Tag: Public order

Defamation is a Class A misdemeanor in Wisconsin.  For help with this charge, or any other, contact Van Severen Law Office at (414) 270-0202 While defamation is traditionally thought of as the basis for a civil lawsuit, in Wisconsin it’s also prohibited by criminal law.  Although not a felony, defamation is the most serious misdemeanor…

Failure to report to jail is a crime in Wisconsin.  Van Severen Law Office represents individuals throughout the state. Nobody wants to report to jail.  But after the conclusion of a criminal case, sometimes jail penalties result.  Failure to report to jail is an additional crime that applies when the defendant decides that he isn’t…

Wisconsin’s carjacking law could lead to 60 years in prison.  Contact Van Severen Law Office for help: (414) 270-0202 Legislators introduced Wisconsinites to a new carjacking law in May of 2023.  Carjacking has always been a crime in the state, but prior to the creation of this law, laws punishing carjacking behaviors fell under Wisconsin’s…

Section 946.61(1)(b) of the Wisconsin Statutes – Bribery of witnesses Section 946.61 of the Wisconsin Statutes describes many different forms of bribery.  The one relevant to our conversation today is in subsection (1)(b) of the statute.  It focuses on witnesses who accept bribes.  That law says: (1)  Whoever does any of the following is guilty 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…

Section 947.014 of the Wisconsin Statutes criminalizes swatting Prior to Section 947.014 of the Wisconsin Statutes, swatting was not a crime in Wisconsin.  While some of then actions that lead to a swatting situation have always been illegal, only recently did the actual term get its own law.  Specifically, 2019 Wisconsin Act 132, effective March…

What is failure to withdraw from an unlawful assembly? The statute certainly isn’t very helpful with this one.  Section 947.06(3) of the Wisconsin Statutes provides the law: (3) Whoever intentionally fails or refuses to withdraw from an unlawful assembly which the person knows has been ordered to disperse is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. But…

What is obstructing justice? Section 946.65 of the Wisconsin Statutes prohibits obstructing justice.  The crime occurs when: (1)  Whoever for a consideration knowingly gives false information to any officer of any court with intent to influence the officer in the performance of official functions is guilty of a Class I felony. (2) “Officer of any court” includes…

What is impersonating a peace officer, fire fighter, or other emergency personnel? Section 946.70 of the Wisconsin Statutes prohibits impersonating a peace officer. The law says: (1) (a)Except as provided in sub. (2), whoever impersonates a peace officer with intent to mislead others into believing that the person is actually a peace officer is guilty of…

Elements of the offense: Bail jumping, like all other criminal offenses requires that the government prove parts of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt.  The “parts” are elements.  Wisconsin Jury Instruction 1795 provides the elements of bail jumping: Firstly, the defendant was arrested for or charged with a felony or misdemeanor; and Secondly, the defendant…