Court Hearings Archives » Hogan Eickhoff

What Happens at a Wisconsin Preliminary Hearing?

August 15, 2026 | Court Hearings

If you have been charged with a felony in Wisconsin, one of the first major court dates you will face is the preliminary hearing. This step in the criminal process often causes confusion and anxiety, especially for people who assume it works like a trial. It does not. Nevertheless, the preliminary hearing represents an important step in your case, and it is one that cannot be ignored. The criminal defense attorneys at Hogan Eickhoff regularly represent clients at preliminary hearings throughout Wisconsin and can walk you through what to expect. The Purpose of a Preliminary Hearing A preliminary hearing is a procedural step required in felony cases in Wisconsin. Its purpose is narrow: to determine whether there is probable cause to believe a felony was committed and that the defendant committed it. This is not a determination of guilt or innocence. It is simply a check to make sure the … Continued

Understanding Wisconsin’s Self-Incrimination Protections

February 20, 2026 | Court Hearings

As a defendant, what you say can matter greatly in your criminal case. Your own words can be used against you in court, as confessions or anything you say that implies guilt can be powerful evidence for prosecutors. This means that law enforcement wants you to speak with them, so they can gather any evidence against you. Always remember that law enforcement is not out to help you when asking questions, and self-incrimination is a huge risk when you do not have the proper representation from a criminal defense lawyer.You have rights against self-incrimination, including the right to remain silent during law enforcement questioning and the right not to serve as a witness against yourself in a criminal proceeding. If law enforcement violates these rights, your criminal defense attorney can often use it to the benefit of your defense.Call Hogan Eickhoff right after an arrest so we can exercise your … Continued

How Prior Convictions Can Affect Current Criminal Cases

February 10, 2026 | Court Hearings

The facts of a criminal case in the eyes of a judge or prosecutor can become worse based on what you may have been convicted of in the past. In some cases, a statute could have a specific enhanced penalty for those who are repeat offenders. In other cases, a prosecutor may seek a more stringent sentence (or the judge could impose one) based on your criminal history. Whether you are facing first-offense charges or a repeat offense case, an Appleton criminal defense attorney at Hogan Eickhoff can work to protect your legal rights and seek the best possible outcome in your case.Some Criminal Offenses Automatically Have Repeat Offender EnhancementsNumerous criminal statutes in Wisconsin provide for enhanced charges based on repeat offenses. Operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) is one particularly common example. The type of charges that you will face, and the penalty if you are convicted, become more … Continued

Defendant at Initial Appearance, near Appleton, WI

Defending Against Weapons Charges in Wisconsin

January 20, 2026 | Court Hearings

Even if you have been charged with weapons violations in Wisconsin, a conviction is not a foregone conclusion. You still have multiple legal options available to you. It may be possible to successfully defend against these charges, but you must act now to secure a criminal defense lawyer and begin work on your case. Once you have an attorney, they can review the circumstances of your case to help determine whether you have any valid defenses to the charges against you.The experienced Appleton criminal defense attorneys at Hogan Eickhoff can provide you with common-sense and hard-hitting legal representation when you are facing weapons charges in Wisconsin. The sooner you call, the sooner we can begin building a strong defense tailored to the specifics of your case.Common Weapons Charges in WIWisconsin law imposes serious penalties for weapons offenses, with charges ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the circumstances. Common weapons … Continued

The Role of Witness Credibility in Criminal Cases

September 30, 2025 | Court Hearings

Criminal cases depend on the evidence. The prosecutor may have physical evidence that they are trying to use against you as the defendant, such as fingerprints and weapons. Each form of physical evidence must be authenticated through witness testimony to establish its reliability. The prosecutor will also call witnesses to testify about various observations that can be used to prove their case. This testimony, if it is reliable, could show that you are guilty of the crime that has been charged. A criminal defense attorney from Hogan Eickhoff could call credible witnesses on your behalf while working to challenge witnesses who have been called by the prosecution. As the defendant, witness testimony also plays a crucial role in your case. You are entitled to due process, which allows your side of the story to be told. You do this through testimony and physical evidence of your own. Your witnesses could … Continued

What Happens After a Criminal Charge: The Steps in the Legal Process

July 8, 2025 | Arraignment

If you have been arrested and charged with a crime, you will be facing a lengthy and difficult legal process. It is important for you to understand what you are facing and how a criminal defense attorney can help you every step of the way. They will explain both how the law works and your legal rights in the situation. A criminal defense lawyer at Hogan Eickhoff would work to protect your legal rights and seek the best possible outcome in your case. Here are the steps in the legal process after you have been charged with a crime in Wisconsin.

Understanding Search and Seizure Laws: Protecting Your Rights

June 10, 2025 | Constitution

Both the federal and Wisconsin Constitutions contain prohibitions against unreasonable searches and seizures that protect you to an extent in criminal cases. The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the following: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” In many circumstances, understanding your rights isn’t enough to protect them. Read on to learn more about the complexities of search and seizure laws and how a skilled criminal defense attorney from Hogan Eickhoff can help you if you think your rights were violated.

The Importance of Early Legal Representation in Criminal Cases

May 27, 2025 | Constitution

Although the criminal defense process may be lengthy, much happens immediately following your arrest. What occurs in these early moments could set the stage for the rest of the criminal defense process. If you make any key mistakes during this time, or you miss a chance to go on offense when the situation calls for it, it may be far more difficult for you to obtain the best possible legal result. Accordingly, you need to contact a criminal defense attorney from Hogan Eickhoff early in the legal process. They can immediately go to work to protect your legal rights and begin to plot the legal strategy of your defense.

Bail Hearings and Pre-Trial Release: What to Expect

January 28, 2025 | Bail

When you have been charged with a crime, your freedom while you are awaiting the final outcome of your case is not guaranteed. The judge would have to decide whether you can be released before you were to stand trial or whether you must remain in jail while you await trial. Before the judge can make this decision, you are entitled to due process and the right to be heard. Below, we will talk through what you can anticipate before a trial and how a criminal defense attorney at the firm of Hogan Eikhoff can represent you at any pre-trial hearings.

The Role of Expert Witnesses in Criminal Defense Cases

January 14, 2025 | Court Hearings

You may think of witnesses in any type of case as testifying about what they heard and saw. Witnesses can be called by the prosecution or defense in an attempt to prove a case. However, witnesses can be helpful to both sides in other contexts as they either try to prove their case or keep the prosecutor from establishing a criminal defendant’s guilt. Both sides may use expert witnesses to assist in their case. These witnesses do not testify about facts; instead, they give their opinions about evidence so the jury may better understand it. Let’s discuss how a criminal defense lawyer from Hogan Eikhoff may work with expert witnesses in your case.