Seeing the flashing lights of a police cruiser pulling up behind you is never a fun event. Most of the time, drivers in Wisconsin are pulled over for simple traffic infractions like speeding or not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign. However, in some cases, the traffic offense is much more serious and could lead to your arrest and even jail time. In addition to Operating While Intoxicated (OWI), there are other traffic offenses that could leave you with a criminal record. If you are charged with any of the following offenses, it is best to contact an experienced attorney who can take on your case.

Serious Consequences for Traffic Offenses

If you accumulate enough minor traffic offenses, you may eventually face criminal charges and even a revoked license. However, the following offenses are considered criminal, with much more serious consequences:

Reckless driving – Beyond mere speeding, this charge can include excessive speeding, weaving in and out of traffic, and any other vehicle operations that put others in danger.

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There can be many different warning signs that your marriage is in trouble. While disagreements over money and finances are common in every marriage, they can come to a head before a divorce. In some cases, a spouse may take steps to hide income, conceal purchases, or take other questionable and secret financial steps. Whether it is to avoid the scrutiny of their spouse or to hide assets from division during an anticipated divorce, there are signs you can look for if you suspect your spouse is hiding money.

Five Financial Signs to Watch in a Marriage

Taken individually, these steps may not arouse suspicion, but if you see more than one sign or if your marriage is already headed for a divorce, it may be time to act. Contact a divorce attorney who can help you discuss your next steps with a financial expert.

• Your spouse hides the mail or you notice bank and other financial statements are not appearing in the mail - While many people are now banking online, this could be a sign that transactions or withdrawals are being hidden from you. Make sure you have online access to your financial accounts in order to track activity as well as to keep a record for any future divorce proceedings.

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While more states, including neighboring Michigan and Illinois, have decriminalized and legalized marijuana use over the past few years, the substance remains illegal in Wisconsin. However, more momentum may be gathering in Madison for legalization, as bills to legalize medicinal and recreational marijuana use were both introduced this past year but did not advance. Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke said that legalization is likely to happen eventually in Wisconsin. Hearings were held this spring and while there was support from members of both parties, numbers were not great enough to take action on the bills. Other lawmakers believed the bills were nothing more than an election-year strategy to get publicity with no real hope of getting them passed.

A Marquette University poll indicated that 61% of Wisconsin voters favor legalization, with even higher percentages supportive of medical marijuana, with 80% in favor. Medical marijuana is now legal in 38 states.

Marijuana Charges in Wisconsin

For now though, marijuana cultivation, possession, or sale remains illegal in Wisconsin. Currently, possession of marijuana by a first-time offender is a first-degree misdemeanor. An offender may face a maximum fine of $1,000 and a maximum jail sentence of up to six months. After your first offense, subsequent arrests for marijuana possession are charged as a felony. This charge could carry a fine of up to $10,000 and jail time of up to 3.5 years. The manufacture, delivery, or distribution of marijuana is also a felony in Wisconsin, with jail time ranging from 3.5 years to 15 years and fines between $10,000 and $50,000 depending on the amount seized.

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The second amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees the right to bear arms, but that right is not always absolute. To protect public safety, states including Wisconsin have put restrictions on the type of firearms and other weapons that can be possessed, and the manner in which they can be used. While some of these restrictions may be common knowledge, others are more obscure. Violating any of firearms laws could result in misdemeanor or felony charges, depending on the severity of the case or the conduct of the violator.

Examples of Firearms Restrictions

Here are some of the restrictions that have been placed on firearms or the conduct of citizens by the Wisconsin legislature. These laws have exceptions for members of law enforcement or the military while operating in the course of their employment or their official capacity.

• Possession of a firearm while intoxicated – You cannot be armed or operate a firearm if you are under the influence of alcohol or any other controlled substance. There are also restrictions on the possession of handguns at public premises that serve alcohol.

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No one likes to be the target of loud or obnoxious behavior from another person. But where is the legal line, and what are the potential penalties for going too far? In Wisconsin, depending on the severity and frequency of the offense, you may be charged with disorderly conduct, harassment, or stalking, with generally increasing severity of penalties. If you face any of these charges, hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney is essential.

Potential Charges for Obnoxious Behavior

Disorderly Conduct - If you are accused of conduct that is considered violent, indecent, boisterous, profane, or unreasonably loud, you may be charged with disorderly conduct. This can include shouting lewd things at people on the street or acting threateningly. Wisconsin law allows disorderly conduct to be charged if the behavior happened in a public or a private place. The penalty for being found guilty of disorderly conduct, a Class B misdemeanor, is a fine of up to $1,000 and a maximum of 90 days in jail.

Harassment - You can be charged with harassment by engaging in harassing or intimidating behavior towards an individual on more than one occasion. This can include threats of violence or actual physical contact. Basic harassment carries a fine of up to $1,000. If harassment is ruled to constitute a credible threat placing the other person in fear of bodily harm or death, it becomes a Class A misdemeanor, with fines of up to $10,000 and a maximum of nine months in jail. Violating a restraining order to conduct the harassment is also a Class A misdemeanor. Repeated harassment violations can result in felony charges.

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