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Recent Blog Posts
Wisconsin Police Crack Down on Street Takeovers
Street takeovers are a dangerous new nationwide trend where a group of drivers and onlookers gather to perform dangerous stunts or engage in street racing. These gatherings take place on public streets or spaces and can put everyone in the area at risk. While most of these events take place in the warmer months, winter street racing events are especially deadly due to the increased risk of a driver losing control in the ice and snow. Madison, WI police recently cited about 80 drivers in a massive street takeover that took place at the East Town Mall. Other police departments have taken notice and are starting to crack down on these illegal events and the many traffic offenses they involve. If you have been charged with a traffic crime related to a street takeover event, you need a well-qualified Milwaukee County, WI traffic offenses attorney to help you. The penalties can be serious and range from a $20 fine to years in prison if someone is killed as a result.
Reckless Driving Charges Explained
Reckless driving is something of a catch-all traffic charge for operating a vehicle in any way that endangers people or property. It is less serious than a DUI but more serious than a speeding ticket. Reckless driving is a misdemeanor crime, not a minor traffic violation. If someone actually did get hurt as a result of your reckless driving, you could even be sent to jail. However, a first-offense reckless driving charge that did not result in any injuries does not carry jail time. The penalties get much more serious with repeat offenses or injuries to others, including your own passengers. If you have been charged with reckless driving, you should reach out to a well-qualified Walworth County, WI traffic crimes attorney.
What is Reckless Driving?
The crime of reckless driving covers a wide variety of conduct that puts other people or property around you at risk. Reckless driving might include:
How to Prepare for Sexual Assault Charges
Learning that you have been accused of sexual assault can be horrifying. As soon as you are aware that an accusation has been made, it is best to start preparing for the possibility that criminal charges will be filed. Do not assume that the person who has accused you is only attacking your reputation and will not go to the police. Several days or weeks can pass between the time someone reports a sexual assault and the time an arrest is made. If you learn that you have been accused of sexual assault, you urgently need to speak with an experienced Waukesha, WI sex crime attorney so that you can begin preparing to defend a criminal case.
Avoid Making Public Statements About the Accusation
Your initial reaction might be to publicly defend yourself against the rape accusations. It can be very tempting to make a Facebook post proclaiming your innocence or even to talk to the media if there has been any publicity. However, it is generally inadvisable to make any public statements regarding the sexual assault you have been accused of.
OWI Crash in Wisconsin Leaves One Person Dead
One person died in a car crash in Franklin, WI, on November 2nd, near Lovers Lane Road and Rawson Avenue. Police have determined that the collision was caused by an intoxicated driver, who has been arrested. It is expected that the man will be charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and potentially other OWI charges as well.
The deceased was a 74-year-old man who was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the other vehicle had minor injuries, which were treated before he was arrested and booked. If you have been charged with homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle or any other type of OWI charges, it can benefit you to speak to a Menomonee Falls, WI OWI lawyer from Bucher Law Group, LLC.
What is the Difference Between OWI and DUI in Wisconsin?
OWI in the state of Wisconsin means operating a vehicle while intoxicated or driving while drunk. DUI stands for driving under the influence, which could include the influence of drugs, both prescription and illegal. Prosecutors and police in the state felt that people were getting away with drunk driving because of the "D" in DUI, which stands for driving.
Defending an Underage Drinking and Driving Case
Halloween is one of the biggest drinking and driving nights of the year - especially for teenagers and adults under 21 years old. If you are currently facing charges after a Halloween celebration got out of hand, you are not alone. However, getting a DUI while you are still in high school or college can get in the way of your goals. Courts often worry that people who are drinking and driving as juveniles or before reaching their 21st birthdays may be going down the wrong path in life, leading to consequences that actually interfere with your path in life. If you or your teenage child is facing DUI or OWI charges, you need the help of an experienced Waukesha County, WI juvenile criminal defense lawyer.
Avoiding Adult Court if You Are a Juvenile
If you are not yet 18 years old, your attorney’s first goal will be making sure you are charged as a juvenile and your case stays in juvenile court. Having your case handled entirely in juvenile court offers numerous advantages. Juvenile court judges are more used to working with high school students and handling sentencing in a way that does not interfere with their educations. Minors in juvenile court can also worry less about their cases following them into adulthood.
