The moments after the police take you into custody in Oshkosh are frightening, confusing, and traumatic. You’re suddenly facing the possibility of years in jail, large fines, and other penalties. There are complex laws and legal procedures to worry about, and the full might of the criminal justice system is bearing down on you. What can or should you do in this situation?
The answer is to contact the J. Kippa Law, LLC, right away. Our criminal defense attorneys have protected clients in Oshkosh and throughout Winnebago County for many years and have proven themselves in and out of the courtroom. We understand the value of proactive, aggressive representation and will explore every option to help you avoid the worst possible outcome. Call us today or complete our contact form for a free consultation with a criminal defense lawyer serving Oshkosh.
Most criminal cases in Oshkosh, Winnebago County, don’t reach the trial stages. We’re not afraid to take a case to trial and have won many “not guilty” verdicts for our clients, but a good lawyer does more than represent you in court. Here’s what we can do for you if you choose us to handle your criminal case:
Explain your charges and penalties – A competent defense starts with a thorough understanding of the charges you face and the possible penalties. Without this knowledge, you can’t construct a worthwhile defense because you don’t know what the prosecution must prove. For example, most theft offenses in Wisconsin involve an intent to steal someone else’s money or property. So, if you can prove you didn’t intend to steal the money or items in question, you can effectively undercut the prosecution’s argument in these cases.
Describe the steps of the criminal process – If the police recently arrested you, you have a long road ahead. Criminal cases involve multiple court appearances, negotiations with prosecutors, battles over what evidence will or won’t be allowed at trial, and other complicated procedures. We can explain what lies ahead so you can be better prepared.
Protect your constitutional rights – If the police or prosecutors violated your rights at any stage of their investigation, your charges could be dismissed. For instance, if the police gathered evidence against you through an illegal search, we can take steps to suppress the evidence. This could derail the prosecution’s case and lead the authorities to drop your charges.
Negotiate with prosecutors – A plea bargain isn’t always the right move in a criminal case, but it’s a crucial option to consider. If a plea bargain is the correct call, we can handle negotiations with prosecutors to reduce your charges or penalties.
Represent you at trial – You never want to step into a courtroom without an experienced attorney at your side. We can coach you on how to act during your trial, develop a robust defense, and protect your rights throughout the trial.
You might believe the case against you is complete when the police take you into custody, but that’s not true. Your actions during and after your arrest can significantly affect your case’s outcome. Here’s what to do to have the best chance of a positive outcome in your case:
Don’t panic – It’s crucial to stay calm during all interactions with the police or prosecutors. No matter how upset, angry, or scared you are, you must avoid antagonizing the authorities or doing anything that might be considered resisting arrest. You don’t want to make things worse for yourself.
Exercise your right to remain silent – You don’t have to say anything to the police or prosecutors once the police arrest you. In fact, you shouldn’t say anything to them other than to ask for a lawyer. Anything else you say will only hurt your case, even if it’s the truth and you’re innocent.
Remember as much as possible – Try to remember the names of the officers who arrested you, anything they said or did during your arrest, and anything else that might aid your defense. Share this information with your attorney once you hire one.
Share evidence – If you have any phone records, text messages, photos, videos, or other evidence that might aid your defense, make sure to share it with your lawyer once you obtain legal representation. Your lawyer might not use what you give them, but you want them to have as much information about your situation as possible.
Let your lawyer do the talking – Seemingly benign comments, even something as innocuous as “I’m sorry,” could hurt your case. Therefore, do not answer any questions from the police or prosecutors unless your lawyer tells you to. It’s their job to protect your rights and keep you from saying or doing anything that could hurt your defense.
We are prepared to handle cases in Oshkosh involving crimes like:
Property crimes (theft, arson, vandalism, receiving stolen property)
Juvenile/college student crimes (drug possession, impaired driving offenses, date rape, assault, battery, vandalism)
Domestic violence and related charges, such as stalking or violating a protective order
Drug crimes (drug possession, possession with intent to sell or distribute, drug trafficking)
Sex offenses (sexual assault, sexual assault of a child, indecent exposure, solicitation of a minor, prostitution, child pornography charges)
Civil ordinance violations (traffic tickets, noise violations)
Immediate action is crucial when you face criminal charges in Oshkosh. The longer you wait to hire an attorney, the less time they have to build your defense and negotiate with prosecutors, making it harder to avoid the harshest penalties for your charges. Furthermore, waiting to hire a lawyer means you’re more likely to make a mistake that could jeopardize your case, such as saying the wrong thing to the police or prosecutors. It’s your defense attorney’s job to protect you and make this process as painless as possible.
Our criminal defense lawyers are ready and willing to protect your rights if you face criminal charges in Oshkosh or elsewhere in Winnebago County. Call J. Kippa Law, LLC, now, or reach out online for a free consultation with a criminal defense attorney serving Oshkosh.
Our team is happy to meet with you and discuss your case it is most convenient. However, if you’d like to visit our office in person, here’s how to find us at 133 E. College Ave. in Appleton:
From the North:
Take I-41 S towards Appleton
Take exit 137 for WI-125 S/College Ave.
Turn left onto E College Ave.
Your destination will be on the left
From the South:
Take I-41 N towards Appleton
Take exit 137 for WI-125 S/College Ave.
Turn right onto E College Ave.
Your destination will be on the left
From the East:
Take US-10 W towards Appleton
Take the I-41 N exit
Take exit 137 for WI-125 S/College Ave.
Turn right onto E College Ave.
Your destination will be on the left
From the West:
Take WI-96 E towards Appleton
Turn left onto N Lawe St.
Turn right onto E College Ave.
Your destination will be on your right
