Eau Claire Criminal Defense Blog

When Wisconsin police show up at a residence unannounced, it is usually because they believe a crime has taken place or is taking place. Four people from one particular residence were present when such a visit occurred on a recent Thursday. Those four people are now facing marijuana charges as well as other serious criminal allegations due to what unfolded when officers stepped inside the house.

Officials say the officers in question were executing a search warrant. Police say they requested the warrant after receiving information regarding a possible narcotics trafficking situation. The search is said to have resulted in numerous weapons, drugs and money being taken into police custody.

If you go out to eat with a group of friends, drink a beer or glass of wine with your supper and later drive yourself home, are you breaking the law? The answer is that it depends on numerous factors. For instance, you must be age 21 or older to legally consume alcohol, and your blood alcohol content level must never be .08 or higher while operating a motor vehicle. These and other issues can lead to OWI charges in Wisconsin.

It is also true that arrests for suspected drunk driving often involve a significant amount of subjective assessments from the arresting officer.  If you were arrested, the officer likely asked you to take a field sobriety test at the scene of your traffic stop. Such tests are often unreliable, and although there are observation guidelines, it is impossible for a police officer to be 100 percent objective when determining whether you should pass or fail.

As happens to any number of Wisconsin motorists on a given day, a man was recently pulled over by a traffic cop. Events that unfolded from there resulted in the man's arrest. Police not only claim he committed a traffic violation, but they also suspect him of drug crimes.  

At some point during the traffic stop, the officer on duty contacted another officer in the area who then came to the scene with a K9 unit. The dog was released to investigate the man's vehicle. Authorities say that methamphetamine and other drug paraphernalia was found inside the man's car.  

Like many other college students in Wisconsin, you are kicking off your first year in university by participating in activities involving alcohol. While you may have every intention of drinking responsibly, you should understand the potential liabilities that can result from campus drinking.

Students have considered drinking in college to be a rite of passage for generations. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that nearly 60 percent of college students across the country between the ages of 18 and 22 drank during the past month. About two out of three binge-drank during that time. You may not consider that very surprising. After all, most people consider drinking at parties, sporting events and bars to be part of the college experience. However, it can help to understand that binge drinking can involve a lot more than harmless fun.