Milwaukee, WI Criminal Defense Lawyers

When a criminal charge threatens your freedom—whether it’s a misdemeanor or first-degree homicide—the attorney you choose can define the outcome. At Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP, Milwaukee’s criminal defense clients get a team of trial lawyers who have spent careers in the courtroom.

GRGB’s criminal defense team has handled Wisconsin’s most serious charges—murder, homicide, federal drug conspiracies, white-collar fraud, and more—for over five decades. The firm includes former prosecutors and former state public defenders, and practices in both Wisconsin state courts and federal court.

What Does a Criminal Defense Attorney Actually Do?

A criminal defense attorney does far more than show up to court. From the moment you are accused, your attorney investigates the charges, challenges evidence, files motions to suppress unlawfully obtained material, negotiates with prosecutors, prepares witnesses, and—when necessary—takes your case to trial. At GRGB, that last step is not a last resort. It’s what the firm was built to do.

From Arrest to Verdict — The Defense Process

A criminal case in Wisconsin moves through distinct stages, and what your attorney does at each stage shapes everything that follows. The process begins with arrest and booking, followed by an initial appearance where bail is addressed. Following a warrantless arrest, the State generally must obtain a prompt judicial determination of probable cause, ordinarily within 48 hours, subject to limited exceptions. In Milwaukee County, initial appearances are typically scheduled quickly, and state criminal matters are handled at the Milwaukee County Safety Building.

Felony cases may then proceed to a preliminary examination, where the court determines whether probable cause exists to believe a felony was committed, followed by arraignment and discovery. Misdemeanor cases generally follow a different path that does not include a preliminary examination. A preliminary examination can also be waived, and some cases proceed by indictment rather than by complaint and information. Pre-trial motions—including motions to suppress evidence obtained through unlawful searches or coerced statements—can reshape the case before trial begins.

Then comes the trial: jury selection, opening statements, witness examination, closing arguments, and a verdict.

GRGB gets involved early. The firm takes cases as early as the investigation stage—before charges are formally filed—because early intervention can affect whether charges are brought at all.

Building a Robust Defense Strategy

Every defense starts with the evidence. GRGB attorneys examine the prosecution’s case for constitutional violations—Fourth Amendment search and seizure issues, Fifth Amendment self-incrimination protections, Sixth Amendment right to counsel. Where evidence was obtained in violation of those protections, a court may order it suppressed, though suppression is not automatic. It depends on whether a violation occurred, whether the defendant has standing to challenge the search, and whether doctrines such as attenuation, independent source, or inevitable discovery apply.

Beyond constitutional challenges, the defense may involve alibi evidence, self-defense claims, lack of intent, or challenges to witness credibility. GRGB’s criminal defense practice includes attorneys who previously served as prosecutors in Wisconsin counties and attorneys who spent years at the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office. Having worked both sides of a criminal case informs how the firm evaluates the government’s evidence.

Why GRGB? Milwaukee’s Trial-First Criminal Defense Team

GRGB was founded by trial lawyers. With a trial-first philosophy built over 55-plus years, GRGB’s criminal defense attorneys have taken serious, complex, and high-profile Wisconsin cases to verdict.

A Team Built from Both Sides of the Courtroom

The firm’s criminal defense practice is led by a trial attorney whose work focuses on high-profile and sensitive cases requiring both courtroom skill and discretion, and includes attorneys licensed in Wisconsin and Illinois, a Marquette University Law School adjunct professor of trial advocacy, a State Bar of Wisconsin Mentor of the Year, former prosecutors from Sheboygan and Waukesha counties, and former Wisconsin State Public Defenders with years of institutional defense experience.

National Reach, Local Roots

GRGB holds a U.S. News & World Report First-Tier ranking in White Collar Criminal Defense and is recognized among the National Trial Lawyers Top 100. Attorneys at the firm carry AV Preeminent ratings, Best Lawyers in America designations, and Super Lawyer recognitions spanning decades. The firm handles cases with national and international dimensions, and its roots are in Milwaukee, where it has practiced at 330 East Kilbourn Avenue for more than five decades.

Serious Criminal Charges We Handle in Wisconsin

GRGB represents clients facing Wisconsin’s most serious criminal charges—from violent felonies to complex federal investigations. The firm’s experience, team depth, and courtroom record are built for cases where the stakes are highest.

Violent Crimes and Homicide Defense

First-degree intentional homicide is a Class A felony under Wis. Stat. § 940.01, carrying life imprisonment. Under Wis. Stat. § 973.014, the sentencing court determines whether the person is eligible for release to extended supervision and, if so, sets that eligibility date—or the court may order that the person is not eligible for release at all. Second-degree intentional homicide under § 940.05 and first-degree reckless homicide under § 940.02 are Class B felonies with maximum sentences of 60 years.

