THE STANGL LAW BLOG

Wisconsin, along with every other state, has strict laws against reckless driving––an offense that occurs when a motorist operate a vehicle in such a way that poses a risk of injury to others.

Reckless driving is different than many other Wisconsin traffic laws as each offense depends in large part on the specific circumstances of each individual case.

This article will take a closer look at what constitutes reckless driving, explore contributing factors, present penalties for reckless driving in Wisconsin and offer tips on where to start if you or a loved one have been charged with this criminal offense.

Attorney Stangl is often enlisted by clients to represent them when they're the subject of a criminal investigation––long before the State or federal government has decided whether to file criminal charges or not. This is often called "precharge representation."

In today’s culture, being accused of a sexual offense usually comes with a “guilty until proven innocent” response from the public. Sex crimes almost always carry heavy penalties and consequences that affect your everyday life, long after any formal punishments come to an end.

Mandatory registration as a sex offender, comparatively large fines, and mandatory minimum jail sentences are commonly associated with sex offenses in Wisconsin, as well as the rest of the country.

If you’ve been accused of a sex offense in Madison, Wisconsin, it’s crucial you have a full understanding of both the charges being levied against you, and what you need to do next to protect yourself.

Ghosts, goblins and...sex offenders? It may not surprise you to learn that many parents across Wisconsin become anxious at Halloween, not knowing if their child's next "Trick or Treat" will come after knocking on the door of a registrered sex offender.

It might surprise you to learn that individuals listed on the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry may agree that October 31st can, indeed, be the scariest night of the year due to both increased restrictions and increased scrutiny of law enforcement on Halloween.

This article covers the rules registered sex offenders must follow on Halloween in Wisconsin. While serving as an important guideline to those listed on the Registry, this information can also serve as a resource for parents.

If you've been arrested for driving under the influence in Wisconsin, you may also find yourself charged with additional criminal offenses you didn't predict.

Wisconsin OWI law does not generalize all drunk driving cases into one standardized set of repercussions. Although repeated drunk driving offenses are perhaps most commonly perceived to result in additional or more severe punishments, there are in fact a wide range of circumstances that could place someone charged with OWI in more trouble than they otherwise would find themselves.

There are a number of situations and factors which might result in you facing additional charges during an OWI stop in Wisconsin. Keep reading to learn about these important circumstances and 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, marijunana 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.

Plea bargains show up frequently in television shows and movies but few people actually know what they are or how they're used in real life legal situations. 

Getting convicted of a crime in Wisconsin can have long-term consequences that affect not only your future, but your friends and family, too. In today's highly-connected world of social media, just the presumption of guilt can cost someone their job and reputation when word gets around.

Plea bargains can help defendants avoid many of these consequences.

Keep reading to learn more about how plea bargains work in Wisconsin, including the different categories or plea bargains, why you might consider accepting a plea bargain, how plea bargains can impact sentencing, and more.

If you've been charged with embezzlement in Madison or elsewhere across the state, or expect to receive such accusations soon, then you are likely curious to learn what a typical penalty for embezzlement is under Wisconsin law.

Most people probably wouldn't imagine contacting a criminal defense attorney unless they've already been arrested in Wisconsin. Even if you think you're being investigated for a crime, chances are your first instinct still may not be to call a lawyer.

Yet, there are a number of reasons why having a skilled and proven defense lawyer on your side before the police knock on your door can be a wise move in your defense. 

Too often, people fear hiring a defense attorney too soon might make them look guilty in the eyes of others. What these individuals don't realize are the various ways a criminal defense attorney might be able to help the outcome of their case if contacted before an arrest.

If you've been arrested for a crime in Wisconsin which you didn't commit, you may not be sure whether or not you need to hire a lawyer for your defense.

Many innocent people fail to contact a skilled defense attorney after being charged for a crime they know they did not commit, assuming the courts would never convict an innocent person.  

What these individuals may not realize is this:

It is possible for an innocent person to be convicted of a crime in Wisconsin.

Furthermore, the inherent risks involved when facing criminal charges without proper legal representation can be severe and life-changing.