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The thought of having a suspended license may seem like no big deal and easy to circumvent. After all, you can only get caught driving with a suspended license if you're pulled over first, right? It's not uncommon for people to think that as long as they're extra cautious on the road, no one will know that they are not legally permitted to be operating a motor vehicle. Unfortunately, they are bound to find out the hard way that driving with a suspended license is, indeed, a punishable crime in Wisconsin. Depending on the situation, like if you have multiple offenses within three years, you could face more serious criminal charges no matter what county you are in. Here's everything you should know about license suspension in Wisconsin.
How Your License Can Be Suspended In Wisconsin In Wisconsin, certain traffic violations carry with them demerit points that are tied to your driver's license. Unlike a video game, you're NOT going to want to score the most points because the more you accrue, the more severe your punishment will be. Eventually, after repeated minor offenses, or after one major offense (such as a DUI), that add up to 12 or more points within a year, then your license will be suspended or even outright revoked. The Wisconsin Department Of Transportation states the following demerit point criteria and punishments: With a probationary license, driver's permit or if you don't have a license:
If you have a regular driver license or a commercial driver license (CDL):
What Are The Penalties For Driving With A Suspended License In Wisconsin? In the state of Wisconsin, law currently states that penalties for driving with a suspended license could include the following:
How To Reinstate Your License In Wisconsin Once your suspension has expired and you've fulfilled all requirements given to you by the court (paid your fines, shown proof of insurance, etc.), then you can apply to have your license reinstated. You can do this online, by mail or by visiting your local DMV. We advise anyone with a suspended license to stay off the roads. But if you have a suspended or revoked license and are pulled over, contact us before making any statements to law enforcement. It does not matter whether or not you have a “good” reason for being behind the wheel, the prosecution will do their best to prove you are guilty. Having an attorney on your side defending and advising you in this critical time could mean a difference in verdicts. To arrange your free consultation with a skilled Wisconsin defense lawyer, please call us today at 608-254-9589 or contact us online. It's not something that we like to think about very often, but it will eventually and inevitably come up: how do I go about creating a will and planning my estate? It's not commonly discussed that if the proper documents aren't in order, the state will make all decisions regarding your finances and legacy after you pass.
By having a knowledgeable and experienced estate planning attorney by your side, you can rest easy knowing that your wishes will be fulfilled and that you will have full control over all decision making regarding your belongings, child guardianship, beneficiaries and more. At Southworth and Stamman, LLC, we can help you take control of your estate planning matters by establishing strong documents that stand up to scrutiny. Allow our Wisconsin Dells estate planning lawyers to help you safeguard your finances, ensure you have a say in future medical decisions and enhance your life's legacy. Who should have a will? Everybody. The purpose of a will is to ensure that your loved ones are cared for after you are gone. Your will outlines each asset and property you have and specifies who will receive what -- money, property, possessions, etc. -- and in what amount. Without a valid will, the state will take possession of your estate and divide it among close relatives as it sees fit. Although it's a good idea for everybody to start planning their estate, it's especially important for a few types of people:
It may sound like a cop-out to say that everybody needs a will, but it's true. Even if you don't have a large estate, have never contributed to a 401(k), or have little to no money in your savings account, you should still consider creating a will in the event of your unexpected death. If, for example, you are killed in an accident (or even intentionally) by another person, there is a good chance that the ensuing court case could award your estate a lot of money, which will be divided to your family by the state, unless you have a will that says otherwise. Power of attorney and living wills in Wisconsin A living will is, "a document instructing physicians, relatives, or others to refrain from the use of extraordinary measures, such as life-support equipment, to prolong one's life in the event of a terminal illness." It's basically a way of you communicating to healthcare professionals how you wish to be treated in the event that you become unable to properly or lucidly do so, such as while in a coma or after sustaining significant brain damage. A healthcare power of attorney, on the other hand, is when you designate a person you trust to make medical decisions for you, in the event that you are unable to do so. The person that holds power of attorney will make all healthcare decisions including matters involving life support. What is a holographic will? A holographic will, or handwritten will, is a type of will that is handwritten and signed by the testator (legal term meaning the person who creates a will). Holographic wills are differentiated from normal wills because they don't require a legal professional to oversee the will's creation. They do, however, require:
Because of the lack of witnesses and legal oversight that normal wills require, holographic wills are controversial and only recognized by about half the states in the US: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming. No, holographic wills are not recognized if they are created in the state of Wisconsin. However, Wisconsin DOES recognize them if they are crafted in other states because of a "foreign will" statute. This means if a holographic will is crafted (and valid) in another jurisdiction that recognizes holographic wills, so too must Wisconsin recognize its validity. Estate planning is multi-faceted and encompasses a lot of heavy subjects. But in the end, it's all about preserving what you've dedicated your life for and ensuring that, in the event of your passing, those you love most are taken care of as part of your legacy. If you're ready to start taking the first steps to creating a will or designating power of attorney, schedule a consultation with an experienced estate planning attorney. We welcome calls and visits to our office, at no cost to you, allowing you to make informed decisions about your future stress-free. Contact us today online or by telephone at 608-254-9589 to prepare for your future. We are committed to serving your needs, preserving your wealth and protecting your legacy. U-1 nonimmigration Visas (U visas) are used by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in very special circumstances. Only 10,000 U visas are permitted per year and permission is granted on a case-by-case basis. Hopefully, you won't ever need a U visa, but it's better to have the knowledge about them and never use it, than it is to need it and know nothing. So here, we'll go over what a U visa is, who uses it and when you need experienced immigration lawyers by your side.
What is a U Visa? A U visa is permission from the United States government to allow someone from a foreign country to enter or stay in the US in order to assist a law enforcement investigation after they were a victim of criminal activity in the US. U visas allow those foreign victims to stay in the US for the duration of the investigation when they otherwise may not be able to stay. What are the qualifications of a U visa? There are six legal requirements that a potential U nonimmigrant needs to meet before they can seek a U visa. The applicant must:
What crimes would justify a U visa? While being a victim of any crime is never a positive experience, U visas are really only reserved for the worst of the worst crimes. Here are just a few of the serious crimes that would justify the need for a U visa:
When do you need an immigration lawyer? If you're a visitor to the United States and become a victim of a serious crime during your stay, you'll want justice. You need experienced immigration lawyers by your side to fight for your rights and help you to assist investigators. Southworth & Stamman has experienced U visa lawyers that will help you navigate the US legal channels to help you seek justice and get on the road to recovery. Call today for a consultation. Theft is the action of taking property, money or possessions from another person without their consent. While this term covers a broad spectrum of circumstances, there are more specific classifications that have their own punishments ascribed to them based on situational criteria within the Wisconsin law: fraud, larceny and embezzlement.
These three terms -- while they all represent unlawful, unauthorized taking of another's property -- are subsets of theft that carry punishments based on degrees of severity. If theft is ice cream, then fraud, larceny and embezzlement are the flavors. Here, we'll go over the differences between each flavor and highlight some defining characteristics within Wisconsin statutes. Defining Fraud Fraud is, by definition, "intentional perversion of truth in order to induce another to part with something of value or to surrender a legal right." So, essentially, it's tricking somebody into giving up their property by misrepresenting facts -- theft with the stipulation that intentional deception was at play. There are various types of fraud that can be prosecuted in the state of Wisconsin. Here are some of the most common:
The punishment for fraud in Wisconsin is largely situational, since it is based on the value of the damages done to the victim. That being said, when damages amount to under $2,500 it's generally considered a misdemeanor. But damage $2,500 and above is considered a felony and carries more severe penalties on a case-by-case basis. Larceny in Wisconsin Larceny is just a fancy word that means, "the theft of personal property." This umbrella term is vague by nature to cover a wide spectrum of crimes and appears in the Wisconsin statutes simply as "theft", or someone who, "intentionally takes and carries away, uses, transfers, conceals, or retains possession of movable property of another without the other's consent and with intent to deprive the owner permanently of possession of such property." Again, punishments for theft in Wisconsin vary on a case-by-case basis. There are many factors that can push a misdemeanor theft to a felony, including:
Embezzlement We have already extensively covered embezzlement in the past, so for more detailed information, see our previous article. But just as a quick synopsis: embezzlement is hard to define in Wisconsin law -- it tends to lie somewhere between theft and fraud. But the most solid definition of embezzlement is, "the theft or misappropriation of funds placed in one’s trust or belonging to one’s employer." Embezzlement is, at its core, theft. However, the term specifies that the offender has legal access to the funds/property, yet they misuse or assume possession of the funds/property without employer knowledge or permission. Technically, a cashier stealing from the cash register is embezzlement. Theft is an umbrella term that covers the unlawful and unpermitted taking of property from another person or organization. While the terms 'embezzlement', 'fraud' and 'larceny' are mere subsets of theft, being accused of any of these crimes holds a lot of weight. The punishments can be severe, depending on the situation, and can significantly damage your reputation. If you're accused of any of these crimes, you need experienced defense attorneys at your side to stand up for you. We at Southworth & Stamman will give you the best defense possible and will protect your rights, your integrity and your freedom. Contact us today to schedule a legal consultation. It is an unfortunate fact that not only Wisconsin, but the entire country, is facing an opioid crisis. When you hear the word "opioid", what do you think of? You probably think of heroin or, recently, fentanyl. But a lot of people don't realize that opioids actually include prescription pain pills that contain compounds such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, codeine, methadone and others. It's not uncommon for patients to store leftover pills in a medicine cabinet once they start to feel better. But rather than dispose of them properly, they keep the pills in their home. Unfortunately, keeping these drugs onhand opens them up to liabilities; there's a widespread epidemic of teens and others stealing leftover pills from family members and either using them or selling them to friends.
What are opioids? Opioids are pain relief drugs that are either:
Although doctors won't prescribe you street heroin for your back pain, prescription opioids are made from the same chemical compounds because they are extremely effective at relieving moderate to severe pain. Many of these prescription drugs are dangerous because of their highly addictive nature and the fact that the users will feel a "high" similar to heroin, leading to increased chances of misuse; and much like heroin, overdoses are possible and common with prescription pain pills. Due to the "high" and addictive qualities of prescription drugs, it's not uncommon for patients to get hooked on them and eventually make the shift to street heroin -- it's cheaper and easier to get, after all. Because of the similarities in terms of abuse and addiction between prescription drugs and heroin, law enforcement take prescription drug possession very seriously. Having prescription opioids but no prescription is a very serious offense and will result in severe punishment. What are the penalties for prescription opioid possession in Wisconsin? In Wisconsin, unlawful opioid possession isn't taken lightly. Drugs such as hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet), codeine, morphine (Kadian, Avinza), and fentanyl, to name a few, are considered Schedule II narcotics. First offenses are not taken into consideration -- right off the bat, it's considered a Class I felony with the potential for a prison sentence no longer than 3.5 years and/or a maximum fine of $10,000. As a bit of a side note, there are other well-known prescription painkillers that aren't classified as narcotics, but the possession of which still carry $500 fines and 30 days in jail. These include ketamine, anabolic steroids and clonazepam. Can I get in trouble if my opioids were prescribed? If you are prescribed opioids by your doctor, you are not liable to be charged with possession. However, if you sell or give away your pills to anybody, even if the recipient has/had a similar prescription, you are considered a drug dealer in the eyes of the law and can be prosecuted. Your prescription was given to you and only you by your doctor for your individualized care. It's optimized for your body and sharing pills with others has high potential for misuse, overdose and even fatality. How do I get rid of my prescription after I'm done? In the end, the point is: don't possess drugs if they weren't given to you officially by a doctor. Possession of narcotics is punished very severely in Wisconsin, so keep an eye on your prescriptions to ensure nobody steals them; and if you have any pills leftover from your treatment, dispose of them properly. You don't want anybody abusing them or ingesting them (intentionally or even unintentionally when it comes to little children). There are drug take-back programs, which are the safest and most "official" way of drug disposal. However, if there's not take-back organization available near you, you can also:
What do I do if I'm charged with possession of prescription drugs in Wisconsin? Being charged with a felony does not mean you should lose all hope. Our attorneys can defend you against prescription drug charges. As with all charges brought against you, the sooner you are able to speak with an attorney the better chance you have of obtaining a favorable outcome. If you are looking to aggressively fight these types of accusations, please contact us today to arrange a free consultation with one of our attorneys. If you feel that a loved one is abusing prescription drugs, please remember that there are resources that can help them get on the road to recovery. The current opioid crisis in this country is alarming and anyone can develop an addiction. If you are looking to speak with someone please reach out to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Wisconsin THC Possession Laws
Marijuana legalization seems like it's constantly in the news these days. Nine states (at the time of this article's posting) -- Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington plus the District of Columbia -- have legalized it for recreational use; and more states seem to be headed in that direction. However, the laws of other states do not apply to your own. "But it's legal in California!" is not a legal defense for possession in the state of Wisconsin. As of now, it is still a crime to possess THC because it's considered a Schedule I Controlled Substance alongside heroin, LSD and cocaine. Generally speaking, marijuana possession convictions are less severe than other Schedule I drugs, but it still has potential for significant penalties -- especially for repeat offenders.
"Possession" Defined To prove possession in Wisconsin, it must be proven beyond reasonable doubt that the accused:
Additionally, "joint possession" is a term that indicates multiple people have physical control of the drug. For instance, if marijuana is found in a car with multiple people in it, everyone in the car could be charged since everybody in the car has potential control over the drug. What Are the Penalties for THC Possession In Wisconsin? For first-time convictions, THC possession considered a misdemeanor. “The person may be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than 6 months or both upon a first conviction." (Wisconsin Legislature). With repeat offenses come harsher penalties and an upgrade from misdemeanor to a Class I Felony. Each subsequent conviction carries with it a maximum of $10,000 in fines and up to 3.5 years in prison. Other things to note:
Penalties Intensify if Intent to Sell Is Proven Wisconsin drug laws dictate that if the accused intended to sell or distribute THC, they are automatically charged with a felony. Punishments are dependent on the amount:
As former prosecutors, we know the strategies used by the State and work aggressively on behalf of our clients to ensure their rights are secure. With law offices in Wisconsin Dells, we serve clients throughout Central Wisconsin and can help you whether you are a resident of the state or just visiting. The sooner our attorneys can start working on your behalf, the better chance you have of obtaining a favorable result. To arrange your free initial consultation, please contact our law offices online or by telephone at 608-254-9589. Wisconsin Domestic Violence Statistics
Domestic violence is a very serious, but prevalent crime in the US. The US Department of Justice defines domestic abuse as, "a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner." Abuse can manifest itself in a variety of forms -- physically, emotionally, psychologically, sexually or economically. The statistics on abuse in the US are, indeed, alarming. But it's important to examine these numbers to realize just how often it occurs and how we can begin to change for the better.
By the Numbers: Domestic Abuse in the United States
By the Numbers: Domestic Abuse in Wisconsin
What are some red flags to look for? There are several signs to watch for if you suspect you or a loved one are a victim of domestic abuse. If you experience the following, you may be a victim of abuse:
If somebody close to you exhibits the following behavior, they may be a victim of abuse:
If you or someone you know are being abused, call the domestic abuse hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) from a friend or relative's home, safely away from the abuser. If it's an emergency, dial 911. If you are accused of domestic abuse, it's no joke. Domestic violence is a serious subject and has extremely severe penalties. Even if you're innocent, it can ruin your reputation. If you stand accused of domestic abuse, you need experienced law professionals on your side to stand up for your rights. Southworth & Stamman have extensive experience in defending clients against accusations of domestic violence and will be on your side even if it seems that no one else is. Get in touch if you stand accused -- don't give up without a fight. Wisconsin Domestic Violence Laws
According to the US Department of Justice, domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. There are several types of abuse which often coincide with each other. An abusive partner will engage in one or more of these categories:
Physical Physical abuse is the use of physical force against the other person to cause harm and trauma. This can include: hitting, slapping, shoving, grabbing, pinching, biting and hair pulling. Sexual Sexual abuse is often tied in with physical abuse, but in this case, the victim is forced into an unwanted sexual act. Any type of sexual act or behavior without consent between each party is considered sexual abuse -- even if the two parties are married. Emotional Emotional abuse is used by one party to undermine or demean their partner’s self-worth and self-esteem. Emotional abuse can be verbal or nonverbal and is commonly used to damage the relationship of one partner with his/her children, parents, siblings and friends. Common tactics employed by abusers include gaslighting (manipulating someone psychologically to question their own sanity), verbal beratement and belittlement, extreme passive aggression, and isolation from friends and family. Economic An abuser will try to ensure that the victim is dependent on them in every aspect -- including economically. This is done by maintaining total control over financial resources, withholding one's access to money, or forbidding one's attendance in school or employment. They try to make it difficult for the victim to leave by cutting off their support. Economic abuse differs from financial abuse -- financial abuse is when the abuser illegally uses the victim's current finances or assets for their own gain, to deplete the victim's financial independence. Financial abuse is used to deplete current assets, whereas economic abuse is used to hinder future prospects of financial independence. Psychological Psychological abuse is often tied in with emotional abuse, but focuses on using fear on the victim. The abuser will often use intimidation tactics and threats. Some of these tactics include stalking, destruction of personal property, forcing isolation from family/friends and physical harm to pets. Laws and Punishments for Domestic Violence in Wisconsin Wisconsin defines domestic abuse as, "an adult engaging in intentional infliction of physical pain, injury, or illness; sexual assault; or physical acts threatening either of those against his or her current or former spouse, current or former co-habitant, or co-parent." Interestingly enough, Wisconsin doesn't actually have a law specifically prohibiting domestic abuse. Instead, it uses the other, relevant statutes that may fall under the umbrella of "domestic violence" to prosecute cases. So, for example, if a man physically harms his wife, rather than being charged with "domestic abuse", they prosecute the harmful act -- in this case, assault and battery. Unlike other states, Wisconsin does not raise the maximum penalty // if the abuser commits acts against family or household members. Punishments become more severe if the offender has prior records of the same behavior or if they violate restraining orders. Because Wisconsin does not have a general domestic violence law, cases are prosecuted based on the relevant statutes. Domestic abuse punishment severities are therefore dictated by the severity of that statute's punishment. Although, if found guilty under the 973.055 law, there’s a surcharge of $100 for each offense. In all likelihood, your right to possess and purchase a firearm will likely also be stripped. Accused of Domestic Violence? If you've been accused of domestic violence, it's not something to be taken lightly. Offenses that fall under the umbrella of domestic abuse in Wisconsin carry extreme penalties -- misdemeanor /felony charges, hefty fines, and/or significant prison time -- depending on the case and the criminal record of the accused. You need experienced professionals in your corner to fight for your rights and ensure that you're not taken advantage of. Operating out of Sauk County, Wisconsin, Southworth & Stamman are experienced defense attorneys that have taken on many successful domestic violence cases in the past. Contact Us today to ensure you have the best possible legal defense by your side. Victim of Domestic Violence? If you suspect that you or a loved one are a victim of domestic abuse, help is available. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) -- it's free, confidential and available 24/7 in over 200 languages. "White collar" crimes involve various types of fraud and theft within business and government sectors -- insurance fraud, identity theft, tax evasion, insider trading, bribery, etc. The main objective of the criminals in these cases is non-violent, personal financial gain, concealing their crimes from the public and usually severely damaging their employer. White collar or financial crimes are taken very seriously in Wisconsin. Being charged with any financial crime can destroy a person’s credit score or entire business. These crimes often require a lengthy, detailed investigation. The penalties for white collar crimes are severe, so it’s critical that your lawyer has extensive knowledge about the proper defense strategies. Here are the top three most popular crimes in Wisconsin.
Embezzlement Embezzlement is theft or misappropriation of funds placed in one’s trust or belonging to one’s employer. We, as a society, usually associate embezzlement with wealthy individuals in aristocracy that illegally game the stock market or steal from their own business and investors. But it actually pertains to much, much more. In Wisconsin, embezzlement is categorized as a type of 'larceny'. The requirements to call a crime embezzlement specifically are:
By this definition, somebody that sells the company car without permission is actually embezzlement. It can even pertain to retail employees slipping money from the cash register into their own pockets -- however, it only becomes a felony when the amount stolen exceeds $2,500. If you’re interested in learning more about embezzlement in Wisconsin, click out our other blog about it. Cyber Crimes Computer Crimes defines a broad spectrum of offenses. Computer crimes, sometimes referred to as cyber crime, is the act of knowing and willingly stealing a company’s or individuals private information. Some of the typical crimes include:
In order to prosecute, it must be proven that the alleged offender acted was willfully and knowingly. Offenses against computers, data and programs carry class A misdemeanor penalties, but a cyber crime turns into a felony if:
In 2014, Wisconsin ranked 22nd in the nation for internet crime complaints according to Ready Wisconsin. Wisconsin also ranked 20th in the nation on money lost to internet crimes -- reported losses totaled $9,235,027. Tax Evasion Tax Evasion, also referred to as tax fraud, is intentionally failing to pay your taxes. Tax evasion is commonly associated with income taxes, but businesses can fail to report state sales taxes and employment taxes. Actually, tax evasion can occur on all types of taxes a business is required to pay. Some of these taxes include: property taxes, excise taxes on use or consumption, gross receipts tax and franchise taxes. According to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, it is: "required to post information about delinquent taxpayers on the Internet if they owe: more than $25,000, including tax, interest, penalty, fees, and costs, and the amount is unpaid more than 90 days after all appeal rights have expired. The 2007 Wisconsin Act 20 expanded individuals qualified for Internet posting. On January 4, 2008 the delinquent taxpayer list was updated to include delinquent taxpayers who owe: more than $5,000, including tax, interest, penalty, fees, and costs, and the amount is unpaid more than 90 days after all appeal rights have expired." You really don't want to be on that list! If you have been accused of any of the above crimes, it's important to know your rights, as they can carry heavy penalties if the crime is severe enough. Contact us to speak with experienced defense attorneys that will defend your rights and ensure your needs are met. So you or a loved one has been charged with embezzlement. You don’t know anything about embezzlement and don’t know where to turn. You might have been accused, or know you’ll be accused soon. What do you do? First, you should know what embezzlement is and the steps you should take.
