By Attorney Brianna Meyer

The definition of theft varies greatly, and so do the offenses that fall under this category. From taking a candy bar from a store shelf to providing false receipts to obtain a loan, there are a wide range of theft charges that a person may face in Wisconsin. For those accused of shoplifting, it is important to know the charges that may be tied to retail theft, especially since they depend upon the value of the items that were allegedly stolen and the type of theft being alleged. 

What Are the Different Types of Shoplifting and Theft Charges?

Shoplifting, a.k.a. “Retail Theft”, includes more than just taking an item off the shelf. In fact, Wisconsin statutes list eight different ways in which a person’s actions can be considered retail theft. According to Wisconsin statute 943.50, a person can be penalized if they do any of these actions without a merchant’s consent and with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of possession of the item or the full purchase price of the item:

By Attorney Brianna Meyer

After Governor Tony Evers’ election and first six months in office, the chance for a fresh start has been restored to those who have a criminal record. Offenders can now apply for pardons for the first time since Evers’ predecessor Scott Walker halted the process eight years ago. Evers has reformed the Pardon Advisory Board, which consists of nine members who consider pardon requests and provide recommendations to the governor. Anyone who is seeking a pardon should understand the steps that will be followed.

By Jason Luczak, Brianna Meyer and Ray Dall’Osto  

With the changing climate of each state’s laws and regulations regarding drugs, particularly marijuana, it is crucial to know your state’s laws to avoid criminal charges, high fines, and potential jail or prison time. Marijuana possession, use, and distribution remains illegal in Wisconsin, unlike several of its surrounding neighbors.

By Ray Dall’Osto and Chris Strohbehn

The shocking mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton this past weekend, on top of the numerous premeditated attacks (many by white supremacist-inspired individuals) so far in 2019, make one want to shout, “Enough!  Do something about it!” Telling the public it was just the acts of one deranged individual, so go back home, say some prayers, and hope for the best simply doesn’t cut it. This attitude and “we can’t do anything about it” public pronouncements are a lie and an outrageous abdication of government’s responsibility to protect the health and safety of all Americans.

While no one gun control regulation or public health initiative is a panacea, our country needs to try many and implement them now, and at all levels of government – federal, state and local, to try and stop the brutal carnage that target and kills mothers, babies, and families with military-style assault weaponry that are readily available. As President Franklin Roosevelt responded to Republican critics of his Administration’s attempts to develop and implement new programs to address the Great Depression poverty, unemployment, and economic dislocation, “It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.”

By Attorney Chris Strohbehn

Someone who is injured because of another person’s negligence may be able to pursue compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. There are various types of damages that a victim can receive compensation for, such as injuries that occurred and property that was damaged in the accident. However, it is important to follow the correct legal procedures in these types of cases. One type of situation in which a person may be able to pursue compensation from a property owner involves injuries that occurred because of inadequate security.

By Attorney Brianna Meyer

As is true in all 50 states, driving drunk is illegal and has severe consequences. Not only do drivers put themselves at risk, but they can also endanger the passengers in their car, pedestrians, and people in other vehicles. In Wisconsin, it is illegal for a driver who is at least 21 years old to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or greater. Drivers are also prohibited from driving while under the influence of intoxicants, with any detectable amount of a restricted controlled substance in their bloodstream, and/or while they are under the influence of controlled substances or other drugs. Those below the age of 21 must have complete sobriety when driving or operating a vehicle.

By Attorney Max Stephenson

Issues related to child custody are often the most difficult part of a divorce. Parents must learn to balance not wanting to live under a different roof than their children and wanting the best for their kids. Determining the best way to address these issues can be challenging for a judge to determine. They must look at every facet of the child’s life and factor in each parent’s ability to meet a child’s needs. In most situations, parents will have shared or joint custody of their children. In these cases, parents will share in the right to make decisions about how to raise their children, and the children will typically spend significant amounts of time with each parent.

By Brianna Meyer and Max Stephenson

In the wake of widespread mass shootings across the United States, advocates and lawmakers in many jurisdictions are pushing for new gun laws to curb gun violence. “Extreme Risk” or “Red Flag” laws are one type of new gun legislation that targets gun violence problems and have been enacted in several states.

By Attorney Chris Strohbehn

Spending time on the water is a common pastime in Wisconsin because of the many bodies of water throughout our state. The most common way to do this is on jet skis and other types of motorboats. Since summer is such a popular time for visitors and owners of vacation homes to visit Wisconsin, the state’s waterways become much busier and more crowded than usual. Due to this influx of people and their boats, boating accident injuries become more likely to occur.

By Attorney Chris Strohbehn

Electric scooters (also known as e-scooters) are a form of transportation that is becoming more and more popular in cities across the United States. While these types of scooters are not new, the business behind them has changed. Companies such as Bird have begun offering rentable electric scooters that are placed on the side of the road for anyone to use. A person can use an app to rent an available scooter, then hop on for a ride. However, since these scooters have begun to pop up on city streets and college campuses, the number of scooter-related injuries has increased significantly, and people who are injured may be unsure about their legal options.