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

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What Happens After a Criminal Charge: The Steps in the Legal Process

July 8, 2025 | Arraignment

If you have been arrested and charged with a crime, you will be facing a lengthy and difficult legal process. It is important for you to understand what you are facing and how a criminal defense attorney can help you every step of the way. They will explain both how the law works and your legal rights in the situation. A criminal defense lawyer at Hogan Eickhoff would work to protect your legal rights and seek the best possible outcome in your case. Here are the steps in the legal process after you have been charged with a crime in Wisconsin.

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Understanding Plea Bargains and Negotiations in Criminal Defense Cases

March 19, 2024 | Criminal Defense Attorney

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.

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Why Would Someone Take a Plea If They Are Innocent?

August 26, 2022 | Criminal Defense Attorney

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.

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Why Would Someone Go to Trial If They Are Guilty?

August 9, 2022 | Criminal Defense Attorney

In criminal cases, defendants must make crucial decisions with the help of their attorney at various stages of the process. There is no more important decision that you will make than whether to go to trial. If you lose at trial, you can face a more serious jail sentence than if you accepted a plea deal. Nonetheless, it may make sense to go to trial, even if you have done some (or all) of what the prosecutor alleges. Your attorney will give you the best advice about how to proceed in your case.

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Does Taking a Plea Deal Result in a Conviction on Your Record?

June 8, 2021 | Criminal Convictions

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.

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Tips for Talking to the State Prosecutor

February 25, 2021 | Criminal Defense Attorney

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.

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The Pros and Cons of Agreeing to Be Interviewed by the State

February 9, 2021 | Criminal Defense Attorney

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.

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Wisconsin Plea Bargain FAQ

July 14, 2020 | Criminal Defense Attorney

What are plea bargains, and what can they do? Plea agreements also referred to as plea bargains or plea deals, are contracts entered into between criminal defendants and local prosecutors. In exchange for pleading guilty to one or more criminal charges, prosecutors may agree to do the following: Recommend a more lenient sentence or alternative arraignment to the court Drop certain charges Not bring additional charges based on newly discovered evidence Not file certain documents that would result in sentencing enhancements Speak to the court about your cooperation and character throughout the criminal process The vast majority of criminal defendants charged with a Wisconsin felony accept a plea deal. However, agreements exist only between the defendant and local prosecutors. They do not bind the judge or the courts. Appleton judges may accept a guilty plea but refuse to impose the recommended sentence, and this will not generally nullify a plea … Continued

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