Wisconsin Criminal & Workers Comp Law Blog

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By: Mays Law Office

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Mays Law
Arnaldo Sanchez

Latest from Wisconsin Criminal & Workers Comp Law Blog

Understanding Wisconsin’s Sentence Adjustment Law
Wisconsin’s sentence adjustment statute (§ 973.195) offers a narrow but meaningful opportunity for certain incarcerated individuals to request a reduction in the confinement portion of their sentence after serving a significant amount of time.

Despite often being described as “early release,” that label isn’t quite accurate. A sentence adjustment usually does not shorten the total sentence. Instead, it allows a judge to convert remaining prison time into extended supervision, meaning the individual serves part

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Continue Reading Second Chances Under Wisconsin Law – How Mays Law Used Sentence Adjustment To Open the Door to Early Release

If you received an OWI in Wisconsin, you may be eligible to apply for an occupational license. An occupation license allows you to drive to and from work and for other specified purposes. However, strict requirements apply—including the requirement to obtain an SR-22 certificate from your insurance company.

When you get arrested for operating while intoxicated (OWI) in Wisconsin, one of the consequences you can face is losing your driver’s license. Not only can this be aggravating; but, if

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Continue Reading Wisconsin Occupational License Guide 2026: Eligibility, Waiting Periods, and the SR-22 Requirement

For many people, the words jail and prison mean the same thing. Both involve handcuffs. Both involve cells. Both involve losing your freedom.

But under Wisconsin law, the difference between jail and prison is enormous—and on a fifth offense (or higher) Operating While Intoxicated (OWI), that difference can define the rest of your life.

If you are convicted of a fifth offense—or greater—OWI in Wisconsin, a bifurcated prison sentence is mandatory. That means a period of initial confinement in

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Continue Reading Is it Possible to Stay Out of Prison on a Fifth (or Higher) OWI in Wisconsin?

When people search for a lawyer today, one of the very first things they do is read Google reviews. Whether someone is facing a workplace injury or  a criminal charge, online reviews have become a critical part of deciding which law firm can be trusted.
At Mays Law Office, we are proud to have earned almost 100 authentic 5-star Google reviews from real former clients. These reviews were not purchased, filtered, incentivized, or curated. They reflect real experiences

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Continue Reading Mays Law Office has a 5 Star Google Review Rating – Why Authentic 5-Star Google Reviews Matter When Choosing a Law Firm

OWI Laws

If you are facing an OWI charge in Wisconsin, you need to know what is at stake in your case. All OWI charges carry serious penalties, and if you don’t take your case seriously, you could end up facing these penalties unnecessarily.
The penalties that are on the table in a Wisconsin OWI case depend on several factors. These include whether your case involves drugs or alcohol, your blood alcohol concentration (BAC) if you received an alcohol-related OWI, and

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Continue Reading Wisconsin OWI Laws 2026: Penalties for First, Second, and Third Offenses

Making informed decisions starts with understanding the options available to you. This includes your options for seeking to have your charges reduced or dismissed. An experienced criminal defense attorney will be able to help, and to ensure that you do not lose any of the options you have available, you should discuss your case with an experienced attorney promptly.
5 Options for Seeking to Have Your Criminal Charge Reduced or Dismissed
When you speak with an experienced criminal defense

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Continue Reading How Can a Criminal Defense Attorney Help Reduce or Dismiss Charges?

Each year, we publish numerous articles that contain important information for injured workers in Wisconsin. This year was no exception. Our Madison workers’ compensation lawyers published several articles throughout 2025 that discuss everything from when you can file a claim to how to avoid mistakes that could jeopardize your recovery.
So, if you are struggling with a work-related injury, what do you need to know? Here are some key insights from the workers’ compensation lawyers at Mays Law Office:

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Continue Reading 2025 Year in Review: Important Information for Injured Workers in Wisconsin

Attorney Stephen E. Mays of Mays Law Office has been named a 2025 Wisconsin Super Lawyer for Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI, recognizing his exceptional advocacy, skill, and dedication to protecting clients’ rights.

