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Recent Blog Posts
How Serious Is a Hit-and-Run Charge in Wisconsin?
A hit-and-run charge in Wisconsin can carry serious penalties, especially when someone was injured in the crash. When an accident involves damage to an attended or occupied vehicle but no injury, leaving the scene can be a misdemeanor. The moment any person is hurt, the case changes category entirely. Many of these charges come from drivers who panicked for a few seconds or genuinely did not realize they had struck anything. If you are facing one in 2026, a Jefferson County, WI traffic violation lawyer can explain which level applies to your case.
What Does Wisconsin Law Require You to Do After a Crash?
Wisconsin Statute § 346.67 places several obligations on any driver involved in an accident. First, you have to reasonably investigate what you struck. If you know, or have reason to know, that the accident caused injury or death, or damaged a vehicle that someone was driving or sitting in, you must stop as close to the scene as possible and stay there until you have completed each required step.
What to Know About Refusing a Breathalyzer Test in Wisconsin
Refusing a chemical test after a Wisconsin OWI arrest can lead to a driver's license revocation. That refusal case is separate from the underlying OWI charge, so the license consequences can apply even if the OWI case is later dismissed.
If you refused chemical testing during a stop in 2026, a Waukesha County OWI defense lawyer can explain the refusal proceeding, the possible license penalties, and how it may affect your OWI case.
What Is Wisconsin's Implied Consent Law?
Under Wisconsin Statute § 343.305, if you are arrested for an OWI-related offense, an officer can ask you to provide a sample of your breath, blood, or urine for chemical testing. By driving in Wisconsin, you are considered to have consented to this testing.
What Are the Penalties for Reckless Driving in Wisconsin?
Enforcement in Wisconsin for reckless driving has tightened sharply recently. A report from the Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service says police made 1,047 reckless driving arrests in 2025, up 43 percent from the year before. Penalties for reckless driving in Wisconsin range from a ticket to a felony, depending on whether anyone was hurt and whether you have a prior conviction.
If you are facing a charge in 2026, a Milwaukee County, WI traffic violations defense attorney can explain your charges and help you build a defense.
What Counts as Reckless Driving in Wisconsin?
Under Wis. Stat. § 346.62, no person may endanger the safety of any person or property by the negligent operation of a vehicle. "Negligent" here is not ordinary carelessness. It refers to criminal negligence, which means driving that created an unreasonable and substantial risk of death or great bodily harm, in a way the driver should have realized. A momentary lapse is usually not enough.
What To Do if You’ve Been Declared a Habitual Traffic Offender in Wisconsin
If you have been declared a habitual traffic offender in Wisconsin, your first step should be understanding exactly why the license revocation happened. This designation carries a mandatory five-year revocation of your driving privileges. Still, there are options that can soften the impact on your daily life. If you are dealing with this situation in 2026, our Kenosha County, WI traffic violations lawyer can help you understand what comes next.
What Makes Someone a Habitual Traffic Offender in Wisconsin?
Under Wisconsin Statute Section 351.02, a person becomes a habitual traffic offender after building up a certain number of qualifying convictions within a five-year period. This generally means four or more serious offenses, such as reckless driving or operating under the influence.
3 Facts You Need to Know About a First Offense OWI
If you're facing a first-offense OWI in Wisconsin, you'll want to know how Wisconsin actually classifies this charge, what it can cost you, and when things can take a turn for the worse. All are relevant in challenging the charge in 2026 with the help of an experienced lawyer.
Our Ozaukee County, WI criminal defense lawyer can help you understand your legal options. Remember, a charge is not a conviction. Attorney Paul E. Bucher personally handled hundreds of drunk driving offenses.
What Key Facts About a First-Offense OWI in Wisconsin Should You Know?
Understanding these three facts can help you know exactly what you're facing and what to expect as your case moves forward.
Fact One: A First OWI Is Usually Treated as Civil, Not Criminal
What Is the Predominant Aggressor in a Wisconsin Domestic Violence Case?
In a Wisconsin domestic violence case, the predominant aggressor is simply the person police decide was most responsible for what happened. This determination directly affects who gets arrested. This is true even when both people were involved in the confrontation.
If you've been arrested as the predominant aggressor in 2026, our Waukesha County, WI criminal defense lawyer can help you challenge this determination. Attorney Paul E. Bucher spent 20 years as the Waukesha County District Attorney. He personally directed or handled dozens of homicides, hundreds of drunk driving offenses, and thousands of serious drug cases. This gives him deep insight into how these determinations are made.
How Does Wisconsin Law Define the Predominant Aggressor?
Under Wisconsin Statute Section 968.075, the predominant aggressor is the most significant aggressor in a domestic abuse incident. They are not necessarily the first.
What Should You Do if You Are Accused of Leaving the Scene of a Fatal Crash?
If you're accused of leaving the scene of a fatal crash in 2026, there are a few key things you should do. Avoid making any statements to police without a lawyer present. Gather any evidence supporting your account of what happened. And contact a defense attorney as soon as possible.
Our Dodge County, WI criminal defense lawyer can help you understand the charges against you and protect your rights.
What Does Wisconsin Law Require After a Fatal Accident?
Under Wisconsin Statute Section 346.67, a driver who knows or has reason to know that an accident caused injury or death must stop and remain at the scene. The driver must provide their name, address, and vehicle registration number. If requested and available, they must also show their driver's license. Most importantly, they have to provide reasonable assistance to anyone who is injured. Failing to meet these requirements can result in a criminal charge.
What You Need to Know About Your Miranda Rights
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.
How To Prepare for Sexual Assault Charges
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:
Can I Challenge Field Sobriety Tests in a Wisconsin OWI Stop?
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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