Operating while intoxicated (OWI) is a serious criminal offense, regardless of whether you have a prior history of convictions. Consequences of an OWI conviction include fines, driver’s license revocation, and a lasting criminal record, even for first-time offenders. However, the consequences can become much more severe if you are facing OWI charges a second, third, or subsequent […]
Can Third Parties Be Held Liable for Injuries in Drunk Driving Accidents?
/in Car Accidents/by Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLPThe simple answer to this question is “yes”. Alcohol or drug use can have a huge impact on a person’s ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. While the dangers of driving while under the influence are well-known, many people still do so. This can lead to dangerous car accidents. While a drunk driver may be […]
Understanding Your Right to an Attorney in a Wisconsin Criminal Case
/in Criminal Defense/by Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLPGetting arrested or charged with a crime can be extremely frightening and stressful, and it may feel like you have nowhere to turn for help and support. However, thanks to the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution, there is always at least one person whom you can rely on: your attorney. Among other rights, […]
5 Reasons Not to Represent Yourself in Wisconsin Family Court
/in Family Law/by Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLPIf you are getting a divorce or attempting to establish a child support or child custody order with your child’s other parent, you may have at least considered the idea of representing yourself throughout the legal process. Perhaps you are worried about the costs of hiring an attorney, or you may feel that you and the other party are in agreement […]
Is Intoxication a Valid Defense Against Criminal Charges in Wisconsin?
/in Criminal Defense/by Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLPBy Attorney Ray Dall’Osto The intoxicating effects of alcohol and controlled substances (prescription and illegal) have been demonstrated to lower a person’s inhibitions, alter behavior, and impair a person’s mental and physical abilities, including the ability to operate motor vehicles steadily and safely. Unfortunately, alcohol and substance use sometimes lead to situations where a person is […]
How Are Damages Awarded in a Wisconsin Wrongful Death Case?
/in Wrongful Death/by Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLPIn Wisconsin, injury victims have the right to file a personal injury claim seeking compensation from the negligent parties who were responsible for their damages. Unfortunately, not all injury victims survive long enough to initiate the process, let alone benefit from the compensation. However, this does not mean that there is no way of holding the negligent […]
Establishing Paternity in Wisconsin by Genetic Testing
/in Family Law/by Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLPUntil recently, Wisconsin parents seeking to establish the legal paternity of a child could do so in one of three ways. Two of those methods, a Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment and an Acknowledgment of Marital Child, require the consent of both parents, which is not easy to obtain when the parents are in disagreement. The third method, petitioning […]
Common Injuries in Wisconsin Rollover Accidents
/in Car Accidents/by Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLPRollover accidents can happen for a number of different reasons, and injuries suffered by vehicle occupants are often severe. Though vehicle safety features are continuing to improve in order to better protect drivers and passengers, the force of multiple impacts is still capable of injuring nearly every part of the body, potentially resulting in high medical […]
Are Wisconsin Drug Offenders Eligible for Pretrial Diversion?
/in Drug Crimes/by Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLPThe circumstances leading to criminal charges for drug possession can be complicated, and in many cases, they involve a history of substance abuse on the part of the alleged offender. The State of Wisconsin recognizes that treatment, education, and rehabilitation are often more effective responses to drug offenses than a harsh prison sentence. As such, the state allows a […]
What Are the Requirements of a Wisconsin Spousal Maintenance Order?
/in Divorce/by Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLPIn a Wisconsin divorce, spousal maintenance or alimony is sometimes ordered to provide support for a spouse who is likely to have difficulty providing for themself without their former partner’s income, perhaps due to their health, childcare responsibilities, or lack of education and work experience. When maintenance is ordered, the paying spouse has an important legal responsibility to […]
How Do Penalties Change for Repeat OWI Offenses?
/in DUI / OWI/by Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLPOperating while intoxicated (OWI) is a serious criminal offense, regardless of whether you have a prior history of convictions. Consequences of an OWI conviction include fines, driver’s license revocation, and a lasting criminal record, even for first-time offenders. However, the consequences can become much more severe if you are facing OWI charges a second, third, or subsequent […]