THE STANGL LAW BLOG

When a person hears the word "felony," many different ideas come to mind, and often the assumption is that they have committed, or have been accused of, a very severe crime.

But in Wisconsin, the state legislature has classified nine different classes of felonies, from Class A, the most serious, to class I, which is the least serious.

Depending on what a defendant is convicted of, sentencing for these crimes can be as severe as life imprisonment for a Class A felony to a fine of up to $10,000 for a class I felony and/or up to 3 1/2 years in prison.

I’ve talked at length about the consequences of OWI charges and convictions for adults in Wisconsin, but for those with underage teens who may be old enough to drive but too young to consume alcohol, it’s important to understand the differences between each group as the laws and penalties are not the same.

This article will provide important information relating to OWI for drivers not yet of the legal drinking age in Wisconsin. This offense is different than OWI with a minor passenger. For more information on that see my other article here.

Even if you feel confident your teen or teens would not drink and drive, it's still a good idea to discuss this issue under Wisconsin law so they know their rights in case they or their friends ever find themselves being pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving in Madison or elsewhere across the state.

Posting bail after a drunk driving arrest can feel like a huge relief, but understand it's only the beginning in your battle against operating under the influence of an intoxicant or OWI charges in Madison or elsewhere across Wisconsin.

Since our state adopted stricter laws against some OWI offenses in 2016, it's more important than ever to consult a skilled Wisconsin drunk driving defense attorney if you've been charged with OWI, DUI, DWI, BAC, PAC or any other drug- or alcohol-related offense or offenses.

If you're like many people who get pulled over for drunk driving in Wisconsin, it's likely you've never had to hire a criminal defense attorney before, and may not know where to start. This article presents a list of nine important questions to ask to help ensure you find the right attorney for your needs.

Short answer: Yes. Just like drunk driving, operating a motorized boat is illegal if your blood alcohol concentration is above the legal limit. In Wisconsin, if your BAC is .08 percent or higher, you can be charged with intoxicated boating.

Whether you’re a state resident or a visitor, mixing any kind of motor vehicle activity with our state’s strong drinking culture can turn a fun afternoon out on the water into a dangerous situation both legally and otherwise. 

Wisconsin's waterways are not outside of the law. A relaxed attitude around drinking and boating is exactly what makes intoxicated boaters prime targets for conservation wardens and police patrols who regularly scan the waters for signs of suspicious drivers.

In 2019, 132 boaters were cited for boating under the influence of alcohol in Wisconsin. Law enforcement devoted more hours to boating activities than ATVs and snowmobiles combined.

Below, we've answered the common questions about BUIs in Wisconsin and what to do if you or someone you know is facing charges.

"Relax."

That's probably not the first thought in your head when you're being pulled over for suspicion of drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in Wisconsin. But that's exactly what you need to do.

The outcome of the traffic stop, your potential legal case and even your freedom all depend on your ability to remain calm, polite, and focused throughout the stop.

Keeping your focus during on OWI investigation also helps you stay mindful of your legal rights so you can avoid making decisions which might further complicate your case.

If you've been arrested for driving under the influence in Wisconsin, you might be charged with additional criminal offenses you hadn't expected.

Wisconsin OWI law does not generalize all drunk driving cases into one standard set of penalties. Although you might first associate repeated drunk driving offenses with additional or more severe punishments, there are in fact a wide range of circumstances that could place someone charged with OWI in more trouble.

There are a number of situations and factors which could result in you facing additional charges during an OWI stop in Wisconsin. Keep reading to learn more about these situations and their associated penalties.

As more and more states legalize marijuana, it's not unusual for people to wonder, "Is marijuana legal in Wisconsin?"

Despite being legalized in a number of states across the country, marijuana use still remains illegal under Wisconsin law. In fact, Wisconsin drug laws strictly prohibit the use of marijuana, and possession of marijuana and/or drug paraphernalia, in addition to other drug-related offenses. 

Just like any other controlled substance, it is also illegal to drive under the influence of marijuana in Wisconsin. If police suspect you of doing so, you can expect to be charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, or OWI.

Keep reading to learn more about what police look for in determining drugged driving charges, as well as potential penalties for driving under the influence of marijuana or another drug in Madison or elsewhere across the state.

Many people who are already aware that marijuana is illegal in Wisconsin, make the mistake of assuming synthetic marijuana is both legal and safe to use. This is not true.

It's important to know that synthetic marijuana and other synthetic cannabinoids are considered controlled substances under Wisconsin's drug laws, making the use, possession, or sale of these substances illegal.

In addition to being illegal in Wisconsin, synthetic cannabinoids are also extremely dangerous substances. The use of fake marijuana and other synthetic marijuana substances has been linked to severe health consequences, including seizures and even death.

This article presents a quick run-down of important information you should know about synthetic cannabinoids, including Wisconsin's penalties for possession of this illegal drug.

Stangl Law understands how frightening it can be to find yourself or your child suddenly facing drug possession charges in Wisconsin. After contacting an experienced drug defense lawyer to explore your options, it's also important not to give up hope.

Friends and family can offer wonderful support, but in times such as this, it can also be helpful to learn about similar stories of individuals who chose to fight drug charges in Wisconsin and had success.

The following case story is shared with that intention: to show that it is possible to successfully fight drug possession charges in Wisconsin.

If you were recently stopped and searched by police in Wisconsin, you're likely wondering, "When are police allowed to search my vehicle?"

To gain a better understanding of this important point, it's helpful to understand the meaning of "probable cause" under Wisconsin law.

Keep reading to learn more about the Wisconsin probable cause definition, examples of probable cause, and what police can do under the protection of probable search in Wisconsin.