Michigan Law – Involuntary manslaughter Prosecutors in Michigan argued the Crumbleys violated a law called involuntary manslaughter.  Wisconsin does not have a law called involuntary manslaughter, so let’s start by dissecting the Michigan law. Michigan, like Wisconsin, relies on jury instructions when considering criminal charges.  Michigan Model Criminal Jury Instruction 16.10 indicates the elements of…

Wisconsin’s expungement laws haven’t changed much in 2024.  This blog post explains the current state of the law: Wisconsin’s expungement laws in 2024 haven’t changed much.  Over the last few years, but for a few minor changes in the law, expungement (expunction) functions pretty consistently throughout the state.  And although Wisconsin’s law on wiping away…

A felony conviction makes life more difficult.  Unfortunately, it also impacts your ability to travel. A felony conviction does not mean the end of your life.  But it does mean some things will be more difficult.  Applying for a new job, or a new apartment, and maintaining certain rights as a citizen of the United…

Wondering whether police can stop you for broken taillights in Wisconsin?  Van Severen Law Office, S.C. criminal defense lawyers explain: Broken taillights, and replacing burnt out bulbs, involves one of the most basic forms of maintenance we must perform on our vehicles.  This is especially the case if you’ve ever had the pleasure of driving…

How it all started: Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018 (2018 farm bill) Farm bills in the United States are comprehensive omnibus bills that are passed every five to six years.  They cover agricultural and food policy for the federal government.  The 2018 Farm Bill (Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018) legalized industrial hemp and its derivatives…

What happens when you run from police on foot?  Resisting an officer – Section 946.41 of the Wisconsin Statutes Section 946.41 of the Wisconsin Statutes is titled “resisting or obstructing an officer.  Obstructing an officer generally applies to situations where and individual intentionally lies or misleads the police.  But resisting an officer applies to situations…

Possession of brass knuckles in Wisconsin is a crime in certain circumstances.  Contact our criminal defense lawyers at (414) 270-0202 for representation. The use and possession of brass knuckles in Wisconsin is not automatically illegal.  Instead, possession of this weapon is illegal in two situations: firstly, when possessed by individuals under 18 years old, and…

What are Wisconsin’s penalties for drunk driving in 2024? Wisconsin lawmakers didn’t change the penalties for drunk driving in 2023.  Moving into 2024, the penalties are as follows: First offense operating while intoxicated charges are non-criminal and a conviction cannot result in you being locked up.  If you’re convicted, you face a 6-9 month driver…

First degree reckless homicide Although this blog post focuses on when one hunter accidentally shoots another, first degree reckless homicide applies to situations where the shooter acts in a way that was much more reckless than a simple accident.  This crime requires that the shooter engage in “criminally reckless conduct” and act with “utter disregard…

A Wisconsin criminal defense attorney explains the pros and cons of a no contest plea. Sometimes criminal cases in Wisconsin conclude with a guilty or a no contest plea.  This is generally after the defendant decides he’s not interested in proceeding to trial, but instead wants to resolve the case.  Sometimes this is because the…