Criminal Defense Lawyer Sauk County
Providing the Professional Legal Assistance You Need to Win Your Case
No one ever wants to believe that they will one day be charged with a crime. Wisconsin takes all criminal cases seriously in the interest of public safety. Depending on the circumstances of the case, individuals convicted of serious offenses may be sentenced to serve time in state prison. Even a misdemeanor conviction can leave a person with a criminal record that can be challenging to overcome.
If you have been charged with a crime in Sauk County, you need a criminal defense attorney who will fight to safeguard your rights and protect your freedom.
Contact our law office today to schedule a free initial consultation with our legal team, who will gladly review your case and determine how we can assist you.
Why Do I Need an Attorney if I Have Been Charged With a Criminal Offense?
Anyone who is facing criminal charges in Sauk County Circuit Court must have skilled legal representation. Criminal charges can range from minor infractions such as trespassing or disorderly conduct, up to serious offenses such as financial crimes, sexual assault, or first-degree intentional homicide.
Only a qualified attorney can protect you from the severe penalties that accompany criminal convictions. For example, anyone convicted of first-degree sexual assault could be sentenced to up to 60 years in prison and be required to register as a sex offender. A domestic violence conviction could result in a defendant being prohibited from legally purchasing, owning, or possessing firearms.
Due to the complexities of Wisconsin criminal law, you need to have an attorney who can offer you the skilled legal representation you need to win your case. It is essential to remember that although not all offenses carry the same penalties, a criminal record can have negative consequences that may prevent you from achieving your life goals.
At Casper Mehlos Law Group, LLC, our defense lawyers work to develop creative solutions that will provide you with a favorable outcome. If you are facing criminal charges, let our defense lawyers assist you with your legal needs.
Why Do I Need to Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney After Being Arrested?
If you have been arrested for a crime in Sauk County, the police believe they have enough evidence against you to pursue criminal charges. However, law enforcement authorities do not always have access to the necessary information and sometimes arrest individuals without all the relevant facts.
One of the key advantages of hiring a criminal defense attorney is that they have the skills and experience to scrutinize the evidence that the state is trying to use against you. In many instances, defense lawyers can quickly spot inconsistencies in the state’s case and file motions asking that the charges be dismissed.
It should also be stated that time is of the essence in all criminal cases. If you do not hire a defense attorney as soon as possible, when you do hire a legal professional, the case may be delayed as they work to catch up. For example, if you are facing drunk driving charges, you only have a short window of time to request an administrative hearing to try and avoid having your license suspended.
What are Considered the Most Serious Felony Offenses in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin law categorizes the most serious offenses as Class A felonies. If convicted of a Class A felony, a defendant will face a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. Some common examples of criminal offenses categorized as Class A felonies include:
- First-degree intentional homicide
- First-degree sexual assault of a child under 13
Although both of these charges carry a term of life imprisonment, first-degree intentional homicide is considered the most serious crime under Wisconsin law.
Class B felonies are also serious criminal offenses, and if found guilty, a defendant can be sentenced to a maximum of 60 years in prison. In Wisconsin, Class B felonies may include first-degree reckless homicide or sexual assault.
Class C felonies are also punishable by lengthy prison sentences, with defendants often sentenced to up to 40 years. Certain drug crimes, such as possession with intent to deliver controlled substances, are often charged as Class C felonies.
For more information about violent crimes, felony charges, and their potential penalties, contact Casper Mehlos Law Group, LLC.
Is Accepting a Plea Deal in a Wisconsin Criminal Case Always a Good Idea?
Many defendants in criminal cases wonder whether the prosecution will offer them a plea deal to reduce their charges or offer a more lenient sentence. Some benefits of accepting a plea deal include flexibility regarding sentencing and avoiding the uncertainty of a jury trial. Often, an experienced defense lawyer can negotiate a favorable outcome for clients. For example, prosecutors often allow defendants to participate in diversion programs or serve probation in drug possession cases, rather than sentencing them to jail time.
Any deal reached will depend on the strengths and weaknesses of the prosecution’s case, as well as the nature of the offense. Taking a plea deal can help a defendant avoid the stress, time, and costs of a jury trial.
If you are offered a plea deal, it is always best to thoroughly discuss the matter with your defense attorney. Your attorney can inform you of any disadvantages involved with accepting the state’s offer and what your other legal options may entail.
Many attorneys encourage clients to accept less-than-favorable offers so they can move on to the next case. It is essential to note that deciding whether to accept a plea deal is ultimately your decision.
Our law firm has achieved outstanding results for clients through plea deal negotiations with prosecutors and will never try to persuade you to take an offer that does not benefit you.
How Can a Criminal Conviction Impact My Life?
One of the biggest concerns for individuals who have encountered the Wisconsin criminal justice system is how a conviction will impact their lives. Because criminal record checks are easy to conduct, most employers, landlords, or rental agencies can easily investigate an individual’s past to determine whether they want to hire or rent to applicants.
Employment
For example, if your employment involves driving, a previous OWI charge can preclude you from being hired due to liability issues. Other offenses, such as theft and property crimes, can also impact your ability to obtain employment, especially if your job involves handling money.
Housing
Many landlords are concerned about the liability issues that may occur if they rent to those who have been convicted of criminal offenses. Additionally, individuals who have been convicted of sexual assault are often restricted in Wisconsin as to where they can live or work.
Family Law Issues
One issue often overlooked in the context of criminal convictions is their impact on family law cases. For example, if you are in the midst of a divorce or child custody case, a domestic disorderly conduct conviction could influence the court’s decision and make it challenging for you to interact with your children unsupervised.
How Hard is it to Get a Criminal Record Expunged in Wisconsin?
Having a criminal record expunged in Wisconsin can be daunting and generally only applies to a few select cases. In most instances, criminal convictions eligible for expungement in Wisconsin are limited to those where the individual was under 25 at the time of the offense and the charge was punishable by a prison sentence of six years or less. Anyone applying for an expungement must have also completed their sentence.
Due to the legal complexities involved in expunging a criminal record, the best option is to try to avoid a conviction altogether. A criminal defense attorney will aggressively defend your case to help avoid the legal and social implications a conviction can bring.
Our defense attorneys deeply understand the Wisconsin legal landscape and know how to achieve the best possible results to help clients avoid convictions. Our history of fiercely advocating for clients has helped us gain a well-earned reputation in the legal community. Our goal is to provide clients with a strong defense to have the charges dismissed or reduced.
Why Should I Choose Your Criminal Law Firm to Represent Me?
Casper Mehlos Law Group, LLC is a Wisconsin law firm passionately committed to helping our clients resolve their legal issues by assisting them with a wide range of criminal charges. We provide expert legal representation to ensure your case is handled effectively.
When you come to us for help, we will thoroughly evaluate the state’s evidence to determine the appropriate legal strategies for your needs. Our extensive experience enables us to quickly identify weaknesses in the case and use them as leverage as we work to obtain the best possible result for your legal matters.
If you have been charged with a criminal offense in Sauk County, contact our law offices today at (608) 820-8926 to schedule a free consultation to learn more about how we can help.