Being named a 2025 Wisconsin Super Lawyer in Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI is a significant professional honor for Attorney Stephen E. Mays. This recognition is reserved for only the top 5% of attorneys in the state and reflects a rigorous selection process that evaluates professional achievement, peer recognition, ethical standards,

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Continue Reading Attorney Stephen E. Mays has been named a 2025 Wisconsin Super Lawyer

Ignition interlock devices (IIDs) – devices that require a breath sample from the driver of a vehicle, and which must register no alcohol (which means 0.02%) – are a common requirement / Court Order for individuals convicted of Operating While Intoxicated (OWI) or “drunk driving” in Wisconsin.

The IID devices are installed in the driver’s vehicle (technically required on any vehicle owned or operated by the driver) and require the driver to pass a breathalyzer test before the car

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Continue Reading How to Navigate Court Ordered Breath Testing In Your Car

You were injured on the job. You are facing unexpected medical bills, and you are going to fall behind on your other bills while you are unable to work. You are facing serious financial consequences, and you need to make sure you protect yourself and your family as best you can.
What should you do?
While you are facing a difficult situation, it is important to understand that employees and other workers in Wisconsin have clear legal rights. Depending

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Continue Reading When Can You Sue for an On-the-Job Injury in Wisconsin?

When Compassion Costs You: A Young Manager’s Injury, Walmart’s Silence, and the System That Failed Her
In the American workplace, we’re taught to be team players — to show up, follow the rules, look out for our coworkers, and do what’s right, even when it’s inconvenient. We’re taught that if we work hard, stay loyal, and lead with integrity, we’ll be protected and valued in return.

But what happens when that promise is broken?

Let me tell you a

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Continue Reading When Compassion Costs You & Walmart

If you have been injured on the job in Wisconsin, filing a successful workers’ compensation claim could be critical for avoiding financial strain during (and after) your recovery. While your medical bills and lost wages will add up quickly, if you are eligible to file for workers’ compensation, you can seek coverage for these costs—both now and in the future.
With this in mind, is it okay to try to handle your workers’ compensation claim on your own? Or,

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Continue Reading Is It Okay to Try to Handle My Workers’ Compensation Claim on My Own?

If you’ve been injured on the job in Wisconsin, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Workers’ compensation is a “no fault” system (meaning that you do not need to prove your employer is responsible for your injury), and nearly all employers are required to provide workers’ compensation coverage under Wisconsin law.
But if you’ve been injured on the job, simply knowing if you are entitled to benefits isn’t enough. You also need to know how much you

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Continue Reading What Types of Workers’ Compensation Benefits Can (and Should) You Receive in Wisconsin?

Operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of an intoxicant is a serious offense that can have serious penalties and other consequences. In most states, a first offense is a crime (usually a misdemeanor). In Wisconsin, a first offense is not a crime, but a civil traffic forfeiture. Nonetheless, even a first offense in Wisconsin has penalties and consequences that only make subsequent OWI’s in Wisconsin more harsh. A second offense OWI in Wisconsin is a misdemeanor (if

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Continue Reading Levels of OWI Offenses – From a First Offense to a Felony

If you have been injured or fallen ill on the job in Wisconsin, you will want to talk to a workers’ compensation lawyer promptly. There are many ways a workers’ compensation lawyer can help you in this scenario; and, if you have a claim, there are many benefits to putting an experienced lawyer on your side.
When you hire a lawyer to represent you, you are entitled to certain expectations. Knowing what to expect can help you make an

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Continue Reading What Can (and Should) You Expect from Your Workers’ Compensation Lawyer?

Attorney Lisa Pierobon Mays shares some practical tips on what To Do immediately after a workplace injury to protect your health and your legal rights.

Workplace injuries happen fast!  How you respond the hours and days afterward can affect your health, job, and financial future for years to come. Whether you slipped on a wet floor, strained your back lifting equipment, or developed a repetitive stress injury over time, it’s critical that you take the right steps from the

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Continue Reading Injury Report Checklist for Wisconsin Workers Compensation Claims