Delafield Criminal Defense Lawyer

Criminal Defense Lawyer Serving Delafield, Waukesha County

Facing a criminal charge is one of the most challenging experiences a person can have. Criminal investigations can interfere with your life, and a conviction can severely impact housing and employment opportunities. Moreover, a criminal charge and conviction can destroy your reputation with family and friends.

Those charged with crimes have a right to fair and effective legal counsel. Our award-winning attorneys at Nicholson Goetz & Otis, S.C., have dedicated themselves to protecting Wisconsinites’ rights with our fierce criminal advocacy. We’ll use all the resources at our disposal to create a strong defense and protect your rights. You deserve a lawyer who will hear and understand your side of the story, and that’s what you’ll get with Nicholson Goetz & Otis, S.C. Contact our office today to speak to acriminal defense lawyer serving Delafield in Waukesha County.

Criminal Cases We Manage

Like most states, Wisconsin divides criminal charges into two main classes: Misdemeanors and felonies.

Misdemeanor Crimes in Wisconsin

Misdemeanors are the lesser charges and include crimes with a prison sentence of less than a year.Misdemeanors in Wisconsin fall into three classifications, from least to most serious:

Class C – $500 max fine and up to 30 days in prison
Class B – $1,000 max fine and up to 90 days in prison
Class A – $10,000 max fine and up to 9 months in prison

Wisconsin statutes define hundreds of misdemeanors, including trespassing, vandalism, resisting arrest, domestic violence, underage drinking, and theft under $2,500. According toWisconsin Statute 939.74(1), the statute of limitations on misdemeanor crimes in Wisconsin only allows these crimes to be prosecuted within three years of the commission of the crime.

Felony Crimes in Wisconsin

Felony crimes are the more serious charges and involve crimes that carry a prison sentence longer than a year. Wisconsin classifies felonies between I and A from least to most serious.

Class I – $10,000 max fine and up to 3.5 years in prison
Class H – $10,000 max fine and up to 6 years in prison
Class G – $25,000 max fine and up to 10 years in prison
Class F – $25,000 max fine and up to 12 years in prison
Class E – $50,000 max fine and up to 15 years in prison
Class D – $100,000 max fine and up to 25 years in prison
Class C – $100,000 max fine and up to 40 years in prison
Class B – no max fine and up to 60 years in prison
Class A – no max fine and guaranteed life in prison

Examples of felony crimes include intentional homicide, drug trafficking, arson, fatal hit and run, robbery, aggravated battery with bodily harm, negligent firearm discharge, illicit drug manufacturing, and theft of more than $2,500. Generally, the statute of limitations for felony crimes in Wisconsin allows the crime to be prosecuted within six years of the date the crime was committed, though the law has several exceptions for specific felonies, such as felony murder or sexual assault of a child.

Potential Criminal Defense Strategies in Wisconsin

Every case is different and so requires a unique approach. However, there are some general strategies defense attorneys use that have a history of success.

Reasonable Doubt

Criminal convictions require proof beyond a reasonable doubt, so the most straightforward strategy is to introduce doubt into the prosecution’s case by questioning evidence and pointing out flaws in their reasoning.

Evidence Contamination

Police and prosecutors must follow strict rules when collecting and presenting evidence during trial. Your attorney could potentially block the admission of incriminating evidence in court if the police violated your rights when collecting it or the prosecution mishandled it.

False Confession

Even if you have confessed to a crime, it does not necessarily mean a conviction will follow. False confessions in the criminal justice system are significantly more common than one might think. Your attorney could argue that your confession was coerced or made under duress and thus invalid.

Unreliable Witness

Many criminal cases rely on eyewitness testimony. Criminal defense attorneys can raise doubts about the witness, either by questioning their testimony or proving that they are unreliable and their testimony is suspect.

Police Entrapment

If the police coerced you or manipulated you into committing a crime, your attorney could argue for case dismissal on the grounds of entrapment.

Why Hire Nicholson Goetz & Otis, S.C., for Your CriminalDefense

Our job as criminal defense attorneys is to provide a robust defense and ensure the state respects your rights during a criminal trial. We have a reputation for finding satisfactory resolutions to criminal charges and often focus our efforts on the pretrial phase to avoid time-consuming and stressful trial litigation if we can achieve a good result before trial. We also have an established track record of successful criminal defense that speaks to our legal acumen in the courtroom.

Most importantly, we recognize that effective defense requires strong empathy. Being charged with a crime is an anxiety-inducing experience that can devastate both your professional and social life. It might feel like no one is on your side and that there are no options for relief. Our attorneys promise to deal with your difficult case with grace and compassion that respects your rights and interests as a human being first and foremost.

A criminal charge is not the end of the road, and help is available. Contact the law offices of Nicholson Goetz & Otis, S.C., online or call (608) 237-6854 today for a case consultation with a criminal defense lawyer serving Delafield in Waukesha County.

Directions to Our Madison Office

Below are directions to our office at 22 E. Mifflin Street in Madison, WI.

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. The destination 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. The destination 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. The destination 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. The destination will be on your left.