Criminal Defense
Before you speak to police or other law enforcement about any allegation of a Criminal Misdemeanor or Criminal Felony you are entitled to speak to a lawyer. Don't lose this important opportunity, seek legal counsel BEFORE being questioned by law enforcement.
A criminal conviction, whether misdemeanor or felony, can have a serious, detrimental effect on a defendant's future prospects, including employment. While felony convictions have prescribed sentences and other effects, such as imposing restrictions on voting and firearms possession, there are a number of spill-over effects for a defendant's personal reputation as a result of any criminal conviction, felony or misdemeanor.
Criminal charges, in some cases even those that do not result in convictions, can have life-altering implications for defendants.
Even if prosecution is dismissed or unsuccessful, criminal charges in Wisconsin generally become part of Wisconsin's public court-system database, the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Program (known as "CCAP"), and are readily available to potential business associates, employers or others who do a simple background check. For example, it is not uncommon for a criminal background or "open records" check to form part of a loan approval process for large loans. While a disclaimer is posted in the CCAP database in the case of dismissed or unsuccessful prosecutions, the record itself still remains part of the public database for a prescribed period.
Contact an attorney as early as possible in the criminal investigation process.
If you are involved in an incident in which police or other law enforcement seek to question you, whether or not you have been detained or arrested, it is highly advisable to obtain legal counsel BEFORE the interview/questioning process begins. Successful negotiation in the early stages of a criminal inquiry can play an important role in reducing or in some cases even eliminating the potential of a criminal charge impacting your reputation and your future personal and business prospects.
If you have been charged with a Criminal Misdemeanor or Criminal Felony, an experienced criminal-defense attorney can protect your legal rights and help keep your life on track.
Attorney Jody Usow is an experienced criminal defense lawyer in many areas, including Theft, Domestic Abuse, DUI and OWI, Battery, Child Abuse, Sexual Assualt, Drug Possession and more.
To discuss your legal rights and all of the options available to you in a Criminal Misdemeanor or Criminal Felony matter, contact an Attorney at (414) 961-9500.
Sexual Assault
Before you speak to police or other law enforcement about any allegation of Sexual Assault you are entitled to speak to a lawyer. Don't lose this important opportunity, seek legal counsel BEFORE you speak to law enforcement.
Sexual Assault of an Adult or Sexual Assault of a Minor
Sexual Assault is a serious offense. The State usually represents victims in sexual assault cases; however, defendants in rape and other sexual assault cases need effective representation of their own.
Allegations of rape or sexual assault, whether or not they result in a successful prosecution, can change the life of a defendant forever. The criminal penalties in Wisconsin for sexual assault can be severe; however, social stigma and damage to one's reputation add another layer of risk as well, especially as most successful prosecutions for these crimes will result in a convicted defendant being labeled as a registered sex offender in Wisconsin. This information is then accessible via the Internet via a publicly searchable database. Among other things, your ability to gain or maintain employment can be severely affected as a result.
Effective representation by an experienced criminal-defense attorney in rape and other sexual assault cases can therefore be vital in defending or in some cases avoiding a successful prosecution and the potential destruction of your personal reputation and employment prospects.
If you have been accused of or charged with rape or any other form of sexual assault of either an adult or a minor, there is a limited period of time in which to defend yourself. It is therefore imperative that you get accurate guidance from an experienced criminal-defense lawyer to ensure your rights are effectively represented.
To discuss your legal rights and all of the options available to you in a Sexual Assault matter, contact Attorney Jody Usow at (414) 961-9500.
Domestic Abuse
Before you speak to police or other law enforcement about any allegation of Domestic Abuse you are entitled to speak to a lawyer. Don't lose this important opportunity, seek legal counsel BEFORE you speak to law enforcement.
Domestic abuse is a serious matter, not only because it threatens the personal safety of one or more parties in a family or relationship, but because it also involves the reputation, and in some cases the criminal record, of the defendant; sometimes unfairly. In these cases, defending your personal reputation against unwarranted allegations can have a major impact on your future, including for example, employment opportunities.
Unlike many other legal matters, if you are the victim of domestic abuse or the victim of an unfounded allegation of domestic abuse, there is usually less time to proceed than in many other legal procedures. This is in part because, in the Wisconsin Circuit Courts, there is a limited period of time in which to request an appeal (de novo review) of a domestic abuse restraining order once it has been initially granted and also because there are practical limitations in alleging domestic abuse if significant time has passed after the alleged incident.
Additionally, an increasing number of family law actions arise from or involve allegations of domestic abuse. Effective representation in domestic abuse cases can therefore play an important role in negotiating other related actions, such as a divorce or child custody action. Once a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) is in place, it can become a central theme in an opposing party's claims that you should be denied placement and other parental rights.
In any instance, whether seeking a domestic abuse restraining order or defending against one, it is highly advisable that you seek professional legal guidance regarding this process and the relevant time limitations in your county before it is too late to change what might be a life-altering decision.
Allegations of domestic abuse have serious long-term implications. Even if a Restraining Order is not awarded, in many cases the case itself, along with the defendant's name, may remain a matter of permanent public record.
Whether you are seeking or defending a Restraining Order it is important that you get guidance from a lawyer as early as possible.
Attorney Jody Usow has significant experience representing parties on both sides of Restraining Order and domestic abuse cases.
To discuss your legal rights and all of the options available to you in a Restraining Order or domestic abuse matter, contact us at (414) 961-9500.
Please note that initial consultations are billed at hourly rates. We do not offer free consultations for any matter, criminal or otherwise.