Many violent crimes in Madison fall under Chapter 940 of Wisconsin State Statutes, "Crimes Against Life and Bodily Security." A 'simple' battery could be considered a Class A misdemeanor with a penalty of up to $10,000, 9 months in prison or both. Battery charges involving law enforcement, firefighters, emergency personnel, healthcare providers, pregnant women and family members and batteries using dangerous weapons carry significantly higher fines and much longer prison sentences. A first-degree sexual assault is a Class B felony with fines of up to $100,000 and/or up to 60 years in prison.

If you are facing domestic violence charges in Madison, call Grieve Law's criminal defense attorneys for a free case consultation. 

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Disorderly Conduct in Madison

Disorderly conduct in Madison is a Class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. When tied to unlawful assembly, the charge increases to a Class A misdemeanor, with penalties reaching 9 months in jail and up to $10,000 in fines.

Under Wis. Stat. § 947.01, disorderly conduct includes any behavior, public or private, with the potential to provoke or disturb others. The statute is intentionally broad and covers a wide range of conduct, including fighting, loud or abusive language, obscene gestures and profane or threatening statements. Disorderly conduct can be charged even when no actual disturbance occurred. Prosecutors only need to show the behavior could have caused disruption.

Many people mistakenly believe disorderly conduct is “just a ticket.” In reality, it can carry serious long-term consequences. A disorderly conduct conviction appears on background checks, limits access to student housing or scholarships and may restrict your right to possess firearms, especially when a domestic violence enhancer is applied. In university or workplace settings, even a citation can result in suspension or termination.

How to Beat a Disorderly Conduct Charge

Our attorneys challenge vague claims, overreaching interpretations and procedural errors. Whether your case involves an argument, a protest or an alleged domestic incident, we build a defense based on the facts, not assumptions about what could have happened.

False Imprisonment Charges in Madison

False imprisonment is a Class H felony in Wisconsin, punishable by up to 6 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. It involves confining or restraining another person without lawful authority or consent.

Under Wis. Stat. § 940.30, prosecutors must prove you knowingly confined someone without having the legal right to do so. False imprisonment charges are frequently tied to domestic incidents and often include a domestic violence enhancer, which can lead to a lifetime firearm ban and the loss of other civil rights. False imprisonment does not require movement of the victim, unlike kidnapping, which involves transport and carries a higher felony classification.

Our attorneys review whether any alleged restraint was intentional and whether lawful authority or consent applied. If the state cannot prove every element, the false imprisonment charge cannot stand. We build defenses to challenge the facts and the state’s interpretation of authority.

Madison Strangulation & Suffocation Charges

Strangulation in Madison is a Class H felony carrying up to 6 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. A prior conviction for strangulation or a violent crime raises the charge to a Class G felony, with penalties increasing to 10 years and $25,000.

Wisconsin law defines strangulation as any act impeding normal breathing or circulation by applying pressure to the neck or blocking the mouth or nose. Often charged with a domestic violence enhancer, strangulation cases are treated aggressively by prosecutors. A conviction brings prison time and fines, and can negatively affect employment, custody rights and firearm ownership.

We evaluate whether the alleged act meets the legal threshold for “impeding breathing,” whether the force was intentional and whether any rights were violated during arrest. Strategic defenses often focus on conflicting statements and gaps in physical evidence.

Homicide Charges & Penalties in Madison

Homicide charges in Madison carry the most serious penalties under Wisconsin law, including life in prison for first-degree intentional homicide. Other classifications range from reckless or negligent homicide to vehicular and felony murder.

• First-degree intentional homicide (Class A felony): Life in prison.
• Second-degree intentional homicide (Class B felony): Up to 60 years in prison.
• Felony murder: Up to the maximum penalty of the underlying felony plus 15 years.
• First-degree reckless homicide (Class B felony): Up to 60 years for causing death with utter disregard for human life.
• Second-degree reckless homicide (Class D felony): Up to 25 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
• Negligent homicide (Class G felony): Up to 10 years and a $25,000 fine for deaths caused by negligent handling of weapons, explosives or animals.
• Homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle or firearm: Class D or Class C felony, depending on prior OWI history. Penalties reach 25 to 40 years and $100,000 in fines.

Homicide defenses include self-defense, defense of others, coercion, and lack of intent. Grieve Law’s attorneys are skilled in suppressing improperly obtained evidence and cross-examining state witnesses. Our goal is to dismantle the prosecution’s case from every angle and protect your freedom.

Penalties for Domestic Abuse in Dane County

Consequences for domestic violence charges depend on what criminal battery charges you’re facing. Whatever the case, bail jumping only makes your outcome worse.

Battery Charges in Madison

Battery charges in Madison, Wisconsin, range from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony, depending on intent and the extent of harm caused. Penalties reach up to 15 years in prison and $50,000 in fines for the most serious offenses.

• Misdemeanor battery (Class A): Intentional bodily harm without consent.
  
  • Penalty: Up to 9 months in jail and a $10,000 fine. Use or threat of a weapon may add another 6 months.
• Substantial battery (Class I felony): Bodily harm requiring medical intervention (e.g., stitches, broken bones, loss of consciousness).
  
  • Penalty: Up to 3.5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
• Aggravated battery (Class H felony): Great bodily harm with intent.
  
  • Penalty: Up to 6 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
• Aggravated battery with reckless intent (Class E felony): Intentional bodily harm resulting in great harm.
  
  • Penalty: Up to 15 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

Common defenses for battery charges include mistaken identity, lack of intent or self-defense. Grieve Law attorneys analyze use of force, consent and the reliability of witness statements to build a strong defense. We work to reduce felony charges or have cases dismissed entirely. 

The Domestic Violence Defense Lawyers Madison Relies on for Dropping or Reducing Misdemeanor and Felony Criminal Charges

In Wisconsin, the charge of domestic violence is usually bundled with other charges to increase the severity of the consequences. Domestic violence charges can change the life of the accused, especially when drug charges, sexual assault charges, false imprisonment charges, misdemeanor or felony battery charges and/or firearm charges are added.

How to Beat a Domestic Violence Charge in Dane County

A domestic violence conviction hangs on the ability to prove the situation was domestic and the act itself was violent. In order to win a domestic violence defense case, you will have to disprove one of these two elements.

By law, the domestic portion of domestic violence includes any person you have ever lived with. This means anyone you are currently living with, such as a significant other, parent, child, roommate and anyone you have previously shared a residence with, regardless of how long ago it was. 

Disproving Violence to Drop a Frivolous Charge in Wisconsin

Violence leaves more room for interpretation. In addition to any unwanted physical contact, a domestic violence charge includes both direct threats and perceived threats. Violence, damaging property or making someone fear for their well-being based on your words and/or actions can all be considered domestic violence.

For example, if you break your roommate’s property out of anger during an argument, this action is deemed an act of violence. If the police get involved, you may be at risk for a domestic violence charge because it was an act of violence against a cohabitant. A conviction could threaten your ability to possess a firearm, secure housing and get a job. 

If you or someone you know is facing a domestic violence charge in Wisconsin, speaking with our Madison-based criminal defense attorneys as soon as possible is vital to the outcome of your case. Allowing time for a defense strategy is crucial; an impending court date can limit that time.

Grieve Law LLC’s domestic violence attorneys have a proven record of getting domestic violence cases dismissed and obtaining not-guilty verdicts on several cases in Dane County. Numerous Grieve Law clients have had their first offense drunk driving, domestic violence, gun and drug-related charges dropped or significantly reduced by working with our criminal defense lawyers. Beginning with a free consultation, our team of domestic violence defense attorneys listens to the specifics of your unique case and builds the strongest defense possible to give you a second chance at your future.

When facing domestic violence charges in Waunakee, Fitchburg, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Middleton or anywhere in Wisconsin, don't compromise your life and your freedom by chancing it with an average attorney. You need the Madison domestic violence lawyers with a reputation for winning.

Have you been arrested for Domestic Abuse in Wisconsin?

Police are obligated to arrest any person accused of domestic violence if the responding officer believes the person committed domestic abuse against a spouse, former spouse, someone they live with or used to live with, or a person they’ve had children with AND at least one of the following:

• Police believe the person is likely to continue violence;
• There is evidence of physical injury; or
• The accused is a known abuser in the relationship

In Wisconsin, Domestic Abuse Occurs When:

• A person commits sexual assault
• A person caused injury or inflicted pain
• A person’s physical activity causes a victim to fear sexual assault, injury or pain

After an arrest for domestic abuse, the accused must be seen by a judge or post bail before being released. Unless specified by a victim’s signed waiver, the accused is not allowed to contact the alleged victim or enter their place of residence for 72 hours after the arrest.

If these conditions are violated, a charge for violating the no-contact order will be added. The penalty for violating the no-contact order can result in up to 9 months in jail and/or a maximum fine of $10,000. Penalties for violating a no-contact order with a prior conviction for violating a no-contact order or for violating a no-contact order using violence or inflicting harm involve longer prison sentences. 

You are only guilty if you are convicted™

Madison-Area Criminal Defense Attorneys Produce World-Class Domestic Violence Defenses

If you’re facing any type of domestic violence charge in Wisconsin, it is imperative you get a top-rated Madison criminal defense attorney.

Often domestic violence charges result from one of two unfortunate situations: (1) the alleged victim is fabricating or exaggerating the story for personal reasons or (2) the physical contact happened through self-defense.

Many times defendants admit to physical contact through police tactics that manipulate and confuse the accused, which is often taken as an omission of guilt. Your first priority when charged with assault is attaining a Dane County criminal defense attorney with a proven record of getting clients' lives back. 

Contact our Madison Domestic Abuse Defense Lawyers for a FREE legal consultation.