Within the broad category of felonies, crimes are further divided into a series of nine classes in order of severity, from A, the most severe, through I.
Class D felonies are moderately severe charges, involving penalties such as prison time and heavy fines.
Read More: Wisconsin Felony Classes: A Quick Guide
What is a Class D Felony in Wisconsin?
Class D felonies are punishable by up to 25 years in state prison, a maximum fine of $100,000, or both. (Wis. Stat. § 939.50.)
As with other Felonies, a prior record of felonies or misdemeanors can increase your prison sentence.
Examples of Class D Felonies Stangl Law Can Defend in Court
- Hit and Run Involving Fatality
- OWI Vehicular Homicide or 2nd Degree Reckless Homicide
- Possession of Amphetamines or Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol) with the intent to sell (10-50 grams)
- Possession of Cocaine with the Intent to Sell (15-40 grams)
Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney to discuss the specific charges you face.
What Are the Consequences of a Criminal Conviction?
Criminal convictions carry serious penalties, some of which you may not expect. Possible consequences of a criminal conviction include:
- Jail or prison time
- Large fines and court fees
- Difficulty finding a job
- Probation
- A permanent criminal record
- Ineligibility for student financial aid
- Suspended driver's license
- Loss or denial of professional licenses
- Inability to rent or buy a house
What Are the Consequences of a Felony Conviction?
A major difference between felonies and misdemeanors is the forfeiture of civil liberties.
Possible consequences of a felony conviction include loss of:
- The right to possess a gun
- The ability to hunt with a gun
- The right to vote
- The ability to hold office
- The ability to serve on a jury
Defenses for a Class D Felony in Wisconsin
While every case is unique and should be handled as such, it's important to understand that an experienced criminal defense attorney should first and foremost help you fully and clearly understand the charges in front of you and assure you that anything offered by the prosecution is not your only option.
Skilled criminal defense attorneys will often begin by thoroughly investigating the underlying details of the case itself and whether or not prosecutors have probable cause to accuse you of a felony during a preliminary hearing. This involves analyzing police and court records to determine if your rights were violated at any point in the process.
If a procedural violation or other type of mistake was made before trial, a motion hearing can be called to dismiss the charges against you.
A skilled attorney will take the time to review all the details of your arrest, searches made by law enforcement, and statements made. If, at any point your rights were violated, it may render the prosecution's evidence inadmissible in court.
Other possible angles of attack include examining for evidence of entrapment (which can prevent many drug-related charges from moving forward in court), or in situations where certain behaviors can also be charged as a misdemeanor, attempting to reduce the charges to a lesser charge, thereby protecting your civil rights from restriction and avoiding prison time.
Again, these are just some of the many possible options an experienced criminal defense attorney will consider within the context of your case, whether it's a Class D felony or any other type of offense.
What Is the Difference Between a Felony and a Misdemeanor?
At first, all criminal offenses fall into one of two categories: felonies and misdemeanors.
According to Wisconsin law, a felony is a crime that could result in a jail term of one year or longer. Felonies are assigned sentences within the Wisconsin State Prison System rather than a county jail.
A misdemeanor is any crime not punishable by imprisonment in the Wisconsin State Prison System.
Read more about misdemeanors in Wisconsin »
After this initial classification, offenses are broken down into a number of separate categories based on the nature of the crime itself.
What to Do if You’ve Been Charged with a Class D Felony in Wisconsin
If you or a loved one has been charged with any crime that may potentially be considered a Class D felony, do not wait to seek legal advice. Contact us and schedule a consultation right now.
At Stangl Law Offices, Patrick J. Stangl listens carefully to your side of the incident, and works with you to build a defense that could potentially result in either an acquittal, a reduction to a lesser charge, or in some cases the dropping of charges. No matter what your situation, being accused of a crime is unsettling, contact us for a free 10-minute consultation.
Two Felony Success Stories from Stangl Law, S.C.
Drug Case
The client was charged in a methamphetamine conspiracy with seven different felonies as well as additional misdemeanor charges. As a result of his investigation of the charges, Attorney Stangl was able to demonstrate that the defendant was essentially in the wrong place at the wrong time and on the periphery of any conspiracy. The majority of the co-defendants were found guilty of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamines and other drug felonies. He filed a Motion to Dismiss a number of felony charges and was able to come to an agreement with the prosecutor that a number of charges would be dismissed. Ultimately the case successfully settled with a diversion agreement on a non-drug felony and as long as the client complies with the conditions of the deferred agreement will not end up with any felony convictions.
State of Wisconsin v. N.M.
Attorney Stangl recently represented a client who was involved in a head on collision where both drivers received serious injuries. Some of the other driver’s injuries are unfortunately permanent. The client was charged with causing great bodily harm by the intoxicated use of a motor vehicle and causing great bodily harm by the use of a motor vehicle while operating with a prohibited alcohol concentration, serious felony charges. Luckily, neither of the drivers were killed. Attorney Stangl’s client registered an alcohol concentration of .15 and faced the likelihood of being sent to prison. Attorney Stangl put together an excellent defense which included a well regarded accident reconstructionist and the case was successfully settled shortly before jury trial. Remarkably, the most serious felony charges which each carried penalties of 12 years in prison and a twenty five thousand and 00/100 dollars ($25,000.00) fine were dismissed. His client was convicted of only misdemeanor offenses.
Stangl Law Offices, S.C.