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Private Criminal Defense Attorney in Appleton, WI

Importance of Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney in Wisconsin

September 19, 2023 | Court Hearings

Once you have been charged with a crime, your first major decision is whether to hire a lawyer in your case. There is no question that you should retain an attorney to represent you. Your legal rights and perhaps even your freedom are at risk. You are then faced with a choice of whether to hire a private criminal defense lawyer or a public defender. It is worth the investment to get your own private lawyer. Public defenders are simply too overloaded and under-resourced to fight as effectively as a private lawyer can.

Choosing a criminal defense attorney in Appleton, WI

How to Choose the Best Criminal Defense Attorney in Wisconsin

September 5, 2023 | Criminal Defense Attorney

It goes without saying that you need to hire your own criminal defense attorney for your Wisconsin court case. You must make your decision quickly because your legal rights depend on you getting the necessary legal help. The question then becomes which attorney you should hire. You are faced with many choices, as there may be a large number of criminal defense attorneys in your area. The attorney you select must be the right attorney for you, and you must make the selection under pressure. Here are some things that you should consider when choosing a Wisconsin criminal defense lawyer.

Exploring Wisconsin’s Self-Defense Laws in Criminal Cases

August 22, 2023 | Constitution

Kyle Rittenhouse was an 18-year-old man charged with reckless homicide and intentional homicide in the shooting of three men during protests against the shooting of a black man, Jacob Blake, by a white police officer in Kenosha in 2021. Rittenhouse’s defense attorneys argued that Rittenhouse was the person facing danger, with one man trying to attack Rittenhouse with a skateboard and Rittenhouse only defending himself against his would-be attackers.

Clearing a Criminal Record in Appleton, WI

Clearing Your Criminal Record in Wisconsin

August 9, 2023 | Criminal Convictions

State law in Wisconsin lets adult criminal records be expunged or sealed only in certain circumstances. If a person was arrested for a criminal offense but never convicted of the crime, it can be possible for them to have their arrest record removed from the Wisconsin Criminal History Repository.

Arrest and Miranda Rights in Appleton, WI

Understanding Your Miranda Rights in Wisconsin

July 18, 2023 | Constitution

The United States Supreme Court came to the decision that the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution forbade prosecutors from using a person’s statements made in response to interrogation in police custody as evidence at their trial unless they can prove the person was informed of their right to consult with a criminal defense attorney before and during questioning, and the person not only understood their rights but also voluntarily waived them, in the landmark case of Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966). Miranda had an immediate impact on law enforcement throughout the United States, making the Miranda warning a matter of routine for police procedure and the practice becoming known as “Mirandizing.”

Constitutional Rights in Wisconsin Criminal Cases

July 5, 2023 | Constitution

The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the country, and the first 10 amendments to the Constitution were known as the Bill of Rights. In total, there have been 33 amendments to the Constitution proposed by the United States Congress and sent to the states for ratification, with 27 being ratified by the requisite number of states and becoming part of the Constitution, six being adopted by Congress and sent to the states but not ratified by the required number of states, four still pending, one being closed and failing on its own terms, and one being closed and failing by the terms of the resolution proposing it.

What You Need to Know About Bail and Pretrial Release in Wisconsin

June 20, 2023 | Bail

If the defendant qualifies for bail, Wisconsin law states that the defendant is “eligible for release under reasonable conditions designed to assure his or her appearance in court, protect members of the community from serious harm, and prevent the intimidation of witnesses.” In practice, you may need to fight for reasonable pretrial conditions or even to be released at all.

Criminal Defense Attorney in Appleton, WI

The Benefits of Working with a Private Criminal Defense Attorney vs. a Public Defender

June 6, 2023 | Court Hearings

Some criminal defendants in Wisconsin are faced with a choice of whether to pay for their own attorney or have a public attorney appointed for them. For some defendants, a public defender is an absolute necessity. However, if you have the ability to hire a private attorney in any way, you should strongly consider doing so. There are substantive differences in both the experience of working with your lawyer and the results that they will obtain for you.

Understanding the Role of the Prosecutor in a Criminal Case

May 23, 2023 | Criminal Defense Attorney

When conferring with your criminal defense lawyer, you will often hear them speak of what the prosecutor is doing and what they may be thinking. The prosecutor plays a vital role in the criminal justice system, and how they proceed could determine your freedom and future.

The Top Defenses Used in Criminal Cases in Wisconsin

May 9, 2023 | Criminal Defense Attorney

The prosecutor has the legal obligation to prove each element of the alleged offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Even if they believe they have the evidence, it does not automatically mean that you will be convicted. For each charged offense, there may be an effective legal defense that keeps the prosecutor from being able to prove the crime. Depending on your defense, you may have your own obligation to prove each individual element. Some of these defenses amount to saying, “yes, I did what I was accused of, but there is a valid legal reason for it.” Here are some defenses that are used in Wisconsin criminal cases.