What to Expect at an Initial Appearance
You may be more familiar with another term for an initial appearance – an arraignment. The initial appearance is exactly what its name implies – it is your first time in front of a judge in your criminal case.
Author Archives: Timothy Hogan
The Difference Between a License Suspension and Revocation in Wisconsin
If you have been convicted of certain traffic offenses, you may lose your right to drive for a certain period of time. There are various terms that the law uses for the loss of your ability to drive. The two most common terms are revocation and suspension of your driver’s license. Although these terms are largely the same, there are some key differences of which you should be made aware by your attorney. While you do not have full driving privileges, you will be punished far more seriously when you are caught driving with a revoked license.
Three Ways Prescription Drugs Can Lead to Criminal Charges
Prescription drugs may have multiple uses. While you may need them for a certain purpose, others may have their own needs for them, some of which may be illegal. Something that is completely legal may cross a line if it is used incorrectly or illegally distributed. You can still face criminal charges for misusing prescription drugs even after your physician had written up a legitimate prescription – in some cases, even when the need was genuine. OWI for Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence It is important that you read the instructions that go along with your prescription drugs. Some may advise you that you should not operate any type of heavy machinery for a certain period of time after taking the medication. Heavy machinery, in this case, will include a car. Some prescriptions may have a similar impact on alcohol or drugs. Wisconsin OWI law is not just centered … Continued
Hogan Eickhoff Voted Best Law Firm & Best Criminal Defense Law Firm
Hogan Eickhoff was voted ‘Best Law Firm’ and ‘Best Criminal Defense Law Firm” by Best of Wisconsin Law Journal! Our team is passionate about practicing criminal law and you can always expect excellent defense, no matter the accusation. “The legal team at Hogan Eickhoff understands the workings of criminal law and the criminal justice system and use that knowledge to help get clients the results they deserve.” Read more.
Why Would Someone Take a Plea If They Are Innocent?
A large majority of criminal defendants will plead guilty before they ever reach a trial. Not every single defendant who pleads guilty actually committed the crime with which they are charged. There are many reasons why someone who is innocent feels compelled to take a plea deal.
Your Guide to Initial Court Appearances in Criminal Cases
Many people are often unaware of what happens in the early stages of a criminal case. Instead, they are focused on the trial itself. However, the initial appearances may set the groundwork for a successful defense of the charges or make it clear to the prosecutor that they have their own risk in taking a case forward to the jury.
What Happens at a Preliminary Hearing?
After the arraignment and before the trial, defendants can go through a preliminary hearing. It is optional, but it is something that you should take advantage of because the hearing can help you now and in the future.
What Happens at an Initial Appearance?
Law enforcement does not have a legal right to hold a defendant indefinitely without them being able to go in front of a judge. Otherwise, it would be a violation of the defendant’s rights that could jeopardize the prosecution. The initial appearance in front of a judge is called an arraignment. There are several substantive things that will happen in an arraignment that provide an introduction of sorts to the case.
Expunging Criminal Records in Wisconsin
People who have been convicted of a crime could face consequences years into the future. So long as the crime remains on your record, others will be able to view it with a simple background check. When you are trying to find a job or a place to live, a background check could complicate things for you. Currently, Wisconsin is in the process of changing its laws to make expunging criminal records easier, in line with a national trend of criminal justice reform. However, the current laws are more restrictive. Nonetheless, it is possible to remove some convictions from your record.
Possible Criminal Defenses (Part 1)
If you have been charged with a crime in Wisconsin, your lawyer will look for all possible defenses to see if there is a way to fight the charges. Depending on the facts, there are a wide variety of legal defenses available. Here are some of the possible ways that you can try to contest the case against you that the prosecution brings.