Misdemeanors in Wisconsin: Know Your Rights and How to Defend Against Them

December 5, 2023 | Criminal Defense Attorney

As a criminal defendant in Wisconsin, your legal rights do not vary based on the severity of the charges against you. In every single case, you have legal rights. When you have been charged with a misdemeanor, you would consult a lawyer to review your case and help determine whether you should reach a plea deal or defend against the charges. It is up to law enforcement to prove the case against you, or you would be acquitted at trial.

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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.

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Your Guide to Initial Court Appearances in Criminal Cases

July 13, 2022 | Criminal Defense Attorney

Many people are often unaware of what happens in the early stages of a criminal case. Instead, they are focused on the trial itself. However, the initial appearances may set the groundwork for a successful defense of the charges or make it clear to the prosecutor that they have their own risk in taking a case forward to the jury.

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The Dangers of Speaking With Law Enforcement

June 24, 2022 | Criminal Defense Attorney

Any criminal defense attorney will advise their clients that it is never a good idea to speak to police without the presence of your lawyer. When you talk to the police on your own, bad things can and will happen. It is very rare that you can clear your name without getting yourself into further trouble.

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How Bail Works in Wisconsin

June 8, 2022 | Bail

When defendants are charged with a crime, remaining at home while they await trial is not always a given. Defendants must be released pending trial, and in some cases, judges may order that they be held in custody while they are awaiting trial. The bail hearing is one of the most important moments in the early stages of the criminal justice process.

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What Happens at an Arraignment?

May 6, 2022 | Arraignment

An arraignment is your initial appearance in court for your criminal defense case. It is one of your constitutional rights to be presented with the charges against you. It is one of the defendant’s first chances to appear in front of the judge, even though your case will not be won at an arraignment. However, do not make the mistake of thinking that the arraignment is a formality.

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What Happens at an Initial Appearance?

March 15, 2022 | Bail

Law enforcement does not have a legal right to hold a defendant indefinitely without them being able to go in front of a judge. Otherwise, it would be a violation of the defendant’s rights that could jeopardize the prosecution. The initial appearance in front of a judge is called an arraignment. There are several substantive things that will happen in an arraignment that provide an introduction of sorts to the case.

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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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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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Should I Get a Lawyer for Misdemeanor Charges?

June 23, 2020 | Criminal Defense Attorney

Unlike certain traffic infractions, misdemeanor convictions appear on your criminal record. Misdemeanors often carry serious consequences, including imprisonment, fines, and probation. Just because felony convictions bear more substantial collateral penalties does not mean defendants should forgo their right to an Appleton misdemeanor defense lawyer.

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