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.

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.

It's a sight no Wisconsin driver wants to see...flashing lights in your rearview mirror. The sense of apprehension can grow even stronger if you realize those lights are directed at getting you to pull over. If you've been drinking, you might feel panicked, angry, worried, or any combination of feelings.

Theft charges and convictions for theft vary widely in their severity in Wisconsin, but even the least serious charge, a Class A misdemeanor, can lead to as much as $10,000 in fines and up to 9 months in jail. That is anything but simple or insignificant if you are convicted. Fortunately, there are several defense options that can be used to fight theft char

Wisconsin has an open container law, and it hasn't been suspended because of the pandemic. It's very much in force, and if you're getting alcohol to go from a bar or restaurant, you have to be very careful not to violate the law accidentally. And unfortunately, that's easy to do if you're not used to taking a prepared alcoholic drink away from the place where you'd normally drink it.

Tune into any crime show on TV and you'll hear the term "aiding and abetting" at some point. These two terms are usually mentioned together and are often treated as one charge, but they are different crimes. Aiding and abetting can land you in jail even if you didn't participate in the actual committing of a crime. However, unlike on many TV shows, aiding and abetting in Wisconsin applies to active help, and not just being an unwitting bystander.