Milwaukee Criminal Defense Lawyers

If you are arrested and charged with a misdemeanor or a felony, you will need a good criminal defense attorney to help you fight the charges.  While you will be offered the services of a public defender, you will be better served by using a private criminal defense lawyer, since public defenders are usually overworked, overwhelmed and underpaid.  Instead, by using the services of a private criminal defense attorney, you will be able to have an attorney who can vigorously defend you while using all of the tools available to them.

• If you have been charged with a Crime, Submit your Case for a Free Review from a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Milwaukee. This website is for informational purposes only, and nothing stated here should be taken as legal advice.

Understanding the Charges Against You

No matter what the charges against you are, it is a serious thing and should be treated as such.  Criminal charges fall into felony crimes and misdemeanor crimes.  In Wisconsin, misdemeanor crimes are the lesser of the two types of crimes and include charges like minor marijuana possession, minor assault, public intoxication and DUI.  Misdemeanor charges can carry penalties of up to one year in city or county jail and possible fines.  The court may also order probation time of up to two years.  Felony charges are much more serious in nature compared to misdemeanor charges and include crimes such as murder, rape, kidnapping, fraud, aggravated assault and theft.  While the death penalty is not included in Wisconsin law, prison time for a felony conviction range from at least one year in state prison, to life without the possibility of parole.  Neither misdemeanor nor felony charges should be ignored, and failure to appear at court appearances, even for misdemeanor charges, may result in even larger legal problems.

Penalties for Conviction

Besides possible fines and jail time in local jail, conviction of a misdemeanor charge may result in probation of up to two years and mandatory community service or classes.  The penalties for a felony conviction usually include mandatory prison time and probation for many years following release from jail.  Additional penalties for a criminal felony conviction can include substantial loss of rights, including the right to vote, the right to own a gun and other rights.

Choosing the Right Criminal Defense Attorney

The choice of a criminal defense attorney can make the difference between being convicted and going free.  Many defense attorneys actually start out as prosecutors, so they have very specific and intimate knowledge of criminal law and how local criminal courts work.  When looking for a criminal defense lawyer, seek an attorney who has local experience and specific experience and knowledge trying cases involving the criminal charges in your case.

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