Six Common Mistakes in First-Time OWI/DUI Cases and How to Avoid Them
Facing an OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) charge for the first time in Wisconsin can be downright scary. You may figure that, since this is your first OWI charge, you do not need an attorney and can keep a low profile by avoiding the expense or publicity of hiring a lawyer. Unfortunately, this is one of the most common mistakes people make in OWI that can make the consequences they are facing much more serious.
Understanding this and some of the other most common pitfalls can help you avoid costly missteps and protect your rights. Consulting a knowledgeable Wisconsin criminal defense attorney early in the process is the single most important thing you can do to make sure you face minimum consequences and get back to normal life as quickly as possible.
Mistake #1: Assuming You Have No Defense and Should Just Make a Plea Deal
Many people believe that an OWI charge is impossible to fight, especially if they failed a breathalyzer or field sobriety test. However, these tests are not foolproof, and various factors, such as improper test administration, medical conditions, or equipment malfunctions, can impact the results.
The Most Serious Traffic Violations in Wisconsin
Traffic violations in Wisconsin can lead to serious consequences, especially for offenses that go beyond minor infractions. If you are facing a severe traffic violation in Waukesha County, you may be dealing with fines, a suspended license, or even jail time. It is important to understand these violations and how an experienced Wisconsin criminal defense attorney can help defend your rights.
Serious Traffic Violations in Wisconsin
Certain traffic violations are treated as especially severe under Wisconsin law. Here are some of the most serious offenses:
Operating While Intoxicated (OWI)
Driving under the influence (OWI) is one of the most serious traffic offenses. Penalties include:
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Fines from $150 to $25,000
When Can Someone in Wisconsin Get Out of Jail or Prison on Parole?
In Wisconsin, parole allows someone to be released from prison after serving part of their sentence, but it is not available to everyone. If someone is convicted of a crime and wondering when they can apply for parole, the answer depends on the date of their offense and the crime involved. For example, Wisconsin abolished parole for crimes committed after December 31, 1999. People sentenced after that date are not eligible for parole and must serve a set percentage of their sentence under "truth-in-sentencing" laws. However, those convicted before 2000 may still be eligible. If you are unsure about your parole eligibility, contact a Wisconsin criminal defense attorney for personalized guidance.
Are There Crimes in Wisconsin That Are Not Eligible for Parole?
Yes, certain crimes in Wisconsin make someone ineligible for parole. Under "truth-in-sentencing" laws, anyone convicted of crimes committed after December 31, 1999, must serve all of their sentence without the possibility of parole. Some people may be eligible for something known as "early release."
How is Battery Prosecuted in Wisconsin Criminal Law?
At some point in our lives, we have all witnessed a scene where tensions run high, and things escalate to a fistfight. Despite the spontaneous, spur-of-the-moment nature of these outbursts, they can carry consequences that last far longer than a one or two minute brawl. If you think you are about to get involved in a physical altercation, the best thing you can do is disengage.
In the fallout of a fight, you may be charged with battery, which can carry jail time and hefty fines depending on the severity of the act. An experienced Waukesha County, WI criminal defense attorney can help you figure out your best defense and represent you fairly in court.
How Severe is a Battery Charge in Wisconsin?
The seriousness of a battery charge is measured by the intent to cause harm, no prior consent from the victim, and the damage inflicted to the victim. There are distinct levels of battery in Wisconsin law, listed below from least to most serious:
How Could the Proposed WI 2024 Expungement Law Help You?
A proposed expungement law in Wisconsin could allow thousands of eligible individuals to wipe the slate clean and start fresh. We have all made mistakes in our lives. Those mistakes might have been because we were young and naïve, we listened to someone in our lives that we should not have, or we simply made a bad decision.
The mistakes might have resulted in the necessity of hiring a criminal defense attorney, spending time in jail, and paying steep fines. A single mistake in an individual’s life should not follow him or her forever, yet that is often the reality, particularly since Wisconsin’s expungement laws are among the strictest in the United States.
The proposed change in Wisconsin’s expungement law would expand eligibility for the expungement of prior criminal records, providing many with a fresh start. The legislation also pushes law enforcement to place their focus more on violent crimes in the state rather than issues like simple possession of marijuana. If you made a mistake and have paid your debt to society, speak to a knowledgeable Jefferson County, WI criminal defense attorney from Bucher Law Group, LLC for information regarding expungement.
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