Wisconsin Criminal Law: If I am Charged With a Crime How Can I Negotiate a Plea?

Wisconsin Criminal Law:  If I am Charged With a Crime How Can I Negotiate a Plea?  In most cases, your attorney and the prosecutor meet to discuss your case before trial.  At that meeting, the prosecutor generally offers to negotiate with your attorney.  There are many types of “plea agreements.”  In some cases, you may be offered a reduced charge.  If charged with many offenses, you may be offered a dismissal on one or more charges.  In some cases, the offer will be to “read in” a charge which means that you won’t plead guilty to that charge but the charge may be considered for sentencing.  In cases in which you are offered a dismissal of one or more charges you are generally required to plead guilty or no contest to at least one offense.  In many cases, the plea agreement will also recommend a particular sentence.  In others, you are left free to argue the sentence with the judge and let the judge decide your sentence.

Remember, the judge does not have to honor the plea agreement.  The judge will explain this to you as well as your attorney.  You also need to be told all of the possible results of a plea of guilty or no contest.  A plea of “no contest” results in the same as a guilty plea.

Generally, a judge will give you the sentence immediately in misdemeanor cases while in felony cases, the judge may order a pre-sentence investigation and have a separate sentencing hearing at a later date.

If you, a friend or family member have been arrested and you have questions please contact either Attorney Matt McCasland or Andrew Krueger with questions.  In the Baraboo area at (608) 356-3961, Madison area at (608) 824-9540 or Statewide at (866) 455-2993.  Please check out our website at https://khtlawyers.com.  Remember, at Krueger Hernandez & Thompson SC we listen, we care, we get results!

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Stephanie Thompson, Estate Planning Attorney of Krueger Hernandez & Thompson SC

As the owner of Krueger Hernandez & Thompson SC, it is Stephanie’s mission to address each client’s goals for their estate plan. By identifying their wishes and concerns she can educate, guide, and counsel on the different tools and options that will effectively and efficiently accomplish those goals.

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