Embezzlement occurs when an employee steals funds from the company that he or she works for. This offense can be committed at all levels, and can involve anywhere from a few hundred dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Depending on how much money is stolen, embezzlement can be a very serious offense. If you’ve been charged with embezzlement, you’ve got a very important court case ahead of you.
Here are somethings you need to know about embezzlement in Wisconsin.

What is Embezzlement?
As was stated above, embezzlement occurs when an employee of a company steals or manipulates company funds. This occurs when the employee in question is put in charge of said funds.
Embezzlement can happen over a short period of time or over a long period of time. The offender can either take one lump sum of money, or take small amounts of money incrementally as time passes.

What are the Penalties for Embezzlement in Wisconsin?
The penalties for embezzlement in Wisconsin are based on how much money is stolen or misappropriated. While minor embezzlement will land you with a misdemeanor, more extreme embezzlement with land you with a felony and serious jail time.

Less Than $2,500
When the amount of funds embezzled total under $2,500, the embezzler is charged with a Class A misdemeanor. A Class A misdemeanor can result in up to 9 months in prison, with fines of up to $10,000.
Because the offender is only charged with a misdemeanor, he or she will not be deeply affected in the future. Though the offense will show up on the offender’s public record, it won’t be considered nearly as serious as a felony.

Between $2,500 and $5,000
The next financial level for embezzlement in the state of Wisconsin is between $2,500 and $5,000. Those who embezzle this amount of money are committing a Class I felony, and can face punishments of up to 3 1/2 years in prison. In addition to this prison time, offenders can also face fines of up to $10,000.
Having a Class I felony on your record can do substantial damage to your reputation. It could very well hinder your ability to secure employment in the future.

Between $5,000 and $10,000
When an offender embezzles between $5,000 and $10,000 in funds, he or she is committing a Class H felony. A Class H felony is punishable by up to 6 years in prison, and by fines of up to $10,000.
In some cases, embezzlers can be charged with a Class H felony even if they steal under $5,000.

More Than $10,000
The most serious form of embezzlement is embezzlement in which more than $10,000 are stolen or misappropriated. This level of embezzlement is considered a Class G felony, and is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. In addition to prison time, offenders can also be forced to pay up to $25,000 in fines.
If a Class G felony appears on your record, it will be exceedingly difficult to find employment in the future.

How Can You Defend Yourself Against Embezzlement Charges in Wisconsin?
The best way to defend yourself against embezzlement charges in Wisconsin is by hiring an experienced defense lawyer. If you’re looking for an experienced defense lawyer in the Milwaukee area, we here at Hartley Pecora have got you covered.
Our team of attorneys have defended clients in a number of different embezzlement cases. It’s our goal to minimize your penalties as much as legally possible. Put our experience to use in your defense.
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Contact us now.  We are available 24/7!

Whether you’re in Wisconsin or any other state, sexual assault is a serious offense. Because it’s a serious offense, it comes with serious penalties.
Sexual assault cases are not created equally. Different sexual acts are hit with different levels of charges. In Wisconsin, there are four forms of sexual assault: first degree, second degree, third degree, and fourth degree.
Have you been charged with sexual assault in Wisconsin? Here is everything you need to know about it.

Forms of Sexual Assault in Wisconsin:

First Degree Sexual Assault
The most serious form of sexual assault in the state of Wisconsin is first degree sexual assault. This form of sexual assault involves any unwanted sexual contact which results in serious injury or pregnancy. This type of sexual assault is often accompanied with the use of a deadly weapon.
Penalties:  
The penalty for first degree sexual assault is either a Class A or Class B felony. A Class A felony is punishable by up to life in prison. This punishment is typically reserved for those who sexually and violently assault a child under the age of 13.
A Class B felony is punishable by up to 60 years in prison. This punishment is typically reserved for those who commit violent and sexual assault against an adult.

Second Degree Sexual Assault
Second degree sexual assault is a form of sexual assault which includes threats with a deadly weapon. Typically, the weapon is used as a way of coercing the offended party to have sex with the offender.
A person can also be charged with second degree sexual assault if he or she uses a position of power to perpetrate the offense.
Penalties:  
In Wisconsin, second degree sexual assault is considered a Class C felony. A Class C felony is punishable by up to 40 years in prison. This penalty is levied regardless of whether a child or adult is assaulted.

Third Degree Sexual Assault
While third degree sexual assault isn’t quite as serious as first and second degree sexual assault, it’s still a very serious offense. Third degree sexual assault includes any situation in which an offender ejaculates, urinates, or defecates on a person as a means of sexual humiliation.
Penalties: 
Third degree sexual assault is considered a Class G felony in the state of Wisconsin. It is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, and by fines of up to $25,000. It will also land perpetrators on the sex offender registry.

Fourth Degree Sexual Assault
The least heinous (yet still very serious) form of sexual assault is fourth degree sexual assault. This form of sexual assault includes any situation in which a perpetrator gropes or fondles a non-consenting individual. It doesn’t matter whether the assaulted individual is touched under or over clothing.
Penalties: 
In the state of Wisconsin, fourth degree sexual assault is considered a Class A misdemeanor. A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by up to 9 months in prison, and by up to $10,000 in fines. Again, even for minor cases such as these, offenders can end up on the sex offender registry.

Hire a Reputable Defense Lawyer
If you’ve been charged with sexual assault, it’s highly recommended that you hire a defense lawyer. These charges are very serious, and can result in lengthy prison sentences.
If you’re looking for a reputable defense lawyer in the Milwaukee area, Hartley Pecora has got you covered. Our team of seasoned attorneys has defended clients in a bevy of sexual assault cases, and is well-equipped to defend you.
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Contact us now—we are available 24/7.

When legal charges are levied against you, you’re best served by hiring a defense lawyer. A competent defense lawyer will have a deep understanding of the law, and will be able to minimize your legal penalties as much as possible.
However, not all defense lawyers are created equally. Not only do they specialize in different areas, they possess different levels of experience as well.
In order to choose the right criminal defense lawyer, you have to ask questions. Here are 7 questions to ask before hiring a criminal defense lawyer.

1. “Where Did You Attend Law School?”
When hiring a lawyer, you want to ensure that he or she has got a legitimate education on his or her side. While all lawyers are required to attend law school, some attend law schools which are more renowned than others.
Ensure that your prospective lawyer has attended an accredited law school before deciding to hire.

2. “How Long Have You Been Practicing Law?”
While young lawyers may be very good at what they do, you don’t want to risk your trial by hiring someone who’s inexperienced. For this reason, you need to ensure that your lawyer has years of experience under his or her belt.
A lawyer could have all of the knowledge in the world, but if he or she doesn’t possess real-world experience, he or she will not be able to represent you optimally.

3. “Are You Experienced in Defending Against My Charges?”
Not only do you want a lawyer with real-world experience, you want a lawyer who’s got experience in your particular type of case. A lawyer can only successfully defend you if he or she knows the ins and outs of your charges.
Before hiring a lawyer, make sure to ask whether or not he or she has participated in your particular type of case.

4. “Will You Be the Only Person Working on My Case?”
A question you must ask before hiring a defense lawyer is if he or she will be the only person working on your case. Some lawyers will use paralegals and other assistants to chip in on their cases.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it might not be your preference. Be sure that you’re comfortable with the working style of your lawyer.

5. “In What Manner Do You Typically Handle Your Cases?”
Different defense lawyers tend to handle their court cases in different manners. Whereas some lawyers look to settle with the prosecution, others look to get their clients off scot-free.
Inquire as to how your prospective lawyer typically handles his or her cases so that you know what to expect once the trial begins.

6. “In Your Opinion, What is Likely to Happen with My Case?”
A very important to question to ask your prospective lawyer before making a hire is what he or she expects to happen with your case. Does he or she think you can win? Does he or she think you will have to make a deal?
Try to find a lawyer whose mindset is in line with your hopes for the case. However, remember to also be realistic about the outcome.

7. “Can You Give Me an Estimate of the Fees for My Case?”
One last thing that you should be sure of before hiring a defense lawyer is what you’ll have to pay for his or her services. In most cases, lawyers charge by the hour. What they charge by the hour is based on their experience, popularity, and other such aspects.
You want to be sure of the approximate fees you’ll have to pay so that you don’t get hit with any surprising bills.

Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Milwaukee
Are you looking for a reputable criminal defense lawyer in Milwaukee? If so, we here at Hartley Pecora Law Offices have got you covered.
Our team of lawyers has defended clients against charges of all kinds, from battery, to sexual assault, to drug possession, and much more. With years of experience on our side, we can handle anything that comes our way.
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Contact us now, we are available 24/7!

When people get on the internet, they have a tendency to do things that they otherwise wouldn’t. They engage in theft, they say things that they wouldn’t typically say, and they commit acts which they would not normally commit.
What these people don’t realize is that they sometimes skirt the edge of legality. They sometimes break laws, committing cyber-crimes.
With that being said, here are 5 cyber-crimes you should know about.

1. Sexting
Sexting is the act of digitally distributing photos of yourself posed in a sexual manner. While this act is not always considered illegal, it can be considered illegal if distribution is made to restricted individuals.
For the most part, restricted individuals include those who are considered minors. Sending or showing a minor a picture of a person engaged in a sexual activity is against the law, and can land you in some serious hot water.
Breaking this law can not only land you on the sex offender registry, it can also put you in prison for up to 25 years.

2. Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is the word used to describe online harassment. Though this act is not always easy to prosecute, it can be against the law. This is especially true if it results in a suicide, assault, or homicide.
Most cyberbullying occurs over social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and can be carried out on people of all ages.
There are no cut-and-dry penalties for this crime. A litany of sanctions can be levied against those who commit acts of cyberbullying.

3. Identity Theft
Another cybercrime is online identity theft. This crime involves accessing someone’s private info online, and then using it to steal money or make unwarranted purchases.
Hackers use viruses known as malware to record the online actions of different internet users. They then piece together this information as a means of stealing and manipulating the user’s identity. Credit card numbers, social security numbers, and passwords are all figures which are targeted during identity theft.
Depending on the level of identity theft, this crime can carry serious consequences. At the very least, fines will need to be paid. At the very most, the perpetrator will be forced to spend decades in prison.

4. Viral Attacks
While it’s not illegal to create a virus or malware, it is illegal to spread that virus to other computers.
Viral attacks occur at all different levels, with some viruses hitting just small networks, and others hitting vitally important networks. Typically, the more negative the impact of the virus, the harsher the penalty for its distributor.
In essence, if a virus causes financial or medical ruin, its distributor is likely to face years in prison.

5. Piracy
You’re likely well aware of the fact that online piracy – like all forms of piracy – is illegal in the United States. Online piracy involves using the internet in order to steal or trade copyrighted property.
Most typically committed with the sharing of movies and music, this is one of the most oft-broken cybercrimes.
Those who are found guilty of online piracy can face up to 5 years in prison, with fines of up to $25,000.

Have You Been Charged with a Cyber Crime?
Have you been charged with a cyber-crime? Are you looking for a defense lawyer in the Milwaukee area? If so, we here at Hartley Pecora Law Offices are the people to see.
We’ve defended clients against cyber-crimes of all types, and are more than prepared to defend you. Our team of attorneys will offer a staunch legal defense, minimizing any penalties levied against you.
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Contact us now, we are available 24/7.