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Criminal Defense Attorneys Serving Lake Wisconsin and Sauk County

Home » Criminal Defense Attorneys Serving Lake Wisconsin and Sauk County

A criminal conviction can have catastrophic consequences, including jail time, fines, losing your job, and social stigma. If you face criminal charges in Sauk County or the Lake Wisconsin area, Nicholson Goetz & Otis, S.C., can provide the forceful defense you need. Our criminal defense attorneys have extensive experience, both at trial and in negotiating plea deals on behalf of our clients. We work with expert investigators in many fields to analyze your case from every angle, not just the prosecution’s perspective. We’ll handle all the legal work in your case from start to finish to make this process as simple as possible for you. Call now or complete our contact form for a consultation.

Why You Need a Skilled Criminal Defense Lawyer

The Constitution gives every criminal defendant the right to a defense attorney. However, not all criminal defense attorneys serving Lake Wisconsin and Sauk County have the same experience and resources. It’s crucial to choose an attorney with the skills, connections, and determination to protect your interests at every stage of your case.

Our criminal defense lawyers will communicate with the police and prosecutors on your behalf to protect your rights, argue to dismiss evidence obtained through illegal searches, point out any violations of your rights by the police, and present a persuasive case to the jury at trial. We’ll also explain key concepts and procedures so you’re fully informed at every stage of your case. If a plea deal is the right move, we can negotiate an agreement that’s fair and helps you avoid the worst outcomes in your case. Above all, we’ll treat you like a person instead of a case number and give you the respect and dignity everyone deserves.

Cases We Handle

Our attorneys have experience creating successful defenses in criminal cases, including:

  • Sex Crimes – Charges like sexual assault, child pornography, or indecent exposure carry severe penalties, including prison time and mandatory registration as a sex offender. To convict you of these charges, the prosecution must prove that non-consensual contact, possession of illegal materials, or other prohibited actions took place. Our attorneys can challenge evidence, false accusations, and unreliable testimony to weaken the prosecution’s case and build a robust defense.
  • Homicide Charges – Being accused of causing someone’s death—whether intentional or not—can lead to life-changing consequences. While Wisconsin no longer has the death penalty, a conviction on homicide charges could send you to prison for life. Self-defense, mistaken identity, or lack of intent to kill can be strong defenses in these cases.
  • Violent Felonies and Weapons Charges – Charges related to assault, robbery, or illegally possessing firearms lead to lengthy prison sentences and other harsh penalties. Possible defense strategies in these cases include self-defense, lack of intent, or constitutional violations like illegal searches.
  • Domestic Violence and Stalking Charges – Domestic violence and stalking charges often stem from accusations made during personal disputes, and they can lead to restraining orders, fines, and jail time. We can look for inconsistencies in witness testimony, review communication records, and challenge evidence.
  • Drug Offenses – Charges for possessing, distributing, or manufacturing illegal drugs can result in heavy fines and time behind bars. Our firm can challenge illegal searches and unreliable informants to attempt to get your charges reduced or dismissed.
  • DUI/OWI Charges – Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs carries harsh penalties, including a driver’s license suspension, fines, and jail time. Prosecutors rely on breath tests, field sobriety tests, and officer observations to prove impairment. We can challenge faulty test results, improper police stops, and procedural errors to protect your rights and driving privileges.
  • Disorderly Conduct and Other Misdemeanors – Misdemeanors like disturbing the peace, trespassing, or resisting arrest can still have serious consequences, including fines and jail time. The prosecution must show that your behavior was unlawful or disruptive to win these cases. Our team can work to get these charges reduced or dismissed by looking for shoddy evidence, procedural errors, or other weak points in the prosecution’s case.

What To Do After an Arrest in Sauk County or Lake Wisconsin

You don’t want to make your situation worse if the police have arrested you. Here’s what to do to protect your rights after an arrest in Sauk County or Lake Wisconsin:

  • Don’t resist arrest – Fighting the police during your arrest will only make things worse for you. You might face additional charges or receive severe injuries, so don’t fight back. If the police use excessive force, make a note of it and tell your lawyer.
  • Stay silent after you ask for a lawyer – Do not say anything to the police or prosecutors during or after your arrest aside from asking for an attorney. You have the right to remain silent, and the police will use anything you say against you, no matter how innocent it sounds to you.
  • Don’t talk to others about your case – Police and prosecutors can use what you say about your case to others against you, so don’t give them anything. In particular, don’t say anything to any alleged victims in your case, as doing so may lead to additional charges and penalties. Bottom line: Don’t talk about your case with anyone other than your lawyer.
  • Remember as much as possible about your arrest – If the police violated your rights during your arrest, that violation could be an important part of your defense. Tell your lawyer everything you remember about your arrest and any instances where the police may have mistreated you.
  • Contact a defense attorney immediately – The more time you give your lawyer to build your case, the greater your chances of avoiding the worst possible outcome. Similarly, talk to an attorney as soon as possible so they can be present and protect your rights during any interactions with the police or prosecutors.

Contact Our Criminal Defense Lawyers Serving Sauk County and Lake Wisconsin

The longer you wait to talk to a criminal defense attorney about your case, the harder it is to build an effective defense and avoid the worst possible outcomes. Call Nicholson Goetz & Otis, S.C., now at (608) 237-6854, or reach out online for a free case review.

Directions to Our Office

While we serve clients in the Sauk County and Lake Wisconsin area, our office is at 22 East Mifflin Street, Suite 300, in Madison. Here’s how to find us if you’d like to discuss your case:

From the North:

Take I-39 S/I-90 S toward Madison. Exit onto WI-113 S/Northport Dr and continue toward downtown. Turn left onto E Washington Ave. Turn right onto N Pinckney St, then left onto E Mifflin St. Our office will be on your left.

From the South:

Take US-14 N or US-151 N toward Madison. Merge onto WI-30 W and continue onto E Washington Ave toward downtown. Turn left onto N Pinckney St, then left onto E Mifflin St. Our office will be on your left.

From the East:

Take I-94 W toward Madison. Merge onto WI-30 W, then continue onto E Washington Ave toward downtown. Turn left onto N Pinckney St, then left onto E Mifflin St. Our office will be on your left.

From the West:

Take US-12 E/US-14 E toward Madison. Continue on University Ave into downtown. Turn right onto N Pinckney St, then right onto E Mifflin St. Our office will be on your left.

Areas Served