Making informed decisions starts with understanding the options available to you. This includes your options for seeking to have your charges reduced or dismissed. An experienced criminal defense attorney will be able to help, and to ensure that you do not lose any of the options you have available, you should discuss your case with an experienced attorney promptly.
5 Options for Seeking to Have Your Criminal Charge Reduced or Dismissed
When you speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney, your attorney will be able to walk you through your options based on the specific charges you are facing and the particular circumstances of your case. With this in mind, the options that are generally available for seeking to have a criminal charge reduced or dismissed in Wisconsin include:
1. Pre-Trial Diversion
Pre-trial diversion is an option for seeking to have criminal charges dismissed in some cases. If you are eligible for pre-trial diversion, your criminal attorney can help you decide whether this is an option you want to pursue. If it is, and if you complete your pre-trial diversion program successfully, your charge will be dismissed, and you won’t have to go to trial.
2. Pre-Trial Dismissal
It may also be possible to have your charge dismissed before trial without going through the pre-trial diversion process. If prosecutors don’t have the evidence they need to convict you (or if the prosecution’s evidence is inadmissible in court), the judge may be willing to dismiss your case before your trial date arrives.
3. Plea Bargain
Negotiating a plea bargain is an option for seeking to mitigate the consequences of your arrest. If it is unlikely that you will be able to avoid consequences entirely, then having your criminal defense lawyer negotiate a plea bargain on your behalf could be your best option. While there are no guarantees, prosecutors will often be willing to negotiate reasonable plea bargains based on the evidence (or lack of evidence) that is available.
4. Acquittal at Trial
Regardless of the available evidence, you have the absolute right to fight for an acquittal at trial. In criminal cases, the prosecution has the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If prosecutors can’t prove that you are guilty, then you are entitled to have your charge dismissed.
If going to trial is your best option, your criminal lawyer will help you decide whether to request a jury trial or a bench trial. As your case progresses toward trial, your lawyer will help you make informed decisions about all other aspects of your defense as well. Once your trial begins, your lawyer will fight for an acquittal on your behalf, relying on his or her experience to challenge the prosecution’s case by all means available.
5. Appeal or Post-Conviction Relief
If you get convicted at trial, this isn’t necessarily the end of your case. The unfortunate reality is that wrongful convictions can—and do—happen. If you get wrongfully convicted, your lawyer will be able to help you carefully weigh your options for filing an appeal or pursuing post-conviction relief.
Again, the specific options you have available depend on the facts of your case. At this point, it is important not to make any assumptions about the potential outcomes of your case or your chances of avoiding a conviction at trial. To ensure that you are making informed decisions, you should speak with an experienced criminal attorney as soon as possible.
FAQs: Seeking to Have Your Criminal Charge Reduced or Dismissed in Wisconsin
What legal strategies do criminal defense lawyers use to reduce charges?
Criminal defense lawyers can use a variety of legal strategies to seek to have their clients’ charges reduced before trial. Broadly speaking, however, these strategies fall into two categories: (i) raising questions about the sufficiency of the prosecution’s evidence; and (ii) raising questions about the admissibility of the prosecution’s evidence. If prosecutors are not confident in their ability to secure a conviction at trial, they are more likely to be willing to negotiate a favorable plea bargain.
Can a criminal defense attorney really get charges reduced or dismissed?
Yes, it really is possible to have criminal charges reduced or dismissed before trial. With that said, there are no guarantees. If you are facing criminal charges in Wisconsin, the options you have available depend on the facts of your case—and you will want to discuss your options with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
What mistakes can a criminal defense attorney help me avoid?
If you are facing criminal charges in Wisconsin, there are several mistakes you need to be careful to avoid. This includes mistakes that could limit your options for seeking to have your charge reduced or dismissed. Your attorney will be able to walk you through the mistakes you need to avoid during your free initial consultation.
Can a criminal attorney help if I’m facing felony charges?
Felony charges carry severe consequences in Wisconsin. Along with fines and prison time (among other penalties), having a felony conviction on your record can negatively impact nearly all aspects of your life. As a result, if you are facing felony charges in Wisconsin, it is especially important to have an experienced criminal attorney on your side. An attorney who has experience handling felony cases will be able to help protect you by all means available.
Schedule a Free Initial Consultation with a Wisconsin Criminal Lawyer Today
Are you facing a misdemeanor or felony charge in Wisconsin? If so, we encourage you to contact us promptly for more information. To schedule a free consultation with an experienced Wisconsin criminal lawyer at Mays Law Office as soon as possible, call us at 608-305-4518 or tell us how we can reach you online now.