By Attorney Nicole Masnica

The COVID-19 crisis and statewide quarantine required many families to stay in their homes together for far more time than under normal circumstances. This difficult time has been complicated even further because many have suffered financially, lost employment and have had to deal with a disruption in school or care for their children. Unfortunately, these added stressors can result in an unstable and tumultuous home life and even in the worst circumstances, domestic violence.

Domestic violence affects families around the nation and throughout the world. Discord in familial relationships is very complex, and if you have been accused of perpetrating this type of sensitive crime, you will want to understand the nature of the charges, your options for defense, and how a criminal prosecution and conviction for this type of offense can impact your family and life going forward.

By Attorney Nicole Masnica

As you can imagine, taking another’s property without permission is a crime in Wisconsin – one that can be prosecuted as a municipal citation or criminal charge. The state’s statutory scheme that controls property crimes is Chapter 943. Within that section of the criminal statutes, you will find a variety of crimes, from credit card fraud to armed robbery to identity theft. You will also find two provisions titled “Theft” (Wis. Stat. §943.20) and “Retail Theft” (Wis. Stat. §943.50). Whether allegations of theft result in misdemeanor or felony charges, they are not something to take lightly, as they can result in serious legal consequences that will impact your future in a variety of ways. When facing these types of charges, it is crucial to obtain representation from an experienced criminal defense attorney. 

Theft Charges Under Wisconsin Law

According to Wis. Stat. §943.20, a criminal theft is one of the following acts:

By Attorney Nicole Masnica 

Whether they are legitimate or not, accusations of child neglect or abuse occur every day. Being accused of harming a child can ruin lives and tear friends and families apart. It is not unusual for tempers to rise in high-pressure situations like a contentious divorce or a child custody dispute, and sometimes, one parent may accuse the other of abusing or harming their children in hopes of gaining leverage in a custody dispute. 

If you have been accused of abusing your child, it is important to contact an attorney immediately. An experienced criminal defense attorney will be able to help guide you through the investigation and potential criminal charges. If the child involved is your own, you should also seek a family law attorney with experience in custody disputes and child abuse investigations to protect your interests as a parent.

By Attorney Nicole Masnica

According to the Wisconsin Department of Justice, nearly 30,000 domestic violence incidents were reported in 2017, and 21,000 arrests were made. Domestic abuse, as defined under Wis. Stat. § 968.075, involves a person intentionally inflicting pain or injury or committing sexual assault against a family member or causing a person to reasonably fear that these types of offenses would occur. Domestic violence may be committed against a spouse, a former spouse, an adult living in a person’s household, or an adult who a person shares a child with. 

Domestic Violence Charges

There are a variety of criminal charges that can be associated with domestic violence, including sexual assault, kidnapping, and homicide. However, battery is the most common charge that a person may face when accused of domestic violence, and it will typically fall into one of the three following categories:

By Attorney Nicole Masnica

While most people understand that possession of illegal drugs can lead to criminal charges, they may not be aware of which drugs are illegal or the potential penalties they may face. If you are facing charges related to drug possession, you should be sure to work with an experienced attorney to determine your best options for defense. 

Controlled Substance Categories

Under Wisconsin law, controlled substances are grouped into five categories, which are known as “schedules.” These schedules are based on whether the drugs have been deemed by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to have acceptable medical use in the United States, the potential of addiction or abuse, and the danger posed by a substance.