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Child Abuse and Neglect in Wisconsin: Types of Charges and Convictions
While being arrested and charged with any type of crime is a serious matter, certain offenses are considered sensitive crimes and can result in both criminal charges and negative consequences to a person’s life. A criminal conviction for child abuse or neglect may impact a person’s family relationships, the custody of his or her children, and even one’s career.
If you have been accused of child abuse or neglect, you should be sure to understand the nature of the charges and your options for defense.
Child Abuse and Neglect Under Wisconsin Law
The potential charges related to child abuse or neglect can vary depending on the nature of the alleged offense. Wisconsin law identifies the following types of abuse and neglect towards children under the age of 18:
How Do I Create a Power of Attorney for Finances?
No matter your age, it is important to plan for how your affairs should be handled if you are unable to take care of them yourself. One way of doing so is to create a power of attorney for finances, which will name a person who is authorized to make financial decisions for you if you ever become incapacitated.
Establishing a Power of Attorney
Power of attorney for finances can be established by filling out and signing a form provided by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, or a document can be prepared by an attorney. The form or document will allow you to name an agent who can make decisions about your finances and the property you own. The power of attorney should include:
- The name and contact information of your agent, as well as any successor agents who you wish to name if your agent is not available or willing to act on your behalf.
Common Mistakes People Make in Car Accident Claims
Being involved in a car accident can be a traumatic experience. The physical and emotional distress that a person experiences in a collision can make it difficult to keep a clear head in the immediate aftermath. As a result, many people make mistakes that affect their ability to recover compensation for the damages they have suffered. If you are involved in an auto accident, be sure to avoid the following:
- Admitting fault - Common courtesy often leads people to take at least partial blame for a collision. However, doing so can make it more difficult to establish liability for the accident and recover compensation for your injuries. When discussing the crash with other drivers, police officers, or insurance company representatives, state the facts about what happened without admitting any fault.
I Was Arrested and Charged with a Crime: What Happens Next?
The criminal justice system in Wisconsin is complex, and those facing criminal charges may struggle to understand the processes that will be followed, the legal requirements that must be met, and the steps that should be taken. If you are arrested and charged with a crime, you should be aware of how your case will move through the courts and the proper measures you should take to protect your rights and achieve a positive outcome.
The Wisconsin Criminal Process
A criminal case in the state of Wisconsin will typically follow these steps:
- Arrest - If law enforcement officers have probable cause to believe you have committed a crime, they can arrest you and take you into custody. When arrested, you will be informed of your Miranda Rights, which state that you have the right to remain silent and the right to be represented by an attorney. In most cases, it is best to ask to speak to an attorney before answering any questions that police officers ask following an arrest.
Motorcyclists Should Celebrate Responsibly to Avoid OWIs
Recently, Harley-Davidson celebrated its 115 year anniversary with a weekend of motorcycle events in Milwaukee. The festivities included a parade, a demonstration of motorcycle driving skills by police and civilians, and factory tours.
For many people, a birthday or anniversary is a time to celebrate with an alcoholic beverage, but it is important to remember that drinking and riding motorcycles do not mix. The law in Wisconsin is clear: motorcyclists cannot drive with a BAC (blood alcohol content) of .08% or greater. In addition, driving under the influence, also known as operating while intoxicated (OWI), comes with stiff penalties in Wisconsin.
Impaired Motorcycling Statistics
Driving a motorcycle while under the influence is responsible for a large number of deaths each year in the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2016, there were 4,950 motorcyclists killed in traffic accidents. Of those, 1,259 (25 percent) were alcohol-impaired with a BAC that was over the legal limit.
Healthcare Licensing Issues for Milwaukee Midwives
Midwives provide an essential service for many families, offering care before, during, and after the birth of a child. People who use midwives experience countless benefits, including a lower risk of the need for a cesarean section, a reduced risk of premature birth, and an overall higher level of satisfaction with the quality of care they receive.
Those who offer midwife services have made the choice to provide families with the care they need during what is often the most exciting time of their lives. However, midwives should be sure to understand their licensing requirements in Wisconsin and be aware of any issues that may result in discipline to their license.
Requirements for Obtaining a Midwife License
Licensing Issues for Milwaukee Veterinarians: Telemedicine Practices
Modern communications technology has provided many benefits to people, including the ability to consult with doctors and medical providers remotely. Wisconsin veterinarians may also have plans to implement these types of services, but they should be aware of potential licensing issues that may arise when doing so.
Establishing a VCPR
One of the key issues for veterinarians who provide telemedicine services is the establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR). The Veterinary Examining Board may only discipline a vet in cases regarding his or her treatment of an animal if he or she had established a VCPR with that animal.
The primary question when it comes to telemedicine is whether a VCPR can be established remotely during a “virtual checkup.” However, under Wisconsin law, a VCPR is established if a veterinarian has enough knowledge of the animal to make a general or preliminary diagnosis of its medical condition, and this knowledge is based on whether the vet has recently seen the animal via an in-person examination or is personally acquainted with the animal. This means that telemedicine services on their own are usually not enough to establish a VCPR.
When Are Non-Parents Eligible for Child Custody in Wisconsin?
Decisions about the custody and placement of children are often a factor in divorce proceedings or in cases where parents are unmarried. However, there are also situations where someone other than a child’s parents are closely involved in raising children. Non-parents who wish to obtain child custody rights for children in their care should be sure to understand how Wisconsin law applies to their situation.
Child Custody for Non-Parents
When making decisions about child custody, Wisconsin courts will act in the best interests of the child. In some cases, custody may be awarded to a child’s relative if the court finds that “neither parent is able to care for the child adequately or that neither parent is fit and proper to have the care and custody of the child.” Eligible relatives may include grandparents, aunts, uncles, stepparents, cousins, or siblings.
Wisconsin Real Estate Litigation: Settling Boundary Disputes
Purchasing real estate property is a major step in a person’s life, and property ownership provides a wide variety of benefits. However, those who invest in real estate will want to do everything they can to protect their investment, and this means that disputes can sometimes arise that must be settled through real estate litigation. Boundary disputes are one common issue that property owners may encounter and, in these cases, it is important to understand how Wisconsin laws can affect property ownership.
Boundary Disputes and Adverse Possession
Boundary disputes occur when neighbors disagree about the location of property lines. While a property survey can establish legal boundary lines, there are cases in which a person may be able to claim ownership of his or her neighbor’s property based on his or her use of that property. This is known as adverse possession.
Child Safety Tips for Avoiding Bicycle Accident Injuries
During the summer months, many people take advantage of the warm weather to enjoy time outdoors. Bike riding is a popular activity for families, but parents should be aware of the dangers that exist for children when using bicycles. Across the United States, nearly 630 children are injured every day in bicycle accidents. Collisions with larger vehicles can be especially devastating, and result in serious injuries, disability, or even death.
Bike Safety Tips
In order to protect children from bike accident injuries, parents should take steps to ensure they are safe when using bicycles, including:
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Always wear a helmet - Bicycle helmets are the most effective way to reduce the chances of head injuries and death in a bicycle accident. Parents should use the right size helmets for children and make sure the helmets fit correctly. A helmet should stay on the top of the head in a level position, and straps should fit snugly and comfortably around a child’s chin when buckled.
