Pranks and practical jokes are funny – until someone has to go to jail. Unfortunately, this is the reality for some individuals who do things that deface someone else's property. It is important to avoid any activities that might lead to vandalism charges.

There are many aspects of these charges that must be considered when you are trying to figure out if something is going to run afoul of the law. All of these can have an impact on whether you will face criminal charges.

Does vandalism always destroy property?

The question of marijuana is one of the hot topics across the country, and Wisconsin isn't an exception. In fact, Eau Claire recently set a $1 fine for marijuana possession in the city. The city council members there hope to send a message to lawmakers that marijuana isn't worth the priority status it has been given.

Prior to passing the law, the fines for possession ranged from $100 to $500. The new $1 fine is only applicable to first-time offenders who have 25 grams or less. They will still have to pay court fees, so the total will be $138 for a person who is arrested there for their first time facing this crime.

Despite the push from some cities and counties, marijuana for recreational use remains illegal in this state. Possession of marijuana is punished as a misdemeanor for a first offense. It carries a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail. Offenses after the first one are charged as felonies.

Defending yourself against a crime often involves a mix of simple, common-sense approaches combined with rock-solid criminal defense experience on the part of your defense attorney. For now, let's focus on the common-sense aspect of the drunk driving defense process by looking at the most important thing everyone knows about criminal defense in the United States: An accused person will remain innocent of the alleged crimes until -- and only if -- the prosecution proves that he or she is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

On a very "common sense" level, the notion of 'innocent until proven guilty' puts the burden of proof on the prosecution during your litigation process. If the prosecutions can't definitively and clearly prove that you were driving drunk, there's a good chance you'll receive a verdict of not guilty. And what does the prosecution need to prove you committed the crime? Irrefutable facts and evidence. This is why it's essential for those who have been wrongly accused of drunk driving to target the evidence in their defense process.

Evidence that might not be accurate for example is the result of your Breathalyzer test. It's well-known, for example, that a Breathalyzer test -- especially one used by police in the field -- may not yield accurate results, particularly if it's poorly calibrated, poorly maintained or not used properly. Also, police could fail to follow the required procedure while administering a Breathalyzer test, which would potentially render the results inaccurate and inadmissible in court. In addition to casting doubt on the accuracy of Breathalyzer test evidence, defendants might also seek to cast doubt on eyewitness testimony, the results of a field sobriety test, police accounts of the events before and during the arrest and other important facts.

Having a criminal defense lawyer by your side during your drug crime proceedings is essential. However, for those who have never been through a criminal litigation process, they may not understand how much a lawyer can help. They might even make the mistake of trying to defend themselves pro se, i.e., navigate their legal proceedings without legal representation. When it comes to a drug-related trial, a pro se defendant might find him or herself unintentionally digging into a deeper and deeper hole.

If you're on the fence about hiring a lawyer in your case, you might want to consider some of the potential benefits of contacting a criminal defense attorney:

Reduction of criminal charges

Implied consent laws require all drivers to submit to chemical testing when police accuse them of driving while intoxicated. Of course, they still have the right to refuse such tests. However, as a result of implied consent laws, the driver will likely be immediately arrested on suspicion of DUI.

Implied consent laws function by assuming that when a driver gets a driver's license and enjoys the privilege of driving, they automatically consent to being tested for drugs or alcohol when police suspect them of driving while intoxicated. Such chemical tests could include urine, blood and breath tests.

When a driver refuses to take a chemical test, they will usually endure a mandatory driver's license suspension that could last up to a year. Interestingly, it's common for the license revocation to be longer after a driver refuses a test than if they take the test and fails. In some cases, a driver could even face harsher punishments if convicted of DUI after refusing to take a test.