THE STANGL LAW BLOG

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.

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 may be wondering what a typical penalty for embezzlement is under Wisconsin law.

To help you prepare for your defense, keep reading to learn the definition of embezzlement under Wisconsin state law and the process for determining possible punishments you may face if convicted.

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 that your first instinct 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.

Driving on a suspended driver’s license is illegal in Wisconsin. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your arrest, you could be facing misdemeanor charges or even felony charges, as well as a wide range of penalties.

It's possible you may face civil forfeitures (a loss of property). In other cases, you may be charged with a crime carrying fines and possible prison time.

Included in this article are a number of possible penalties for driving on a suspended license in Wisconsin.

There are many reasons law enforcement may contact an innocent person for questioning in Wisconsin, but one safe bet is that it has to do with a criminal investigation.

If you're approached by police for questioning of any kind, remain calm and polite—
but be on your guard. The police may suspect you've been involved in a crime.

In the process of a criminal investigation where you are the undisclosed subject, the police may attempt to build a rapport with you or attempt to make you feel comfortable enough to let your guard down. They might even give you the impression that they believe you're innocent and just need your help in solving a crime.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has listed identity theft as its top consumer complaint for 15 years in a row.

In its most recent report of this kind, the agency pointed to a sharp increase in imposter scams—a form of identity theft through the impersonation of a government agency or other businesses or organization.

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.

After an arrest in Wisconsin, it's common to wonder how soon you can get out on bail and what it will cost. However, not everyone who is arrested is granted bail.

Being granted bail is not guaranteed in Wisconsin.

Whether or not you are found eligible for bail will be up to the judge presiding over your initial court appearance, also called an arraignment.

After reviewing the charges you're facing and the details surrounding your arrest, the judge will take into account any prior criminal convictions on your record. The judge relies on this information, combined with a number of other factors, to decide whether or not to grant bail in your case. If you are found eligible for bail, the next question is: "How much will my bail cost?"