At Christopher T. Van Wagner S.C., our legal team defends clients facing potentially life-changing criminal charges. While we measure our success in the outcomes we secure on behalf of our clients, we are also proud of the recognition we receive from our peers in the legal industry. As such, we are excited to announce that […] The post Chris Van Wagner – Christopher Van Wagner Selected as Super Lawyer first appeared on CVW Law ..read more

Wisconsin law takes sexual assault allegations seriously, with charges ranging from misdemeanors to severe felonies. Let’s review the most common sexual assault charges in our state. First-Degree Sexual Assault Sexual assault in the first degree is the most serious charge, typically involving allegations of: Second-Degree Sexual Assault These charges often involve allegations of: Third-Degree Sexual […] The post What Are The Most Common Sexual Assault Charges in Wisconsin? first appeared on CVW Law ..read more

In criminal cases, moral psychology plays a vital role in understanding how juries make decisions about guilt or innocence. It affects how jurors react to evidence, witness testimonies, and the defendant’s actions. For example, moral psychology can explain why a juror might sympathize with a defendant’s difficult background or judge them more harshly based on […] The post How to Use Moral Psychology in Criminal Cases first appeared on CVW Law ..read more

If you try to lure a child into a building or a car in Wisconsin for the purpose of molesting them, you will be charged with child enticement. If you’ve been falsely charged with such a heinous crime, avoiding conviction is the only way to protect yourself from a lifetime of severe consequences. What Is […] The post What Is the Penalty for Child Enticement in Wisconsin first appeared on CVW Law ..read more

The right of an accused person to substitute out the judge set to hear their case is a hot-button topic in today’s news cycle. Details from the Manhattan criminal trial of President Donald J. Trump have led many to call for the substitution of presiding Judge Juan Merchan due to assumed bias. Many have said that Judge Merchan is biased against the former president and ought to step down. Judge Merchan has refused to do so.  If you are facing criminal charges in Wisconsin and feel your judge is biased against you, you might wonder whether you also have the right to substitute your judge. T ..read more

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