Three Ways Prescription Drugs Can Lead to Criminal Charges

October 18, 2022 | Constitution

Prescription drugs may have multiple uses. While you may need them for a certain purpose, others may have their own needs for them, some of which may be illegal. Something that is completely legal may cross a line if it is used incorrectly or illegally distributed. You can still face criminal charges for misusing prescription drugs even after your physician had written up a legitimate prescription – in some cases, even when the need was genuine. OWI for Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence It is important that you read the instructions that go along with your prescription drugs. Some may advise you that you should not operate any type of heavy machinery for a certain period of time after taking the medication. Heavy machinery, in this case, will include a car. Some prescriptions may have a similar impact on alcohol or drugs. Wisconsin OWI law is not just centered … Continued

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Five Mistakes People Make After an Arrest

October 5, 2022 | Arraignment

Being arrested and charged with a crime already puts you in enough legal jeopardy. There are things that you can do that can actually make your own legal situation worse. Nearly all of these mistakes are made by people who do not have an experienced criminal defense attorney. The longer you go without legal representation, the more likely you are to make an error that can handicap your criminal defense. What follows are common mistakes that defendants make that may increase the chances of being convicted or can lead to stiffer penalties when they are sentenced. You should retain counsel immediately to avoid making them. Speaking to Law Enforcement (Especially Without an Attorney Present) Some people may think that they can just give their side of the story to law enforcement and talk their way out of trouble. Talking is perhaps the worst thing that you can do after you … Continued

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How Bail Works in Wisconsin

June 8, 2022 | Bail

When defendants are charged with a crime, remaining at home while they await trial is not always a given. Defendants must be released pending trial, and in some cases, judges may order that they be held in custody while they are awaiting trial. The bail hearing is one of the most important moments in the early stages of the criminal justice process.

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Discharge from Probation Didn’t Count as Successful Completion of Sentence for Expungement Purposes

October 22, 2021 | Court Hearings

Although momentum seems to be on the side of criminal justice reform and allowing for broader abilities to expunge criminal records, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals did not exactly see it this way in a recent case. The court would not allow expungement of a defendant’s criminal record when he was discharged from probation. In order to be fully eligible for possible expungement, defendants need to complete their sentence in full, no matter the circumstances. To ensure your best chances of expunging your criminal record, make sure to hire a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

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Odor of Burning Weed Justifies Warrantless Entry into the Home

October 6, 2021 | Criminal Defense Attorney

In any criminal case that involves physical evidence, you can expect some scrutiny from criminal defense attorneys of how law enforcement seized the evidence. One of a defendant’s basic rights in any trial is their Fourth Amendment right to be free from an illegal search or seizure. When police enter a home without a warrant, their entry will almost always be challenged. This is exactly what happened when police went into a home after smelling burning marijuana. However, in the case of In the Interest of B.W.R., the Wisconsin Court of Appeals gave officers very wide latitude for a warrantless search.

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What are the Consequences of Illegally Possessing Prescription Drugs?

August 20, 2021 | Criminal Defense Attorney

Many people associate stiff drug possession penalties with illegal narcotics such as heroin and cocaine. However, the law defines illegal possession of drugs differently. For the most part, Wisconsin law groups drugs into categories for purposes of illegal possession. Some types of prescription drugs can fall into buckets where illegal possession can merit serious jail time. Either way, you need to take drug possession charges seriously from the very first minute.

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