Eau Claire Criminal Defense Blog

There are several legal issues in the United States that are complex because federal law and state laws seem to conflict. For instance, the federal law states that any and all use, possession of, manufacture of, or distribution of marijuana is illegal. However, many states have enacted laws that allow restricted use of this drug and some have decriminalized it entirely, so medical and recreational use is no longer illegal in these states. Wisconsin residents will want to stay updated on the laws of this state, which currently align with federal laws.

Even if you purchase marijuana in a state where it is legal to do so, you may not enter this state in possession of the drug. If you do, you are at risk for arrest and criminal charges that can lead to severe penalties under conviction. Wisconsin laws typically list marijuana crimes in three categories: possession, trafficking and sales.

College is a time of exploration. Plenty of students go out to parties and drink more than they should. However, after a party, it is paramount that no one who drank gets behind the wheel of a car. This could result in substantial injuries and property damage. One thing college students may not recognize is that an OWI can cause them to lose financial aid. 

An OWI conviction can seriously upend a person's life. The person may need to pay hefty fines and spend some time in jail. For college students, an OWI conviction can affect them for the rest of their lives. A loss of financial aid may make it so that the student can no longer attend college, provided the college does not have a policy for expelling students for OWI charges. Ultimately, it is not worth it to drink and drive with so much on the line. 

If a Wisconsin police officer arrests someone and he or she winds up facing criminal charges, it does not necessarily mean a conviction will be handed down if the case goes to trial. People often make the mistake of discussing such matters as though merely being formally accused of drug crimes or other illegal activities means that anything and everything reported about the incident is fact. To the contrary, not only are investigators capable of error, any number of issues, such as lack of evidence or proof of personal rights violations, may result in avoidance of conviction or even a case dismissal.

Several men were recently traveling together when they were pulled over in a traffic stop. Police later said that a 32-year-old in the vehicle had a warrant out for his arrest. Officers also claim they witnessed that same man swallowing a pill during the traffic stop, which they believed was Oxycodone.

Many Eau Claire Metro Area, Menomonie, Central Wisconsin, Chippewa Valley residents assume the terms OWI (operating while impaired) and DUI (driving under the influence) are interchangeable. Though both offenses involve alcohol, there are some significant distinctions between them. Each carries strict penalties that could irrevocably change your life. 

In Wisconsin, it is not a crime to consume alcohol. It becomes an OWI crime when you get inside your car or are in control of a vehicle. One clear difference between an OWI and DUI is you do not have to drive or be in the driver’s seat to get an OWI. You do not have to be in a car, SUV or truck to end up in trouble with the law.