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Criminal Defense Attorney in Appleton, WI

What are Pretrial Conferences and What Happens During Them?

February 7, 2023 | Court Hearings

There are numerous things that must be considered before trial that are far more than just “housekeeping” items. The actual trial is where your freedom is at stake, and the court system takes it extremely seriously. Criminal trials are coordinated and planned to an extent to allow both the state and you to effectively present their case. The pretrial conference is a critical milestone in your case because it both sets the ground rules for the trial and could even facilitate a resolution of your case.

What to Expect at a Preliminary Hearing

January 17, 2023 | Court Hearings

There is much that happens early in your case, well in advance of trial. In the beginning, you must learn of your legal rights and enter a plea (as you do in the initial appearance), and the basis for the case against you must be established. There is a screening process to weed out weak cases because forcing you to trial on a vague and unestablished case is inconsistent with your legal rights.

Defendant at Initial Appearance, near Appleton, WI

What to Expect at an Initial Appearance

January 3, 2023 | Arraignment

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.

Four Tips for Building A Strong Criminal Defense

November 22, 2022 | Arraignment

What you do after you have been arrested and charged with a crime could dictate whether you face legal consequences and how serious they are. You can help or hurt your own criminal defense based on your own actions. Regardless of the charges against you, there are things that you can do to put yourself in the position to get the best possible legal outcome in your case. Here are four tips for you to consider as you seek to build the strongest possible criminal defense in your case. Hire an Experienced Attorney Immediately You should never try to face the criminal justice system on your own. Law enforcement has seemingly unlimited resources that they can use in your case. You are up against an experienced prosecutor who knows the process well. Although they may have many cases on their docket, they know how to move along the ones that … Continued

Three Ways Prescription Drugs Can Lead to Criminal Charges

October 18, 2022 | Constitution

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

Don't Agree To Be Interviewed By The State Prosecutor Without Your Attorney Present

Five Mistakes People Make After an Arrest

October 5, 2022 | Arraignment

Being arrested and charged with a crime already puts you in enough legal jeopardy. There are things that you can do that can actually make your own legal situation worse. Nearly all of these mistakes are made by people who do not have an experienced criminal defense attorney. The longer you go without legal representation, the more likely you are to make an error that can handicap your criminal defense. What follows are common mistakes that defendants make that may increase the chances of being convicted or can lead to stiffer penalties when they are sentenced. You should retain counsel immediately to avoid making them. Speaking to Law Enforcement (Especially Without an Attorney Present) Some people may think that they can just give their side of the story to law enforcement and talk their way out of trouble. Talking is perhaps the worst thing that you can do after you … Continued

How Does an Innocent Person End Up in the Court System?

September 20, 2022 | Arraignment

Many people think that the protections of the legal system are enough to keep an innocent person from being convicted of a crime. However, the mere fact that an innocent person is in the court system is a large problem in itself. They are subject to an extreme amount of pressure and stress. They must also expend large amounts of money on legal defense. Any time that someone is in the legal system, there is a risk of conviction and jail time. If you have been charged with a crime that you did not commit, you need an attorney immediately.

Common Court Objections

September 6, 2022 | Court Hearings

Everyone is familiar with the courtroom scene where the lawyer stands up and says, “Objection, your honor.” The judge then rules on the objection, deciding whether to sustain it or overrule it. If the judge sustains the objection, opposing counsel cannot continue with that line of questioning. Your lawyer must be quick on their feet, or else you would lose the right to object. In other words, silence amounts to a waiver of the objection.

What Happens at an Arraignment?

May 6, 2022 | Arraignment

An arraignment is your initial appearance in court for your criminal defense case. It is one of your constitutional rights to be presented with the charges against you. It is one of the defendant’s first chances to appear in front of the judge, even though your case will not be won at an arraignment. However, do not make the mistake of thinking that the arraignment is a formality.

Expert Witness for Defendant Appleton, WI

Expert Witnesses in Your Criminal Defense Case

April 21, 2022 | Court Hearings

Defense attorneys often rely on expert witnesses in making their case to the jury. In actuality, these can be a broad category of people who can provide different types of assistance to the defense’s case. Given that the prosecutor must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt, an expert witness could help cast doubt on the case being made against you. The type of expert witness that you may use depends on the case against you. Most of us think that an expert witness will take the stand to give their opinion on the evidence against you. As you will see below, that is typically the case, but not always so.