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Domestic violence charges in Wisconsin have a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison and $100,000 in fines. A misdemeanor domestic violence charge could lead to 9 months in prison and fines up to $10,000. Being charged with domestic violence on a spouse, man, woman, or minor all come with different penalties and depend on the judge and prosecutor you’re facing.
If you are facing domestic violence charges in Appleton, call Grieve Law's criminal defense attorneys for a free case consultation.
Disorderly conduct in Appleton, Wisconsin, can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony offense. A felony disorderly conduct charge carries fines up to $50,000 and 15 years in prison. A misdemeanor charge carries a penalty of up to $100,000 in fines and/or 9 months in jail.
Under Wisconsin statute 947.01, disorderly conduct refers to any behavior capable of provoking or disturbing others, whether public or private.
Behavior classified as disorderly conduct includes:
In Appleton, a Disorderly conduct charge is a Class B misdemeanor. Penalties for conviction are up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Penalties become worse if your arrest is the result of unlawful assembly. This is a Class A misdemeanor with penalties of 9 months in jail and/or $10,000 fines.
If your disorderly conduct citation is classified as a forfeiture violation, you may face extra fines. Disorderly conduct charges will show up on background checks for the rest of your life. Based on unique circumstances, prosecutors can charge your case as criminal or as a forfeiture.
Obtaining a knowledgeable defense attorney is the first step to beating a disorderly conduct charge. Contact an Appleton criminal defense attorney to create a successful defense for your case. Grieve’s lawyers will pull out every piece of useful information to fight for your desired outcome.
By itself, domestic violence is normally not a criminal charge. Domestic violence charges get used as a modifier or enhancer that can be added to an underlying criminal charge. In Appleton, a domestic abuse charge can be added to any charge involving a domestic relationship (if applicable).
A domestic relationship can exist between spouses (or former spouses), roommates, or people that share a child in common. Common domestic violence charges include:
Law enforcement is required to make an arrest in any situation where domestic violence is alleged (if they have enough evidence to suspect a crime has occurred). This means it’s very likely someone will go to jail if a call is made to report a domestic violence crime.
However, it’s important to know the predominant aggressor is not always the one who started the fight. The on-site police officer will have to determine who the aggressor was based on evidence and observation made at the scene and from witnesses.
Simple battery charges in Appleton, Wisconsin, could result in penalties of up to 9 months in jail and/or $10,000 in fines. Substantial battery could result in similar fines and up to 3.5 years in prison. Aggravated battery has a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and $50,000 in fines.
Battery is defined as causing bodily harm without consent, and charges apply even when the harm is minimal or leaves no mark. More serious charges, like substantial or aggravated battery, apply when injuries include bone fractures, burns, or permanent disfigurement.
To convict, the state must prove you intended to cause harm. If the incident was an accident or involved mutual roughhousing, the intent requirement may not be met. Self-defense is another common defense. If there was an imminent threat and your response was proportionate, the charge may not hold. Grieve Law’s Appleton attorneys will evaluate the facts and build a defense to reduce or drop the charges.
False imprisonment is a Class H felony in Appleton, Wisconsin, carrying penalties of up to 6 years in prison and/or fines of $10,000. A false imprisonment charge will stay on your record forever.
To qualify as false imprisonment, the confinement must be intentional, non-consensual, and without legal right. Even if physical restraint isn’t used, certain threats or behavior can meet the legal definition.
Accidental confinement or situations where someone could easily leave—like an open back door—do not typically meet the standard. However, if a person is blocked by danger or deception, the law may still consider them confined. If you’re accused of false imprisonment, Grieve Law’s attorneys will review your case to identify defenses, such as lack of intent or the presence of a lawful reason for the confinement.
Strangulation is a felony charge in Wisconsin, often tied to domestic violence. First offense strangulation penalties include maximum fines of $10,000 and up to 6 years in prison. Subsequent charges could result in monetary penalties of $25,000 and a 25-year prison sentence.
Strangulation charges apply when someone intentionally restricts another person’s ability to breathe or blocks their airflow by covering the nose or mouth. This includes using hands, a pillow, a bag or other objects.
Most strangulation cases depend on after-the-fact witness statements and photos. In many cases, self-defense plays a major role. Placing your hands near someone’s face during a defensive action does not automatically count as strangulation. A common defense involves challenging exaggerations in police reports or statements from the alleged victim. Grieve Law's attorneys look for every possible weakness in the evidence to reduce or drop charges.
Conviction for homicide can result in felony offenses ranging from Class G to Class A. Maximum penalties range from $25,000-$100,000 in fines and 10 years to life in prison.
| Charge Type | Felony Level | Max Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| First-degree intentional homicide | Class A | Life in prison |
| Second-degree intentional homicide | Class B | Up to 60 years in prison |
| First-degree reckless homicide | Class B | Up to 60 years in prison |
| Second-degree reckless homicide | Class D | Up to 25 years & $100,000 fine |
| Negligent homicide | Class G | Up to 10 years & $25,000 fine |
| Intoxicated homicide with a vehicle or firearm | Class D / Class C | 25–40 years & $100,000 fine |
Charges may result from battery, arson, kidnapping or other crimes causing death. First-degree requires intent to kill. Second-degree may involve justification like provocation or defense of others. Reckless or negligent charges involve dangerous behavior without direct intent.
Homicide defenses include self-defense, coercion or preventing a felony. In intoxicated cases, proving the death would have happened regardless of intoxication may reduce the charge. Grieve Law’s defense attorneys in Appleton have experience working high-stakes felony cases and will investigate every angle to protect your rights and limit the consequences.
A great criminal defense attorney will be able to analyze the facts of your case and apply their knowledge and the law to determine the best defense against your charges. It’s our goal to make sure your charges don’t turn a bad day into a bad life.
You are only guilty if you are convicted. We won’t go into the courtroom ready to present a guilty plea. Our criminal defense attorneys will go down every path necessary to get you the best results possible. Since 2013, Grieve Law has dropped or reduced charges for hundreds of clients facing domestic abuse, drug, gun and first offense DUI charges.
A violence charge will remain on your record for life unless it is expunged or pardoned. Even if a charge is expunged or pardoned from your public record, details about your case will still be available for police departments, courts, and some other agencies. Your best bet is to get your case dismissed or reduced in the first place.
Domestic violence charges often arise through fabrication or exaggeration of a story told by the alleged victim in your case. Domestic violence is also likely to occur as an act of self-defense.
The best way to beat a domestic violence charge is by hiring a successful criminal defense attorney who knows their way around the law and has dealt with your type of charge in the past. The attorneys at Grieve Law will dive into your case and present several different options as defense for your charge(s).
