Milwaukee Criminal Defense Lawyer, Milwaukee Criminal Law Attorney

Wisconsin Criminal Law Attorneys

For the safety and well-being of its citizens, a government may deem certain behaviors "crimes," making them punishable by fines, imprisonment, or other penalties. A crime is an act that the law regards as wrong. In the U.S., criminal laws are enacted by federal, state, and local governments. Consequently, criminal law is comprised of a vast and complex network of laws aimed at protecting citizens from harm – harm both to their persons and to their property.

Law can be broadly divided into two general categories – criminal law and civil law. For violations of criminal law, charges are brought against the person suspected of committing the crime by the state or federal prosecutor. In contrast, for violations of civil law, charges are brought against the alleged perpetrator by the victim of the crime. In general, criminal law is characterized as a public means of punishing wrongdoing, and civil law is a private means of allowing victims to seek reparations – usually money damages – from the wrongdoer. Violations of criminal law are punishable by fines, jail time, and even death, whereas violations of civil law may only result in loss of money or property to the accused. Whereas a criminal trial, because it may result in the suspect's loss of freedom, requires the prosecutor to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt, civil law only requires the victim to prove the case by a preponderance of the evidence. Preponderance means that there is more than 50% likelihood that the defendant committed the crime.

Crimes are predominantly classified into two major groups – felonies and misdemeanors. A felony is a more serious crime generally punishable by a year or more in jail. A misdemeanor, by contrast, will typically be punishable by less than a year in jail, although some misdemeanors can trigger much longer jail sentences. Felonies include serious crimes such as murder, manslaughter, sexual assault, drug distribution, burglary, kidnapping, and arson, among others. Misdemeanors include less severe crimes such as theft, disorderly conduct, possession of controlled substances, and resisting arrest. In addition, most jurisdictions classify minor traffic violations, such as speeding, as ordinance violations.

The U.S. Constitution guarantees a laundry list of protections afforded to all citizens who are accused of violating criminal law. The following are some of the rights all criminal defendants are guaranteed by the Constitution:

The right to remain silent.

The right to be free of unreasonable search and seizure.

The right to a trial by judge or jury.

The right to be represented by counsel.

The right to be appointed counsel free of charge if you cannot afford an attorney.

The right to summon witnesses to appear in court to testify in your behalf.

The right to confront the witnesses against you in court.

The right to a speedy trial.

The right to be presumed innocent until the prosecutor proves each element of the crime with which you are charged beyond a reasonable doubt.

A lawyer experienced in Wisconsin's criminal law can help you prepare the best defense possible in light of the unique facts of your case. If you have been charged with a crime, you face serious consequences if convicted, including steep fines, lengthy jail sentences, or both. It is important to hire an experienced attorney who will provide you with the aggressive and thorough defense to which you are entitled. At LeBell, Dobroski and Morgan LLP, our team of Milwaukee criminal law attorneys believes every criminal defendant deserves personalized treatment and professional representation of their case. Don't hesitate to call LeBell, Dobroski, and Morgan LLP at (414) 276-1233 we are waiting for your call.