What is Embezzlement? Unfortunately, embezzlement is hard to define. There tends to be a gray area between cases of fraud and theft. What we do know is that embezzlement is theft or misappropriation of funds placed in one’s trust or belonging to one’s employer. When we think of theft, we think of someone going into a store and taking valuables without paying or permission. Embezzlement is similar, but the offender has legal access to the valuables and is trying to achieve the same goal. In general, we associate embezzlement with the theft of funds, but embezzlement can be the stealing of any item from someone who has legal access or power. It can even pertain to someone who sells the company vehicle or computer without permission. What’s the Punishment for Embezzlement in Wisconsin? In Wisconsin, embezzlement is a theft crime and involves the taking of property or money that the offender has been entrusted to keep safe. More often than not, it’s an employment situation. For example, a banker who has physical access to money, but cannot take it without permission. Surprisingly, it’s a frequent crime. In fact, according to the National White Collar Crime Center, "In 2013, it is estimated that global losses due to employee theft totals to about $3.7 trillion. Many corporate security experts estimate that as many as 25-40 percent of all employees steal from their employers." In order for embezzlement to be true, there are certain situations that need to occur:
In Wisconsin, an attorney will often question the truth of these statements. If you’re under embezzlement charges for other reasons, it’s best to stay quiet and talk to your attorney. The financial penalties for embezzlement can also include some hefty fines in addition to restitution and legal fees. A class A misdemeanor can cost you fines of up to $10,000.00. A class I and H felony can cost you fines of up to $10,000.00 as well. . Lastly, a class G Felony can cost you fines of up to $25,000.00. Is Embezzlement a Felony or Misdemeanor? The short answer is: it depends. In Wisconsin, a felony relating to embezzlement depends on the value of the stolen property and the nature of the business. As stated above, if the embezzlement is less than $2,500, the charge is only a Class A misdemeanor. Although the fines can really rack up, it is significantly better than having a felony record. As the value goes past $2,500, the accused embezzlement charges will continue to increase. A class I felony can mean prison for 3 years and 6 months. The worst case scenario of $10,000 and above, Class G felony, can send you to prison for 10 years. Cases of Embezzlement in Wisconsin There are many examples of embezzlement charges in Wisconsin. In Madison, a former accounting clerk for St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church was sentenced to four years in prison for stealing $800,000 from the congregation. Her responsibilities included depositing church collections and maintaining the church’s accounting records. The accountant allegedly used this money to gamble at casinos. In Milwaukee, a former bank executive was convicted of embezzlement charges between 2003 and 2014. As the president and CEO of Farmers Exchange Bank, he gave himself bonuses without the board of directors’ approval. He used the money to purchase a Corvette, motorhome, SUV’s and car racing equipment . He was also accused of taking out money in the names of other people. He is charged for 25 counts of embezzlement. Embezzlement can be difficult to understand. There are many gray areas when trying to figure out if the crime is a felony or just a misdemeanor. The punishment for embezzlement can be pretty severe and needs to be taken seriously. If you have any questions or need a great law attorney, contact us at [email protected] or [email protected] |
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December 2018
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220 Wisconsin Dells Parkway S, Suite 2 Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965 Phone: 608-254-9589 Fax: 608-541-8715 Email: [email protected] |
Southworth Law Office, LLC, serves clients in Wisconsin Dells and throughout central Wisconsin.
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© 2017 by RyTech, LLC. All rights reserved. Disclaimer | Privacy Policy