On November 8, 2022, Tony Evers was reelected as Governor of the state of Wisconsin. Since he was originally elected in 2019, Governor Evers has made efforts to grant clemency to people who have been convicted of crimes and are deserving of a second chance. He has granted a total of more than 600 pardons during his time in office, and he has stated that he will continue to pardon convicts during his next term. With this option available to people who have been convicted of criminal offenses, it is important for those who wish to receive clemency to understand the benefits of a pardon and the procedures followed during the pardon process.

Eligibility for Pardons

People who have been convicted of felonies in Wisconsin state courts may request a pardon, and if a pardon is granted, they will regain certain rights, including the right to own and possess firearms, the right to apply for certain types of professional licenses, and the right to run for public office. To be eligible for a pardon, a person will need to meet the following requirements:

• They must be seeking a pardon for a felony conviction. Pardons usually are not available for misdemeanor offenses, unless a misdemeanor conviction occurred at the same time as a felony conviction.

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By: Attorney Adam Schleis

It is legal to own and possess firearms in the United States and the state of Wisconsin, although there are certain exceptions, such as when a person has been convicted of a felony. However, while the laws regarding gun ownership are clear, firearms may only be used for certain purposes, and certain types of illegal uses of guns may lead to criminal charges. If you are facing charges related to the use of a firearm, you could be facing serious penalties, including jail time and large fines.

Wisconsin Laws Related to the Use of "Dangerous Weapons"

People who own and use firearms are expected to do so in a way that protects the safety of themselves and others. A person may be charged with the offense of "endangering safety by use of dangerous weapon" if they put other people at risk because they operated or handled a firearm negligently. For example, if a person did not take care while carrying or using a gun, such as by failing to use the weapon's safety settings, pointing the gun recklessly at others, or shooting at targets without making sure others were away from the line of fire, they could be charged with this offense. This charge may also apply if a person was under the influence of alcohol or drugs while carrying or using a firearm or if they were on someone else's property and fired a gun within 100 yards of a residential building without receiving permission from the building's owner.

A car accident can be a harrowing experience. In the blink of an eye, your vehicle can be damaged or totaled, and you or your passengers can be seriously injured. Every day, thousands of car accidents occur on roads and highways across the United States. While some of these accidents are caused by weather or road conditions, many are the result of driver error, including violations of traffic laws and actions by drivers that put other people at risk of harm. Here are 5 traffic violations that commonly lead to car accidents:

1. Speeding

Drivers who travel faster than the posted speed limit are more likely to be involved in serious accidents. Speeding makes it more difficult for a person to control their vehicle, and it leaves them less time to react to hazards on the road. Additionally, speeding can increase the severity of an accident by causing vehicles to collide with greater force. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding is a factor in nearly one-third of all fatal car accidents. 

by: Jason Luczak, Patrick Knight and Ray Dall’Osto

There are a number of criminal offenses that are commonly known as "white collar crimes.”  These generally involve the theft of money or misappropriation of funds and other forms of fraud that are committed using non-violent actions. Wire fraud and mail fraud are related offenses that are included in this category. However, many people are unaware of exactly what wire fraud is and what types of actions can result in criminal charges being filed against an individual or business entity. 

Fraud involves taking another person or entity's money, property, or protected information through deceptive means. Unlike traditional theft or robbery, where the victim does not give consent to being deprived of their property, fraud crimes typically involve deception or false pretenses to obtain a victim’s property, where the victim may have thought the transaction was legitimate.  Wire fraud is a type of fraud that uses communication networks, such as the internet, telephone lines, or email. Depending on the specific nature of an offense, the communication networks used, and the victims involved, a person accused of wire fraud may face either federal charges or state criminal charges and civil liability as well.

By: Attorney Adam Schleis

The ability to attend school and receive a quality education is a right provided to all children in the United States. However, this right can sometimes be affected by disciplinary matters that cause school officials to believe that a student should be removed from school. In Wisconsin, specific procedures must be followed before a student can be expelled, and parents may need to take steps to defend their child and ensure that they will still be able to attend school and receive an education. With the help of an attorney, parents can make the correct arguments in expulsion hearings, and if necessary, they can file an appeal on their student's behalf. By understanding the laws that affect school expulsions, the grounds for discipline in these cases, and the legal procedures that will be followed, parents can make sure their children's rights will be protected throughout every step of the process.

