Legal Advice Archives » Hogan Eickhoff

Understanding Wisconsin’s Self-Incrimination Protections

February 20, 2026 | Court Hearings

As a defendant, what you say can matter greatly in your criminal case. Your own words can be used against you in court, as confessions or anything you say that implies guilt can be powerful evidence for prosecutors. This means that law enforcement wants you to speak with them, so they can gather any evidence against you. Always remember that law enforcement is not out to help you when asking questions, and self-incrimination is a huge risk when you do not have the proper representation from a criminal defense lawyer.You have rights against self-incrimination, including the right to remain silent during law enforcement questioning and the right not to serve as a witness against yourself in a criminal proceeding. If law enforcement violates these rights, your criminal defense attorney can often use it to the benefit of your defense.Call Hogan Eickhoff right after an arrest so we can exercise your … Continued

How Prior Convictions Can Affect Current Criminal Cases

February 10, 2026 | Court Hearings

The facts of a criminal case in the eyes of a judge or prosecutor can become worse based on what you may have been convicted of in the past. In some cases, a statute could have a specific enhanced penalty for those who are repeat offenders. In other cases, a prosecutor may seek a more stringent sentence (or the judge could impose one) based on your criminal history. Whether you are facing first-offense charges or a repeat offense case, an Appleton criminal defense attorney at Hogan Eickhoff can work to protect your legal rights and seek the best possible outcome in your case.Some Criminal Offenses Automatically Have Repeat Offender EnhancementsNumerous criminal statutes in Wisconsin provide for enhanced charges based on repeat offenses. Operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) is one particularly common example. The type of charges that you will face, and the penalty if you are convicted, become more … Continued

Defendant at Initial Appearance, near Appleton, WI

Defending Against Weapons Charges in Wisconsin

January 20, 2026 | Court Hearings

Even if you have been charged with weapons violations in Wisconsin, a conviction is not a foregone conclusion. You still have multiple legal options available to you. It may be possible to successfully defend against these charges, but you must act now to secure a criminal defense lawyer and begin work on your case. Once you have an attorney, they can review the circumstances of your case to help determine whether you have any valid defenses to the charges against you.The experienced Appleton criminal defense attorneys at Hogan Eickhoff can provide you with common-sense and hard-hitting legal representation when you are facing weapons charges in Wisconsin. The sooner you call, the sooner we can begin building a strong defense tailored to the specifics of your case.Common Weapons Charges in WIWisconsin law imposes serious penalties for weapons offenses, with charges ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, depending on the circumstances. Common weapons … Continued

How Body Camera Evidence Can Impact Your Criminal Defense

December 31, 2025 | Criminal Defense Attorney

Body cameras are increasingly being used by police departments throughout Wisconsin. Although there is no statewide mandate, individual departments are making it mandatory for officers to wear these body cameras in the performance of their duties. Presumably, body cameras are intended to protect citizens, as a police officer knows that all of their actions are subject to recording. Body cameras can be a double-edged sword in your criminal defense case. Depending on the evidence that was captured, a body camera can either help or hurt your case. An Appleton criminal defense attorney at Hogan Eickhoff can investigate your case and determine what evidence may help you fight the charges against you. The body camera records the circumstances surrounding your arrest. Whether the police officer has made a traffic stop or is responding to a call, they must activate the body camera prior to encountering you. The entire encounter between you … Continued

Understanding Wisconsin’s Castle Doctrine and Home Defense Laws

December 15, 2025 | Criminal Defense Attorney

You have certain rights to act in self-defense in Wisconsin if you believe that you are in danger. This right is even more pronounced when you are in your own home. The Castle Doctrine allows you to go even further in defending yourself and your property than you otherwise would be if you were out in public. If you have been charged with a crime even when you acted in self-defense, you need immediate legal help from an Appleton criminal defense attorney at Hogan Eickhoff.

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.

The Role of Witness Credibility in Criminal Cases

September 30, 2025 | Court Hearings

Criminal cases depend on the evidence. The prosecutor may have physical evidence that they are trying to use against you as the defendant, such as fingerprints and weapons. Each form of physical evidence must be authenticated through witness testimony to establish its reliability. The prosecutor will also call witnesses to testify about various observations that can be used to prove their case. This testimony, if it is reliable, could show that you are guilty of the crime that has been charged. A criminal defense attorney from Hogan Eickhoff could call credible witnesses on your behalf while working to challenge witnesses who have been called by the prosecution. As the defendant, witness testimony also plays a crucial role in your case. You are entitled to due process, which allows your side of the story to be told. You do this through testimony and physical evidence of your own. Your witnesses could … Continued