SCOW Finds Generic Conduct in “High Crime Area” Created Reasonable Suspicion of Criminal Activity

November 3, 2021 | Court Hearings

The Wisconsin Supreme Court continues to make life harder for criminal defendants throughout the state, broadening law enforcement’s power through its recent rulings. In one case, the Supreme Court has practically criminalized being in a “high-crime area,” allowing officers practically unlimited ability to view any ordinary behavior in these areas as a pretext to search possible suspects. With rulings like these, defendants need attorneys more than ever to help them fight illegal searches and seizures.

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Discharge from Probation Didn’t Count as Successful Completion of Sentence for Expungement Purposes

October 22, 2021 | Court Hearings

Although momentum seems to be on the side of criminal justice reform and allowing for broader abilities to expunge criminal records, the Wisconsin Court of Appeals did not exactly see it this way in a recent case. The court would not allow expungement of a defendant’s criminal record when he was discharged from probation. In order to be fully eligible for possible expungement, defendants need to complete their sentence in full, no matter the circumstances. To ensure your best chances of expunging your criminal record, make sure to hire a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

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Odor of Burning Weed Justifies Warrantless Entry into the Home

October 6, 2021 | Criminal Defense Attorney

In any criminal case that involves physical evidence, you can expect some scrutiny from criminal defense attorneys of how law enforcement seized the evidence. One of a defendant’s basic rights in any trial is their Fourth Amendment right to be free from an illegal search or seizure. When police enter a home without a warrant, their entry will almost always be challenged. This is exactly what happened when police went into a home after smelling burning marijuana. However, in the case of In the Interest of B.W.R., the Wisconsin Court of Appeals gave officers very wide latitude for a warrantless search.

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Does CBD Show Up on a Drug Test?

September 21, 2021 | Criminal Defense Attorney

Don’t get caught up with a drug offense charge because of CBD. CBD is an increasingly common ingredient in both food products and cosmetics and is also smoked in various forms, whether vaporized concentrates or the actual flower of the hemp plant. CBD is derived from hemp, which under the Federal Hemp Act is legal across the United States. In a recent article in Healthgrades, CBD is noted as being particularly helpful for a wide variety of ailments and is used in products ranging from gummies to creams. However you ingest your CBD products, they will eventually make it into your bloodstream, and depending upon their contents, could lead to you testing positive for THC on a drug test.

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How Social Media Can Affect a Pending Criminal Case

September 9, 2021 | Constitution

If you have been accused of a crime and have a case pending, you might be wondering if your social media accounts and photos can be used against you. They can, in certain circumstances. Knowing what law enforcement can and cannot use against you can help inform you on what to review and whether to keep your social media accounts up at all. Whether your private accounts require a warrant to observe could mean the difference between evidence adverse to your case or such evidence not being allowed into consideration.

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What are the Consequences of Illegally Possessing Prescription Drugs?

August 20, 2021 | Criminal Defense Attorney

Many people associate stiff drug possession penalties with illegal narcotics such as heroin and cocaine. However, the law defines illegal possession of drugs differently. For the most part, Wisconsin law groups drugs into categories for purposes of illegal possession. Some types of prescription drugs can fall into buckets where illegal possession can merit serious jail time. Either way, you need to take drug possession charges seriously from the very first minute.

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Do You Need a Lawyer for a Traffic Ticket?

August 3, 2021 | Criminal Defense Attorney

If you are wondering whether you need a lawyer for a traffic ticket, we would start by giving you the answer that it seems like most lawyers give to most any legal question: it depends. There are a number of factors that determine whether you need legal help for your traffic ticket. Of course, there are times when it does not make sense to go to the expense of hiring an attorney to fight the ticket. However, in other cases, you could only benefit from having legal help on your side.

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First Police Reform Bill since Death of George Floyd Passes in Wisconsin Senate

July 20, 2021 | Court Hearings

The first police reform bill since the death of George Floyd in May of 2020 passes in the Wisconsin Senate and the attorneys of Hogan Eickhoff are going to break everything down for you. According to the AP, the measures approved by the Senate create new police programs and requirements that are intended to address the outcry that continues to emanate from Floyd’s tragic death. The bills in question, which some believe don’t go far enough in the right direction, head next to the state Assembly to await their fate. If you find yourself on the wrong side of a criminal charge, you need the professional legal counsel of an experienced Wisconsin criminal defense attorney in your corner.

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What Is Police Misconduct and What Can You Do About It?

June 24, 2021 | Criminal Defense Attorney

While the police are here to enforce the laws, they are not above them. Their powers are not unlimited, and they can be held responsible if they break laws themselves. If you have experienced police misconduct, you have a number of options to hold both the officer and police department responsible. It could change the result of your criminal case or even give you the right to file a lawsuit yourself. For this reason, if you believe the police have violated your rights, you should discuss your situation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as you can.

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Does Taking a Plea Deal Result in a Conviction on Your Record?

June 8, 2021 | Criminal Convictions

In some cases, the best legal outcome in your case means that you enter into a deal with the prosecutor for lesser charges or a reduced sentence. For some defendants, it is the best way to put the matter behind them and move on with their life. It’s important to understand that in some cases, a plea bargain may still result in a criminal conviction on your record. One of your major considerations going forward is how the plea deal will impact your future. With that in mind, a frequent question we are asked is whether a plea deal will stay on your record.

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