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Recent Blog Posts
Can I Go to Jail for Covid Fraud in Wisconsin?
As the COVID-19 pandemic began to have a noticeably harmful impact on people’s physical, mental, and financial health, Congress passed various measures to provide financial aid to people and businesses that were struggling. Hundreds of billions of dollars were set aside for companies, small businesses, and unemployed individuals.
However, with all these relief funds becoming available, claims of fraud increased. After uncovering over $8 billion in relief fraud, the Department of Justice formed the COVID-19 Fraud Enforcement Task Force to address it. Over 1,000 people have already faced criminal charges related to the COVID-19 relief funds. If you believe you might be accused of this form of federal fraud, speak with a skilled Waukesha County, WI criminal defense attorney to learn more.
What Is COVID Fraud?
Federal COVID-19 fraud refers to people illegally obtaining benefits from federal relief programs. If you are facing these charges, it means you are being accused of:
What You Need to Know about Federal Gun Safety Law
Gun laws are a topic that can inspire heated debate for many people. Some people are heavily focused on gun control and limiting who can possess which type of weapons, while others are dedicated to the constitutional right to bear arms. Wherever you fall on this issue, it is clear that the gun safety law that President Biden signed in 2022 has started to take effect. According to a recent report, it has led to over 500 cases of federal weapons charges. If you are facing criminal charges related to the new law, speak with a skilled Racine County, WI criminal defense lawyer to understand how this new federal legislation can affect you.
Navigating Traffic Court in Wisconsin
Many people charged with traffic violations find themselves in court for the first time. Without prior experience, traffic court can be stressful and overwhelming. This article will offer several tips for a smoother process, preferably without facing added fines or penalties. If you are facing charges of serious traffic violations, speak with a skilled Dodge County, WI criminal defense lawyer to learn more.
Tip 1: Appear in Court on the Appointed Date
When you face traffic charges, you will be told a date and time to appear in court. It is very important to show up when you are supposed to. Otherwise, the court will submit a default judgment against you. Depending on your case, you could face additional penalties and fines, and an arrest warrant can even be issued against you.
Tip 2: Dress Appropriately
Traffic court is not the same as a formal proceeding, but do not let that fool you into dressing too casually. It is important to look professional and put-together and avoid coming off as an unproductive member of society.
Alternatives to Jail Time for Drug Charges in Wisconsin
There is a big debate in America about how to handle drug crimes. On the one hand, drug use is illegal, and many believe that it should remain criminalized. On the other hand, many people charged with drug crimes suffer from addiction, and there are calls to handle them with treatment instead of punishment. Wisconsin places the focus on helping people and communities harmed by substance abuse, and as such, there are certain cases when alternative options are available for sentencing. The state’s Treatment Alternatives and Diversion (TAD) programs are geared more toward rehabilitation than punishment. It is not offered for all people facing all charges but depending on the circumstances of your case, this could be an excellent alternative for you. If you are facing criminal charges for drug crimes, speak with a qualified Walworth County, WI criminal defense attorney to learn more.
Tips for Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Wisconsin
It can be stressful and confusing when you find yourself in legal trouble. Whether you need help handling a legal matter or are facing criminal charges, the lawyer who takes your case can make a big difference. How do you know who to hire if you never needed a lawyer before? This article will offer tips to help you decide who should represent you. If you need any legal assistance for anything from a traffic violation to homicide, speak with a skilled Ozaukee County, WI criminal defense attorney.
Important Considerations
The legal system in Wisconsin can be complex. This is especially true if you are involved in a criminal case. Criminal defense lawyers are trained to handle these cases and ensure that their clients’ rights are protected. However, it can be difficult deciding who you want representing you in your case. When you are considering which law firm to hire, you should have the following in mind:
Flag Burning in America: Legal or a Criminal Offense?
In today’s political landscape, many Americans pride themselves on exercising their freedom of expression. Whether their displeasure is with a specific policy, elected official, or law, they can voice their unhappiness as loudly as they want, as long as they are not hurting or harming anyone else. Over the past year, with political protests generally stopping short of physical violence, questions have been asked about what is legal in the context of political protest and self-expression. This article will review the legality of flag burning in America. If you are arrested at a protest and believe you were simply realizing your freedom of expression, contact a seasoned Jefferson County, WI criminal defense attorney who can build a strong defense and advocate for your rights.