Milwaukee recorded 131 homicides in 2024, down from a record 215 in 2022 but still above pre-pandemic levels. GRGB’s criminal defense team has tried homicide and murder cases in Milwaukee County for decades. The firm also handles assault, battery, felony murder, manslaughter, and domestic violence defense.

Strangulation and Suffocation Charges

Strangulation and suffocation is charged with increasing frequency in Wisconsin, particularly alongside domestic incidents. Under Wis. Stat. § 940.235, intentionally impeding another person’s normal breathing or circulation of blood by applying pressure to the throat or neck, or by blocking the nose or mouth, is a Class H felony—punishable by up to 6 years of imprisonment and a $10,000 fine. The offense becomes a Class G felony, carrying up to 10 years, where the person has a prior conviction under the section or a prior conviction for certain violent crimes.

Wisconsin created strangulation and suffocation as a standalone offense through 2007 Wisconsin Act 127. Before that, allegations of this kind were often charged as misdemeanor battery or disorderly conduct. The practical consequence is significant: an allegation that would once have been a misdemeanor can now be charged as a felony, and the statute does not require visible injury. GRGB defends strangulation and suffocation charges, including cases where the allegation arises from a domestic dispute and where the physical evidence is limited or absent.

Federal Criminal Defense

Federal charges are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin at 517 E. Wisconsin Avenue in Milwaukee. Drug trafficking conspiracies, wire fraud, RICO, money laundering, firearms charges, and child exploitation cases all fall under federal jurisdiction.

The stakes in federal court are severe. Federal criminal cases overwhelmingly resolve by plea rather than trial, conviction rates are high, and many federal charges carry mandatory minimum sentences and sentencing guideline exposure well beyond comparable state charges. GRGB’s federal practice includes attorneys with prior government experience who understand how federal cases are built.

White-Collar Crime and Financial Crimes

White-collar criminal defense involves fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, tax evasion, securities fraud, and other financially motivated offenses. These cases are often prosecuted federally and involve complex financial evidence, parallel civil proceedings, and government investigations that can span years. GRGB handles white-collar matters in both state and federal courts.

Drug Crimes, Including Drug House Charges

GRGB defends the full range of Wisconsin drug charges: trafficking, distribution, possession with intent, manufacturing, and federal narcotics conspiracies. One charge that surprises many people is keeping or maintaining a drug trafficking place under Wis. Stat. § 961.42, commonly called a drug house charge. It is a Class I felony, and it turns on control of a location rather than possession of drugs—whether a person knowingly kept or maintained a building, dwelling, vehicle, or other place used for manufacturing, keeping, or delivering controlled substances.

Because the charge focuses on the place rather than the person, it is frequently stacked onto other drug counts to increase exposure. Wisconsin courts have set limits on how far it reaches: keeping requires warehousing or storage for eventual manufacture or delivery rather than mere possession, and evidence that a vehicle was used on a single occasion to transport drugs has been held insufficient to establish that the vehicle was maintained as a drug trafficking place.

Other Serious State Charges

GRGB’s criminal defense practice also covers sex crimes, OWI/DUI defense, firearms and weapons charges, robbery, theft, and fraud. The common thread is seriousness and complexity—these are cases where the outcome can mean decades in prison and a criminal record that is difficult to undo.

What Happens When You’re Charged with a Felony in Milwaukee?

A felony charge in Wisconsin can mean years or decades in prison, the loss of specific civil rights, and a record that affects employment and housing for a long time. Understanding what’s about to happen—and acting quickly—is critical. The attorney you hire on day one shapes everything that follows.

A felony conviction carries consequences that extend well past any sentence: the right to vote is suspended while a person is serving a sentence, firearm possession is prohibited, jury service and holding public office are affected, and occupational licensing, immigration status, and public benefits can all be implicated. Different rights are lost and restored under different rules. Wisconsin does recognize limited expungement under Wis. Stat. § 973.015, which is subject to age and offense restrictions and generally must be ordered by the court at sentencing, so raising it early matters.

Wisconsin Felony Classifications — What’s at Stake

Under Wis. Stat. § 939.50, Wisconsin classifies felonies into nine categories:

• Class A: Life imprisonment (first-degree intentional homicide).
• Class B: Up to 60 years (second-degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless homicide, first-degree sexual assault under § 940.225(1)).
• Class C: Up to 40 years and a $100,000 fine.
• