OWI/DUI Law – Rizzo & Diersen, S.C.

Help during COVID-19

Posted on April 22, 2020April 30, 2020 by Buddy Barker

Offering Compassionate Legal Counsel During These Uncertain Times

The spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is having significant implications for all of life’s legal challenges. Rizzo & Diersen is offering a variety of on-demand legal services designed to address your needs during this outbreak. For individuals, we can use Efile to file any court action that cannot be done in person at this time. For employers, we can address your questions and represent you as employment challenges impact your business and employees.

Legal Services for the Individual

• Assistance with filing for a Divorce

• Filing Family Court actions

• Estate Planning, Financial Power of Attorney, Healthcare Power of Attorney

• Chapter 7 & Chapter 13 bankruptcy

• Termination of Employment

• Online ticket disputing

Legal Services for Business

• Understanding what The Families First Coronavirus Response Act means for your business

• Maneuvering and understanding Federal and State Unemployment procedures

• Handling contract issues during a pandemic

• Bankruptcy and reorganizations

• Business planning and longevity

Rizzo & Diersen can help provide peace of mind during these difficult times with flat fees and customized legal services not previously offered. To learn more or to schedule a consultation, call 262-652-5050

Wisconsin Lowering Drinking Age to 19?

Posted on December 5, 2017August 23, 2019 by Zack

The Wisconsin Drinking Age

Wisconsin Republican lawmakers are circulating a bill to lower the minimum drinking age to 19. That’s a good start, but it really should be the age of maturity — 18.

What Can Be Termed A Crime?

The Wisconsin Libertarian Platform of Beliefs reminds us that, “Because only actions that infringe on the rights of others can properly be termed ‘crimes,’ we favor the repeal of federal, state and local laws restricting our fundamental freedom to govern our own lives.”

The 21 Drinking Age

Who came up with the 21 drinking age anyway? It was a “highway safety” bureaucracy in Washington, not Congress. What other Western nations have a 21-year-old drinking age? None. A handful of other countries on the planet have such a high minimum age including Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, and Sri Lanka. The 21-year-old semi-prohibition law has created several problems.

Underage Drinking At Underground Parties And Booze-Cans

For example, in Wisconsin young adults go “underground” to consume adult beverages, which has encouraged binge drinking. This happens either at underground private parties or at booze-cans. Denying access to venues where older adults model moderate alcohol consumption eliminates opportunities to learn to drink responsibly. Let’s go back to each state deciding for themselves. Finally, let’s stop treating adults like children.

Contact our attorneys today.

Original Article by James Maas, Weston

Safe and Legal Winter Driving

Posted on November 16, 2017August 23, 2019 by Zack

Driving For Weather Conditions

Driving safely can be a challenge in the winter. Cold weather, early sunset and massive snow accumulation can make it easy to accidentally break some very simple traffic laws. For example, it is common for headlights and taillights to burn out because the sun sets much earlier and we do a greater amount of driving at night. Another example is how bumpers with integrated steps, such as those on trucks and SUVs, allow snow to accumulate and obscure the vehicle’s license plate. And since nobody likes to be out in the cold for longer than they must, snow often sits on a car without being removed, sometimes covering essential equipment like headlights and tail lights.

Traffic Offenses

We have all experienced one or more of these situations. Usually, they are innocent mistakes. But even if you accidentally break the rules, your innocent mistake is often not a defense. Many traffic offenses are strict liability offenses, meaning that your intent is not something that must be proven for you to be found guilty. And even a minor ticket carries a fine that is substantially more expensive than simply replacing a burnt out light bulb.

OWI

The worst case scenario is that an accidental violation of a simple traffic rule can lead to more serious charges, such as Operating While under the Influence (OWI). A traffic stop for a serious offense like OWI only needs to be supported by an officer’s reasonable suspicion that any law is being broken. It is therefore not uncommon for a burnt out tail light to be the entire basis for a traffic stop that leads to an OWI arrest and possibly even a conviction.

Safe Driving

Safe driving is just as important as legal driving. Following other cars too closely and driving at an excessive speed is illegal but also frequent causes of accidents. In many instances, prosecutors are less likely to negotiate in situations where the defendant caused an accident because of his driving. So even though winter can make driving a challenge, remember to be safe and drive legally. Many things are quite simple and totally within your control. If you decide to drink, drink responsibly. Give yourself extra time to get to your destination, especially if the weather is bad. Check your headlights, tail lights, license lamps, and your registration sticker. License lamps, in particular, are easy to miss when inspecting your vehicle and every single one must be working correctly. Make sure that your car is in good working order with a good battery, decent tires, and good brakes. You should frequently do all of these things, but be especially sure to make an extra check if you plan to go out to dinner or the bars. If you still happen to get into an accident and need a car crash attorney, contact Rizzo & Diersen today!

Contact our traffic lawyers today.