently dictates that all people purchasing guns from licensed dealers must complete a background check. This does not include guns that are sold from person to person or guns that are purchased at gun shows. The new law proposing expanded background checks would require a background check to be completed for almost all gun sales or transfers, except for sales or transfers to a firearms dealer, law enforcement, or armed service agencies.

Getting pulled over by a police officer for any reason is an intimidating experience. When you are stopped because an officer suspects you may be driving while you are intoxicated, it can be even more nerve-wracking. Experiments have shown that most people will obey commands from law enforcement just because the police officer is wearing a uniform, but not every command from a police officer must be followed. In certain situations, you have the right to refuse commands, which can sometimes benefit the outcome of your case. It is important to understand your rights if you are pulled over on suspicion of operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) in Wisconsin. 

Right to Remain Silent

The United States Constitution states that all American citizens have the right against self-incrimination. This means you have the right to remain silent and not answer police questions when you are stopped for a traffic violation. One of the most common questions that officers ask when they stop someone is, “Do you know why I pulled you over?” If you answer yes to that question, you are basically admitting your guilt. The best thing to do is to reply to that question with, “No, officer, I do not know.”

A divorce is considered by many to be a fresh start. People who get divorced often decide to relocate to begin their next chapter in life. Whether it is a move to accept a new job, to be closer to extended family, or simply for a change of scenery, relocating with a child can be difficult. Under Wisconsin divorce law, there are certain rules a parent must follow when he or she wishes to move with his or her child. Either parent who has been granted physical placement of the child can petition to move with the child. Not following the rules of relocation can result is less than favorable consequences and can end with a petition for relocation being denied.

Filing the Motion to Relocate

If a parent wishes to move with a child and make the child’s permanent residence more than 100 miles away from the child's current residence, the parent must file a motion to relocate with the court. The relocation plan in the motion must include: