Facing a criminal charge is one of the most difficult experiences a person can go through. Criminal charges are a serious matter, and a conviction can have an irreparably detrimental effect on your financial and emotional life. A criminal conviction can also destroy your social reputation and make it harder to find employment and housing.
If you are facing criminal charges in Lake Mills, the attorneys at Nicholson Goetz & Otis, S.C., are here to help. We have extensive experience protecting Wisonsonites from federal and state criminal charges of all kinds. No matter the nature of the criminal charge, you are constitutionally entitled to effective legal counsel who will protect your rights and ensure justice is done.
Contact us online or call (608) 237-6854 to speak to a criminal defense attorney serving Lake Mills.
Many people may wonder if they actually need a criminal defense attorney. After all, if you are innocent, why would you need an attorney? You might think hiring a lawyer is a tacit admission of guilt and that you just need to explain yourself to the police to resolve the situation.
This could not be further from the truth, though. Unfortunately, the justice system is not perfect, and false arrests and convictions happen. A lawyer will ensure that the state does not abuse their power or authority and respects your rights during a criminal trial. Working with a lawyer is simply a way to protect yourself and ensure you get a fair hearing. Your choice of criminal defense attorney could mean the difference between a conviction and case dismissal, so you must choose wisely.
We are a full-scale criminal defense firm that provides defense for a wide range of misdemeanor and felony cases in Lake Mills and surrounding areas, including:
Like many other states, Wisconsin divides criminal charges into two types based on severity: misdemeanors and felonies.
Misdemeanors
Misdemeanors are lower charges and include lesser crimes, such as trespassing, disorderly conduct, domestic violence, vandalism, and theft under a certain amount. Wisconsin divides misdemeanors into three classes, from least to most severe. The maximum jail time and civil fines for misdemeanor violations are:
All misdemeanor crimes carry a jail sentence of equal to or less than a year, so confinement after a misdemeanor conviction occurs in a county jail.
Felonies
Felonies are more serious charges that carry a prison sentence of a year or longer. Homicide, robbery, assault, sexual assault, OWI causing severe injuries, human trafficking, and drug trafficking. The scheduling and maximum penalties for felonies in Wisconsin are:
Many crimes that typically carry misdemeanor charges can become felonies depending on the presence of aggravating circumstances. Sentencing courts have the discretion to decide when to apply a lower penalty for a felony, except for felonies carrying life imprisonment.
In common discussions, many use the terms dropped charges and dismissed charges synonymously. However, they are different things in criminal law contexts. In both cases, though, dropping or dismissing charges means the criminal case will not proceed further.
Dropped charges means that the prosecution has decided not to pursue criminal charges. Prosecutors will drop charges when there is insufficient evidence to convict or if there were errors in criminal proceedings precluding a conviction, like improper evidence handling. Prosecutors may also drop charges as part of a plea agreement to secure a conviction for a reduced criminal charges.
Dismissals occur when a court decides there is insufficient evidence to proceed with a case. The main difference is that a court dismisses charges, not the prosecution. Typically, a court will dismiss charges after a preliminary hearing if a judge or grand jury decides not to indict.
Every case is unique, but case dismissals are generally preferable to dropped charges. The reason why is that prosecutors may still bring charges later after initially dropping them. If your attorney can secure a case dismissal with prejudice, the prosecution cannot charge you again without violating double jeopardy laws. As such, a case dismissal provides greater protection from criminal prosecution.
Our attorneys at Nicholson Goetz & Otis, S.C. have secured pre-trial case dismissals for a broad range of criminal charges, including drug possession, sexual assault, municipal violations, and more.
Facing a criminal charge is extraordinarily stressful. However, a charge is not the same as a conviction. You have the right to defend yourself in court and deserve someone who will hear your side of the story. The attorneys at Nicholson Goetz & Otis, S.C., have a proven track record of criminal charge dismissals and reductions for a substantial range of cases ranging from disorderly conduct and drug possession to sexual assault and violent homicide.
We are intimately familiar with criminal proceedings in Wisconsin and have good professional relationships with judges and prosecutors, allowing us to efficiently manage your case and work towards a satisfactory resolution. As experienced trial attorneys, we are confident in our ability to prepare a strong defense and argue against the prosecution in court. We will also take full advantage of the pre-trial process to ensure legitimate sources of evidence and seek resolutions without a trial.
Contact our office online or reach out by phone at (608) 237-6854 to speak to a criminal defense lawyer serving Lake Mills in Jefferson County.
Feel free to stop by and visit us in person at our offices in Madison at 22 East Mifflin St.
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.