Overview of Legal Precedent for Flag Burning
The First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States protects a person’s right to burn a flag, specifically the American flag. Several decisions have been made over the years on this topic, with the Supreme Court consistently confirming that the act of burning flags falls under the greater category of free speech, which is therefore, protected by law. Some of these decisions include:
Can Police Force Phone Unlock with a Thumbprint Scan?
According to a recent federal ruling by the US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, the police can force a suspect to unlock his phone using a thumbprint scan. Although the Fifth Amendment of the US Constitution protects people from incriminating themselves, this ruling means that the protections in the amendment do not extend to a locked cell phone. This is quite a significant ruling, particularly because it covers the forced use of biometrics, an area of the law that has not been settled until now. This ruling can have far-reaching impacts on the legal processes for defendants. If you think you might be suspected of a crime, speak with a skilled Milwaukee, WI criminal defense attorney who can help you understand your rights and protect your interests.
When Can You Be Forced to Unlock Your Phone?
The appeals court based its decision on two previous rulings by the Supreme Court that had similar implications. In one case, Doe v. United States in 1988, a defendant was forced by the government to sign a document that provided his consent to disclosing his bank records as they related to accounts that the government was already aware of. In this case, the court believed that the act of signing the document was not an act of incrimination, especially because the bank could have ultimately been forced to produce the records. The second case, United States v. Hubbell in 2000, involved a subpoena that forced a suspect to make records available and answer questions about them. This time, the Supreme Court ruled against the government.
New Law: Repeat Offender Penalties for Multiple Counts
Those who commit criminal offenses will usually be held accountable, even if it takes a while. The American criminal justice system revolves around the premise that punishment for a crime will deter further crime. In theory, when that lesson is learned, the person turns away from committing more criminal acts, and society benefits. Criminal defense attorneys seeking justice for their clients also factor into this equation. The end goal for all is less criminal behavior, increased safety, and a happier society.
Since the societal goal is to prevent criminal offenders from reoffending, making penalties for a first offense equal to those for a third offense is not the direction we want to take. If you are charged in Wisconsin with a criminal sexual offense, it is important that you speak to a knowledgeable attorney who can decipher the new laws and explain your options. This new law could affect how your Jefferson County attorney approaches your defense.
Should Cash Bail Constitutional Amendments Be Invalidated?
Criminal justice groups in Wisconsin argue that voter-approved cash bail constitutional amendments have procedural flaws that should invalidate the amendments. The case concerns whether the ballot questions sent to the legislature were sent to the correct election officials and whether deadlines were properly met. If these allegations are true, the amendments could be removed from the state constitution and possibly placed on a future ballot.
The First Amendment allows judges who are determining bail to consider past convictions for violent crimes when the new charges are also for a violent crime. The Second Amendment allows judges who are considering bail when releasing a defendant before trial to consider any risk to public safety, including prior criminal history. Those facing a bail hearing in the state with a prior conviction or criminal history may find their bail denied entirely or set so high it becomes unattainable.
While it is always advisable to have a Jefferson County criminal defense attorney at bail hearings, it is even more important now. These constitutional amendments make it considerably more difficult for those with a prior criminal history to obtain bail before trial. With the new challenges to the amendments, having one’s rights protected by a skilled attorney during bail issues is particularly relevant.
Can I Reduce My Hit-and-Run Charge?
If you are facing a hit-and-run charge in Wisconsin, you might be wondering if there are ways to reduce the severity of your case. While every situation is unique, there are several strategies that may help mitigate the consequences of a hit-and-run charge. A Wisconsin lawyer can help with your options and provide insights into the legal process.
What Are the Hit-and-Run Laws in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin Statute 346.67 outlines the duties of a driver involved in an accident. The law requires drivers to:
- Stop at the scene or as close as possible
- Provide their name, address, and vehicle registration to other involved parties
- Show their driver's license if requested
- Offer reasonable help to any injured person
Not meeting these requirements can lead to hit-and-run charges, with severity dependent on the situation.
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