Criminal charges are no laughing matter, and those facing criminal charges need an accomplished professional on their side. If you are facing a misdemeanor or felony charge in Brodhead in Green County, contact the criminal defense attorneys at Nicholson Goetz & Otis, S.C., today.
You deserve a chance to defend yourself from the accusations, and we can facilitate a fair and speedy trial. We can meet the charges and defend you from state prosecution, protecting your rights and interests.
Contact us today to speak to a criminal defense attorney serving Brodhead in Green County, WI.
Many clients we talk to are hesitant to enlist a criminal defense attorney. After all, isn’t hiring an attorney a tacit admission of guilt? Why would you need an attorney if you didn’t do anything wrong?
The unfortunate reality is that the criminal justice system in Green County and Wisconsin, more broadly, is imperfect. The police can violate your rights, and innocent people are sometimes convicted of crimes they did not commit. An attorney can make sure law enforcement respects your rights and that you receive a fair and unbiased trial.
An attorney can also defend you from charges and help mitigate sentencing for criminal convictions through various methods. In short, you need an attorney to give you the best chance of securing the optimal outcome in your circumstances, whether it’s a charge reduction, case dismissal, or plea agreement.
Our attorneys have decades of collective experience in criminal law and defend clients against misdemeanor and felony charges in state and federal courts. We can provide defense for:
Being charged with a crime is a disconcerting and distressing experience. But a charge is just a charge and not a final judgment of guilt. Regardless of the nature of the accusations, you have a right to face your accusers and retain effective legal counsel.
Many of our clients have never been charged with crimes before, so they are unsure of what to expect from Wisconsin’s criminal justice system. Once you are arrested in Brodhead, the police will take you into custody. What happens next depends on whether the criminal charge is a misdemeanor or a felony. According to the Green County Circuit Court, processing times from filing to final dispositions are two to three months for misdemeanors and six months for felonies.
With a misdemeanor, you will attend an initial hearing where you will enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. If you plead guilty, the case proceeds directly to sentencing. If you plead not guilty, the case then proceeds to the pre-trial phase. A judge will also set the terms of your bail during the initial appearance.
During the pre-trial discovery phase, the prosecution and defense exchange evidence and lists of witnesses. After discovery, the case proceeds to trial. Both sides will present facts and arguments to a judge and jury. After the trial, the court renders a verdict of guilty or not guilty.
Similar to misdemeanors, felony charges first start with an initial appearance, but you won’t yet make a plea. Those charged with felonies in Wisconsin are first entitled to a preliminary hearing. During a preliminary hearing, a judge will decide if there is enough evidence to proceed with a felony charge.
If a judge decides there is sufficient evidence for a case, you will go to arraignment, during which you will plead guilty or not guilty. Depending on your plea, the case will then go to the pre-trial phase, similar to the process for misdemeanors. Once discovery is over, the case proceeds to trial, and if it results in a conviction, then to sentencing.
The initial arresting moments are incredibly important and can set the tone for the rest of the criminal proceedings. It is crucial that you maintain your composure and do not become aggressive. Many police officers in Brodhead and Green County have body cams recording footage. If they capture evidence of you not listening to orders or being combative, it could reflect negatively on your character during hearings and trials.
You must provide basic identifying information if an officer requests it, but you do not have to answer specific questions about the alleged crime. If asked, politely decline to answer until your attorney is present. Prosecutors can twist innocuous or ambiguous comments into implications of guilt, so watch what you say.
When possible, contact a criminal defense attorney who serves clients in Brodhead. They can be present during questioning and guide you through the next steps of the process.
Every criminal case is different and must be handled on its own terms. However, there are general defense strategies with a good track record of success.
The most straightforward defense is to argue you did not commit the alleged crime. We can gather evidence such as alibis, eyewitness testimony, and forensics to introduce reasonable doubt into the prosecution’s argument.
Like state police, the Brodhead police must follow specific rules when arresting suspects and collecting evidence. If the police violated your rights or made errors when processing evidence, it could be grounds for a case dismissal.
If you used force to defend yourself or another innocent person, you can claim self-defense. Self-defense can be a legitimate affirmative defense if you were in imminent danger and the force was reasonably proportional to the danger.
Your attorney might also suggest a plea agreement. With a plea agreement, the prosecution agrees to reduce the charges in exchange for a guilty plea. Plea agreements might be ideal if you want to avoid a trial and the prosecution has strong evidence.
Nicholson Goetz & Otis, S.C., understands that your liberties are at stake with criminal charges. We never cut corners on our legal defense and have a reputation as fearless champions of the underdog. We have an established long history of successful criminal defense, including a proven track record of case dismissals, dropped charges, and acquittals.
Our attorneys have received numerous awards and recognitions for their legal acumen in criminal defense and are defined by their trial experience. We know our way around a Wisconsin courtroom and are unafraid to take cases to trial if it’s in the best interest of our clients. Regardless of whether you are facing minor or major criminal charges, we will spare no resource or effort to mount a proactive defense.
Your choice of attorney can make the difference between serving the maximum sentence and a case dismissal. When your freedom is on the line, you cannot afford to choose an attorney who won’t use every legal strategy at hand. We are serious about standing up for your rights and will dedicate ourselves to serving justice on your behalf.
Contact Nicholson Goetz & Otis, S.C., online or call today to schedule a free, no-obligation case consultation with a criminal defense attorney serving Brodhead, Green County.
