WE RESPOND TO YOUR NEEDS 414-271-1440
Recent Blog Posts
Two New Bills to Decrease Recidivism Rates and Help Convicted Find Work after Release
Although crime and high prison populations are far from new concepts, the new bills meant to tackle these two major problems in Wisconsin are. Passed by the Assembly in February 2016 and discussed by the Senate in early March, the proposals addressed in these two bills are meant to tackle recidivism (re-offense after release) and job issues experienced by those convicted of a crime. If passed, it could mean a lot of positive changes for everyone.
Reason behind the Change
Recently, the Council of State Governments Justice Center and the National Reentry Resource Center conducted a national study on recidivism rates of each state. Although Wisconsin was one of eight states recognized for improvement, it is still among one of the highest states for recidivism (56.2 percent in 2007 and 51.1 percent in 2010). Lawmakers believe a swift and drastic change must be made.
Could Your Social Media Activity Sabotage Your Personal Injury Case?
Once used only by the technologically savvy or “hip” folks, social media has become a place where almost everyone gathers to share their lives, photos, thoughts, and opinions. For most, it is a fairly innocent experience, one that connects family members, friends, and even potential friends from around the world. Others have unfortunately had exactly the opposite experience – getting fired from their jobs for inappropriate conduct or even being arrested for committing a crime.
Of course, not everyone commits a crime and then documents it on Facebook, and posting private information about a client or patient on Instagram only applies if you happen to work in a field where confidentiality is a requirement. But what about other situations? Take, for example, a personal injury case, such as a car accident or a workplace injury . . . could social media affect you in these areas as well?
White Collar Crime Registry in Utah and Other Registries You May Not Know Existed
Most Americans are aware of the mandated sex offender registry for convicted sex offenders. Used in all 50 states, it is accessible by the public and provides names, descriptions, and photographs of those that have served their time and then been released back into society. However, few are aware that there are many other types of criminal registries that, depending on state and circumstance, may also be viewable by the public. The most recently opened is a white collar crime registry in Utah.
The Rise of Offender Registries
Over the last several years, registries for convicted offenders of various crimes have grown exponentially. Five states monitor those convicted of arson. Seven have registries for methamphetamine producers, and Indiana offers a public website that lets visitors use Google Maps to find the location of homes that have been used as meth labs. In Tennessee, those convicted of animal abuse must register. And in the state of Florida, anyone convicted of a felony of any kind must register for up to five years after completing their sentence. Some of these registries are restricted to law enforcement or fire official use, but others are searchable to the public, just like the sex offender registries.
Motorcycle Accident Prevention Is Every Driver’s Responsibility
With spring's arrival and weather warming throughout many parts of the country, motorcyclists in some areas have already taken to the road. Even Wisconsin, where the temperatures still feel like winter, will start to see an influx of the two-wheeled vehicles quite soon. And that makes now the perfect time to remind all drivers that accident prevention is everyone’s responsibility.
Just How Big is the Problem?
At first glance, the 2,000 annual motorcyclist deaths may seem like a far cry from the 30,000 fatal car accidents each year. If, however, a side by side comparison is made, motorcyclists are 16 times more likely to be killed in a crash and four times more likely to be injured. In fact, while only 20 percent of all car crashes cause an injury or fatality, the figure jumps to a staggering 80 percent for motorcycle crashes; mile for mile, they are at higher risk.
Charging Children as Adults: Understanding Wisconsin’s Laws and Policies
It is difficult to imagine a child being charged with an adult crime and then being imprisoned with adults. Yet it does happen. In fact, last year, the state of Wisconsin decided to charge two 13-year-old girls as adults in an attempted murder case. If convicted, they could spend up to 65 years in a state penitentiary.
Their story, along with countless others before them, forces the public to ask some difficult and uncomfortable questions about how the state of Wisconsin tries and convicts juvenile criminals. The answers are both horrifying and unbelievable, but they are also the harsh reality of a broken justice system.
Violent Crimes Are Not Child’s Play
For the majority of juvenile offenders, crimes are charged and tried in juvenile court. Here, the offender is adjudicated and then pushed through the juvenile justice system. This usually includes up to three years of incarceration, but they are detained in a juvenile center. They also receive rehabilitation services, such as counseling, and educational services. But these services are usually only available until the minor’s 17th birthday, and only if they are not being charged with a violent crime. All others, including children as young as 10 who are facing homicide or attempted homicide, are tried as adults.
