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Posted on in OWI

Oconomowoc criminal defense attorney OWI with a minor passenger

The state of Wisconsin is one of the few states that still treat the first-time charge for operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) as a moving violation rather than a crime. However, circumstances significantly change if a person has a minor who is under the age of 16 in the vehicle at the time the OWI is committed. In the past couple of years, Wisconsin lawmakers have made changes to some of the state’s drunk driving laws, with updated penalties for minor passengers being one of them. In many cases, offenders could see their criminal penalties as much as double if they were driving under the influence with a minor in the vehicle.

First and Second OWI With No Prior Offense

For a typical first or second OWI charge with no prior OWI charges in the preceding 10 years, an offender typically would face up to a $300 fine, up to a nine-month license suspension, and no jail time. However, if a minor was in the vehicle when the offense was committed, he or she could face between $350 and $1,100 in fines, a 12-18-month license suspension, and up to six months in jail.

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Tagged in: drunk driving Muskego criminal defense lawyer OWI OWI with a child passenger Wisconsin OWI laws
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Posted on in Criminal Law

New Berlin criminal defense attorney juvenile crime

As a parent, one of the worst phone calls you could receive is one from your child stating that he or she has gotten into trouble with the law. Being arrested and charged with a criminal offense is a serious situation, regardless of whether or not you are an adult or a child. If your minor has been arrested or has had a run-in with the law, you may be wondering if he or she will be tried as an adult or as a child. In many cases, a juvenile will be tried and sentenced through the juvenile justice system, which functions slightly differently than the adult criminal justice system. In some cases, however, a juvenile may be tried in adult court for certain crimes in Wisconsin.

17-Year-Olds Are Considered Adults

Wisconsin is still among the few states that always consider juveniles who are at least 17 years old to be “adults.” This means that if a 17-year-old is arrested and charged with a crime, his or her case automatically is sent to adult court, not juvenile court. However, those who were 15 or 16 at the time of the offense may be tried either as a juvenile or an adult. This decision is up to the court’s discretion and mainly depends on the nature of the offense and the possibility for rehabilitation.

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Tagged in: criminal charges criminal defense juvenile court juvenile crimes Musekgo criminal defense lawyer
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Posted on in OWI

Oconomowoc BUI defense attorney

After several long months of winter weather, summer has finally arrived in Wisconsin. Even though this summer might look a little different than what we are used to, it is safe to assume that most people will attempt to continue with summertime activities, such as boating. In Wisconsin, boating is a favorite pastime for many. What some may not realize, however, is that boats fall under many of the same laws that other motor vehicles do -- especially when it comes to operating them while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Therefore, it is important to understand the legal penalties for this type of criminal offense.

Dangers of Alcohol and Boating

Alcohol alters your perceptions of the world around you, which is why it is so dangerous to drive while under the influence. Boating is no exception. Alcohol is notorious for delaying reaction time and causing balance issues, both of which can already be exacerbated on a boat because of the vibrations and waves in the water. Drugs or alcohol can also impair your vision and depth perception, which is critical when navigating any type of watercraft. 

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Tagged in: boating under the influence BUI Musekgo criminal defense lawyer OWI Wisconsin OWI laws
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Posted on in Criminal Law

Brookfield theft defense attorney

Shoplifting is not an uncommon crime in Wisconsin, even though the penalties for shoplifting charges can be severe in some situations. There are many different actions that could be considered shoplifting or retail theft under Wisconsin law. These could range from taking a shirt without paying for it to switching the price tags on an item. Depending on the value of the items that were taken, an alleged offender could face anywhere from a misdemeanor charge to a felony charge. Retail theft laws can be complicated, which is why an experienced criminal defense lawyer can help build a solid defense against such charges.

Types of Shoplifting

Shoplifting, which is also known as retail theft, consists of more than just stealing an item from the store. According to Wisconsin’s criminal statutes, a person is guilty of retail theft when he or she intends to permanently deprive the retailer of the value of the merchandise or product. This crime can also include the following actions:

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Posted on in OWI

Muskego OWI defense attorney

Since the 1980s, the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities in the United States has decreased dramatically, from approximately 21,000 deaths in 1982 to 10,500 deaths in 2018. Unfortunately, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), intoxicated driving still accounted for nearly one-third of all traffic deaths in 2018. Drunk driving laws all over the country have become more strict, with Wisconsin being no exception. In certain situations, Wisconsin requires those drivers who are charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) to have an ignition interlock device (IID) installed on their vehicle. It is critical to understand what is involved with an IID if you are facing OWI charges.

What Is an IID?

An IID is a small, cell phone-sized device that is electronically wired into your vehicle’s ignition system. The device requires you to provide a breath sample before you are able to start your vehicle. A portion of the device functions like a breathalyzer and determines your blood alcohol content (BAC) from your breath sample. If your BAC is more than 0.02 percent, the device will not allow your vehicle to start. Each time you provide a breath sample, the results are stored in the device’s memory, which will eventually be reviewed by the authorities for compliance. Any attempts to remove, circumvent, or tamper with the device will immediately be reported to the sheriff’s office in your county.

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Tagged in: drunk driving ignition interlock device OWI Pewaukee criminal defense lawyer Wisconsin OWI laws
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