Appleton Criminal Defense Attorney Archives

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

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.

How Prior Convictions Can Affect Current Criminal Cases

September 9, 2025 | Criminal Convictions

Any type of criminal charge in Wisconsin is serious, and it could result in potential penalties if you are convicted. The stakes are already high enough, but they can become higher if you have already been convicted of a prior offense. Therefore, if you have prior convictions and you have been charged with a crime again, it is even more vital that you hire a criminal defense attorney from Hogan Eickhoff to represent you in the legal process. There is a greater possibility that you could be facing prison time and other tough consequences in the event of a conviction. There are numerous instances in the overall criminal justice process where prior convictions may come into play. From the decision about how to charge you to the sentence you may receive if you are convicted, things may be different for you in the overall process.

Understanding OWI/DUI Penalties and Defense Strategies in Wisconsin

August 26, 2025 | Criminal Convictions

If you have been charged with OWI in Wisconsin, you may be facing serious penalties besides the loss of your driving privileges. You may be facing jail time, and the penalties may escalate if it was not your first offense, or if there are aggravating factors. However, it is not a foregone conclusion that you would be convicted of the crime or receive the maximum possible sentence. You should hire an OWI attorney from Hogan Eickhoff to represent you in your criminal case. They could review your case to determine whether there are any possible defenses, or they may work with the prosecutor to obtain the best possible legal result.

Computer Crime Defense: Understanding Cybercrime Laws in Wisconsin

August 12, 2025 | Criminal Convictions

The growing use of computers also means that law enforcement is intently focused on catching and prosecuting crimes involving these devices. If you have been charged with computer crimes, either on a state or federal level, you are likely facing substantial penalties that could involve jail time. These cases are extremely complex, and they may involve cutting-edge areas of the law, making it even more crucial that you have early involvement of a criminal defense attorney from Hogan Eickhoff.