Jury trials in Wisconsin If you don’t settle your case through plea negotiations you have the right to a jury trial. Jury trials are procedures in which the defendant and the government argue to a pool of individuals about whether the defendant committed a crime.  That pool of individuals is the jury.  Importantly, Wisconsin law…

What is the law for OWI while snowmobiling? Section 346.63(1)(a) of the Wisconsin Statutes governs operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant.  The law says: 346.63  Operating under influence of intoxicant or other drug. (1)  No person may drive or operate a motor vehicle while: (a) Under the influence of an intoxicant, a…

Are you a student?  And are you receiving federal financial aid? Successfully defending drug cases is of special importance to students receiving federal student aid.  Those students face a potential loss of student aid if convicted of certain drug offenses.  If you’ve already been convicted of drug crime and have lost eligibility for financial aid,…

Section 944.17 of the Wisconsin Statutes – Sexual Gratification in Public Section 944.17 of the Wisconsin Statutes prohibits sexual gratification in public.  The law says: (1) In this section, “in public” means in a place where or in a manner such that the person knows or has reason to know that his or her conduct is…

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…

Section 943.60 of the Wisconsin Statutes – Criminal slander of title Section 943.60 of the Wisconsin Statutes defines criminal slander of title.  The law says: (1) Any person who submits for filing, entering or recording any lien, claim of lien, lis pendens, writ of attachment, financing statement or any other instrument relating to a security…

Domestic violence Frequently we encounter substantial battery charges that occur after a domestic violence incident. While we recognize that substantial battery is already a felony (and therefore carries significant collateral consequences), a DV conviction results in additional penalties because of their status alone.  For misdemeanor charges, a DV conviction adds a lifetime ban on the defendant’s…

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 943.38(2) of the Wisconsin Statutes Section 943.38(1) focuses on creating forgeries.  Relevant to this article, section 943.38(2) of the Wisconsin Statutes focuses on uttering a forgery.  The law says: (2) Whoever utters as genuine or possesses with intent to utter as false or as genuine any forged writing or object mentioned in sub. (1), knowing it…

Section 346.63(2)(a) of the Wisconsin Statutes Section 346.63(2)(a) of the Wisconsin statutes provides us the definition of this crime.  The law indicates: (a) It is unlawful for any person to cause injury to another person by the operation of a vehicle while: 1. Under the influence of an intoxicant, a controlled substance, a controlled substance analog or…