Legal Question in Criminal Law in Wisconsin

Party to the Crime (PTAC) for Burglary for

Criminal liability for "just being there" is a definite possibility under the WI "Party to a Crime" law. That law only requires that someone who is present "stand ready" to assist the perpetrators. There is no requirement that the person actually assist or be involved in the crime. If the government can prove that your daughter somehow stood ready to assist by providing lookout or loading stolen items into the trunk, they could get a conviction. However, the jury of 12 citizens would have to agree unanimously, beyond any reasonable doubt, that your daughter was guilty of this. If circumstances truly suggest that she had no reason to believe the others in the car were criminals and was truly there only by accident, she might have a chance for an acquittal. She needs an experienced felony attorney as soon as possible.

Re: PTAC felony

I don't know how anybody can possibly expect even a seasoned lawyer like me to answer such a broad question with so few facts given. I don't have a crystal ball in my office. So sorry, but this is the type of loose-shot question that gets no answer here.