Criminal Defense Lawyers in Madison, Wisconsin

Representing Individuals Facing Misdemeanor and Felony Charges

If you have been arrested and are now facing criminal charges, you need a skilled attorney to protect your interests. A conviction can leave you with a permanent record that can haunt you for the rest of your life.

A criminal record can make obtaining gainful employment, finding suitable housing, serving in the military, or legally owning a firearm difficult. A criminal conviction can also make it difficult to attend the higher learning institution of your choice, preventing you from achieving your goals in life. Certain professions, including those in the legal community, education, and medical care, exclude those who have a criminal record.

One of the best steps to protect yourself is to hire a skilled criminal attorney to evaluate your case and build a solid legal strategy to safeguard your future. Contact Casper Mehlos Law Group of Madison, WI, and ask to schedule a free initial consultation immediately. A qualified legal team member can provide you with a free case review and explain your legal options.

What Are the Benefits of Hiring a Criminal Defense Lawyer?

Many individuals initially make the mistake of trying to navigate the criminal justice system independently, only to find out it is more complex than they initially believed. Some individuals consider using a public defender to defend them against criminal charges. Although a public defender is a qualified lawyer, they often have a heavy caseload that prevents them from spending the time needed to prepare for the case adequately.

If you have been arrested and charged with a felony or a misdemeanor, you need a criminal lawyer who can provide you with legal advice that will protect your interests. A defense attorney will evaluate the evidence against you and may be able to have your charges lowered or possibly dismissed.

Some of the factors involved in the case a defense attorney will analyze include:

The defendant’s statement regarding what happened and why
The credibility of witness statements
The credibility and any errors that may be included in law enforcement reports
Physical evidence and other information pertinent to the case
Utilizing or challenging the credibility of expert witnesses

If you are facing federal criminal charges, it is even more imperative that you seek a qualified lawyer to represent you. A federal case differs significantly from state charges and comes with its own unique set of challenges. In addition, if convicted, you could face a significant amount of time in jail. For this reason, you will need an attorney qualified to defend a case in federal court.

Regardless of the type of criminal offense you are facing, you must have an attorney on your side who can act as your legal advocate to help you obtain a favorable outcome for your situation.

What Types of Cases Do Criminal Defense Attorneys Handle?

When the general public hears the term “criminal defense attorney,” they automatically think of violent crimes. However, criminal defense lawyers typically defend clients in several practice areas, including white-collar crimes and immigration law.

Some of the criminal matters our law office assists clients with include:

If you have been charged with a crime, you must hire a Wisconsin attorney who will fight to safeguard your freedom and legal rights. Not every criminal defense attorney is qualified to represent clients in their criminal cases.

If you want to know more about the cases our criminal defense attorneys are qualified to represent, please contact our law office to schedule a meeting with a qualified legal team member who will gladly answer your questions.

Casper Mehlos Law Group, has a proven track record of providing quality legal representation to our clients. Our criminal defense attorneys have extensive knowledge of criminal law and work tirelessly to help clients avoid jail time.

What are Some of the Legal Strategies Criminal Defense Attorneys Use to Help Their Clients?

One of the most significant benefits of using a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney is their experience developing legal strategies to help clients obtain favorable results. Some of the most common legal strategies include but are not limited to:

Proving the defendant has an alibi for the time the crime was committed by proving the accused was elsewhere and, therefore, could not have committed the offense
Contending that the defendant is a victim of mistaken identity
Arguing that the defendant is a victim of police entrapment and presenting evidence to substantiate their claim
Demonstrating through evidence and defense witness testimony that the prosecution has not proven their case beyond a reasonable doubt
Proving law enforcement lacked probable cause to stop, search, and make an arrest of the defendant. If it can be shown the police lacked probable cause, a defense attorney can file a “motion to suppress” evidence that was illegally obtained in the case
Argue that the defendant has been falsely accused of the charges. In many domestic violence and sexual assault cases, defendants are falsely accused to try to win a divorce or child custody cases

If you are facing criminal charges, a well-trained attorney can analyze the facts and evidence the state presents to determine what legal strategies will best suit you.

What Legal Rights Do I Have After I Have Been Arrested?

If you are arrested, you have certain legal rights that you should be aware of that will help you in the long run. For example, you have the right not to answer questions or make written statements. You must understand that any information you provide can be used against you in court.

If you do decide to answer questions, you also have the right to stop at any time. When you tell police that you do not wish to continue, all questioning should cease at that moment.

You also have the legal right to remain silent or ask that a lawyer be present during questioning. Unfortunately, many defendants make the mistake of speaking with the police and divulging information that may make it more challenging to build a defense case.

Therefore, politely inform the police officer that you do not wish to answer any questions without your lawyer being present. Do not be combative, and make sure to cooperate with their commands.

Additionally, you have the right to know why you are being arrested. Furthermore, after the police have finished booking you, you also have the right to communicate with a lawyer, bondsman, or family member.