Expulsion Procedures in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, only school boards have the power to expel students from school. A school may issue a suspension of up to five days, and a student may be suspended for up to 15 days pending an expulsion. Any other long-term period in which a student will not be allowed to attend school is considered an expulsion. If officials believe an expulsion is warranted, an expulsion hearing will be scheduled, and notice of this hearing will be provided to the student and their parent or guardian at least five days in advance. The notice must state the specific grounds for expulsion, which may include:

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2020, 6,516 people were killed in pedestrian accidents in the United States. This equates to one pedestrian being killed every 81 minutes. In addition, around 55,000 pedestrians suffered non-fatal injuries in motor vehicle collisions. While pedestrian accidents can occur nearly anywhere and at all times of the day or night, there are certain factors that play a role in these accidents more often than others. If you or a loved one have been involved in a pedestrian accident, it is important to understand the most common causes so that you can identify the person or parties who were responsible and pursue financial compensation for your damages. 

Forms of Driver Negligence That Can Lead to Pedestrian Accidents

Because pedestrians are at risk of being seriously injured when they are struck by vehicles, drivers should take care to protect the safety of people who are crossing the street or walking near the road. Drivers who act unsafely or violate traffic laws can seriously injure pedestrians. Some common violations committed by drivers that may result in pedestrian injuries include:

• Distracted driving - Some of the most common—and dangerous—factors contributing to pedestrian accidents involve activities that take a driver’s attention away from the road. This can include anything from talking or texting on a cell phone to looking up directions on a navigation system to fiddling with a vehicle's radio. Even actions as simple as looking at billboards or objects on the side of the road can distract a driver and put pedestrians in danger.

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By: Attorney Megan Drury and Paralegal Ali Jaeger

If you are a parent who receives child support in Wisconsin, these payments may be essential for ensuring that you can provide for your children's ongoing needs. Unfortunately, enforcement of child support orders put in place by a court is often necessary in cases where non-custodial parents fall behind on payments. The good news is that there are several different ways to enforce a child support order in Wisconsin. 

Child Support Enforcement Actions Available in Wisconsin

When child support is past-due, the recipient may bring this matter to the attention of the court, or they may work with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to collect what is owed. Notably, Wisconsin law requires interest to be charged on child support that has not been paid. When the total amount of child support that is past-due exceeds the amount that a parent is required to pay in a single month, a 0.5 percent interest charge will apply to the amount owed. 

by Nicole Masnica, Jason Luczak and Adam Schleis

As the world has become digitized, computer fraud and internet fraud are becoming increasingly common. Many people and companies engage in actions that are deceptive and are intentionally fraudulent, which cause users significant harm, such as by stealing confidential, personal and other important information, convincing people to turn over money or property, or gaining access to financial accounts. As knowledge of these types of activities increases, law enforcement agencies are taking steps to combat computer crimes. If you have been accused of one of these crimes, it is important to understand the severity of the charge and what penalties you may face if convicted.

Common Types of Computer Fraud

Fraud committed using computer systems or over the internet may take many forms, including:

By: Attorney Kristen Nelson and Sarah Reckling

Licensed professionals in Wisconsin are held to professional standards of conduct. Businesses that provide chiropractic services must maintain the necessary licenses, and those who are accused of acting unprofessionally or in violation of their licensure may face potential disciplinary measures.. In these situations, the Wisconsin Chiropractic Examining Board (WCEB) may take one or more types of disciplinary actions, which could include issuing a reprimand, suspension, revocation, or renewal refusal. Chiropractors who may potentially be subject to licensure discipline will need to understand the possible reasons for disciplinary action and take the appropriate steps to defend against the loss or renewal of their license.

Common Reasons for Chiropractor License Discipline

There are numerous reasons why chiropractors or others who are involved in chiropractic care, such as chiropractic technicians and chiropractic radiological technicians, may face discipline. These include:

By: Attorney Megan Drury and Paralegal Ali Jaeger

After going through a divorce, the lives of parents and children are likely to change. As new opportunities arise, new relationships are formed, and adjustments are made based on a person's goals, the time may come for a parent to consider moving to a new home. In some cases, these types of moves may be relatively minor, and they may involve a simple relocation to a different neighborhood or a nearby city. However, when a move is major, and a parent plans to move a significant distance away or outside the state of Wisconsin, the state's parental relocation laws may come into play. In these situations, the parent who is moving and the other parent will both need to understand the procedures that will be followed and the legal requirements they will need to meet when requesting or objecting to a move.

Parental Relocation Out of the State of Wisconsin

The relevant Wisconsin statute on parental relocation is Wis. Stat. 767.481, which provides that in situations where a child spends any periods of physical placement with divorced or separated parents, a parent may not move with their child more than 100 miles from the location where the other parent lives without requesting permission from the court. However, if parents already live more than 100 miles apart from each other, a parent will generally be allowed to move, as long as they provide the other parent with written notice 60 days before the move is expected to take place.