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.

By Attorney Nicole Masnica

On January 1, 2020 Illinois became the eleventh state in the nation to allow the legal use of recreational marijuana. Because Illinois shares a border with Wisconsin, some Wisconsinites may wish to travel to Illinois to purchase legal marijuana. However, the possession of marijuana is still illegal in Wisconsin and can result in drug charges if you are arrested upon your return. That means that even if someone bought marijuana legally in Illinois and brought it back to Wisconsin, it is still illegal to possess that marijuana in Wisconsin.

Criminal Penalties for Marijuana Possession in Wisconsin

Even though the prevailing thoughts on marijuana are changing and several states have legalized the drug, possessing marijuana in Wisconsin can result in harsh criminal penalties. A first-offense marijuana possession may be charged criminally as a misdemeanor and can result in a fine of not more than $1,000 or not more than 6 months in prison, or both. If you have a prior drug conviction, including possession of drug paraphernalia, and are arrested while possessing marijuana, you can be charged with  a Class I Felony, which carries with it a potential penalty of a $10,000 fine, 3 ½ years imprisonment, or both.

By Attorney Nicole Masnica

Sex crimes, also known as sensitive crimes, are treated very seriously in Wisconsin. While any criminal conviction can substantially affect your future opportunities, a conviction for a sex offense will carry with it collateral consequences that will impact nearly every aspect of your life for years to come. It is important to understand what might be at stake if you have been accused of a sex offense in Wisconsin.

The Charges

According to Wis. Stat. §301.45, an individual found guilty of any of the following offenses is required to comply with the sex offender registry: