By Attorney Cameron Weitzner

Under Wisconsin law, battery is a criminal offense that is defined as any act that intentionally causes another person bodily harm without his or her consent. This encompasses a wide range of situations, from those involving minor injuries to the infliction of injuries with severe, permanent effects. Charges may also be different depending on the identity of the person who was injured. If you have been charged with battery, it can be difficult to know the severity of the penalties you may face based on the circumstances. An experienced defense attorney can help you understand the nature of your charges and work to make sure you avoid unnecessary consequences.

Penalties Vary Depending on the Severity of Injuries

There are three main levels of battery in Wisconsin, which are defined as follows:

By Attorney Max Stephenson

For parents and children alike, one of the hardest parts of a divorce is adjusting to a life split between two households. In most cases, neither parent is able to spend the time with their kids that they did before the divorce. This can be extremely difficult on an emotional level, and it can also involve logistical challenges related to arranging schedules and transportation. 

You may take some solace in the fact that Wisconsin law recognizes the importance of a child’s relationship with both parents, and courts will usually make an effort to grant both parents meaningful time with their children. That said, it is still important that you understand the factors the court will consider in decisions regarding physical placement so that you can make a strong case for an arrangement that meets your family’s needs.

By Attorney Chris Strohbehn

In 2018, more pedestrians were killed in car accidents nationwide than in any year since 1990, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These effects are felt close to home in Wisconsin, where more than 50 pedestrians died and more than 1,400 were injured in the same year. If you are struck by a vehicle while walking on or near the road, your injuries can be especially serious, and it is important that you know your options for pursuing compensation.

Common Causes of Pedestrian Accidents

A variety of factors may be involved in an accident between a vehicle and a pedestrian. The NHTSA reports that some of the most common include:

By Attorney Max Stephenson

During a Wisconsin divorce, the court may decide to award spousal maintenance or alimony payments if one of the parties has a substantial need for support or if there is a significant difference in the income, assets, or earning capacity of the two spouses. However, a person’s financial situation is ever-changing, and in the months and years following a divorce, the original reasons for granting maintenance may no longer apply. If this has happened to you, you may be able to obtain a modification to your spousal support order.

Reasons for a Post-Divorce Modification of Spousal Support

As bothersome as you may find it to pay spousal support after your divorce, you cannot seek a modification simply because you no longer wish to pay. Rather, in order for your petition for modification to succeed, you will need to demonstrate a substantial change in circumstances. Any of the following could constitute a valid reason for pursuing a modification:

By Attorney Max Stephenson

Adopting a child can make a huge difference in his or her life by providing a loving parent and a source of safety, support, and stability. That said, a successful adoption also requires a major commitment on the part of the parent, and that starts with making sure that you follow the appropriate legal procedures to make the adoption possible. Here are some important things to note about three common types of adoption to help you prepare for your adoption process:

Wisconsin Step-Parent Adoptions

If you have married someone who already has children, you may be able to proceed with a step-parent adoption to become their legal guardian. This is only possible if the children’s other biological parent is deceased or has had his or her parental rights terminated. During the process of a step-parent adoption, you may need to obtain consent to the termination of rights from the other parent, or you may need to demonstrate to the court that the other parent is unfit. You will then typically need to file a petition for adoption, submit to an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF), and attend a court hearing where the judge will rule on the adoption.

By Attorney Cameron Weitzner

Under Wisconsin law, those who commit a criminal offense can face serious consequences. However, many offenders are able to learn from their mistakes and avoid committing repeat offenses in the future. Unfortunately, even a single conviction can result in a public criminal record that can affect your employment opportunities and other facets of your life. If you are eligible, it may be in your best interests to pursue an expungement of your conviction to minimize its impact on your future.

Expungement Eligibility Criteria in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, a conviction can be expunged under the following circumstances:

By Attorney Cameron Weitzner

Wisconsin law protects people’s property by imposing criminal penalties on those who willfully damage or steal something that belongs to somebody else. In addition to theft, Wisconsin defines a wide range of different property crimes, and some come with much more serious penalties than others. If you have been arrested for criminal damage to property, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney who can help you understand the specific charges you are facing and the possible penalties if you are convicted.

Understanding Types of Criminal Damage to Property

In Wisconsin, some of the most common state charges for property crimes include:

By Attorney Max Stephenson

Dividing marital property can be one of the most difficult parts of a divorce, not only because you and your spouse may both have strong personal feelings about many of your possessions, but also because you each need sufficient assets to support yourself after the divorce. As you prepare for your divorce, you should take note of some of the assets and properties that often cause conflict so that you can make a plan to address each one.

How Is Property Divided in a Wisconsin Divorce?

In Wisconsin, divorcing couples are required to divide all marital property, which generally includes anything acquired by either spouse during the marriage except in the case of a gift, inheritance, or benefit related to someone else’s death. Wisconsin also has a baseline requirement that marital property be divided equally between both spouses, meaning a 50/50 split, although this can sometimes be adjusted based on factors including the length of the marriage, each spouse’s contributions to the marriage, and each spouse’s earning capacity and financial needs.

By Attorney Chris Strohbehn and Paralegal Ruth Campos

Motorcycle crashes in Wisconsin are particularly dangerous, with over 90 percent of motorcyclists who are involved in an accident suffering an injury or losing their lives. Perhaps even more astonishingly, nearly 14 percent of all vehicle accident fatalities are motorcyclists, despite the fact that they account for less than 2 percent of Wisconsin accidents. It is clear that an accident can have a severe impact on a motorcyclist’s life, and if you have been injured by another driver, it is important for you to understand how you can pursue compensation for the damages you have suffered.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

When a motorcycle accident is caused by another driver, it is often because the other driver failed to see or detect the motorcycle, perhaps because of a distraction, inattentiveness due to driver fatigue, or alcohol impairment. As with other types of accidents, excessive speed can also be a contributing factor. Some motorcycle accidents also occur because another driver fails to respect or account for the motorcyclist’s right to share the road.

By Attorney Max Stephenson and Family Law Paralegal Courtney Hess

If you are facing criminal charges, you are likely concerned about the potential penalties, including fines and imprisonment. However, the impact a conviction may have on your parental rights regarding your current and future children can be equally concerning. Convictions for violent and sensitive crimes, in particular, can impact your relationship with your children, so it is important that you hire a skilled attorney who can help you defend against false, exaggerated, or unfair allegations.

Criminal Records and Child Custody in Wisconsin

One way that a criminal record can affect your parental rights in Wisconsin is in legal proceedings involving child custody and placement, including after a divorce or separation. When determining whether to award a parent sole or joint custody of a child, the court will consider first and foremost whether the decision is in the child’s best interests. If a parent has a history of child abuse, interspousal abuse, other forms of domestic abuse, or alcohol and drug abuse, the court may rule that the parent poses a risk to the child’s well-being, and it may award full custody to the other parent as a result. Relevant criminal convictions may be used as evidence to establish a parent’s history of abuse.