The criminal justice system can be confusing, especially if you’ve never been charged with a crime. This page provides a brief explanation of criminal procedure in Wisconsin.
We agree – the criminal justice system seems complex to an individual who doesn’t interact with it on a regular basis. That’s one of the reasons we created this page. Terms that we, as criminal defense attorneys, use on a regular basis might sound like a different language to you. Sometimes it’s helpful to break those words down in a way that makes them more understandable for individuals moving through the criminal justice system. Although the facts in cases are different, the way in which they move through the criminal justice system is the same.
Below you’ll find links to specific pages dealing with a few of the important points of a criminal case. These points range from the initial appearance, which is your first court appearance, through sentencing, where a criminal case typically ends, and we finish by briefly discussing appeals. While your case might not proceed to appeal, you maintain the option to do so.
The links listed below detail many of the important points your case move through:
