Criminal Attorney Rock County
Criminal Defense Attorneys With a Proven Track Record of Success
If you have been charged with a crime in Rock County, you may be unsure what steps to take to protect your rights and freedom. The Wisconsin criminal justice system can be daunting for those without legal training and should be handled with the assistance of an attorney.
Casper Mehlos Law Group, LLC is dedicated to providing clients with aggressive legal representation to protect their future and reputation. Our legal team recognizes the toll that criminal charges can take on you and your family and is committed to seeking the best possible outcome for your case.
Contact our Rock County, WI, lawyers today to schedule a free initial consultation to learn more about our legal services and how we can help.
What are the Legal Benefits of Hiring a Criminal Defense Attorney?
It does not matter whether you have been charged with a misdemeanor or felony; you must hire a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Your legal representative will immediately begin to build a solid defense that disproves the state’s case.
Defense attorneys handle cases ranging from domestic violence, theft, disorderly conduct, and drunk driving charges. Your attorney will carefully scrutinize the evidence to identify inconsistencies and weak spots in the state’s case. Based on their analysis, your attorney will work to create innovative legal strategies that they will use when negotiating with the prosecutor. Other legal services include filing motions to argue that evidence should be excluded, preparing paperwork, and requesting that charges be reduced or dismissed.
Your attorney will help you understand what to expect during legal proceedings and how they can affect the outcome of your case.
It is important to remember that your criminal defense attorney will act as your legal advocate during every phase of your case. Our defense attorneys in Janesville are dedicated to defending individuals accused of crimes, enabling them to move forward and put the past behind them.
What are Considered Violent Crimes in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, a violent crime is any offense that involves the use or threat of force directed at individuals or property. Violent crimes may be characterized by victims suffering physical injuries or being intimidated.
Due to the risk of injury, violent crimes are generally charged as felonies, although some, such as battery, may be charged as misdemeanors. However, “substantial battery” is charged as a Class I felony. An individual may be charged with substantial battery if they intended to cause harm or the victim suffered serious bodily harm.
Examples of violent crimes include:
- Armed robbery
- Arson
- Assault
- Carjacking
- Manslaughter
- Murder or Homicide
- Sexual assault
Although Wisconsin law does not have laws that define domestic violence, specific actions a person can take during a dispute with family members may result in charges. Domestic violence-related charges include criminal acts such as battery, stalking, sexual assault, or strangulation.
Can a Criminal Defense Attorney Help Protect My License if I Have Been Arrested For Drunk Driving?
State law dictates that if you have been arrested for drunk driving, you are in jeopardy of having your license suspended. However, Wisconsin OWI laws also stipulate that individuals who either fail or refuse to take a breathalyzer test will have their license automatically suspended.
If you have been arrested for a Wisconsin OWI, your first step must be to hire an experienced criminal attorney immediately to help you protect your driving privileges. Your defense attorney will request an administrative hearing to challenge a license suspension. If a request for an administrative hearing is not filed within 10 days of your OWI arrest or from the time you receive the results of your BAC, your license will automatically be suspended for six months.
One of the primary advantages of hiring an attorney to represent you at the administrative hearing is that they can challenge the state’s evidence, including whether the arresting officer lacked probable cause to initiate the stop and whether tests were performed correctly and provided accurate results.
If your driver’s license is suspended, your attorney may request that you be granted an occupational license that allows you a limited amount of weekly hours to drive to and from work, religious services, and for parenting obligations.
How Do Criminal Defense Attorneys Negotiate Plea Deals for Clients?
There is a common misconception that most criminal cases must go to trial and are decided by a judge or jury. Although some cases end up in court, most are resolved through a series of negotiations between defense attorneys and prosecutors.
A chief role of a defense attorney is to highlight inconsistencies in the state’s case and use these weaknesses to advocate for a lighter sentence or reduced charges. Wisconsin prosecutors often have heavy caseloads that demand attention. If the state does not believe that it has a strong case, the prosecutor may be willing to agree to a plea deal that provides you with a favorable outcome.
In other instances, a defense attorney can also file motions arguing that the state lacks sufficient evidence to proceed with the charges. By employing solid legal strategies, defense attorneys can often persuade prosecutors that it is in their best interest to reconsider the charges or request that they be dismissed.
Depending on the strength of the evidence, other plea options may include the prosecution dropping some of the charges in the case or reducing a felony to a misdemeanor. Regardless of the criminal offense you have been charged with, you must consult a defense attorney as soon as possible so they can begin working on your case.
Why is Your Criminal Defense Lawyer the Best Choice to Represent Me?
Knowing who to choose for your criminal defense lawyer can be daunting, especially if you have never been involved with the Wisconsin legal system. Casper Mehlos Law Group, LLC is a Rock County, WI, law firm passionately committed to helping clients with their legal needs.
Our attorneys possess the knowledge and skill necessary to win cases. Over the years, we have established a proven reputation in Southern Wisconsin for the professionalism and dedication we show to each client.
If we agree to take your case, we will work tirelessly to discredit the state’s evidence. Our criminal defense attorneys are skilled negotiators with years of experience helping clients achieve the best possible outcomes for their legal needs.
Contact our Rock County, WI, criminal defense lawyers today at (608) 820-8926 to schedule a free consultation and discuss your legal needs.