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Recent Blog Posts
Police arrest 4 in alleged drug and guns bust
Sometimes people accused of crimes find themselves in trouble with the law because they actually committed a criminal act. Other times, they get arrested because they were spending time with the wrong group of friends at the wrong time. Still, in other cases, police are completely misguided and arrest someone who is completely uninvolved in the alleged crimes.
In a recent drug bust, we can't know whether the people the authorities arrested are guilty of their alleged crimes until the conclusion of their criminal cases. Until they confess to the crimes by pleading guilty, or until a criminal court finds them guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, these individuals remain innocent in the eyes of the law.
The arrests and alleged drug bust happened in Fitchburg on a recent Monday. Police apprehended four young men, two 19-year-olds, a 20-year-old and a 21-year-old. Police carried out the arrests at approximately 10 a.m. Three of the men were arrested for violating probation. One was arrested on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Punishment for a felon in possession of a firearm conviction
Individuals convicted of a felony in the state of Wisconsin are not permitted to possess a firearm. In fact, if you are convicted of firearm possession following a felony conviction, you will face stiff criminal punishments.
Wisconsin Act 109 establishes the penalties associated with firearm possession by a felon. However, before describing these penalties, it's important to understand who can and cannot possess a firearm in Wisconsin. If you can answer yes to any of the following questions, then you are not permitted to possess a firearm:
-- Have you had a prior felony conviction?
-- Were you adjudicated delinquent regarding an act that, had you been an adult, would be considered a felony.
-- Did you receive a verdict of not guilty for a felony act because of mental disease or mental defect?
If you answered yes to any of the above, then firearm possession for you is a Class G felony that can be punished with up to a 10-year prison sentence and up to a $25,000 fine. If your prior felony conviction involved a violent crime, and your firearm possession happened within five years of the violent offense, then you could be in danger of a mandatory three-year minimum sentence.
Set transportation plans for New Year's Eve now
With New Year's Eve less than a week away, right now is the time to make plans for transportation if you are heading out to enjoy some drinks to ring in 2019. Wisconsin is in the middle of the holiday Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. This campaign includes 25 task forces that encompass more than 100 law enforcement agencies in this state. Around 300 drug recognition experts are part of the program, and approximately 3,800 officers have been trained on Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement.
One thing to remember is that if you are heading into Milwaukee for the festivities, you can count on free rides on Milwaukee County Transit buses. Miller Brewing is continuing the 31-year tradition of providing these to help people make it home safely. Some local taverns also have options for free transportation to get partygoers home safe. These are done through the Tavern League of Wisconsin's Safe Ride.
Sharing your prescription drugs at work is a bad idea
It's difficult to watch a co-worker suffer through a workday in pain. You might be tempted to alleviate his or her discomfort by giving your co-worker one of the pain medications you take for your bum knee; however, it would be a very bad idea and it could get you in serious trouble with the law.
Imagine your co-worker got stopped by the police on the way home from work -- perhaps because he or she took too many of the Vicodin you gave him or her. The police might decide to arrest him or her for intoxicated driving, and if they find your Vicodin, they'll want to know who gave them to him or her. Furthermore, if your friend gets into a serious car accident, gets injured or causes injury to others, you could be financially and criminally responsible for the crash.
There are more reasons -- aside from criminal and civil liabilities -- that should dissuade the average Wisconsin resident from sharing drugs with co-workers. Most importantly, it could result in you getting fired from your job. Most employers do not look favorably on employees who share drugs with co-workers at work, and for obvious reasons. Any pharmaceutical drugs possessed by someone who doesn't have a prescription is a violation of federal law.
Sheboygan man hit with fifth intoxicated driving charge
A man from Sheboygan was recently accused of intoxicated driving on his birthday. According to police, they pulled him over after he left a bar on a recent Wednesday. Sadly, it was the man's birthday and -- even worse -- it's the fifth time he's been charged with OWI in Wisconsin.
Police allege that they tracked down the man after a bartender at the bar where he was celebrating tipped them off. The bartender told authorities that a woman had asked for help, and then she left the bar with the intoxicated man in his vehicle. After police pulled them over, they performed a sobriety test on the man and decided he was too drunk to operate his vehicle.
They arrested him and charged him with OWI, in addition to four misdemeanor counts of battery. They also charged him with operating a vehicle with a revoked license and disorderly conduct. The man turned 53 years of age on the day of the incident.
