Mandatory minimum penalties apply in all Wisconsin drunk driving cases.  Prior to February 2023, defense attorneys, prosecutors, and trial courts had a difficult time deciding what mandatory minimum penalties applied to 5th and 6th offense OWIs.  Those specific OWI offenses carry a presumptive minimum penalty of 1.5 years initial confinement in prison, but allow courts…

2023 OWI 1st charges in Wisconsin: The first time many individuals are ever arrested is for a first-offense operating while intoxicated.  In Wisconsin, a first OWI isn’t a criminal charge (it is not a misdemeanor or felony).  Penalties include fines ranging between $150.00 and $300.00, a driver license revocation of 6-9 months, and an interlock ignition…

Endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon: operating or going armed with a firearm while under the influence of an intoxicant – Wis. Stat. 941.20(1)(b) Also called endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon, section 941.20(1)(b) of the Wisconsin Statutes prohibits using or going armed with a firearm while under the influence of…

What is an ignition interlock device? An ignition interlock device is a cell phone sized device that is wired to your vehicle’s ignition.  After installation, an IID requires you to provide breath samples before starting a vehicle, and sometimes while a vehicle is operational.  If the device detects alcohol in the breath sample, the engine…

Section 305.32 of the Wisconsin Statutes: side and rear window tint Section 305.32 of the Wisconsin Statutes deals with window tint law as applied to side, vent, and read windows.  There are a few ways tint is legal in Wisconsin: Firstly, the tint is installed by the manufacturer of the glazing as a part of…

Criminal charges for dick pics: Section 944.25 of the Wisconsin Statutes There’s only one crime in Wisconsin that resembles sending dick pics.  And while we recognize that traditionally this practice is done via cell phone, this criminal charge focuses on emails. Section 944.25 of the Wisconsin Statutes indicates: (1)  In this section: (a) “Electronic mail solicitation” means…

So, what’s prostitution? This charge requires you to exchange money (or something of value) for some kind of sex act.  Specifically, section 944.30 of the Wisconsin Statutes states: (1m)  Any person who intentionally does any of the following is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor: (a) Has or offers to have or requests to have nonmarital sexual…

Roe v. Wade Decision Roe v. Wade introduced the concept of a constitutional “right to privacy” that it said had been intimated in its earlier decisions Meyer v. Nebraska and Pierce v. Society of Sisters, which involved parental control over childrearing, and Griswold v. Connecticut, which involved the use of contraception.  Moving forward, the Court ruled that regardless of which…

What are Romeo and Juliet laws? Romeo and Juliet laws were designed to lessen penalties associated with statutory rape laws.  Specifically, these laws focus on teenagers who engage in voluntary sexual acts with someone older than they are.  Interpretations vary by state, but they all have the same general purpose.  In no instance do these…

Minors in possession of firearms in Wisconsin: Individuals under 12 years old in Wisconsin can only possess firearms while engaging in a Hunter Safety program.  Importantly a child under 12 years old may complete the program but must wait until he’s 12 to actually hunt.  Once a child turns 12, he’s allowed to possess a…