Auto Theft Archives - Gamino Law Offices, LLC

Criminal Traffic Offenses in Wisconsin

Criminal traffic offenses – which are different from standard speeding tickets – can result in prison time. But what offenses count as criminal, and what can you do if you’re accused of one of them?

Here’s what you need to know.

What Are Criminal Traffic Offenses in Wisconsin?

In the state of Wisconsin, there are several criminal offenses that have to do with operating a motor vehicle. Some of the most common include:

Each of these crimes carries its own set of penalties – and some involve prison time, such as vehicular homicide and drunk driving.

What Should You Do if You’re Accused of a Criminal Traffic Offense?

If you’re arrested and police are accusing you of a criminal traffic offense, your best bet may be to talk to an attorney immediately. Your lawyer will examine the facts of the case and be present with you during police questioning. It’s incredibly important to consult your lawyer before you talk to police. When they tell you that anything you say can be used against you in court, they really mean it.

In many cases, police will tell you that they only want to get your side of the story, even if you’re innocent. But really, their job is to get you to confess to committing a crime. Unfortunately, many innocent people are convicted of crimes they never committed – and sometimes, that’s because they fumbled when trying to explain the situation to police or because the police were able to get them to issue a false confession.

If you’ve been accused of any criminal traffic offense, call our office at 484-383-6700 right away for a free consultation. We’ll answer your questions and start developing a strategy that gets you the best possible outcome right away.

Carlos Gamino

By Tedia Gamino|2021-07-23T16:34:42-05:00November 27th, 2019|Criminal Law, Traffic Offenses|Comments Off

Will You Get in Trouble if You’re the Passenger in a Stolen Vehicle?

Passenger in a Stolen Vehicle Lawyer in Milwaukee and Wisconsin - Wisconsin Criminal Defense Attorneys

By Carlos Gamino

If you’re the passenger in a stolen vehicle, you can get into serious trouble under Wisconsin law.

However, in order for you to be charged with a crime, a couple of things must happen.

Will You Get in Trouble if You’re a Passenger in a Stolen Vehicle?

In order for the state to convict you of a crime, you have to know that the car you were in was stolen and you must have gotten into it willingly.

Remember, the prosecution has to prove that you’re guilty; you and your lawyer don’t have to prove that you’re innocent.

With that said, though, if the prosecutor finds any reason to believe that you knew the vehicle was stolen and that you got in it willingly, he or she is going to press that as an advantage in court.

What Should You Do if You’re Accused of Being a Passenger in a Stolen Car?

For most people, it makes sense to get in touch with a Wisconsin criminal defense attorney immediately.

Your lawyer will ask you some questions, including what led up to you being in the stolen car, whether you actually knew it was stolen (or why you didn’t know it was stolen), and whether you found out it was stolen while you were in it.

It’s important that you answer your lawyer honestly, because if something comes up in court that your lawyer doesn’t know about, it’s tougher for him or her to defend. Your attorney is going to put together a strategy that gets you the best possible outcome in court, and that includes planning for the allegations the prosecutor makes against you.

Do You Need to Talk to a Wisconsin Criminal Defense Lawyer?

If you’ve been charged with the crime of riding along in a stolen car, call us at 414-383-6700 for your free criminal defense consultation. We answer our phones 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Carlos Gamino

By Tedia Gamino|2021-07-25T14:27:04-05:00November 24th, 2019|Criminal Law|Comments Off

Consequences of Car Theft in Milwaukee

By Carlos Gamino

If you’re facing charges of car theft, you could be facing serious consequences—and it’s probably a good idea to get in touch with a motor vehicle theft crime lawyer in Milwaukee who can help you understand what you’re up against.

Car Theft in Wisconsin

Car theft and carjacking fall under Wisconsin Statute 943.23, which covers operating a vehicle without the owner’s consent.

In order for a court to convict you, the prosecution needs to prove that you:

Intentionally took a vehicle without the owner’s consent
Intentionally drove a vehicle without the owner’s consent
Knew the owner did not consent to you taking or driving the motor vehicle

Carjacking in Wisconsin

In order for a court to convict you of carjacking in Wisconsin, the prosecution needs to prove that you:

Intentionally took a vehicle without the owner’s consent
Knew that the owner didn’t consent
Took the vehicle while you possessed a dangerous weapon
Took the vehicle by the use or the threat of the use of force, or with a dangerous weapon

Other Charges Related to Car Theft in Wisconsin

The state can also charge you with being a passenger in a stolen vehicle if you intentionally went with a person who intentionally drove or operated a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent—and if you knew that the owner didn’t consent.

What Happens if You’re Convicted of Car Theft in Milwaukee?

If you’re convicted of car theft in Milwaukee, the penalties vary based on the precise charge.

Auto theft by taking and driving is a Class H felony. You could be imprisoned for up to 6 years (with 3 years of initial confinement in prison) and a maximum fine of $10,000.

Car theft by driving or operating without the owner’s consent is a Class I felony. You could be imprisoned for up to 3 years, 6 months (with a maximum of 1 year, 6 months of initial confinement and a maximum of 2 years of extended supervision) and fined up to $10,000.

If you had a weapon while committing the offense, it becomes a Class C felony. If you’re a passenger in a stolen vehicle, you could be hit with a Class A misdemeanor.

What to Do if You’re Charged With an Auto Theft Crime

If you’re accused of car theft or any other automobile theft crime in Milwaukee, get in touch with an attorney right away. Your attorney will ensure that you get the best possible outcome in your case.

Call us at 414-383-6700 or get in touch with us online as soon as possible. We’ll be glad to evaluate your case and help you move forward on the right path.

Carlos Gamino

By Tedia Gamino|2021-07-27T20:04:43-05:00November 23rd, 2019|Criminal Law|Comments Off

DEDICATED TO PROTECTING YOUR RIGHTS

Auto Theft

Title