State Patrol increases drug arrests in Wisconsin
The Wisconsin State Patrol reports a noteworthy increase in drugged driving during 2016 and 2017. The State Patrol says there has been a 20 percent increase in drug-related arrests over this period of time. In 2016, the State Patrol carried out 2,900 drug arrests and, in 2017, it carried out 3,400.
As for drugged driving arrests, the State Patrol has also seen an increase, having arrested 310 allegedly drugged drivers in 2016 and 390 more in 2017. Authorities say that the increase in arrests has a lot to do with two factors — the better training of officers in detecting and identifying drivers who are high on drugs and the legalization of marijuana in various neighboring states. For example, Michigan, Ohio and Minnesota have all loosened their marijuana laws, resulting in more people gaining access to the drug legally.
According to a representative of the Wisconsin State Patrol, "...marijuana is bound to be moved through the state, and our officers are starting to see more of that." He also said that he believes "...there's a rise in drug arrests based on the fact that marijuana has been legalized in some of these states and we're seeing it being transported to and from through Wisconsin."
Surgeons want you to take fewer opioids
A conglomerate of University of Michigan surgeons want you to take fewer opioids after your surgery. The surgeons believe that any opportunity to prevent someone from coming to contact with an opioid is an opportunity to prevent a potential addiction.
Approximately 64,000 people died from opioid abuse in 2016, prompting the White House to classify the widespread opioid problem as a "public health emergency." As a potential remedy to this emergency, surgeons believe they can improve the problem by not giving patients as many opioid pills after their surgeries -- as this is when most people get introduced to the drug as a painkiller that leads to numerous addictions.
Surgeons believe that this is the best course of action to make a small dent in the problem. They say that doctors often don't prescribe opioids with a high degree of exactitude after surgery, meaning that some patients are receiving much more than they actually need. They say that patients also need better education regarding the appropriate use of opioids so they can stay safe.
The concealed carry fashion show draws controversy
Milwaukee was the host of the National Rifle Association's "Concealed Carry Fashion Show." The fashion show was intended to show off gun-toting fashion accessories.
The show included regular guys and regular gals as models who donned special gun-friendly clothing, bags and purses to model for the audience.
Details about the Concealed Carry Fashion Show
Approximately 30 companies were represented at the fashion show, including brand names such as Man-Pack and Femme Fatale. Many of the fashion pieces included shoulder bags and corset holders that were made to assist in the quick drawing and firing of a weapon.
The NRA has been promoting its fashion show for the last several months and even worked with a professional designer to coordinate and plan the event. Marketing literature from the NRA's press release before the event stated, "The Fashion Show will showcase the Expo's top concealed carry products and demonstrate the features and benefits to an audience of firearm enthusiasts and industry media."
The difference between petty theft and grand theft
There are people all over who make the decision to commit a crime. While some are able to get away with the wrong they have done, not all of them can say they have been successful. Being charged with a theft or property crime like shoplifting or burglary can have a negative effect on your life. However, depending on how the crime is classified, the consequences may not be as harsh as some people believe.
Taking something that does not belong to you is what makes it a crime. A theft crime is typically categorized as petty or grand. When courts are determining which category a crime should fall into, they will consider various things, including the kind of property that was stolen and how much it was worth.
In many states, when a crime is considered petty, the property that was stolen is not valued above a certain amount. For example, if a bracelet was less than $1000, the courts may decide that it was a petty crime. When a crime is considered grand, the value of the item or items stolen exceeds that of a petty crime. These two crimes also differ because one is usually considered a misdemeanor, and the other is considered a felony.
The extended costs of operating under the influence charges
If being charged with operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol were like most other driving-related charges, you could simply settle the matter by paying a fine and moving on with your life. But DWI, DUI and OWI charges are far more complicated. The state of Wisconsin takes drunk driving offenses very seriously and is prepared to hand out very severe penalties for those who are convicted.
Of course, if you are charged with operating under the influence, you will be facing a fine, but that is likely the least of your worries. Every other possible penalty can put a major pinch on your life and your wallet. For example, for a first-time conviction, you could be required to outfit your car with an Ignition Interlock Device for up to 12 months. And you will be financially responsible for the installation and maintenance of the device.
You could also have your driving privileges revoked for as long as nine months. If this happens, you will be forced to find alternative forms of transportation, the cost of which you will have to cover. And even your auto insurance premiums could be raised.
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