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Recent Blog Posts
16-Year-Old Student Arrested for Bringing Gun to School
A Kenosha, WI high school student was recently arrested after allegedly bringing a gun into his school. This is the second time in less than a month that a firearm was found in a Wisconsin school. Officials were tipped off to a photo posted on social media of a student with a gun. The student was subsequently located, arrested, and placed into custody at a juvenile detention facility. The gun was a bit harder to locate, although police did find the gun on the student at the juvenile facility where he was taken.
Police say they missed the weapon when they searched the student at the school because it was in a "sensitive area." The teen was charged with terrorist threats, possession of a firearm on school property, and carrying a concealed weapon. Like most states, juvenile crimes in Wisconsin are different from adult criminal offenses, both in procedure and penalties.
Criminal proceedings involving minors, along with the outcomes of those procedures, are secret in the state. It can be devastating for parents when their child is charged with a criminal offense. If your child is facing criminal charges, speaking with an experienced Ozaukee County, WI juvenile crimes attorney can help make a difference in the outcome.
Woman Arrested Two Years After Crash That Killed One-Year-Old
On January 27, 2023, the Wisconsin mother of a one-year-old child parked her unlocked vehicle at her home and went inside. She left a family friend in the car with the child, but the car and her child were gone when she came out of the house. The family friend apparently jumped into the driver’s seat and drove away with the child. She later crashed the car, killing the baby. The woman was hospitalized following the crash, fleeing law enforcement after being released. Almost two years later, the woman was taken into custody in Milwaukee on December 3rd.
The specific charges against the woman are unclear; in the state of Wisconsin, homicide is a broad category, including felony murder, first-degree intentional homicide, second-degree intentional homicide, reckless homicide, negligent homicide, homicide by negligent use of a motor vehicle, homicide by negligent use of a firearm, and homicide by negligent control of a vicious animal. In this particular instance, the charges are likely to be homicide by negligent use of a motor vehicle, although additional charges or enhancements could be added because the woman fled.
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."
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