A Class D felony in Wisconsin is a severe charge carrying up to 25 years in state prison, a maximum fine of $100,000, or both. Class D felonies in Wisconsin include serious crimes such as drug trafficking and vehicular homicide. (Wis. Stat. § 939.50.)
Class D felonies can result in the stiffest fines possible in Wisconsin, along with a lengthy prison sentence. Even Wisconsin mandatory minimum sentences for drugs can be harsh. The mere threat of losing so much money and freedom might make a plea bargain seem attractive. Prosecutors know this and may charge you with a Class D felony to intimidate you into accepting less serious charges. Don’t get suckered; call a skilled attorney to review your case. You are only guilty if you are convicted.™
A Class D felony is punishable by up to 25 years in state prison, a maximum fine of $100,000, or both imprisonment and a fine. Class D felonies in Wisconsin include drug trafficking and vehicular homicide. (Wis. Stat. § 939.50.)
As with all felonies, a Class D also can never be expunged from your criminal record, and you may have some civil rights restricted, such as voting, crossing national boundaries, owning a firearm, and holding certain jobs.
Wisconsin has a well-organized system to classify felonies, misdemeanors, and other violations. Learn more about Wisconsin criminal penalties and defenses and what your charges really mean.
You Are Guilty Only If You Are Convicted
Types of Class D Felony
Class D felonies Grieve Law has experience defending in court include:
- OWI Vehicular Homicide or 2nd Degree Reckless Homicide
- Hit and Run involving a fatality
- Possession of body armor after being convicted of a violent crime (2nd offense)
- Possession of child pornography when the defendant is over the age of 18
- Child Enticement (attempting to lure a child to an isolated place to engage in sexual activity)
- Possession of 10-50 grams of Amphetamines or Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) with the intent to sell it
- Possession of 15-40 grams of cocaine with the intent to sell it
Grieve Law has fought for Wisconsin defendants for years. Unlike Fee to Plea™ lawyers who only want to help your prosecutors close a plea deal and walk away with their cut, Grieve Law fights to win. Our top-notch attorneys prepare powerful, strategic defenses to win cases. It’s no accident we’re considered one of the best defense firms in the country. Remember: if you’ve been accused of a Class D felony in Wisconsin, you are only guilty if you are convicted.™ Call Grieve Law today for a free consultation.
Defenses for a Class D Felony in Wisconsin
The most important thing to do when facing a felony charge is to know the system. This often means having an attorney who can coach you through your initial appearance and inform you of all your options. Any criminal trial is a nerve-wracking experience, but you should never assume whatever the prosecution offers you is your only way out.
A Class D felony like selling large quantities of drugs or vehicular homicide while intoxicated might seem impossible to have dropped. They are not. Grieve Law is a Milwaukee law firm known for defending against drunk driving and drug charges. We know how the prosecution thinks, and we know how to beat them. Grieve Law will carefully investigate your arrest, how the police gathered evidence, any tests they took (such as a breathalyzer) and any mistakes they made that undermine the prosecution's argument. Grieve Law knows how to examine the details and unravel a prosecutor’s argument. Even for Class D felonies, we often get charges reduced or completely dropped.
Grieve Law always creates defenses to give you the best chance of winning at court. For Class D felonies, we’ll often begin by investigating if the prosecution has probable cause to charge you with a felony during the preliminary hearing. Without probable cause, they cannot advance your case to trial. Grieve will analyze police and court records to determine if your rights were violated during the arrest or pre-trial booking process. If a mistake was made before trial, a motion hearing can be called to dismiss the charges. These are tactics Grieve may use with other felony and misdemeanor violations, too.
For Possession with Intent drug charges, Grieve Law will often begin by examining the circumstances of your arrest. If your rights were violated during the stop or search, or you were compelled to give a confession, the evidence the police discovered (that is, the drugs) is inadmissible in court. It is also possible Grieve Law will find evidence of entrapment. Grieve Law knows that proving there was an intent to distribute the drugs is critical to charging you with a felony, so if this was your first charge involving a drug we may work to reduce it to a simple possession charge, which is a misdemeanor, in order to keep you out of state prison.
Grieve Law: Affordable & Effective Criminal Defense
If you or a loved one has been charged with a felony, don’t wait to seek legal advice. Grieve Law offers the highest quality, most affordable criminal law services in southeast Wisconsin. We offer flexible payment plans so any Wisconsin citizen can get the legal counsel they need, and we offer free legal advice consultations to answer your questions and outline your options. If you need a defense attorney in the Milwaukee area, nobody has a better chance of getting your charges reduced or dropped than Tom Grieve. You are only guilty if you are convicted.™
How long does a Class D felony charge stay on your record in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, a Class D felony stays on your record for life. It can never be expunged. You may also have some civil rights restricted. If the maximum punishment for your crime as over 6 years, you cannot apply to have your record sealed.
How to Reduce Penalties for Class D Felony Charges
The State of Wisconsin has harsh penalties for Class D Felony convictions. If convicted, you could face 25 years in prison and a $100,00 fine. The smartest thing you can do if you’re facing felony charges in Wisconsin is to lawyer up fast. Avoiding harsh felony penalties depends on getting qualified legal counsel.
Attorney Tom Grieve has gotten serious charges reduced or dropped completely. Many of his cases have involved getting felony charges reduced to misdemeanors. Tom Grieve uses his experience as a former State of Wisconsin criminal prosecutor to achieve positive outcomes for clients facing serious legal charges.
Grieve Law is dedicated to getting every client’s criminal charges dropped or reduced as much as possible, or helping avoid the harshest penalties. Every attorney at Grieve Law comes with a unique set of qualifications. Other Milwaukee law firms may practice criminal defense, but none of them specialize in it like Grieve Law. At Grieve Law, we strive for positive client outcomes. Call Grieve Law today to get the legal representation you deserve.