Wisconsin felony charges are very serious and an investigation will begin against you just as soon as a crime has been reported. If you have been accused of a felony, your case will travel down a specific and organized path, created to streamline investigation procedures and simplify the trial process as much as possible.
This path is formulated into a Felony Procedure flowchart created by the state of Wisconsin so that you will know what steps come next in the process. It is important that you get to know and understand what is coming, so that you may defend yourself accurately and appropriately.
The Investigation
As soon as a crime occurs, or is brought to the attention of authorities, law enforcement will begin an investigation. The crime in question will dictate which law enforcement agency will investigate you. Evidence will be collected and suspects will be identified.
The job of these authorities is to gather enough evidence to take a suspect to trial. They want to make sure that they can win, so as soon as they have enough tangible evidence, they will arrest you and report their findings to the prosecuting attorney and their team.
If the prosecution believes that the evidence will stand in court, your case will be set up for the trial process, unless you can agree on a plea deal first.
Trial Procedures
You will have an initial appearance in front of the judge and a preliminary hearing where you will discuss any issues that could potentially lead to a dismissal of charges or a reduction in the intensity of your charges. You can share your plea at this time and begin discussions on a deal if you so decide.
You will officially put in your plea at your arrangement: guilty, not guilty, or not guilty due to mental impairment. You will be sent straight to the pre-sentencing and sentencing phases of the trial if you plead guilty, where a judge will determine your sentence.
Pleading not guilty will lead you to a motion hearing where your lawyers and the prosecutors will present the judge a summary of the accusations and details of your defense. Trial dates will be scheduled at this time if your case is not dismissed.
It is imperative that you find understanding, intelligent, and detail-oriented representation as soon as you can. A solid defense is invaluable and the outcome of your case will determine the course of the rest of your life. A defense strategy, tailored to your specific case, is the best thing that you can do for yourself at this time.
The Best You Can Do For Yourself
An experienced and knowledgeable local attorney is your best bet when it comes to decreasing your consequences and maintaining your freedom.
Contact us at J. Kippa Law Office LLC if you, or a loved one, have been accused or arrested of committing a crime in Wisconsin. We can help you reduce your charges and work to get your case dropped entirely.
Call us at 920-733-1100 for a free consultation, so we can begin working together on an excellent defense.
