Criminal Defense 101: Could my case go to trial?
If you are facing a criminal charge, the decision to go to trial is ultimately up to you. There will come a point in your case when you have to decide on one of two options: 1) accept the plea agreement or 2) go to trial. Most defendants — particularly those accused of relatively low-level […]
Can I refuse the blood or breath test if arrested for drunk driving in Wisconsin?
Getting pulled over for an OWI is a serious matter that can come with major consequences. If you are looking to avoid the sentencing that can come with an OWI conviction, you will need an effective legal defense. It is also important to understand the law regarding breath and blood tests. You have a right to […]
Will my driver’s license be suspended automatically if I’m arrested for OWI?
If you have been arrested for OWI in Wisconsin, there are some things you should know immediately about the threat to your driving privileges. In most cases, you have 10 days to challenge either the revocation or administrative suspension of your driver’s license. That gives you just a short time to take action, and it […]
Your right to protection against illegal search and seizure: Explained
The U.S. and Wisconsin constitutions both protect you from illegal searches and seizures by the police. Both constitutions use the same language to limit law enforcement’s ability to search your person or property. Specifically, the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution prohibits “unreasonable searches and seizures” of individuals’ “persons, houses, papers, and effects.” In order to […]
Tips for selecting the right criminal defense attorney in Wisconsin
Certain decisions must be made quickly after an arrest, and choosing an attorney is one of them. But your selection of an attorney should not be a rash decision made out of desperation. A quick internet search will reveal countless criminal defense attorneys, as will recommendations from co-workers, friends, and family members. However, above all […]
Use of confidential informants cloaked in controversy
Confidential informants are cloaked in secrecy that may place their reliability in question. Some confidential informants (often called CIs) have a past that includes as many or even more criminal charges and convictions as the people the informants are gathering information about. Many CIs also have a history of substance abuse and addiction, and that […]
Criminal Defense 101: Exercising your right to remain silent
Whether you were pulled over for operating while intoxicated (OWI) or face other serious criminal charges, exercising your right to remain silent could make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. If you choose not to invoke that right, you could face a barrage of questions that are specifically designed to implicate you […]
Trial Skills: The Theory of Defense
Criminal defense begins and ends with the “theory of defense.” Several great criminal defense attorneys have attempted to define this idea. For example, according to Tony Natale, a theory of defense is: “That combination of facts (beyond change) and law which in a common sense and emotional way leads a jury to conclude a fellow […]