If you have been arrested, you must contact a qualified criminal defense lawyer who can advise you of your legal rights. Contact Casper Mehlos Law Group, immediately and ask to speak with one of our highly qualified criminal lawyers.

When Can Criminal Charges Be Reduced or Dismissed?

One of our clients’ most common questions is whether criminal charges can be dismissed or reduced. The prosecution takes all criminal cases seriously because of its commitment to public safety. Nevertheless, certain cases have a greater chance of being reduced or possibly dismissed. However, it is essential to remember that all criminal offenses and outcomes vary based on the facts and circumstances involved in the case.

Many defendants are unaware that most cases in Dane County are settled out of court through negotiations between criminal defense lawyers and state prosecutors. For this reason, anyone charged in a criminal case must hire a skilled defense attorney who will work to negotiate a fair deal on their behalf.

Some criminal cases that stand a better chance of being resolved out of court include misdemeanor charges. Common examples of misdemeanor charges that can be negotiated include some drug offenses and OWI charges.

Drug Offenses

There are several reasons why drug charges may be reduced or dismissed. In some instances, charges are dropped because the state feels they lack the evidence to win a conviction should the case go to trial. In other instances, defense attorneys can make a strong case that evidence was obtained improperly and is, therefore, inadmissible.

Some other common reasons charges may be dropped include police officers being overzealous when charging defendants with drug crimes. For example, law enforcement officials who make drug busts often arrest everyone present at the location without just cause.

OWI Charges

Operating while under the influence (OWI) is a serious offense in Wisconsin. However, drunk driving cases are often reduced or dismissed for several reasons, including:

The arresting officer did not have probable cause to stop the defendant
The officer did not perform field sobriety tests (FST) properly
The breathalyzer or other testing equipment was not calibrated correctly and produced inaccurate results
The police waited too long to take blood, breath, or urine for chemical testing to determine a defendant’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC)

Disorderly conduct and traffic violations are other charges that may be reduced or dismissed. Regardless of your charges and legal needs, contact our Madison, WI, law office to learn more about how our criminal defense team can assist you.

What Are the Criminal Penalties If Convicted of Felony in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin criminal law has steep penalties for individuals convicted of felony charges. Typically, these individuals face spending significant time in prison and steep fines.

The following is a breakdown of the different classes of felonies and their penalties:

Class A felony: Life imprisonment
Class B felony: 60 years in prison
Class C felony: 40 years in prison and a fine ranging up to $100,000.00 or both
Class D felony: 25 years in prison and a fine ranging up to $100,000.00 or both
Class E felony: 15 years in prison and a fine ranging up to $50,000.00 or both
Class F felony: 12 years and 6 months in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.00 or both
Class G felony: 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.00 or both
Class H felony: 6 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 or both
Class I felony: 3 years and 6 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.00 or both

Being convicted of a felony in Wisconsin can cause a defendant to spend a significant amount of time in prison. For this reason, those charged with a felony criminal offense must contact an experienced criminal lawyer immediately to protect their freedom.

In some cases, our defense lawyers have been able to have felony charges dropped or reduced. However, the process to try and have felony charges thrown out or reduced is overly complex and requires the help of a skilled criminal defense attorney.

Our criminal defense attorneys have a proven track record of obtaining favorable client results. Do not leave your future to chance and risk being convicted of a felony or other charge that will remain on your criminal record.

Our legal team would be honored to review the facts of your case and create a solid legal strategy in your defense. We can also work alongside prosecutors to try and negotiate a deal that will be favorable to you. A deal may include community service, probation, or paying a fine. Of course, every case is unique, and any potential outcome will depend on the facts and circumstances of the case.

Why Should I Consider Hiring Your Law Firm to Handle My Legal Needs?

Being arrested and charged with a felony or misdemeanor offense is frightening for individuals, as they are uncertain about what will happen next in the criminal justice process. Many defendants wonder if they should just plead guilty to get it over with and try to resume their lives.

However, if you have been charged with a crime, you must first consult with a highly experienced criminal defense attorney. In many cases, the prosecution’s case may be very weak. As a result, our skilled attorneys can use their legal knowledge to poke holes in the case and ask that your charges be dismissed.

However, suppose your criminal charges do not qualify to be dropped or dismissed. In that case, our attorneys will work alongside the assistant district attorney to negotiate a plea to help you avoid a jury trial or a lengthy prison sentence.

Additionally, our lawyers can review your case and file an appeal on your behalf if it can be determined that you previously had ineffective counsel or if new evidence is discovered. Our lawyers are passionately committed to seeking justice for our clients and will work diligently to protect your legal rights.

Casper Mehlos Law Group, of Madison, Wisconsin, is a criminal defense law firm that believes individuals may make poor decisions, but everyone deserves a second chance. We will gladly sit down, listen to your side of the story, and answer your legal questions. If we decide to take your case, we will vigorously advocate on your behalf to reach a favorable resolution.

Contact our law office at (608) 820-8926 and ask to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and learn about your legal options