Recent Blog Posts
Understanding Wisconsin Bail: How Does the System Work?
When you are arrested for a crime, there are only two ways you can hope to get out any time soon: by having the charges against you dropped or by being able to post bail or have someone else post bail for you. Bail is a crucial part of criminal cases because it often means the difference between spending months or years in jail awaiting trial and spending that time living at home and continuing to work. No two bail determinations are the same and there is no guarantee that you will even be granted bail during your trial. A Wisconsin criminal defense attorney with knowledge of the bail system can advocate on your behalf for your release.
What Is Bail?
The idea of bail is not a novel one. In nearly all state and local governments, there is some type of system for releasing certain individuals who have been arrested and charged with committing crimes. The purpose of bail is to ensure the defendant returns to court at the times that are required of them and works by requiring something to be offered up in collateral. The defendant or a close friend or relative of the defendant must pay a specified monetary amount before the defendant is released. If the defendant does not appear in court, the money is forfeited. If the defendant does appear in court, most of the money is typically returned.
Can I Move With My Child After My Wisconsin Divorce?
There are many reasons why a person would want to move after his or her divorce is finalized. In many cases, people move because they want to be closer to family members, to be closer to a job, or just to get a fresh start. Whatever the reason may be, it is important to understand that Wisconsin parents cannot just move and take their children with them, even if they have been awarded primary custody of their kids. Wisconsin laws have a set procedure that parents must follow if they wish to move with their children and those laws must be followed, otherwise, they could end up facing consequences.
Filing a Motion for Relocation
In the state of Wisconsin, all parents who wish to move 100 miles or more away from the child’s other parent must also file a notice with the court. This notice should contain the following information:
ND Man Arrested in Connection With the Shootings of WI Police Officers
Homicide is one of the most serious and violent crimes with which you can be charged, especially if you are facing intentional homicide charges. In the state of Wisconsin, first-degree intentional homicide can result in a mandatory life prison sentence, while attempted first-degree homicide could carry a prison sentence that lasts for decades. This is what a North Dakota man is facing after he was apprehended recently in connection with the shootings of two Wisconsin law enforcement officers.
Man Wanted for Attempted Homicide in North Dakota, Shoots Cops in Wisconsin
A manhunt was underway in early November in Waukesha County as police searched for a 23-year-old North Dakota man wanted for shooting two Wisconsin police officers. The incident occurred after two officers responded to a call about a car crash. During the stop, shots were exchanged and the two officers were hit, both suffering non-life-threatening injuries, while the 23-year-old fled on foot. The suspect is also wanted by police in Fargo, ND for an attempted homicide incident.
How to Protect Your Children from the Effects of Your Wisconsin Divorce
Often, one of the primary concerns of parents before and during a divorce is how the process will affect their children. Getting a divorce is a stressful process that can affect the entire family, especially the kids. The divorce process is never easy for anyone, but it can actually be rather difficult for children to cope with because they are not as emotionally mature as adults. However, multiple studies have found that it is not the divorce itself that gives children problems or anxiety. Rather, it is the stress and tension that comes with a divorce that can cause lasting issues. If you are going through a divorce and you have children, you should speak with a Wisconsin divorce lawyer before you make any decisions.
Tips for Dealing With Your Children and Divorce
There have been many studies conducted on the effects of divorce on children, however, there has never been a direct correlation drawn between divorce, in general, and negative outcomes. However, studies have determined that most of the detrimental effects associated with divorce arise from divorces that are riddled with conflict and constantly exposing the children to it. Every parent who goes through a divorce wants what is best for their kids. Here are a few tips to help you protect your children during your divorce:
Who Can File a Domestic Abuse Restraining Order in Wisconsin?
Throughout the United States, domestic violence has been a social issue of focus for the past couple of decades. Despite numerous campaigns and years of education dedicated to preventing domestic violence, it still remains a prevalent social issue. According to The National Domestic Violence Hotline, more than 12 million people experience some form of domestic violence each year. Situations that involve domestic violence are extremely tricky and are detrimental not only to the victim but also to the perpetrator. If the victim decides to pursue a restraining order, you could face criminal charges, among other consequences if you live in Wisconsin.
