Wisconsin Criminal Defense Attorney Blog – Van Severen Law Office

Entrapment as a Defense

July 17th, 2019 by Benjamin Van Severen

Entrapment is one of the most commonly known defenses to criminal liability. But, what does it actually mean? And when does it apply? In this blog post, criminal defense attorney Benjamin Van Severen explains what entrapment is. He also explains common crimes where entrapment can be used. Procedure for the Entrapment Defense The accepted definition…

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Is identity theft a felony?

July 16th, 2019 by Benjamin Van Severen

Identity theft cases are serious. In some circumstances, they're felonies. The term identity theft spans a broad range of crimes. Importantly, Wisconsin does not have a crime that goes by this specific title. There are many versions of identity theft. Criminal defense attorney Benjamin T. Van Severen explains them all in this blog post. (And...CONTINUE READING

Theft charges in Wisconsin

July 10th, 2019 by Benjamin Van Severen

At Van Severen Law Office we defend individuals facing all theft charges. Under Wisconsin law, theft is a property crime that can take many forms. Most people think of this charge in terms of retail theft. One of the most commonly-charged theft crimes in Wisconsin is retail theft. That being said, this crime is much...CONTINUE READING

Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement

July 9th, 2019 by Benjamin Van Severen

Van Severen Law Office defends individuals accused of DWI and OWI throughout Wisconsin If you're charged with operating while intoxicated in Wisconsin, you may have encountered a law enforcement enforcement officer who has completed the Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) program. The purpose of the ARIDE program, per the National Highway Traffic Safety Association...CONTINUE READING

Do You Need a Lawyer for Your First OWI in Wisconsin?

June 20th, 2019 by Benjamin Van Severen

If you have been arrested for Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) for the first time, you may be curious as to just how much trouble you are really in. It’s possible that you know someone (or even multiple people) who have gotten an OWI and seem to have come out on the other side relatively unscathed….

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Demerit Points On Your Driving Record

May 21st, 2019 by Benjamin Van Severen

You’re driving down the highway when you see flashing red and blue lights behind you. The cop comes up to talk to you and gives you a ticket. You see the fine and you see the “estimated points.” What do the points mean? How long do the demerit points stay on your record? Read on...CONTINUE READING

Murder, Manslaughter, and Homicide

May 20th, 2019 by Benjamin Van Severen

What is the current law? To illustrate, homicide, murder, and manslaughter laws in Wisconsin are as follows: First-degree intentional homicide – Wis. Stat. sec. 940.01 First-degree reckless homicide – Wis. Stat. sec. 940.02 Felony murder – Wis. Stat. sec. 940.03 Abortion – Wis. Stat. sec. 940.04 Second-degree intentional homicide – Wis. Stat. sec. 940.05 Second-degree…

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How to beat your OWI, DUI, drunk driving case

May 16th, 2019 by Benjamin Van Severen

What strategies do we use to successfully defend drunk driving charges? At Van Severen Law Office we focus on defending individuals accused of committing drunk driving and criminal offenses. While every case is different, in order to beat an OWI charge in Wisconsin, there are certain common issues we look for. If you’re looking to…

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Bartender Faces Charges in Texas

May 15th, 2019 by Benjamin Van Severen

Texas bartender charged for serving alcohol to an intoxicated person A Texas bartender was arrested last week and was charged with a misdemeanor for selling alcohol to an intoxicated person. Is there a similar statute in Wisconsin? Read on to learn about a similar crime in Wisconsin and what penalties you face if convicted. Over-serving…

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Stricter Drunk Driving Laws in Wisconsin

May 13th, 2019 by Benjamin Van Severen

Should drunk driving laws be stronger in Wisconsin? Wisconsin has a notorious reputation when it comes to the laws prohibiting drunk driving. In recent years, lawmakers and advocates have pushed for stricter legislation against DUI offenders. This has occurred in many states throughout the country, including Wisconsin. The movement has evolved into a collection of…

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