Family Law

• Child Abuse
  Child abuse is generally defined in many states as any type of cruelty inflicted upon a child, including mental abuse, physical harm, neglect, and sexual abuse or exploitation. The specific crimes charged in instances of child abuse can include assault and battery.

Criminal Law

• Criminal Defense
  It is vital that you have an attorney experienced in both state and federal law at your side. There simply is no substitute for having a seasoned criminal defense attorney to advise and guide you through the maze presented by the criminal justice system. There is no substitute for having an aggressive criminal defense attorney fight for you. Because of this, Mr. Cornia suggests a face-to-face meeting to help you decide if he is a good fit to help you through this difficult and daunting period in your life.
• DUI/DWI
  It is a crime for a driver to operate a vehicle while impaired by the effects of alcohol or drugs. The specific offense may be called driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated (DWI), operating under the influence (OUI), and operating while intoxicated (OWI). Whatever the specific title, DUI laws make it unlawful for a person to operate a car, truck, motorcycle, or commercial vehicle if a driver's ability to safely operate the vehicle is impaired by the effects of alcohol, illegal drugs, prescribed medications, or even over-the-counter medications such as antihistamines.
• Sex Crimes
  Federal and state laws make it a crime to produce, possess, distribute, or sell pornographic materials that exploit or portray a minor. Increasingly, child pornography laws are being utilized to punish use of computer technology and the Internet to obtain, share, and distribute pornographic material involving children, including images and films.
• Fraud
  Credit card fraud is committed when one person fraudulently obtains, takes, signs, uses, sells, buys, or forges another’s credit or debit card or card information; uses his or her own card with the knowledge that it is revoked or expired or that the account lacks enough money to pay for the items charged; and sells goods or services to someone else with knowledge that the credit or debit card being used was illegally obtained or is being used without authorization.
• Robbery
  Many states define robbery as theft (larceny) of property or money through the use of physical force or fear against a victim. When a deadly weapon such as a gun is used or the victim suffers injury, the robbery may be charged as “armed” or “aggravated.” Robbery almost always requires the presence of a victim who suffers actual injury, or is threatened with harm.
• Burglary
  Burglary is typically defined as the unlawful entry into almost any structure (not just a home or business) with the intent to commit any crime inside (not just theft/larceny). No physical breaking and entering is required; a person may simply trespass through an open door. Unlike robbery, which involves use of force or fear to obtain another person's property, there is usually no victim present during a burglary.
• Theft
• Misdemeanors
  Initial Appearance: This is the first appearance after being arrested. The accused stands before a judge to hear the charges brought against him or her. Bail is set as are the terms and conditions of release on bail. In a misdemeanor case, a guilty or not guilty plea is entered.
• Embezzlement
  Embezzlement is defined in most states as theft (larceny) of assets (money or property) by a person in a position of trust or responsibility over those assets. Embezzlement typically occurs in the employment and corporate settings.
• Drug Crimes
  Federal and state drug possession laws make it a crime to willfully possess controlled substances such as marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, LSD, "club drugs," and heroin. In additional, these laws criminalize the possession of precursor chemicals used in drug cultivation and manufacturing, as well as certain accessories related to drug use (pipes, etc.). Drug possession laws vary according to drug type, amount, and geographic area of the offense. Possession of small quantities may be deemed simple possession, while possession of larger amounts often results in a charge of "possession with intent to distribute."
• Assault
  Sexual assault generally refers to any crime that subjects an individual to sexual touching that is unwanted and offensive. These crimes can range from sexual groping or assault and battery, to attempted rape.
• Murder
  Reed Cornia has represented people facing all kinds of charges, from disorderly conduct to large scale drug conspiracies and murder. He has filed actions for clients in small claims court as well as had two petitions granted by the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Cornia has also represented people in administrative hearings and civil right actions. Prior to private practice, Mr. Cornia was a staff attorney for the Dane County Circuit Court. He has a bachelors degree from Brigham Young University, a masters degree from Utah State University, and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Law.
• Identity Theft
  Generally, identity theft laws make it a crime to misuse another person's identifying information; whether personal or financial. Such information (including social security numbers, credit history, and PIN numbers) is often acquired through the unlawful access of information from government and financial entities, or lost or stolen mail, wallets and purses, identification, and credit cards.
• Homicide
  Involuntary manslaughter usually refers to an unintentional killing that results from recklessness or criminal negligence, or from an unlawful act that is a misdemeanor or low-level felony. The usual distinction from voluntary manslaughter is that involuntary manslaughter (sometimes called “criminally negligent homicide”) is a crime in which the victim's death is unintended.
• Arson
  In most states, arson is committed when a person intentionally burns any kind of structure or building, not just a house or business. Many states recognize differing degrees of arson, based on such factors as whether the building was occupied and whether insurance fraud was intended.
• Restraining Order
  Domestic violence generally encompasses physical harm inflicted on one member of a household or family, by another member of the same household or family (most often between spouses or partners). Domestic violence usually involves repetitive physical and psychological abuse, and a cycle of violence. Specific crimes charged vary based on the severity of the victim's injuries, whether a minor was present, and whether a restraining order was violated.
• Forgery
  The crime of forgery generally refers to the making of a fake document, the changing of an existing document, or the making of a signature without authorization. Most states require that forgery be done with the intent to commit fraud or theft.
• Money Laundering
  Money laundering statutes make it a criminalize the transfer of money derived from almost any illegal activity (including organized crime, white-collar offenses, and drug transactions) into seemingly legitimate channels, in an attempt to disguise the origin of the funds.
• Kidnapping
  Under federal and state law, kidnapping is commonly defined as taking a person from one place to another against his or her will, or the confining of a person to a controlled space. Some kidnapping laws require that the taking or confining be for an unlawful purpose, such as extortion or the facilitation of a crime. A parent without legal custody rights may be charged with kidnapping for taking his or her own child, in certain circumstances.
• Manslaughter
  Voluntary manslaughter is commonly defined as an intentional killing in which the offender had no prior intent to kill, such as a killing that occurs in the "heat of passion." The circumstances leading to the killing must be the kind that would cause a reasonable person to become emotionally or mentally disturbed. If not, the killing may be charged as a first-degree or second-degree murder.
• Prostitution
  Prostitution laws criminalize any offer, agreement to, or engagement in a sexual act for compensation. There are three stages of a typical prostitution “transaction,” which can result in charges against the provider of services (for “prostitution”), the customer paying for the services (for “solicitation of prostitution”), or any middleman (for “pandering”or “pimping”).
• Extortion

Property Law

• Property Damage
  Most states define extortion as gaining property or money by almost any kind of force, or threat of violence, property damage, harm to reputation, or unfavorable government action. While usually viewed as a form of theft, extortion differs from robbery in that the threat in question does not pose an imminent physical danger to the victim.