Recent Blog Posts
Truck Accidents Involving Driver Fatigue: The Causes and Consequences
Truck accidents are a serious problem on our nation's roads. Each year, thousands of people are killed in accidents with large trucks and other commercial vehicles, and tens of thousands more suffer serious injuries in these types of collisions. Many of these accidents are caused by driver fatigue. Truck drivers can easily become tired or drowsy after being on the road for extended periods of time. Attempting to drive when a person is too tired to operate a commercial vehicle safely greatly increases the chances of a truck accident. In fact, studies have shown that between 7 and 13 percent of fatal truck crashes are associated with a lack of sleep. Victims who are injured in these types of accidents can work with a personal injury attorney to establish liability and pursue compensation for their damages.
Issues Leading to Truck Driver Fatigue
Truck drivers are required to undergo extensive training to ensure that they will be able to operate large trucks safely. They must also obtain commercial driver's licenses, and they must abide by "hours of service" regulations to ensure that they do not remain on the road for longer than is safe. Under these regulations, truck drivers are generally limited to 11 hours of driving in a day, and they cannot drive at all after the 14th hour following the beginning of their shift. They are also required to spend at least 10 hours off-duty between driving shifts, and seven of those hours must be spent in a sleeper berth. A half-hour break must also be taken after driving for a total of eight hours.
When Can a Psychologist Face Discipline to a Professional License?
People in certain occupations, including psychologists and therapists, must have a professional license in order to practice. The requirements that must be met in order to obtain a license can be complicated. Typically, a psychologist must complete an accredited graduate program and pass a professional exam, and gain experience through an internship. Once a psychologist has met all the requirements and obtained a license, there are still rules that must be followed in order to keep the license in good standing. If a psychologist violates these rules, they could face disciplinary action. By understanding the issues that could lead to license discipline and working with a professional license defense attorney, a psychologist can take the correct steps to address these issues and avoid issues that could affect their career.
What Divorcing Couples Need to Know About Dividing Real Estate Property
Anyone going through a divorce will need to address multiple issues related to their finances and the property they own. When dividing marital property, a couple will need to consider all of the assets and debts they acquired during their marriage. One of the most important of these assets is the couple’s marital home. Real estate can be a significant investment, and each spouse will want to make sure they receive an equitable share of their home’s equity. The home will likely have sentimental value for both parties as well, and resolving disputes about ownership of the home can sometimes be difficult
Property Division Options Related to the Marital Home
In many cases, it will be necessary to perform an appraisal of a couple’s home during the divorce process. This will establish the current market value of the home, and a couple can determine the value of the equity they own based on the mortgage payments that have been made during their marriage and the amount remaining on the loan. This may also provide them with an understanding of the purchase price they will most likely be able to receive if they choose to sell the home.
Can I Get a Wisconsin Professional License if I Have a Felony Conviction?
A number of professions require people to obtain licenses before they can work in that field. Obtaining a professional license can be a complex process, and a person will usually need to provide documentation of education or training, and they may need to meet other requirements, such as having a certain amount of experience. Depending on the profession, there may be some issues that could affect a person’s ability to obtain a license, including certain types of criminal convictions. Those who have worked in certain professions in the past or who wish to become licensed professionals may need to address felony convictions, and they can do so with the help of a professional license defense attorney.
When Do Felony Convictions Disqualify a Person From Receiving a Professional License?
When Can Alleged Drug Crimes Lead to Federal Charges?
Law enforcement officials take drug charges very seriously. Those who are accused of possessing, selling, distributing, or transporting controlled substances may face a variety of criminal charges. The severity of these charges can vary depending on whether a person is charged with an offense at the state or federal level. In many cases, federal charges are more serious, and a conviction may result in very large fines, a lengthy prison sentence, and other consequences.
