Unlike certain traffic infractions, misdemeanor convictions appear on your criminal record. Misdemeanors often carry serious consequences, including imprisonment, fines, and probation. Just because felony convictions bear more substantial collateral penalties does not mean defendants should forgo their right to an Appleton misdemeanor defense lawyer.
Criminology and police psychology are mandatory courses for most Outagamie County detectives. Appleton criminal investigators count on suspects believing that hiring an attorney or refusing to speak with police officers will indicate their guilt but that openly speaking with officers will ease suspicion. Truthfully, if you’ve been asked to “come down to the station” or otherwise submit to police questioning, the police already suspect you of a crime. Nothing you say or do will prove your innocence at this stage of the investigation, but speaking with police officers can certainly prove your guilt. For this reason, you should always have a lawyer present when you’re questioned by the police.
On November 30, 1983, tragedy struck the family of an accomplished young woman named Marsalee (Marsy) Ann Nicholas. Marsy was brutally stalked and murdered by an ex-boyfriend that day, and while still reeling from the pain of this loss, Marsy’s mother was shockingly confronted by Marsy’s killer on the way home from Marsy’s funeral. Marsy’s murderer had been released on bail a few days prior to Marsy’s funeral, but her family hadn’t been notified. The judicial oversights that resulted in this confrontation lead to a campaign for legal reform. Marsy’s family advocated for the enactment of state constitutional rights that would provide victims of crimes with rights equal to those afforded to the accused. These reformations became known as “Marsy’s Law,” which has been adopted in some form by 11 states. Wisconsin Set to Vote on Marsy’s Law Amendment Next Week On April 7, 2020, Wisconsin residents are scheduled to … Continued
Most matters involving family relationships such as marriage, divorce, child custody, and domestic violence are handled at a state level, and each of the 50 states has different ways of defining domestic violence and laws governing domestic violence prosecutions and penalties. The same actions may be punishable as a felony in Wisconsin, a misdemeanor in Minnesota, and completely legal in Ohio. Understanding how Wisconsin defines domestic abuse and violence is essential for both avoiding domestic violence charges and defending against domestic abuse claims in Appleton and the surrounding areas.
The United States Bureau of Justice Statistics estimates that between 90 and 95% of all criminal convictions result from guilty pleas rather than jury verdicts. The statistics are even higher for felony-level charges with studies indicating nearly 95% of state and 97% of federal felony convictions result from guilty pleas.
At Hogan Eickhoff, we want you to know The United States and Wisconsin Constitutions guarantee an attorney to those accused of a criminal offense. For those who cannot afford an attorney, one must be provided free of charge. This typically means assigning alleged offenders a criminal defense attorney from the public defender’s office, which is a good option for people who simply cannot afford to hire a private attorney.
The “legal” lie. It’s counterintuitive, isn’t it? But that’s exactly what Wisconsin law enforcement officials are permitted to do when interviewing and interrogating criminal suspects. Psychological manipulation is commonplace during criminal investigations, and individuals without an attorney often fall for these law enforcement traps. The Reid Technique is a system of interrogation that is intended to induce criminal suspects to admit to crimes, and many law enforcement agencies around the world use it. It often involves the interviewer lying to the suspect in order to gain trust or influence them to believe that confession is his or her best option. Fortunately, when you have an experienced attorney present during an interview, the manipulation of the Reid Technique can be mitigated, ensuring that your legal rights are protected. Both the United States Constitution and Wisconsin Constitution guarantee criminal suspects the right to have an attorney present during police questioning. However, this … Continued
At Hogan Eickhoff, we know that traffic stops are the most common form of police contact in the United States, and law enforcement often uses traffic stops as an opportunity to determine whether a driver is impaired, carrying contraband, or involved in some other illegal activity. The 4th Amendment to the, however, prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures and limits how and when officers can stop people and search them, their belongings, and their homes.
If you have recently been accused of a misdemeanor offense, you may be wondering whether you really need to retain an attorney. While it’s certainly true that misdemeanors are less serious than felonies, the fact is that any criminal conviction can result in significant legal and collateral consequences that have the potential to affect nearly every aspect of your life. For this reason, if you have been arrested or received a summons for any criminal charge – whether it’s a misdemeanor or a felony – you should absolutely call an Appleton criminal defense attorney as soon as you can.
There’s plenty of misconceptions regarding how the legal system works in Wisconsin. One of the most common (and most harmful) misconceptions is a defendant won’t need a lawyer because they’re not guilty. Another mistake is someone won’t contact a lawyer because so far, their case consists “only of accusations.”