Cell phones contain all the details of our lives in text, images, account numbers, and more. You should always be wary of a police search of your cell phone. As an item of personal property, cell phones are protected by the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, but that does not mean cell phones can never be searched. In some cases, it is perfectly legal for police to search your cell phone.

You might think merely possessing drug paraphernalia like a pipe or decorative bong would be legal as long as you weren't using it or selling it, but that's not always the case. Both Wisconsin and federal law have strict statutes against possession of drug paraphernalia with the intent to use, but because your real intent might not always be clear, you could find yourself in trouble.

Treatment Alternatives and Diversion programs (TAD programs) help drug offenders receive treatment instead of locking them away. Drug crimes vary in severity, and some, such as distribution or smuggling, can land you in prison. However, if you were convicted only of possession or using drugs, jail and prison may not be the best places for you. Instead, treatment could be what you need, and in Wisconsin, it is possible to be placed in a TAD program instead of prison.

Even though domestic violence charges do not always lead to a conviction, they can still wreak havoc with your life. As soon as you are charged with domestic violence in Wisconsin, you may face suspicion.  Friends and neighbors may start to avoid you, a no-contact order may be entered, and you might even be prevented from seeing your kids or living in your own home. If you are convicted, the repercussions are even worse. It's not uncommon for people to have difficulty finding employment or renting a house or apartment if they have a domestic violence conviction.

your picture but different personal information, or it could be a legitimate ID that belongs to someone else that you're presenting as your own. In both cases your use of the ID is illegal as it's a form of misrepresentation, specifically "falsification of proof of age," that allows you to skirt laws and evade legal consequences if no one detects that the ID is fake. However, once detected, that fake ID can land you in legal trouble.

enough that two  drinks with dinner could be enough to put you over the limit. If you are pulled over, and the alcohol is still in your system, you can get a DUI and may lose your driver’s license, at least temporarily, and even longer if convicted.

Operating while intoxicated (OWI) is a serious charge that can lead to the suspension of your license along with fines and potential jail time. While no one wants chronically intoxicated drivers on the road, you likely aren't too happy about the prospect of losing your driving privileges and freedom if your arrest was based on faulty or dodgy evidence. Should you find yourself facing charges of OWI in court, you still have some defensive possibilities.

Operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is considered operating while intoxicated, or OWI, in Wisconsin. This includes boat operation, as a boat is technically a vehicle that you guide by operating controls. However, boating while drunk or drugged carries a separate charge called "Boating Under the Influence," or BUI. The BUI charge is similar in some ways to an OWI.

A charge of disorderly conduct with a firearm is serious, not just because of the nature of the crime, but also because you're actually facing a charge with the option of added penalties. In Wisconsin, there's no specific charge of disorderly conduct with a firearm, but there is a disorderly conduct charge and the ability to assign additional penalties for the use of a dangerous weapon. This combination can get you into a lot of trouble, and you need to work with a lawyer to find a good defense against the charges because chances are, what you come up with on your own might not work.

Underage OWI is something no parent wants to consider, but the fact of the matter is it happens. Wisconsin teens who are old enough to drive but not yet old enough to legally consume alcohol can be charged with OWI if they are caught drinking and driving and the consequences are severe.