Some recent high-profile news stories have raised questions about when people may use firearms in self-defense or to defend their homes against intruders. In Missouri, a man shot and wounded a teenager who came to his door, and in New York, a man shot and killed a young woman who was in a vehicle that mistakenly drove onto his driveway. These cases have raised questions about when deadly force is appropriate and when people may or may not face criminal charges for acting in self-defense. Wisconsin residents may need to understand when they can use firearms or other weapons to defend themselves, their families, or their property.

Wisconsin Laws Addressing Self-Defense

Like some other states, Wisconsin follows the "castle doctrine," which allows for the use of force against a person who has entered someone's property unlawfully. Specifically, the laws state that a person has the privilege to use deadly force or threaten to do so to defend themselves against imminent death or great bodily harm. When someone is in their home, a vehicle they own, or their place of business, and they believe that a person is attempting to commit an unlawful forcible entry, the law presumes that a person believed that the intentional use of deadly force was necessary to protect themselves or others.

Under the castle doctrine, Wisconsin residents may take whatever actions they believe are necessary to protect the safety of themselves and their family members and prevent people from unlawfully entering or damaging their property. At the time of an incident, a person must be in their home, vehicle, or business, and they must know or reasonably believe that someone had unlawfully entered or attempted to enter their property. "Stand your ground" provisions also apply in these situations, and a court will not consider whether a person had the opportunity to flee before using deadly force against an intruder.

Going through a divorce can be a trying time for both parties. However, even after the divorce is finalized, financial issues can continue to be a significant source of stress. In many cases, some of the most significant financial concerns for divorced individuals will be related to spousal support payments. In Wisconsin, these payments can be awarded to one spouse to help them maintain their standard of living after the divorce. But what happens when circumstances change, and the original spousal support orders are no longer sustainable? For ex-spouses, it is important to understand when spousal support payments can be modified after a Wisconsin divorce and what factors will come into play when addressing these issues.

Changes in Circumstances That May Allow for Spousal Support Modifications

When a family court judge creates orders for spousal support payments, which are known as "maintenance" in Wisconsin, the amount that will be paid will be based on the current circumstances of both parties at the time of the divorce. However, life is unpredictable, and changes can occur that may make it difficult or impossible for a person who is required to pay maintenance to continue doing so. Fortunately, Wisconsin law recognizes this reality and provides a path for ex-spouses to request a modification of spousal support obligations.

Modifications of spousal support may be appropriate if a substantial change in circumstances has taken place that warrants an adjustment to the amount paid. The party who is seeking a modification of spousal support will be required to demonstrate that a substantial change has occurred and that modifications are necessary to address these new circumstances. Appropriate changes could include the loss of a job, a serious illness or injury, a change in the recipient's employment status, or other events that fundamentally change the financial status of either party. If a court determines that such a change has in fact occurred, the spousal support obligation may be reviewed, and a judge will determine whether payments will be increased, decreased, or terminated.

When accusations of domestic violence occur, there are multiple ways that a person and their family can be affected. Someone who is arrested based on these accusations may face multiple types of criminal charges, including domestic battery. This is a serious crime under Wisconsin law, and it can have significant consequences for the accused. Being charged with domestic battery can result in severe penalties, including jail time, and accusations of domestic abuse can have a significant impact on a person's personal and professional life. It is essential for criminal defendants to understand the factors that can lead to criminal charges, the specific crimes they are accused of, and the consequences of a conviction.

Battery, Substantial Battery, and Aggravated Battery in Wisconsin

Under Wisconsin law, domestic abuse is defined as intentionally causing injuries or physical pain to a spouse or former spouse, an adult who lives in the same home or previously resided with the alleged perpetrator, or the other parent of a person's child. It may also involve committing an act of sexual assault against a person or threatening or intimidating them in a way that causes them to fear that they will suffer bodily harm.

While domestic abuse accusations may lead to multiple different criminal charges, one of the most common offenses that is charged in these situations is domestic battery. Wisconsin law details several different levels of battery offenses that are based on the harm that was allegedly inflicted on a victim:

 Divorce can be a challenging and stressful experience. When parents in Wisconsin get divorced, they are required to create a parenting plan that outlines how they will share the responsibilities of raising their children. A parenting plan is crucial to the divorce process because it guarantees that both parents remain involved in their children's lives and that the children's well-being is prioritized.

Key Aspects of Wisconsin Parenting Plans

Legal Custody

In Wisconsin, legal custody is defined as the right to make major decisions about the children’s lives, such as their education, medical care, and religious upbringing. When creating a parenting plan, parents must decide whether they will have joint legal custody or whether one parent will have sole legal custody.

Physical Placement

Physical placement refers to the schedule of when the children will be with each parent. In Wisconsin, the law assumes that joint physical placement is in the best interests of the children unless there is evidence to the contrary. Parents must create a placement schedule that outlines when the children are with which parent, including holidays and vacations.

Identity theft is a very serious crime in the state of Wisconsin. It involves a person using someone else's personal information to gain access to financial accounts, take out loans, or purchase items without permission. People who are accused of identity theft can face severe penalties if they are found guilty in a court of law. However, not every case of alleged identity theft is the same, and it is important to understand the different scenarios in which a person can be charged with this crime.

Offenses Related to Identity Theft in Wisconsin

Identity theft is a broad term that encompasses a variety of offenses. These include: