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“Unreasonable” Acts vs. Probable Cause for Searches & Seizures “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects , against unreasonable searches and seizures , shall ...

You’re at home, maybe with a few friends, when you hear a knock at the door. Glancing through the peephole, you spot a police officer waiting on the other side. You begin to panic, and you’re not sure ...

The duty of all police officers is to protect their community by enforcing the law, making arrests, issuing tickets, responding to distress calls, and testifying at trial. Unfortunately, there are ...

If you have been charged with a criminal offense but there are doubts raised about certain pieces of evidence, they may be deemed inadmissible to be used in court. An experienced criminal defense ...

A crime drama staple is a police officer or detective barking that someone has the right to remain silent while they are being arrested. If the television show or movie is particularly good, it will ...

As residents of the United States, we are granted a certain level of privacy and freedom from government intrusion. With that being said, these freedoms are not absolute. Law enforcement officers are ...

Whether you’ve joined a sports team or a fraternity/sorority, hazing is part of the initiation process. Although it is generally considered harmless fun in order to help build camaraderie, hazing that ...

According to a report by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, there has been a 17-percent increase of hate crimes in the United States in 2017, which is the third year in a row of an evident rise. ...

Milwaukee Juvenile Defense Lawyer Being arrested and charged with a criminal offense is a serious situation, whether you are an adult or a minor child. Although juvenile offenders typically go through ...

Recognizing the Relationship Between Bail & Bond If you were arrested, you probably want to avoid being in jail longer than you need to. Luckily, you have the opportunity to secure a release from ...

The Founding Fathers of our country were committed to individual freedom until proven guilty. In fact, they were so dedicated to this concept that they included provisions in our Constitution which ...

Milwaukee Juvenile Defense Lawyer Being arrested and charged with a criminal offense is a serious situation, whether you are an adult or a minor child. Although juvenile offenders typically go through ...

If a person has been charged with assault or homicide in Wisconsin, one of the most common defenses which may apply to violent crimes is self-defense. In general, the use of deadly or non-deadly force ...

Did you know assault and battery are actually two separate criminal charges? People frequently use the term “ assault and battery ” to lump these two offenses together to refer to the same crime, ...

You are driving home after a social gathering with friends when all of a sudden you see it – flashing red and blue lights in your rearview mirror. You calmly pull over and provide the police officer ...

You’re at your favorite big box store with the kids. It’s a hectic Saturday morning, and the kids are grabbing things off the shelves. You put them back, but don’t realize you missed one. You get ...

Milwaukee Juvenile Defense Lawyer Being arrested and charged with a criminal offense is a serious situation, whether you are an adult or a minor child. Although juvenile offenders typically go through ...

If you do an image search for the word burglar , you will inevitably get a page full of people in dark clothing hefting away a sack of money that they clearly have just stolen. If you’re a fan of ...

Where Guns, Drugs & Violence Meet About 33,000 violent street, motorcycle and prison gangs currently exist in the US, according to the FBI . Popular gang crimes involve robbery, drug and gun ...

Criminal Investigations Aren’t Always Reliable The criminal justice system is notoriously flawed. While many people argue that the justice system is, well, unjust, we examine what factors play a role ...

Tips for Your Courtroom Experience First impressions count, especially in court. Whether it’s your first or tenth time in the courtroom, it’s important to conduct yourself in a manner that complies ...

Criminal Investigations Aren’t Always Reliable The criminal justice system is notoriously flawed. While many people argue that the justice system is, well, unjust, we examine what factors play a role ...

In July of 2019, police responded to a call regarding two men who were slumped down in a vehicle. An ambulance arrived on the scene, blocking the car between two others. As paramedics were about to ...

In Wisconsin, it’s illegal for a person to have physical control over a car without first having received the owner’s consent to drive it. Under statute 943.23(4m), it is also a crime to be a ...

Tyler Rai Barriss, a 25-year-old California resident, was sentenced in March 2019 to 20 years in prison for “swatting” Andrew Finch, a 28-year-old Kansas man, who ended up being fatally shot by police ...

In the past, there was a negative stigma associated with online dating. But now it is considered the norm to find romance through an app on your cell phone. Since life can be quite demanding for ...

Reacting to a traditional criminal investigation that is targeting you is difficult enough as it is. Knowing how to respond to a cybercrime investigation is even trickier. The laws regarding ...

One of the most unfortunate and frightening things that can happen to a person is to be falsely accused of domestic violence . A false charge of this nature can result in a lifetime of ruin for the ...

Where Guns, Drugs & Violence Meet About 33,000 violent street, motorcycle and prison gangs currently exist in the US, according to the FBI . Popular gang crimes involve robbery, drug and gun ...

Milwaukee Juvenile Defense Lawyer Being arrested and charged with a criminal offense is a serious situation, whether you are an adult or a minor child. Although juvenile offenders typically go through ...

Abuse and death caused by prescription drugs have become a national epidemic over the past decade. Those who are addicted may attempt to obtain a prescription through fraudulent means, while doctors ...

Recognizing the Relationship Between Bail & Bond If you were arrested, you probably want to avoid being in jail longer than you need to. Luckily, you have the opportunity to secure a release from ...

When a person is arrested, they are taken to the police station, booked, and held in custody until they are either able to post bail or are released by a judge on their “own recognizance,” known as an ...

As U.S. citizens (who are at least 18 years old), voting is one of the most important rights and responsibilities we have, giving us the opportunity to elect government officials who represent our ...

In Wisconsin and in the rest of the United States, we celebrate our nation’s independence on the fourth of July with barbeques, parades, and especially fireworks. Although many people leave the ...

Wisconsin is one of 28 total states which have laws which impose heavier sentences for repeat offenders. These laws, often referred to as “Three Strikes” laws, are created with the intent to keep ...

Amidst the myriad of mass shootings in the United States in recent years and their increased media coverage, gun laws throughout the United States have since garnered considerable discussion and ...

Milwaukee Criminal Defense Attorney Christopher Cherella was recently interviewed by CBS 58 in Milwaukee about the recent crime-spree in Milwaukee County. You can see the full video by visiting CBS ...

Thank you for visiting the law offices of Christopher J. Cherella's new website. Cherella law focuses on Wisconsin criminal defense attorney cases, and Wisconsin Federal Criminal law cases. As time ...

Now that things have cooled down a bit since the George Zimmerman trial verdict, I thought it best to briefly reflect on the case and its impact upon America. The case really did not present itself ...

Kidnapping is a serious criminal offense that carries a lengthy jail sentence and a hefty fine, but can you face these charges for kidnapping your own child? Depending on the purpose of your actions ...

While other states have legalized the recreational use of marijuana, Wisconsin still maintains strict laws prohibiting the possession, distribution, and cultivation of marijuana. Marijuana charges can ...

If you have been arrested for a misdemeanor criminal offense in Wisconsin, you may be thinking that the crime isn’t as serious as a felony. So why should you hire a criminal defense lawyer? However, ...

In Wisconsin and in the rest of the United States, we celebrate our nation’s independence on the fourth of July with barbeques, parades, and especially fireworks. Although many people leave the ...

Did you know assault and battery are actually two separate criminal charges? People frequently use the term “ assault and battery ” to lump these two offenses together to refer to the same crime, ...

Fewer Points, More Freedom In many situations, more points are a good thing. When it comes to driving points, however, more points could cost you your driving privileges. Without driving privileges, ...

Implied Consent Laws in Wisconsin Under arrest? You have the right to remain silent, but you don’t have the right to refuse a drug test. If an officer suspects you were operating a vehicle while under ...

Open container laws are designed to encourage safe driving. The idea is that if there’s an open container of alcohol in the vehicle (meaning a container with a broken seal), there’s reasonable ...

For many, probation is a welcoming alternative compared to jail or prison time. However, being placed on probation does not mean that you are completely free from the criminal justice system, or that ...

When a person pleads to a crime, they will sometimes be put on probation instead of receiving a jail sentence. Under a probationary arrangement, a person will be required to abide by certain rules as ...

Judges use restraining orders as a tool in many different circumstances, ranging from domestic violence and abuse to stalking and harassment. Those who have an order filed against them are required ...

Yet another athlete has taken it upon himself to disgrace his sport, himself and the city that he represents. Ryan Braun's steroid case and suspension puts a black cloud over sports in general. ...

“Unreasonable” Acts vs. Probable Cause for Searches & Seizures “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects , against unreasonable searches and seizures , shall ...

Being searched by law enforcement can be an incredibly overwhelming and intimidating experience, but this is not the time to give up your rights. Keep in mind that any time a search and seizure is ...

As residents of the United States, we are granted a certain level of privacy and freedom from government intrusion. With that being said, these freedoms are not absolute. Law enforcement officers are ...

Accommodating & Opposing New Title IX Rule Changes The US Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, recently took action to increase Title IX protections for all students. Remember, Title IX of the ...

In the past, there was a negative stigma associated with online dating. But now it is considered the norm to find romance through an app on your cell phone. Since life can be quite demanding for ...

Exchanging and sharing intimate photos or videos through texts with someone you’re romantically involved with is popular among teenagers and adults in this modern era. Unfortunately, when the ...

Yet another athlete has taken it upon himself to disgrace his sport, himself and the city that he represents. Ryan Braun's steroid case and suspension puts a black cloud over sports in general. ...

Wisconsin is one of 28 total states which have laws which impose heavier sentences for repeat offenders. These laws, often referred to as “Three Strikes” laws, are created with the intent to keep ...

Fewer Points, More Freedom In many situations, more points are a good thing. When it comes to driving points, however, more points could cost you your driving privileges. Without driving privileges, ...

If you have ever received a traffic ticket , you know they are generally not cheap and will stay on your driving record, increasing the cost of your car insurance. Many of us want this whole ordeal to ...

If you drive on public roads, you’re probably well-aware of the threat of a traffic ticket . While these offenses are most often minor and result in nothing more than a fine, it’s the impact on your ...

Where Guns, Drugs & Violence Meet About 33,000 violent street, motorcycle and prison gangs currently exist in the US, according to the FBI . Popular gang crimes involve robbery, drug and gun ...

Whether you’ve joined a sports team or a fraternity/sorority, hazing is part of the initiation process. Although it is generally considered harmless fun in order to help build camaraderie, hazing that ...

According to a report by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, there has been a 17-percent increase of hate crimes in the United States in 2017, which is the third year in a row of an evident rise. ...

Where Guns, Drugs & Violence Meet About 33,000 violent street, motorcycle and prison gangs currently exist in the US, according to the FBI . Popular gang crimes involve robbery, drug and gun ...

Amidst the myriad of mass shootings in the United States in recent years and their increased media coverage, gun laws throughout the United States have since garnered considerable discussion and ...

Business owners can take advantage of specific tax codes, allowing them to minimize their tax liabilities to the government. Using these methods, referred to as tax avoidance, the person can ...

Many people know the name “embezzlement” because they’ve heard it mentioned in a news report or on television somewhere. While the name sounds devious and impressive, meaning accusations often draw ...

If you watch enough television dramas or head to the movies frequently, you have probably seen plenty of depictions of white collar crime . Businessmen at the top of a corporation scheme to take ...