Author: Mark Eisenberg

Is It Possible to Receive an OWI on a Bike in Wisconsin? Drunk driving is punished severely in Wisconsin, but what qualifies as “driving”? Can you get an OWI on a bike? Technically, the answer is no, you cannot be charged with OWI for riding a bike while intoxicated. However, that does not mean you cannot be charged with other offenses. OWI and Motor Vehicles The reason you cannot be charged with OWI on a bike comes down to statutory definitions. In Wisconsin, the statutory definition...

How a Wisconsin Theft Conviction Can Affect Your Future Theft occurs when one person steals from another. In Wisconsin, there are different kinds of theft, which carry varying levels of severity and penalties. Larceny, for example, requires intention by one party to steal from another. Embezzlement occurs when one party misappropriates funds or property that was entrusted to them. A theft conviction can even arise from intellectual property theft, ownership rights, or the stealing of services...

OWI with a Minor Passenger? What To Expect Under Wisconsin Law Receiving an OWI for the first time in Wisconsin is a civil crime unless a passenger under 16 years of age is in the vehicle at the time. In that case, it becomes a criminal offense. To no surprise, the penalties for this offense are severe. Penalties for OWI with a Minor in the Vehicle Recent changes by the state legislature have increased the fines and penalties associated with impaired driving offenses, including those...

When Verbal Abuse Crosses the Line Into Domestic Violence Domestic violence may dominate the headlines, but verbal abuse is more common and can quickly cross the line. When that happens, what may have begun as a simple argument can attract the attention of the police and lead to charges. Verbal Abuse and Domestic Violence in Wisconsin Verbal abuse can qualify as a crime in Wisconsin, especially if it falls under the definition of harassment. Harassment is illegal in the state and is...

Changes to Wisconsin OWI Laws Make 4th OWI a Felony Driving under the influence is illegal in Wisconsin and the state has made penalties for repeat OWI offenses even more severe in recent years. Laws passed in 2016 and 2018 significantly increased the penalties for the 4th OWI. A 4th OWI is now classified as a felony and a conviction carries with it a lifetime revocation of your driver’s license. 2016 OWI Law Changes In 2016, the Wisconsin State Legislature passed Senate Bill 455...