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Recent Blog Posts
State Patrol increases drug arrests in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin State Patrol reports a noteworthy increase in drugged driving during 2016 and 2017. The State Patrol says there has been a 20 percent increase in drug-related arrests over this period of time. In 2016, the State Patrol carried out 2,900 drug arrests and, in 2017, it carried out 3,400.
As for drugged driving arrests, the State Patrol has also seen an increase, having arrested 310 allegedly drugged drivers in 2016 and 390 more in 2017. Authorities say that the increase in arrests has a lot to do with two factors — the better training of officers in detecting and identifying drivers who are high on drugs and the legalization of marijuana in various neighboring states. For example, Michigan, Ohio and Minnesota have all loosened their marijuana laws, resulting in more people gaining access to the drug legally.
According to a representative of the Wisconsin State Patrol, "...marijuana is bound to be moved through the state, and our officers are starting to see more of that." He also said that he believes "...there's a rise in drug arrests based on the fact that marijuana has been legalized in some of these states and we're seeing it being transported to and from through Wisconsin."
Surgeons want you to take fewer opioids
A conglomerate of University of Michigan surgeons want you to take fewer opioids after your surgery. The surgeons believe that any opportunity to prevent someone from coming to contact with an opioid is an opportunity to prevent a potential addiction.
Approximately 64,000 people died from opioid abuse in 2016, prompting the White House to classify the widespread opioid problem as a "public health emergency." As a potential remedy to this emergency, surgeons believe they can improve the problem by not giving patients as many opioid pills after their surgeries -- as this is when most people get introduced to the drug as a painkiller that leads to numerous addictions.
Surgeons believe that this is the best course of action to make a small dent in the problem. They say that doctors often don't prescribe opioids with a high degree of exactitude after surgery, meaning that some patients are receiving much more than they actually need. They say that patients also need better education regarding the appropriate use of opioids so they can stay safe.
The concealed carry fashion show draws controversy
Milwaukee was the host of the National Rifle Association's "Concealed Carry Fashion Show." The fashion show was intended to show off gun-toting fashion accessories.
The show included regular guys and regular gals as models who donned special gun-friendly clothing, bags and purses to model for the audience.
Details about the Concealed Carry Fashion Show
Approximately 30 companies were represented at the fashion show, including brand names such as Man-Pack and Femme Fatale. Many of the fashion pieces included shoulder bags and corset holders that were made to assist in the quick drawing and firing of a weapon.
The NRA has been promoting its fashion show for the last several months and even worked with a professional designer to coordinate and plan the event. Marketing literature from the NRA's press release before the event stated, "The Fashion Show will showcase the Expo's top concealed carry products and demonstrate the features and benefits to an audience of firearm enthusiasts and industry media."
The difference between petty theft and grand theft
There are people all over who make the decision to commit a crime. While some are able to get away with the wrong they have done, not all of them can say they have been successful. Being charged with a theft or property crime like shoplifting or burglary can have a negative effect on your life. However, depending on how the crime is classified, the consequences may not be as harsh as some people believe.
Taking something that does not belong to you is what makes it a crime. A theft crime is typically categorized as petty or grand. When courts are determining which category a crime should fall into, they will consider various things, including the kind of property that was stolen and how much it was worth.
In many states, when a crime is considered petty, the property that was stolen is not valued above a certain amount. For example, if a bracelet was less than $1000, the courts may decide that it was a petty crime. When a crime is considered grand, the value of the item or items stolen exceeds that of a petty crime. These two crimes also differ because one is usually considered a misdemeanor, and the other is considered a felony.
The extended costs of operating under the influence charges
If being charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol were like most other driving-related charges, you could simply settle the matter by paying a fine and moving on with your life. But DWI, DUI and OWI charges are far more complicated. The state of Wisconsin takes drunk driving offenses very seriously and is prepared to hand out very severe penalties for those who are convicted.
Of course, if you are charged with operating under the influence, you will be facing a fine, but that is likely the least of your worries. Every other possible penalty can put a major pinch on your life and your wallet. For example, for a first-time conviction, you could be required to outfit your car with an Ignition Interlock Device for up to 12 months. And you will be financially responsible for the installation and maintenance of the device.
You could also have your driving privileges revoked for as long as nine months. If this happens, you will be forced to find alternative forms of transportation, the cost of which you will have to cover. And even your auto insurance premiums could be raised.
