Were you arrested or charged in Wisconsin?

What is happening

• After the arrest comes the initial appearance, where the charges are read and release conditions or bail are set.
• The prosecutor must turn over the evidence (discovery). Many defenses come from reviewing that evidence carefully: how you were stopped, what you were told, what tests were done.
• If you are not a citizen, every decision in the criminal case is also an immigration decision.

What the attorney does

• Reviews the full evidence and looks for problems in the stop, the search, or the statements that could exclude evidence.
• Negotiates with the prosecutor when that is the better path, and goes to trial when that is. The decision is yours, with complete information.
• If you are not a citizen, analyzes the immigration effect of each option before recommending it.

What to bring to the consultation

• The complaint, the citation, and the bail conditions.
• Any paper the police gave you.
• Names of witnesses and what you remember about the arrest, written while it is fresh.
• Your immigration status, if you are not a citizen.

Common questions

Should I talk to the police?

You have the right to remain silent and the right to a lawyer. Use both. Say you want a lawyer and do not answer questions about the case.

Can I change lawyers?

Yes, at any time. Bring the case documents and your current lawyer's name.

Can I lose my job or license?

It depends on the charge and the resolution. That is part of what is analyzed when deciding how to resolve the case.