(262) 786-7100
Start with a FREE Consultation:
(262) 786-7100
Start with a FREE Consultation:
(262) 786-7100

You are only guilty
if you are convicted.®

Wisconsin Court Process for Felonies & Misdemeanors

The Wisconsin court process has 8 steps: initial appearance, preliminary hearing, further proceedings, motions, diversionary agreements and deferred prosecution agreements, jury trial, plea, and sentencing. Let a Grieve Law attorney walk you through the process for the best possible outcome. Schedule a free consultation.

Initial Appearance

Your first appearance in front of the court. It is crucial for your attorneys to be present to assist you at this court date.

Preliminary Hearing

Determines if there is enough probable cause to send your case to trial. This hearing only applies to felony offenses.

Further Proceedings

These dates are used by the court and the attorneys involved to monitor the progress of what is going on with your case.

Motions

When an experienced criminal defense attorney fights the legality of something that happened during the investigation and arrest.

Diversionary Agreements and Deferred Prosecution Agreements

Enter into a contract with the State of Wisconsin or the prosecutor, to follow the terms and conditions of the agreement for a certain length of time

Jury Trial

If your case goes to trial, your case will be presented to a group of randomly selected jurors.

Plea

Judge will ask you a series of questions to make sure you understand the rights you are giving up by choosing to enter a plea

 

Sentencing

Begins with the prosecutor making any remarks about the case, highlighting the aggravating factors, as well as making a record of anything that any identified victims may want to say

 

1

Initial Appearance

Your first appearance in front of the court. It is crucial for your attorneys to be present to assist you at this court date.

2

Preliminary Hearing

Determines if there is enough probable cause to send your case to trial. This hearing only applies to felony offenses.

3

Further Proceedings

These dates are used by the court and the attorneys involved to monitor the progress of what is going on with your case.

4

Motions

When an experienced criminal defense attorney fights the legality of something that happened during the investigation and arrest.

5

Diversionary Agreements and Deferred Prosecution Agreements

Enter into a contract with the State of Wisconsin or the prosecutor, to follow the terms and conditions of the agreement for a certain length of time

6

Jury Trial

If your case goes to trial, your case will be presented to a group of randomly selected jurors.

7

Plea

Judge will ask you a series of questions to make sure you understand the rights you are giving up by choosing to enter a plea

8

Sentencing

Begins with the prosecutor making any remarks about the case, highlighting the aggravating factors, as well as making a record of anything that any identified victims may want to say

We help you through the entire legal process, producing powerful defenses on your behalf and winning cases for innocent defendants all across southeast Wisconsin. If you’ve been accused of a crime, don’t settle for a public defender. Rely on our team of aggressive criminal defense attorneys to represent your interests to the fullest extent of the law. We have a proven history of success, from negotiating felonies down to misdemeanors to significantly reducing fines and the outright dismissal of charges. If you’ve been charged with a crime, don’t delay in calling our criminal defense attorneys. We handle all areas of criminal law, including drunk driving offenses and drug possession.

Want to change or substitute your judge?

Contact our criminal defense attorneys for a free case assessment today.