As a criminal defendant, you may think that your case is going to be decided in court in front of a jury. The hard work in many criminal cases often happens out of court when your criminal defense attorney and the prosecutor sit down to negotiate a plea deal. The attorneys at Hogan Eickhoff provide you with pragmatic legal defense while standing up for you to the prosecutor.
Being arrested presents challenges and numerous areas of your life. Besides your mental health and reputation, an arrest could challenge your finances. You will need to have money to pay for legal defense, so you must manage your finances during this time, as difficult as it may seem. You Cannot Spend as if Nothing Is Happening There are no two ways around the fact that you will need to cut back your spending until your case is resolved. If your case involves potential jail time, your family will need to survive while you are in prison. You will also need money to pay for your legal defense. You simply cannot continue to spend like you were before the arrest because a criminal defense costs money. You should inventory your expenses to figure out what you can eliminate or reduce. Ideally, you should reduce your expenditures to the bare minimum possible … Continued
Being arrested and charged with a crime already puts you in enough legal jeopardy. There are things that you can do that can actually make your own legal situation worse. Nearly all of these mistakes are made by people who do not have an experienced criminal defense attorney. The longer you go without legal representation, the more likely you are to make an error that can handicap your criminal defense. What follows are common mistakes that defendants make that may increase the chances of being convicted or can lead to stiffer penalties when they are sentenced. You should retain counsel immediately to avoid making them. Speaking to Law Enforcement (Especially Without an Attorney Present) Some people may think that they can just give their side of the story to law enforcement and talk their way out of trouble. Talking is perhaps the worst thing that you can do after you … Continued
A large majority of criminal defendants will plead guilty before they ever reach a trial. Not every single defendant who pleads guilty actually committed the crime with which they are charged. There are many reasons why someone who is innocent feels compelled to take a plea deal.
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.
While Wisconsin has some limits on how employers can use criminal records in making hiring decisions, there are still many ways that it could affect your ability to get a job. The state tries to protect people with a criminal history, enabling them to get a fresh start in life. However, there are limits to what an employer is required to ignore when they run a background check. This could impact how your criminal case proceeds.
Many people simply assume that a no-contest plea is the same exact thing as a guilty plea. While the two have a similar effect in a criminal case, there are some key differences. Before deciding what plea to enter in a case, it is crucial to consult with a criminal defense lawyer to understand the ramifications of each course of action. An Appleton criminal defense attorney could provide you with the legal advice that you need.
Talking to the prosecutor can be a make-or-break moment for your case. The chances are that you and your criminal defense attorney have concluded that there is some benefit to be had from a face-to-face meeting where you submit to questions. Given the critical importance of this interview, you must not prepare extensively. You must also be very disciplined during the interview itself, considering the stakes. Here are some things to consider before you sit down for an interview with the prosecutor.
Also known as the “queen for a day” arrangement, an interview with law enforcement as part of the criminal justice process is a critically important part of your case. Many defendants are understandably afraid to talk to the same law enforcement personnel who may be trying to put them in prison. When their criminal defense lawyer raises the topic with them, they may have reservations. However, there are reasons why an interview with law enforcement can help your case. Here are the pros and cons of agreeing to be interviewed by law enforcement.
If you have been charged with committing a crime in the State of Wisconsin, your first court appearance will be an initial appearance hearing. In some courts, this initial proceeding is referred to as an arraignment proceeding.