Receiving a criminal complaint can be a scary experience, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the criminal process.  This post is intended to explain the steps from the fruition of a criminal case to the initial appearance.  The first step in a Wisconsin prosecution is the referral of charges from the arresting agency to the prosecutor’s office.  If the prosecutor decides the case has merit, the case will be (more…)

In Wisconsin, a person commits the crime of domestic abuse by committing battery, inflicting pain or fear, or sexually assaulting a person in his or her family or household.  It is also a crime in Wisconsin to violate the terms of a restraining order.  Under Wisconsin law, special rules and procedures apply to domestic violence crimes.  Wis. Stat. § 939.621.

When victims and defendants are involved in a “he said, she said” incident, the credibility of the parties is essential to not only a good prosecution but also to a good defense.

It is imperative to note that Wisconsin has a mandatory arrest law under certain circumstances. Under section 968.075, law enforcement officers are required to make an arrest in domestic violence incidents when (more…)