WE RESPOND TO YOUR NEEDS 414-271-1440
Recent Blog Posts
What Are the Penalties for a Wisconsin Domestic Battery Arrest?
If you have been arrested for domestic battery in Wisconsin, it is important to understand the potential penalties you may face. Domestic battery is a serious offense that can result in significant legal consequences, including criminal charges and restrictions on when you may be able to return to your home or communicate with your family members. By understanding the penalties associated with a domestic battery arrest in Wisconsin and working with an experienced attorney, you can determine how to navigate through the legal process as you defend against criminal charges.
Understanding Domestic Battery
In Wisconsin, domestic battery falls under the broader category of domestic abuse. It refers to any act of physical violence or threat of harm against an adult family member or a person who shares a home–or formerly shared a home–with the alleged offender. Wisconsin’s definition includes spouses, former spouses, people who share a child together, people who are dating or have dated in the past, and roommates.
What Real Estate Developers Need to Know About Entitlements
Real estate development involves a variety of complex legal and financial concerns. From finding the right property to securing financing, there are many factors that developers must consider. Because zoning laws are a crucial factor in real estate development, it is important to understand the role that entitlements will play when requesting approval from a local government to develop a property. When addressing issues related to zoning, entitlements, licensing, and variances, developers can work with an experienced attorney to make sure these matters will be handled properly.
What Are Entitlements?
In the context of real estate, entitlements refer to the legal rights granted by government agencies that allow developers to use their property for specific purposes. These rights typically include zoning approvals, building permits, environmental clearances, and other necessary permissions.
7 Tips for Co-Parenting Successfully After a Wisconsin Divorce
Moving forward after a divorce can be challenging, especially for parents who need to establish new living situations and determine how they will share the responsibility of raising their children. For divorcing parents in Wisconsin, it is important to establish positive co-parenting relationships, which will ensure that both parents can continue to play an active role in their children's lives. While co-parenting may present its own set of challenges, with effective communication and cooperation, parents can make sure they are acting in their children’s best interests when sharing custody and physical placement.
As you work to address legal issues related to care of your children during your divorce, an experienced attorney can help you create a parenting agreement that will allow you to co-parent your children effectively. As you address these concerns, you can do the following to make sure your family will be able to succeed in the years ahead:
Can Shoplifting Lead to Felony Charges in Wisconsin?
Shoplifting or retail theft is often seen as a minor offense that may be committed by teenagers or others who steal low-value items from stores. However, this form of theft is still considered a serious crime that can have significant legal consequences. In the state of Wisconsin, shoplifting offenses are typically charged as misdemeanors. However, under certain circumstances, shoplifting can lead to felony charges. A person who has been accused of retail theft will need to understand their rights and their options for defense. Representation from an experienced attorney can be crucial in these situations.
What Constitutes Retail Theft in Wisconsin?
Retail theft occurs when a person intentionally takes possession of or carries away merchandise from a store without paying its full price. While the most commonly recognized form of shoplifting involves pocketing merchandise and leaving a store without paying, there are other activities that could result in retail theft charges. Some examples include:
Be Proactive in Protecting Your Credit & Personal Information
By Attorneys Raymond Dall’Osto, Jaclyn Kallie and Zak Wroblewski
The Federal Trade Commission FTC) announced in an October 2023 consumer alert, that Americans now have free weekly access to their credit reports, from all three major credit bureaus.
In the 1990’s, Congress first allowed for a free annual credit bureau check. During the trying times of the Covid-19 pandemic, several major credit bureaus changed their policies to allow for free weekly checks and access to your full credit bureau report.
When people talk about your credit, they mean your credit history. Your credit history describes how you use money. For example:
When Will Use Variances Be Required for Building Permits?
In the process of obtaining building permits, business owners and real estate developers may encounter situations where they need to address special use variances with the Board of Zoning Appeals. Understanding when these variances are required is crucial to navigating the complex world of zoning and land use regulations. Because the procedures that must be followed when handling these types of appeals can be complicated, it is crucial for property owners and developers to work with an attorney who has experience in this area.
What Is a Use Variance?
A use variance is a permission granted by the local government that allows a business or entity to use property in a way that deviates from the standard zoning regulations. These deviations typically involve land uses that are prohibited within a particular zone but may still be compatible with surrounding properties.
Is Equal Property Division Required in a Wisconsin Divorce?
For any couple who is going through a divorce, one of the key issues that needs to be addressed is property and asset division. This is one of the primary financial concerns that will affect spouses. Decisions about property division will determine the financial resources available to each spouse, in consideration of establishing new living arrangements, covering bills and expenses, and addressing other needs. When contemplating issues related to property, spouses will need to understand the community property laws in Wisconsin and the factors a court considers when determining division of marital assets. An experienced divorce lawyer can provide guidance on how the laws may be applied in a specific situation. They can help negotiate a property settlement and address other related legal concerns.
How Can I Address Wasted or Destroyed Assets During My Divorce?
In a divorce, the division of assets is often one of the most contentious issues. All of the property a couple owns will need to be considered, and there needs to be a determination on who will be responsible for paying the debts the couple owes. As couples take steps to gain an understanding of their financial position, and make decisions about how assets and debts will be divided, one spouse may find that the other has wasted or destroyed assets. This can significantly impact the other spouse’s financial well-being, leaving them with limited resources or debts that need to be repaid.
When one spouse takes actions that reduce the value of the marital estate, this is known as “dissipation of assets.” It is important for spouses to understand how this issue will be addressed in a Wisconsin divorce. To make sure assets can be valued correctly, and that asset dissipation will be considered when dividing assets and debts, it is important to work with an attorney who has a strong understanding of these issues and who has experience helping clients address and resolve financial issues during the divorce process.
When Can an Employee Be Charged with Embezzlement?
By Attorneys Jason Luczak and Nicole Masnica
Embezzlement is a serious white collar crime that involves the misappropriation or theft of funds entrusted to someone's care. This offense can refer to situations where an employee is accused of stealing money or assets from their employer. In Wisconsin, embezzlement accusations can lead to charges of theft or other criminal offenses. Those who have been accused of embezzlement can work with an attorney to determine their best options for defense.
Criminal Charges for Employee Embezzlement
When an employee is accused of embezzlement, several types of criminal charges may be brought against them. The specific charges that may apply will depend on the circumstances of the alleged offense and the amount of money or the value of property that was allegedly stolen or misappropriated. Although Wisconsin does not explicitly name embezzlement as a crime in its statutes, some charges that may be related to embezzlement include:
How Does Wisconsin’s Implied Consent Law Affect OWI Cases?
If you have been arrested for operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) in Wisconsin, it is important to understand the state's implied consent law and how it can impact your case. Under this law, drivers are required to submit to chemical testing if they are arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and they may face consequences if they refuse to do so. For anyone who has been arrested for drunk driving, it is crucial to secure legal representation from an attorney who can help defend against OWI charges and address license suspensions or other penalties related to chemical blood alcohol tests.
What Is Implied Consent?
Implied consent refers to the legal principle that drivers automatically give their consent to submit to chemical testing from a police officer, if suspected of drunk driving, by obtaining a driver’s license and operating a motor vehicle on public roads. In other words, when you get behind the wheel in Wisconsin, you implicitly agree to comply with requests from law enforcement officers for blood, breath, or urine testing.
