Turning 18 is a rite of passage for teens. Legally recognized as adults, they have obligations such as registering for the selective service system and new rights such as the ability to legally purchase lottery tickets, cigarettes and other items of the adult persuasion.

Many Wisconsin teens fail to realize that their 17th birthday has the potential to be far more consequential than their 18th if accused of committing a criminal act.

Americans have the right to a speedy trial, but a shortage of public defenders is resulting in excessive jail stays for defendants who are unable to come up with the cash for bail.

As reported by the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune, “Nhja Lee, 45, of Green Bay, spent more than 100 days in jail on $25,000 bail in 2018 while the Wisconsin Public Defender’s Office tried to get a private attorney to represent him.”

You don’t have to look far to see marijuana-related news.

Governor Tony Evers recently granted pardons and clemency to 30 individuals who had been incarcerated as a result of marijuana and other drug crimes. Elsewhere at the Capitol, lawmakers have introduced multiple bills that would reduce the penalties associated with possession of cannabis.

While you continue looking forward to Christmas and New Year’s, dozens of others are faced with spending numerous holidays behind bars.

40 people were arrested throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana after “a prolonged drug investigation spanning Sept. 29 to Dec. 14.” 183 pounds of fentanyl and 68,250 counterfeit fentanyl pills were seized by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.