Wisconsin · Criminal & Records
The Wisconsin Criminal Law Guide
Understanding felony classifications, the bail process, sentencing rules, and post-conviction options in Wisconsin's criminal justice system.
2026-2027 Edition · Cited to Wisconsin law · Plain language
Paperback · $19.99
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Cited to the statute · Legal information, not legal advice
Wisconsin criminal cases explained, from arrest to sentencing
How crimes are classified, how bail and pretrial release work, what happens at the preliminary examination and arraignment, and how Truth-in-Sentencing works.
ABOUT THIS BOOK
An arrest moves fast, and the terms that follow it, such as initial appearance, bind-over, and Information, can be hard to follow. Families often feel just as lost as the person charged.
The Wisconsin Criminal Law Guide explains how criminal cases work under Chapters 939 through 951 of the Wisconsin Statutes. It covers why Wisconsin has abolished common law crimes, how felonies are sorted into nine classes from Class A to Class I, and how misdemeanors and forfeitures differ. It explains why most Wisconsin cases begin with a criminal complaint rather than a grand jury indictment, and how the preliminary examination tests probable cause in felony cases.
The guide walks through each stage of a case from two points of view, the accused person and the family member or supporter: arrest, the initial appearance and bail hearing, arraignment, discovery and pretrial motions, plea bargaining or trial, and sentencing. It explains Truth-in-Sentencing, under which a felony prison sentence is split into initial confinement and extended supervision, with no parole for felonies committed on or after December 31, 1999. It also covers defenses, the 20-day deadline for a notice of intent to pursue postconviction relief, 974.06 motions, and expungement.
A toolkit adds checklists, comparison tables, a glossary, common mistakes, and questions to ask an attorney.
Legal information, not legal advice.
WHAT’S INSIDE
- The Foundation: Wisconsin's Criminal Code
- Classification of Crimes in Wisconsin
- The Pretrial Process: From Arrest to Arraignment
- Post-Conviction: Sentencing and Appeals
- Exceptions and Defenses
- Rights of Family Member or Supporter
- Step-by-step procedures from each side, with deadlines at a glance
- 22 real-world questions and answers
- Statute index, key court decisions and official forms
- Toolkit: checklists, comparison tables, glossary and common mistakes to avoid
WHY READERS TRUST THIS GUIDE
Plain language. Cited to the statute. Dated so you know it is current.
Every rule is cited to Wisconsin law so you can verify it.
Cited, so you can check it
Every rule names the section of Wisconsin law it comes from, so you can read the source yourself.
Plain language, no filler
Written to be read start to finish by someone with no legal training, with worked examples.
Dated and updated
Each guide carries a law-current date and new editions ship when the law changes.
Bonus toolkit
Register your book for this topic’s checklists, worksheets and starter template, as soon as they are ready.
QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU BUY
Wisconsin criminal charges: what to know before you order.
Straight answers about what the guide is, what it covers and how it reaches you.
Does Wisconsin still have parole?
Not for felonies committed on or after December 31, 1999. Under Truth-in-Sentencing, a prison sentence is split into initial confinement and extended supervision. The guide explains how both parts work.
What are the penalties for a felony in Wisconsin?
Wis. Stat. § 939.50 sorts felonies into nine classes, from Class A, punishable by life imprisonment, to Class I, with up to 3 years and 6 months and a $10,000 fine. The guide compares every class.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is legal information in plain language, cited to the law, so you understand your options and know what to ask. Reading it creates no attorney-client relationship.
Is it written for Wisconsin?
Yes. This guide is written for Wisconsin law and cites the Wisconsin statutes and rules it relies on. If your case is in another state, choose that state's edition.
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PLEASE READ
Legal information, not legal advice. STACKED LEGAL® is a publisher, not a law firm. Buying or reading this book creates no attorney-client relationship and promises no outcome. Laws change; verify current law and talk to a licensed attorney in Wisconsin about your situation.
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