What Is Considered “Domestic Abuse?”
Domestic abuse is a complicated term. The state of Wisconsin has a very broad definition of domestic violence acts, leaving much of the interpretation to individual judges and courts. Currently, Wisconsin law defines domestic abuse as:
3 Common Financial Mistakes to Avoid Making in Your Wisconsin Divorce
Each year there are millions of people who go through the long and tedious process of divorce. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), around 40 to 50 percent of marriages in the United States end in divorce. Both men and women experience divorce at similar rates, but they do not always experience divorce in the same ways, as women typically tend to suffer the most financially and experience greater financial losses after a divorce. According to a study conducted by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), women’s total household income fell by 41 percent after divorce, compared to men, whose total household income fell by only 23 percent.
Understanding Your Finances
One of the biggest reasons for the disparity in divorce outcomes is simply just a lack of involvement in or knowledge of the family’s finances. However, there are many reasons a divorce could go wrong, as well as many ways that you could make a mistake. If you are going through a divorce, you should avoid making these top financial errors:
What Are the Consequences if a Minor Uses a Fake ID in Wisconsin?
There are many things that you need identification (ID) for, such as getting married, taking a flight, applying for public aid and assistance, purchasing a house, and the list goes on. For many teenagers, fake ID cards are an attractive option to allow them to purchase alcohol and drink with their friends even though they are under the age of 21. The existence of fake ID cards undermines the validity of legitimate ID cards, which is why cases involving false identification are taken so seriously. Getting a fake ID card can seem like a good idea, but if you are caught using a fake ID in Wisconsin, you could face serious criminal charges that could have a major impact on your future.
Wisconsin Fake ID Laws
Most of the time, if a juvenile is caught with a fake ID card, he or she purchased or obtained the card from another person in an attempt to buy alcohol. Wisconsin law states that juveniles could be charged with a fake ID offense if they do any of the following:
When Can I Modify My Wisconsin Parenting Time Agreement?
When you get a divorce in the state of Wisconsin and you are a parent, you are required to determine several things before you finalize your divorce. You must determine nearly everything related to your children, such as where they will live, what their custody arrangement schedule would look like, how much child support would be and who pays it, among other things. When you and your spouse come to an agreement about parenting time, you are then bound to that agreement for at least two years after the final judgment unless you have evidence that the current custody placement is harming the child in some way. If you are seeking to modify a Wisconsin parenting time agreement, help from an attorney can be extremely beneficial.
What Factors Can Increase the Severity of My Criminal Sentence?
If you have ever had the experience of being a defendant in the criminal justice system, you know that there is a lot of uncertainty involved in the process of being arrested and charged with a crime. Every criminal case is unique because every situation is different, but they do typically follow a similar pattern. Once you are charged with a crime, your attorney will begin to work out a defense strategy for you, which may include a plea bargain or it may include proceeding to trial. Once your case has come to a decision, the judge will then determine the sentence for your crime. Depending on the facts and circumstances surrounding your case, you could be at risk for a harsher sentence.
Aggravating Factors in Wisconsin
Once you have reached the sentencing stage of your case, the judge will review your case in its entirety and determine if aggravating factors are present that would warrant additional penalties. Various aggravating factors could apply to any crime in Wisconsin, but there are also aggravating factors that are specific to a certain offense only. For example, if the defendant attempted to conceal his or her identity while committing the act, this could be applied to most crimes. However, something like knowing you are HIV positive would only be an aggravating factor if you were being tried for a sex crime.
How Can I Protect My Credit During My Wisconsin Divorce?
For many people, getting a divorce is a very emotional process, but what many people do not realize is that divorce can have a huge impact on their finances. The decisions that you make during your divorce will affect your financial health for years to come, which is why you will want to be sure to prepare yourself for life after divorce as much as possible. One of the things you should keep an eye on during your divorce is your credit score. According to one survey of divorced Americans, 38 percent of respondents said they saw their credit score drop by more than 50 points after their divorce. In general, the act of getting a divorce in itself will not affect your credit score, but actions that are taken before and during the divorce can dictate the effect the divorce has on your credit. Below are a few tips to help you protect your credit during your Wisconsin divorce.