Felony Defense Attorney Archives

What Constitutes Theft by Fraud in Wisconsin?

June 20, 2026 | Criminal Convictions

Most people picture theft as someone physically taking property that belongs to another person. Wisconsin law, however, recognizes that property can be stolen through deception just as easily as it can be taken by hand. Theft by fraud occurs when someone obtains another person’s property by lying to them, and prosecutors across the state pursue these charges aggressively. A conviction can result in jail or prison time, steep fines, and a permanent criminal record that follows you for life. If you are facing a theft by fraud charge, the criminal defense attorneys at Hogan Eickhoff can explain the allegations against you and begin building your defense right away. Wisconsin’s Theft by Fraud Statute Theft by fraud is defined in Wisconsin Statute Section 943.20(1)(d). Under this provision, a person commits theft by fraud when they obtain title to the property of another person by intentionally deceiving that person with a false … Continued

What is Clemency in Wisconsin, and How Can it Help Me?

May 25, 2026 | Criminal Convictions

If you or a loved one is serving a sentence that feels unjust, excessively harsh, or no longer reflects the circumstances of your case, clemency may offer a path forward. Clemency is a formal act of mercy granted by a government authority, allowing sentences to be reduced, suspended, or erased entirely. It exists outside the traditional appeals process and can provide relief when the courts cannot. It helps your application when you have an experienced Appleton criminal defense lawyer at Hogan Eickhoff guiding you. Clemency is a direct and special relief that you can only obtain directly from the Governor of Wisconsin. Clemency describes leniency that the Governor may give to you or an incarcerated loved one. It is an umbrella category that encompasses relief that can either reduce a jail sentence or eliminate the conviction altogether. The following are forms of relief that you can receive through the clemency … Continued

What Does the Wisconsin Governor Consider in a Commutation Request?

May 11, 2026 | Criminal Convictions

When you are seeking commutation, whether it is on behalf of yourself or a loved one, the application will be considered by the Governor. Before the decision reaches the Governor’s desk, it will be reviewed by a board, which will provide a recommendation. The board and the Governor will consider a number of factors before reaching a decision on the application. A criminal defense lawyer at Hogan Eickhoff can help highlight factors that are in your favor on your petition. Since there is no legal right to commutation, the decision made by the Governor is highly discretionary. They can make their decision for any number of reasons. Not only will the Governor consider certain facts about you and your situation, but they may also consider certain political factors, and that is within their right. At the same time, the Governor may also consider the public interest in your case. You … Continued

New Executive Orders Institute a Commutation Process in Wisconsin

April 25, 2026 | Criminal Convictions

Governor Evers recently signed two Executive Orders relating to commutations of sentences. Executive Order 287 creates an advisory board to evaluate requests for these actions. Executive Order 288 creates a process to evaluate commutations for life sentences imposed for crimes that the defendant committed as a juvenile. These Executive Orders are intended to reform Wisconsin’s criminal justice system and to restore a process that has not been utilized in the state for 25 years. As such, it is essential that you understand the forms of relief available to you and the differences between them, which you can learn by speaking with a criminal defense lawyer at Hogan Eickhoff. Executive Order 287 Signed by Governor Tony Evers on April 3, 2026, Executive Order 287 restores Wisconsin’s commutation process for the first time in over 25 years. A commutation reduces a prison sentence and differs from a pardon, which only restores certain … Continued

Overview of Constitutional Protections During the Criminal Process

April 10, 2026 | Constitution

From the moment of investigation through trial and sentencing, the Constitution provides critical protections designed to ensure fairness and prevent government overreach. If you can show that the government has violated your rights, you may be entitled to remedies, such as having evidence thrown out or even getting the charges against you dismissed. It is vital that you know your rights at all times, and criminal defense lawyers at Hogan Eickhoff can explain them to you. Fourth Amendment The Fourth Amendment provides you with protection from unreasonable searches and seizures. Law enforcement is allowed to conduct searches under certain circumstances. The general requirement is that law enforcement must seek a warrant prior to conducting a search. They must demonstrate to a magistrate that there is probable cause to believe that a crime has or is being committed. Once the magistrate grants the search warrant, law enforcement can only conduct the … Continued

Will I Go to Jail for a Felony Offense?

March 24, 2026 | Criminal Defense Attorney

If you have been charged with a felony in Wisconsin, imprisonment is a possibility, but not a certainty. The reality is that a felony conviction carries the possibility of prison time, but whether you will actually serve time behind bars depends on a number of factors, including the class of the felony, your criminal history, the specific circumstances of your case, and the strength of your legal defense. The criminal defense attorneys Hogan Eickhoff believe that every person facing a felony charge deserves honest answers and an aggressive advocate. Contact us right away if you have been arrested or charged for a felony offense. How Wisconsin Classifies Felonies Wisconsin divides felony offenses into nine classes, labeled A through I. The earlier the letter in the alphabet, the more serious the offense and the harsher the potential penalty. Class A felonies, which include crimes like first-degree intentional homicide, carry a maximum … Continued

Defending Against White Collar Criminal Charges: Fraud & Embezzlement

November 25, 2025 | Criminal Defense Attorney

White collar criminal charges, such as fraud and embezzlement, carry serious consequences that can devastate your professional reputation, financial stability, and personal freedom. Unlike violent crimes, white collar offenses often involve complex financial transactions, lengthy investigations, and mountains of documentation that require sophisticated legal defense strategies. If you’re facing fraud or embezzlement charges in Wisconsin, the experienced white collar defense attorneys at Hogan Eickhoff understand the challenges of these cases and are prepared to fight to protect your rights and future.

Negotiating Plea Deals: What You Need to Know in Wisconsin

November 11, 2025 | Criminal Defense Attorney

A trial in a criminal case comes with risk and uncertainty. While it can be appropriate to fight charges in court in some situations, the sentences are often harsher if you are convicted at trial rather than through entering a guilty plea. A guilty plea allows the prosecutor to also avoid the preparation and uncertainty of trial, so it is in their interest to induce you to agree to plead guilty. They might offer reduced charges or recommend a lesser sentence to the judge in exchange for a guilty plea. However, recognize that prosecutors usually negotiate plea bargains with defense attorneys. They might not make favorable offers directly to defendants and, even if they do, it is likely far from the best outcome you can obtain. You want a Wisconsin criminal defense attorney from Hogan Eickhoff to negotiate a potential plea deal on your behalf. Even if you decide to … Continued

What Constitutes Probable Cause for an Arrest in Wisconsin

October 15, 2025 | Criminal Defense Attorney

As a criminal defendant, you have specific legal rights. One of them is to be free from a search or seizure that is not based on probable cause. This term is a loosely defined one, yet it plays a critical role in many criminal cases. Probable cause is a basis for the foundation of your case, meaning that you cannot be arrested in the first place without it. If you have been charged with a crime, you may be able to challenge the charges due to a lack of probable cause in the first place. An experienced criminal defense lawyer from Hogan Eickhoff can review the case against you and determine whether you have an opening to fight the charges against you.

What to Know About Police Lineups & Eyewitness Identification

October 7, 2025 | Criminal Defense Attorney

You may already be familiar with the concept of a police lineup from your own knowledge of television shows. What you may not know is that you have legal rights that pertain to a police lineup and eyewitness identification of you as a suspect. Law enforcement is not allowed to simply do whatever they want to have you identified as a suspect in a crime. Their ability to conduct lineups is subject to limitations imposed by the Supreme Court and Wisconsin legal precedent. If the identification of you as a suspect was improperly obtained, your criminal defense attorney can move to suppress the identification evidence. Then, the prosecutor may be forced to do without key evidence that they would have used at trial. Contact Hogan Eickhoff immediately for help.