Federal Charges Involving Controlled Substances
Most of the time, simple drug possession charges are prosecuted at the state level. However, federal law does state that knowingly or intentionally possessing a controlled substance without a valid prescription is a crime, and if a person is convicted of this offense, they may be sentenced to up to one year in prison and fined at least $1,000. The law specifically prohibits the possession of chemicals used to manufacture illegal drugs. It also provides for increased penalties for possession of flunitrazepam, which is more commonly known as Rohypnol, “roofies,” or date rape drugs. Possession of this substance may result in a prison sentence of up to three years and a minimum fine of $5,000.
Can I Pursue Compensation for Injuries in an ATV Accident?
Wisconsin residents and visitors to the state can enjoy many outdoor activities during the summer, including riding ATVs on trails in state parks or on private property. While this can be a great form of recreation, it can also be dangerous, and multiple types of accidents involving ATVs can occur. In fact, there have been nine fatal ATV accidents in Wisconsin so far in 2022. Following these types of accidents, injury victims or the surviving family members of those who were killed will need to determine who was responsible, and they may be able to pursue financial compensation from negligent parties who were liable for an injury.
Causes of ATV Accidents
In some cases, ATV riders may be injured due to their own errors or negligence, such as by taking unnecessary risks or failing to follow the proper safety procedures. However, there are a variety of situations where other parties may be partially or fully responsible for an accident. Victims of ATV accidents may be able to pursue compensation in situations involving:
How Can a Criminal Conviction Affect My Professional License?
In the State of Wisconsin, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals are required to fulfill high standards of knowledge, skill, and professional and personal conduct in order to achieve and maintain their license to practice. A professional may be at risk of losing their license for a variety of disciplinary reasons, but one of the most serious threats to a healthcare professional’s license and career is the possibility of a conviction for criminal charges. If you are under investigation, or if you have been charged with a crime, it is crucial to have a skilled attorney who can help you avoid both criminal and professional penalties.
What Are My Options if I Can No Longer Afford to Pay Spousal Support?
There are a variety of financial issues that will need to be addressed during a divorce, and in some cases, one spouse may be asked to provide financial support to the other. Spousal support is not an issue that will factor into every divorce case, but it may be necessary in situations where the income earned by one spouse was used to cover most or all of the family’s living expenses. Decisions about spousal maintenance or alimony are based on the circumstances of the parties at the time of the divorce. However, these circumstances can change, and when a person who pays spousal support experiences issues that affect their ability to continue making these payments, they may be able to request a modification of their obligations.
How Are Embezzlement Charges Handled in Wisconsin?
There are different types of offenses that are considered to be white collar crimes, and these offenses usually involve illegal activity of a financial nature. Embezzlement is a common charge in white collar criminal cases, and those who have been accused of this offense will need to understand the nature of the charges and the potential consequences of a conviction. Anyone who has been accused of a crime will want to secure legal representation from a criminal defense attorney who has experience handling these types of cases and who can help build a solid, effective defense strategy.
Understanding Embezzlement
Embezzlement is a form of theft or fraud committed by someone who was entrusted with the management or control of someone else’s money or property. Typically, embezzlement will involve an employee stealing money or otherwise misappropriating property from their employer. Multiple types of actions may fall under this category, including:
What Role Does a Guardian Ad Litem Play in a Child Custody Case?
In divorce and family law cases, parents may need to address a variety of issues related to child custody. While there are some cases where parents may agree on how custody of their children will be handled, disputes often arise between parents, and it can be difficult to determine the best ways to resolve these issues. In some cases, a guardian ad litem may be appointed. Parents will need to understand the role this person will play in their case and the best steps they can take to protect their parental rights and ensure that they will be able to provide for their children’s best interests.
What Is a Guardian Ad Litem?
When parents disagree about how to handle child custody, it can be difficult for a judge to determine how to make decisions that will protect children’s best interests. The parents and their attorneys may make arguments based on their desires, their claims of what has happened in the past, and their individual beliefs about what is best for their children. However, evaluating the accuracy of parents’ claims, understanding the biases they bring to a case, and determining how emotions may color parents’ attitudes is not always easy. To more fully evaluate the situation, a judge may seek help from other parties.