The extended costs of operating under the influence charges
If being charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol were like most other driving-related charges, you could simply settle the matter by paying a fine and moving on with your life. But DWI, DUI and OWI charges are far more complicated. The state of Wisconsin takes drunk driving offenses very seriously and is prepared to hand out very severe penalties for those who are convicted.
Of course, if you are charged with operating under the influence, you will be facing a fine, but that is likely the least of your worries. Every other possible penalty can put a major pinch on your life and your wallet. For example, for a first-time conviction, you could be required to outfit your car with an Ignition Interlock Device for up to 12 months. And you will be financially responsible for the installation and maintenance of the device.
You could also have your driving privileges revoked for as long as nine months. If this happens, you will be forced to find alternative forms of transportation, the cost of which you will have to cover. And even your auto insurance premiums could be raised.
The very real dangers of fentanyl
Nobody knew about fentanyl until fairly recently, but now this extremely potent synthetic opioid -- which is 10 times stronger than heroin -- can be found on the news nearly every day in the United States. This drug has been responsible for numerous overdose deaths every year in Wisconsin. The death beloved pop star Prince was even blamed on this potent narcotic.
Fentanyl was created by doctors as a strong painkiller. Its effects aren't that different from heroin, however, so it eventually found its way into the hands of black market dealers who find the drug easy to transport and distribute due to its potent nature. You don't need very much fentanyl to give the same level of effect that you receive from heroin, so heroin is also getting spiked with fentanyl to save drug dealers money and churn more profit.
The problem happens when users who aren't familiar with fentanyl or don't know that their heroin contains fentanyl end up taking this powerful drug unknowingly. Overdoses can happen easily, and that's why catastrophic accidents occur. It's also Wisconsin authorities are trying to crack down on this narcotic.
Theft defenses: What if I returned the stolen property?
Theft is theft, and if a Wisconsin resident gets accused of stealing property, it doesn't matter if he or she returns the property after stealing it. The individual who took the property can still get convicted of a theft-related crime. That said, the voluntary return of the property could result in the court being more sympathetic, and it could result in a lessening of the punishments associated with conviction.
Still, many Wisconsin defendants do not fully understand the law as it applies to stolen items that were voluntarily returned later. Imagine, for example, that someone steals a bicycle out of another person's garage. The victim calls police, who come and investigate the crime scene. The next day, the alleged thief comes back to the house to return the property voluntarily, at which time, police arrest the person.
Unfortunately, the return of the property will not serve as a defense against the theft charges. However, having returned the property could help the accused person to negotiate a plea bargain with prosecutors. A sympathetic judge may even allow the defendant to forego the severest of punishments -- like jail time -- and have him or her perform community service or other penances instead.
Thse factors can affect the accuracy of a Breathalyzer test
Have you ever wondered what factors could affect your blood alcohol content (BAC) levels? There are many things that can interfere with the percentage concentration of alcohol in your bloodstream after you've drunk an alcoholic beverage. In some cases, such factors could cause two people who drank the same amount of alcohol to render different BAC levels when taking a Breathalyzer test.
Here are a few things that could be contributing factors to varying Breathalyzer test results between two individuals who drank the same amount of alcohol during the same period of time.
- Your age: The older you are, the more you'll be affected by the intoxicating effects of alcoholic beverages. In this respect, you might have the same amount of alcohol in your blood as your younger counterpart, but you exhibit more signs of inebriation.
- Your sex: Men tend to show fewer signs of inebriation and will have a lower BAC than women after consuming the same amount of alcohol. This is because men tend to have more water in their blood than women.
Was your breathalyzer test properly administered?
If you recently received DUI charges, it can feel as though you have no way to fight them. The truth is that there is usually something a very creative person can find to build some sort of defense. While there is no guarantee that the defense succeeds in preventing a conviction, it is always better to build some sort of defense against any kind of criminal charge.
Without a legal defense of some kind, the prosecutor handling your case has nothing to prevent them from throwing the book at you and using you as an example to other alleged offenders. Even if the officer who arrested you administered a breathalyzer test and it indicated that you were over the limit, you may still have more options than you think you do.
In most cases, it is most effective to enlist the help of an experienced DUI defense attorney. Such an attorney fully understands the laws that govern DUI stops and arrests, as well as the local justice system and the major players in it. With proper legal counsel from an experienced, established defense attorney, you can confidently fight for fair treatment while protecting your rights.
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