Criminal Convictions Archives

The Role of Mitigating Factors in Wisconsin Criminal Cases

November 7, 2023 | Court Hearings

If you have been convicted of a crime in Wisconsin, it is far from the end of the legal story in your case. The law gives the judge the discretion to impose a sentence in your case. There is a wide range of potential that could range from probation to the maximum possible period of incarceration under the law. The judge may consider a number of factors before they reach their decision. Two defendants could receive entirely different sentences based on their own personal situations, both in life and surrounding the crime that was committed. One key concern in any sentencing proceedings is mitigating factors.

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.

What to Expect During a Criminal Trial in Wisconsin

April 18, 2023 | Court Hearings

Very few criminal cases will actually go to trial. Most cases result in a plea agreement with the prosecutor, where the defendant pleads guilty in exchange for a lighter sentence or lesser charges. However, you can and should fight the charges against you all the way to trial if the prosecutor does not have the evidence to prove your guilt. Here is what is in store for you if your Wisconsin criminal case goes to trial.

Criminal Defense Attorneys near Appleton, WI

What is a Presentence Investigation?

March 21, 2023 | Criminal Convictions

What is a Sentencing Hearing and What Happens During One?

February 21, 2023 | Court Hearings

Sentencing is when the court imposes a punishment on the defendant after they have been found guilty at trial or has pled guilty to a crime. A judge will hold a hearing before they render their decision about the criminal sanctions for the defendant. The sentencing hearing is a tremendously stressful proceeding for the defendant because they literally learn their own fate. The defendant has a right to be heard before the judge hands down a sentence.

Criminal Defense Attorney in Appleton, WI

The Difference Between a License Suspension and Revocation in Wisconsin

December 6, 2022 | Criminal Convictions

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.

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.

How Will Social Media Impact My Criminal Defense?

March 4, 2022 | Criminal Convictions

If you are facing criminal charges, caution is the best course to follow in all areas of your life. You never quite know what you say to others may come back to hurt your criminal defense. Even worse may be information that you put out into the public realm for everyone to see. Social media may give a prosecutor the ammunition that they need to convict you of the charges. Here are several ways that your posts could be used against you.

Wisconsin Still Charges 17-Year-Olds as Adults in All Cases

November 19, 2021 | Criminal Convictions

Criminal justice reform has a long way to go in Wisconsin. Along with being one of the most difficult states to get an expungement of your criminal record, the state has many other laws on the books that are very unfavorable to defendants. One is a law that automatically charges every 17-year-old who has been arrested as an adult, practically ensuring that they will begin their life with a criminal record that could be very hard to clear. While Wisconsin allows for expungement of criminal records when the defendant was under 25 when the crime was committed, this policy does not cover all crimes. This law seems more unfair and out of place in the current time. Therefore, efforts are underway to change this.