Eisenberg Law Offices | Law Firms in Madison WI

Eisenberg Law Offices | Law Firms in Madison WI

Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Drug Charges Defense | Marijuana Possession Defense In WI


Yes, It Is Possible To Fight Marijuana Possession Charges In Wisconsin

Facing drug charges is a scary time, whether it is you or your child who is charged. As the legalization of marijuana movement grows across the country, more and more people in Wisconsin are finding themselves facing charges of marijuana possession and in need of help defending themselves against drug charges.

What many fail to realize is that it is possible to successful defend yourself against drug charges with help from an experienced drug defense attorney.

Take this situation for example:

·         Law enforcement officers respond to complaints of excess traffic coming and going from a certain apartment complex. Cars arrive, drivers exit their vehicles, enter the building for a very short amount of time and then leave.
·         In response to this unusual activity, police began surveillance on the property and end up stopping an individual because they suspect the individual visited to procure drugs. The individual exhibits the actions mentioned in the original complaint: stopped at the building, went in, came out again very shortly thereafter, and drove away. It was at this point that the individual was stopped by police.
·         When questioned during the stop, the individual admitted to purchasing marijuana for personal use and then handed 2 ounces of marijuana over to the officers.
·         The individual was charged with marijuana possession and was taken into custody.

Shortly after being taken in, the individual was able to obtain legal counsel. At the core of the attorney's defense was whether or not the arresting officer’s observations were sufficient to establish a reasonable suspicion to legally stop the vehicle. The attorney argued that the basis for stopping the vehicle was based solely on the defendant's entry into the apartment building and subsequent exit.

There arose a question about the legality of the seizure and the charges were eventually dismissed.

What this case illustrates is that even if an individual has marijuana or another illegal substance in his/her possession, how the police come to discover that fact and/or obtain possession of the substance matters. Individuals always have a right to privacy and protection from police harassment. If your protected rights are violated in any way, a skilled defense attorney can assist in the charges being dismissed.

Count On Eisenberg Law For Help Fighting Drug Charges In Wisconsin

It's important to remember that just because marijuana consumption and possession is legal in other states, it does not make it legal in Wisconsin. In our state, it is still illegal to possess marijuana for recreational purposes and even those who use it for a medical condition must comply with very stringent requirements as set by the state legislature.

Even so, that reminder doesn't do you much good if you've already been charged. The drug defense attorneys at Eisenberg Law Offices want you to know that there is hope. It is possible to fight marijuana charges.

If you have been charged with a drug or marijuana related crime, contact our team at 608-256-8356 or email Info@eisenberglaw.org for advice and representation.

Monday, March 11, 2019

Assault and Self Defense | Wisconsin Criminal Defense


When Self-Defense Leads To Assault Charges


There's a natural instinct to defend yourself when you feel threatened, but acting on that instinct can sometimes backfire and you may find yourself facing battery charges, which is a criminal charge in Wisconsin.

It's common to argue self-defense when facing such charges, but that is not a guaranteed way to get the charges dismissed.

A Question of Threats and Responses

Even if you took action to prevent harm from occurring, other details of the situation could be used to argue that your actions were unwarranted or unnecessary. One key consideration is whether or not your actions were proportional to the actions or threats you faced. A good example of this is when someone tried to cause minor harm to you, but you retaliated with actions that were considerably more harmful. In that case, a court would be unlikely to accept an argument of self-defense.

Another important consideration that a court will take into account is that of imminent threat. If there was no imminent threat to your/someone else's well-being, it is very hard to prove that a person was only acting to protect him or herself. The aggressor must have acted in a way that made you feel that he or she could harm you; such actions could be physical or verbal in nature.

In addition to imminent threat, a court will look at whether or not your fear was reasonable. Overreacting to a situation and causing someone else harm as a result can lead to battery charges, even if you claim you were only trying to protect yourself.

Is Self-Defense Applicable In Your Situation?

The only way to know for certain whether or not a claim can help your situation is to meet with a criminal defense attorney from Eisenberg Law Offices. Our Madison defense attorneys can explain how the situation may be impacted by such a claim and will work with you to build the strongest defense possible based on the facts. Contact us to learn more about the charges brought against you and possible defense options.

Call Eisenberg Law Offices at 608-256-8356 or email Info@eisenberglaw.org to discuss your situation.

Friday, March 8, 2019

5 Questions To Ask About A Wisconsin Personal Injury Lawsuit

5 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Filing A Wisconsin Personal Injury Lawsuit

Television and the media make it look like filing a personal injury lawsuit is easy, but if you don't have the necessary knowledge, the process can be fraught with complications. In some cases, you may go through the effort to file a lawsuit and have your case dismissed before it ever gets a hearing! Before you head down the path of filing a Wisconsin personal injury lawsuit, we want to share five pieces of advice.
Must-Ask Questions
5. What are the pros and cons of filing this lawsuit? There must be some advantage to filing a lawsuit, otherwise you wouldn't be considering it, but don't let the advantages that you envision prevent you from considering the disadvantages as well. Lawsuits can be emotionally taxing, time-consuming, and frustrating, for you and your family. Before filing, look into alternative solutions to litigation like mediation or claim settlement. Filing a lawsuit should be a last resort, not a first choice.
4. How is the defendant likely to respond? Take into account how the other party will respond to being on the receiving end of a lawsuit. They're very unlikely to be happy about it, and some may decide to countersue you. The point is, litigation is complicated and seeing a lawsuit through to the end is a complex process. It's very easy to see yourself as correct, but there's no telling how the defendant will respond during the course of a Wisconsin personal injury lawsuit and you need to be prepared for that.
3. Am I prepared for this lawsuit? Before filing, make sure you are prepared. Acknowledge that this process could take months or even years to come to a resolution. That will place a huge burden on you, your family, and perhaps even your work and social lives, impacting even friends and colleagues. There will be an emotional toll and a financial toll during the lawsuit. Even if you hope to see a financial award at the end of the process, there is no guarantee of that and certainly no financial award in the meantime. Discuss the situation and the realities with your family and decide whether or not it is something you are all prepared to face.
2. Am I Likely to Win? Many people go into a lawsuit thinking the negligence is obvious and they are certain to win the lawsuit without any trouble. We're sorry to say that is very often NOT the case. You need to look at the facts of your case objectively and determine if you have enough evidence to support your claims. Frivolous lawsuits won't get very far, but well laid out lawsuits that have plenty of supporting evidence to prove your claim can be used to build a strong case. Remember, the plaintiff (the one who files the lawsuit) has the burden of proof in a Wisconsin personal injury lawsuit. That means that it is up to you to provide cold, hard facts that provide the case.
1. Do I need to hire an attorney? The short answer is yes. Anytime you are considering a personal injury lawsuit, you should hire an attorney. Personal injury lawyers have a deep and thorough understanding of the law and have the experience needed to see your case through. Any attorney you hire will have your best interests in mind and will work to resolve the case for the best possible outcome. That outcome may not be what you originally envisioned but it will be realistic and the best outcome possible based on the facts of the case.
Consult Eisenberg Law Offices In Madison About Your Wisconsin Personal Injury Lawsuit
The best way to decide if it is appropriate to file a personal injury lawsuit is to arrange a free consultation with one of the personal injury attorneys at Eisenberg Law Offices in Madison. During this no obligation consultation, we will examine the facts of your case, suggest evidence that is lacking and could be useful, and give you our advice on whether or not you are likely to win your case as well as how long it may take.
Learn more about filing a personal injury lawsuit in Wisconsin by contacting us at 608-256-8356 or Info@eisenberglaw.org.
This post was originally published at https://www.eisenberglaw.org/firm-overview/articles/5-questions-to-ask-about-a-wisconsin-personal-injury-lawsuit/

Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Madison Car Accident Attorneys | Right-of-Way Laws


Madison Car Accident Attorneys Explain Wisconsin Right-of-Way Laws


Right-of-way laws are created to help prevent accidents. They are one of the most basic components of any Driver's Ed class and a must-know in order to pass the licensing exam. By delineating when to proceed versus when to yield, right-of-way (ROW) laws protect drivers and ensure orderly progression of traffic.

Despite how crucial right-of-way laws are to traffic safety, our Madison car accident attorneys see many cases each year that resulted from a failure of drivers to follow those laws. Failing to follow these rules of the road can result in injuries or death, property damage, and a lawsuit. Lawsuits can be filed against drivers who were at-fault for the accident, the compensation of which is often used to help victims recover from the financial impacts of the accident.

If you have been involved in a car accident and think that a violation of a right-of-way law may have contributed to the incident, contact the car accident attorneys at Eisenberg Law Offices for a free consultation. In the meantime, use the quick recap below to become more familiar with right-of-way laws.

Common Wisconsin Right-Of-Way Laws

·         Intersections. Intersection right-of-way laws vary based on the type of intersection.

o    General Rule. The general rule applies to all traditional 4-way stops where there is no traffic signal. In these situations, all drivers must come to a complete stop. The first driver to arrive at the intersection has the right of way.
§  When two vehicles approach such intersections at the same time, the vehicle on the left yields to the one on the right. If a vehicle is speeding as it approaches the intersection, it forfeits the right of way.

o    Left Turns and U-Turns at Intersections. Vehicles making a left or a U-turn at an intersection must yield the right-of-way to vehicles approaching from the opposite direction.

o    Through Highway Intersections. When entering a through highway, drivers must come to a complete stop before entering the highway. They must also yield the right-of-way to other vehicles that have entered or are approaching the intersection on the highway.

o    Uncontrolled T Intersections. Drivers approaching an intersection on a highway that ends at the intersection must yield the right-of-way to any vehicles on the continuing highway.

·         Entering a Highway or Other Roadway. When entering a highway/roadway, the driver coming to the highway/roadway must yield to traffic already on the roadway and only proceed when it is safe.

·         Parked Vehicles. Vehicles that are parked and are moving on to a roadway must yield to traffic already on and approaching the roadway.

·         Left Turns. When turning left onto a roadway and there is no traffic signal, drivers must yield to vehicles approaching from the opposite direction.

·         Roundabouts. Obey all traffic signs and/or yield to all lanes of traffic approaching from your left before entering the roundabout. When vehicles that are 40 feet in length or 10 feet in width are entering the roundabout, drivers must yield to the larger vehicle.

·         Pedestrian Crossings. When approaching intersections with traffic signals, yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. If there is no traffic signal or sign, drivers must still yield to pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks. Pedestrians who are not in marked or unmarked crosswalks must yield to vehicles. If pedestrians are carrying a cane or walking stick that is white or white trimmed with red and is held in an extended or raised position, they must provide at least 10 feet of clearance between the pedestrian and the vehicle.

·         Emergency Vehicles. All drivers must yield to emergency vehicles that are using an air horn, siren or flashing lights. This includes:
o    Police vehicles
o    Fire trucks
o    Ambulances

If such a vehicle approaches, drivers must pull over to the right curb or right-hand side of the shoulder of the road clear of any intersection and must remain stopped until the vehicle has passed or you are directed to move by a traffic officer.

Madison Car Accident Attorneys Are Here To Help


Eisenberg Law Offices' Madison car accident attorneys are here to help you recover after a car accident. If you think your accident was caused by disregard for right-of-way laws, contact our team right away. We will review the facts of the case in a free, no obligation consultation to help you determine if you have a basis for a lawsuit and potential financial compensation.

Contact Eisenberg Law Offices today at 608-256-8356 or by emailing Info@eisenberglaw.org.