Why Law Enforcement Can Lie to You: the “Reid Technique”

October 16, 2019 | Criminal Defense Attorney

The “legal” lie. It’s counterintuitive, isn’t it? But that’s exactly what Wisconsin law enforcement officials are permitted to do when interviewing and interrogating criminal suspects. Psychological manipulation is commonplace during criminal investigations, and individuals without an attorney often fall for these law enforcement traps. The Reid Technique is a system of interrogation that is intended to induce criminal suspects to admit to crimes, and many law enforcement agencies around the world use it. It often involves the interviewer lying to the suspect in order to gain trust or influence them to believe that confession is his or her best option. Fortunately, when you have an experienced attorney present during an interview, the manipulation of the Reid Technique can be mitigated, ensuring that your legal rights are protected. Both the United States Constitution and Wisconsin Constitution guarantee criminal suspects the right to have an attorney present during police questioning. However, this … Continued

Read More

Bail in Wisconsin: FAQs

September 24, 2019 | Bail

Bail is an important – and often misunderstood – part of criminal cases. Bail can mean the difference between spending months (or years) behind bars while you await trial and spending that time at home and working. It is always important to have the assistance and representation of an experienced criminal defense attorney who can work to ensure you receive fair bail – or even no bail at all. The following are some frequently asked questions about bail in Wisconsin. What is Bail? Bail is a legal concept that has been in practice across the world since before the year 1000. In today’s society, there are often conditions set for a criminal defendant that allow them to be released from jail prior to trial, and bail generally refers to cash or property they must “put up” to be released. If the defendant appears in court as promised, the bail is … Continued

Read More

In Wisconsin, Traffic Stops Can Turn Into Expansive Investigations

August 29, 2019 | Criminal Defense Attorney

At Hogan Eickhoff, we know that traffic stops are the most common form of police contact in the United States, and law enforcement often uses traffic stops as an opportunity to determine whether a driver is impaired, carrying contraband, or involved in some other illegal activity. The 4th Amendment to the, however, prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures and limits how and when officers can stop people and search them, their belongings, and their homes.

Read More

Wisconsin Court of Appeals: Confession Provided By Mentally Disabled Man Under Police Pressure Admissible

August 13, 2019 | Criminal Defense Attorney

When the police interrogate a person who is suspected of a crime, they are trying to obtain evidence and, if possible, a confession. In order for a confession to be admissible in court, it must be made voluntarily, however, and the tactics that police often use when interrogating suspects may call into question whether a confession was voluntary or not. As a result, criminal defendants who have provided confessions while being questioned by police often move to have their confession excluded from evidence based upon the conduct of law enforcement at the time they made their confession.

Read More

Do I Need a Lawyer for a Misdemeanor Charge?

July 9, 2019 | Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have recently been accused of a misdemeanor offense, you may be wondering whether you really need to retain an attorney. While it’s certainly true that misdemeanors are less serious than felonies, the fact is that any criminal conviction can result in significant legal and collateral consequences that have the potential to affect nearly every aspect of your life. For this reason, if you have been arrested or received a summons for any criminal charge – whether it’s a misdemeanor or a felony – you should absolutely call an Appleton criminal defense attorney as soon as you can.

Read More

Questions to Ask a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Wisconsin Before Proceeding

June 21, 2019 | Criminal Defense Attorney

Part of having a successful criminal defense case is choosing the right lawyer to represent you. It’s a good idea to interview a few different lawyers from different firms like Hogan Eickhoff to help inform your decision. There are few characteristics to look for specifically regarding your attorney’s experience and familiarity with other cases like your own which will indicate if you’ve found the perfect match.

Read More

How to Choose a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Wisconsin

June 13, 2019 | Criminal Defense Attorney

Criminal cases involve very high stakes. After all, the outcome of a case determines whether someone serves jail time (or has other penalties inflicted on them). Being accused of a crime can be intimidating and making the wrong choice can lead to dire consequences.

Read More

Do I Need a Criminal Defense Attorney in Wisconsin?

June 5, 2019 | Criminal Defense Attorney

There’s plenty of misconceptions regarding how the legal system works in Wisconsin. One of the most common (and most harmful) misconceptions is a defendant won’t need a lawyer because they’re not guilty. Another mistake is someone won’t contact a lawyer because so far, their case consists “only of accusations.”

Read More