There are many possible outcomes to a criminal case, including a dismissal. However, dismissal is rare, and judges don’t often dismiss cases. So, if you are charged with a crime, it helps to understand how a case might get dismissed and why a dismissal – which everyone wants – often isn’t possible. First Things First: What Does a Dismissal Mean? When a criminal case is dismissed, all legal action against the defendant ceases. A case can be dismissed at any time throughout the legal process, including before or during the trial, for various reasons. For example, a judge may dismiss a case if th ..read more

As it is in many states, the age of consent is 18 in Wisconsin. This means that individuals under this age are legally unable to consent to sexual activity. But what happens if someone slightly younger than 18 wants to date or have intimate relations with someone a little older than 18? For instance, could a 16-year-old date and have sexual intercourse with a 20-year-old who is just four years older than they are? Does Wisconsin Have a Close-in-Age Exemption? No. Wisconsin has no close-in-age exemption law, sometimes referred to as a “Romeo and Juliet” law. In other states, this type of law pr ..read more

Wisconsin laws broadly define sexual assault, with different degrees of sexual assault depending on the seriousness of the charge. Sexual assault may be anything from unwanted sexual touching through another person’s clothing to penetration or rape. If you’ve been accused of rape or sexual assault, you’re likely worried about your future and potential legal consequences or justifiably angry about being falsely accused. No matter your circumstances, your rights should be protected, and a skilled Wisconsin sexual assault defense lawyer can help. Physical Evidence Physical evidence is probably th ..read more

In a world where the legal landscape is constantly evolving, it’s essential to have individuals who not only understand the law but also know how to effectively advocate for their clients. One such individual is Attorney Christopher Van Wagner, who has once again proven his mettle by making it to the 2023 Super Lawyers List. This achievement is no small feat and deserves recognition and celebration. For those who may not be familiar, the Super Lawyers List is an annual rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and ..read more

Being pulled over by law enforcement for suspected drunk or otherwise impaired driving is no less than a harrowing experience. Whether this is your first time or you have been in this position before, you likely have many questions and wonder what will happen next. Will you be convicted? What will the consequences be? An experienced Madison OWI lawyer can answer your questions and address your concerns. They can also help you through this challenging process and fight for the best outcome possible. What if You Didn’t Take a Breathalyzer Test? In some circumstances, a suspected OWI driver will ..read more

Navigating the legal system after being arrested for a federal crime can be overwhelming, but it’s important to take action quickly to ensure that your rights are protected to the fullest extent of the law. Federal crimes are typically more serious than state crimes, and they carry heavier penalties. If you have been arrested for a federal crime, it is important to understand your rights and what you can expect from the legal process. Federal Charges Require Specialized Legal Representation Federal courts are different from state courts in a few key ways. For example, federal cases are usually ..read more

This action is important and probably long overdue. However, it does not lessen the seriousness of federal drug charges. Federal court – let alone federal prison – is no picnic. You need a proven advocate if you face drug charges of any kind. https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/16/politics/crack-powder-cocaine-sentencing-disparities/index.html?utm_source=The+Marshall+Project+Newsletter&utm_campaign=0c8fb3baf0-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_12_19_12_11&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5e02cdad9d-0c8fb3baf0-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D The post AG Garland Ends Federal Cocaine Disparities appeared first on CVW Law ..read more

When a Wisconsin law enforcement officer stops your car and suspects you are driving under the influence, he or she may have you take a breath test. Depending on the results of your breath test, the officer who stops you may have probable cause to place you under arrest for operating while intoxicated or driving under the influence. According to BACtrack, when a breath test device undergoes regular maintenance, testing and calibration, it is likely to produce accurate results. However, this is not the case in all instances. Sometimes, outside factors have the potential to throw off breat ..read more

Did you know that Wisconsin is experiencing a shortage of public defenders? Hundreds of cases are being delayed each day simply because defendants are waiting for a public defender to take their case. What does this mean for criminal courts and defendants? The Court Several significant criminal cases have been delayed due to the lack of public defenders. It has been tough to match qualified attorneys with these important cases dealing with things such as homicide, shootings, and reckless driving. In addition, most qualified attorneys already have a heavy workload, causing even more ..read more

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The only thing you need to be aware of when accused of domestic violence is that words – yours or your spouses – will not save you now. Save your talking for me and put a strong advocate on your side. Read more here. The post National Domestic Violence Awareness Month appeared first on CVW Law ..read more