AAA Study Reveals Nearly 90 Percent of Drivers Engage in Risky Behavior behind the Wheel
Somewhere between 30,000 and 40,000 people die in automobile accidents in the United States each year. Most of those accidents are due to human error and completely preventable, according to AAA. In fact, the organization’s recent study revealed that nearly 90 percent of drivers are engaging in risky behavior behind the wheel. And, sadly, far too many are paying the price.
Astounding 87 Percent of Drivers Admit to Risky Driving Behavior
Whether it is texting while driving, speeding, driving while under the influence, running red lights, or simply driving while fatigued, AAA found that 87 percent of all drivers engaged in risky behavior in the 30 days prior to their response to the study. Of those, 42 percent admitted to texting and 70 percent admitted to being on their phones, making distracted driving the most common risky driving behavior.
Wisconsin Bike Fed Share and Be Aware Program Working to Make Roads Safer for Pedestrians and Cyclists
Last year, Wisconsin saw a 22 percent increase in the number of pedestrian deaths (45 to 55). The number of bicycle deaths also increased, going from just four in 2014 to 15 in 2015. It might be easy to look at the pedestrian and bicyclist accident numbers and consider them the “price” of traffic and travel, but each death represents a person. A family that has lost someone they love. The Wisconsin Bike Fed is hoping to remind us of that through their Share and Be Aware program.
More Statistics on Pedestrian, Cyclist Accidents
According to an analysis of crash reports from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, more than 40 of the pedestrians killed from 2011 to 2013 were killed in crosswalks. The drivers who hit them all failed to yield, despite the Wisconsin law statute that requires all drivers yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Moreover, the analysis determined that at least 65 percent of all crosswalk intersection deaths are due to driver errors.
Will Your Personal Injury Cause You Problems in the Future?
Recovering from the damages sustained in a serious car accident can take months or years. Sometimes, you may still have issues long after your case has been settled. What can you do if your injuries are going to still be causing you problems in the future?
The Role of the Statute of Limitations
The reason it is necessary to look into the future and estimate damages is because you only have a set amount of time to bring a personal injury case. In most circumstances, you only have three years from the date of an accident to bring a lawsuit or to settle your claim. Even if you have not fully recovered, you will still need to take action to preserve your rights.
Types of Damages in Car Accident Cases
The only way for someone to compensate you for your injuries in a car accident is with money. Even though money won’t take away the trauma of the accident, or take away the pain of the injuries or the recovery, it is the best our system has to offer. Wisconsin law recognizes several different types of monetary damages in a personal injury claim.
New Study: Teen Drivers and Cell Phone Habits
Each year, more than 243,000 teens visit emergency rooms for injuries they have sustained during an automobile accident. Another 2,000 die during crashes,which makes motor vehicle accidents the number one killer for 16- to 19-year-olds. Part of the problem is their lack of experience behind the wheel, but studies have shown that the biggest issue relates to cell phone use while driving. Researchers recently spoke with several teens to understand why.
Newest Investigation Prompted by Concerning CDC Study
For years, adults have been trying to get the message across to teens: do not text and drive. Yet, a recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that nearly 45 percent of teens text were willing to admit that they had texted and driven within the previous 30 days. That had a few other researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing and the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia concerned, so they decided to delve a little deeper.
White Collar Crime Lawsuits and Criminal Investigations
White collar crimes are often complex and involve months and years of preparations before prosecutors bring formal charges. There is no official set of crimes under the law called white collar crimes. However, federal and state crimes involving fraud and finances are generally considered to be white collar crimes. These include things such as embezzlement, securities fraud, and computer crimes.
Dangers of a Lengthy Investigation
Because white collar crimes often involve many different sets of financial records and a complicated set of facts, the investigations are often lengthy. Law enforcement investigations may span months, or even years..
What If There Is a Lawsuit?
Another consequence of the sometimes-lengthy criminal investigation process is that those who have lost money may file a civil lawsuit. As part of a civil lawsuit, defendants may be required to testify under oath and provide thousands and thousands of pages of documents, Oral testimony or anything turned over in the civil case may also be used in a criminal case.
