Wisconsin Criminal Defense AttorneysHave you been arrested and are worried about going to jail or keeping your job? Being arrested is serious and if you take it lightly it could have a severe impact, not only on your future, but also on your family’s. Hiring an experienced lawyer can help you make sure your legal rights are protected and maximize your chances at retaining your freedom. Froelich Law Offices has been representing individuals in the Green Bay, Wisconsin, area with their criminal defense legal concerns for nearly two decades. Contact our office by phone at 920.430.9640 to arrange for a free initial consultation. Green Bay and surrounding area Criminal Defense LawyersWe defend people charged with the following crimes, whether misdemeanor or felony:
Our experienced attorneys can explain the court process to you in more detail than the brief descriptions above. The procedure explained below is for you to gain an overview of the court process in a criminal case: Initial AppearanceThis is the first hearing that you will appear at. The court will inform you of the criminal charges and maximum penalties. Additionally, the court will set your bond and, in a misdemeanor case, the court will take a plea from you and schedule the case for trial. In a felony case, however, you have the right to request a preliminary hearing at this time. It is important to have an experienced attorney to guide you through this important process as it can set the stage for later results. Preliminary hearingThis is a probable cause hearing where the court takes testimony from witnesses and the alleged victim. The defense may call witnesses at this hearing, although typically no witnesses are called at this stage by the defense. At the conclusion of the hearing the court will determine whether or not there is probable cause to believe you committed a felony crime. If the court finds probable cause, then you will be bound over for trial. Credibility is not an issue at the preliminary hearing. Plausibility is the issue that the court considers at this stage. A transcript can be ordered from this hearing which can be compared to police statements obtained from the State. Some prosecutors provide the defense with discovery materials at this hearing while others provide it before the arraignment. ArraignmentThis is the hearing where a person accused of a felony will usually enter a not guilty plea to the charges. If the accused suffers from mental health concerns, another plea of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect can also be entered. The court may also address bond issues at this hearing. The matter is then set for pre-trial and a jury trial. The accused has a right to request a substitution of judge which must be exercised before the arraignment or the right is waived. Final Pre-TrialThis is a status hearing where the court is advised of the status of the case. The court will typically take a plea from the defendant at this time if a plea agreement has been reached. If there has been no agreement, then the parties will be advised to submit proposed jury instructions and proposed verdict forms before trial. Sometimes the court will take up motions filed by the State of Defense at this hearing, however, motions challenging legal issues are usually addressed at a separate motion hearing. Jury TrialA jury of 12 people is selected to hear the case and make a determination as to the guilt or innocence of the accused. The State has the complete burden of proof to show evidence of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The jury verdict must be unanimous in a criminal case. If just one of the jurors believes that there is not enough evidence to support a conviction, then the defense must be acquitted of the crime charged. A jury trial involves jury selection, opening statements, direct and cross-examination and closing arguments. SentencingThe court will typically receive a pre-sentence investigation (PSI) report prepared by the Department of Corrections in a felony case. This report will contain important background information for the court to consider at sentencing. The court will hear arguments form the prosecutor and the defense at the sentencing hearing. The victim will also have an opportunity to address the court under the Wisconsin victim rights law. The accused also is given an absolute right of allocution to address the court. The court will consider many factors at sentencing including protection of the public, punishment, gravity of the offense, prior record, mitigating factors, and many other facts before the sentence is rendered. Wisconsin has the truth-in-sentencing law which means that a person serves the time that is imposed. A prison sentence will be composed of a period of initial confinement and a period of extended supervision. A jail sentence involves less than one year of incarceration in a county facility. Hiring an experienced attorney is key to your defenseIf you have been arrested, you probably realize that the stakes are high. You may be facing substantial fines and jail time. We provide aggressive defense representation and look for all possible defenses to your criminal charges. Our attorneys have an excellent working relationship with prosecutors and are able to communicate our clients' wishes to them. We represent you through the entire process. Our lawyers will be there for you from arrest, through the arraignment, pretrial hearings and conferences, trial, sentencing and, if needed, appeals. The right answers for your problemsGetting arrested is not going to end your life as you know it. There are things you can do. The sooner you hire an attorney the sooner you can be sure your rights are being protected. Contact our office by phone at 920.430.9640 to arrange for a free initial consultation. Disclaimer: The information contained in this document is not legal advice. It is intended to give you a general understanding of what is involved with particular charges. To analyze your specific case, please contact us for a free consultation at 920.430.9640. Any communication with Froelich Law Offices is absolutely confidential. Copyright 2007, Froelich Law Offices. All rights reserved. |
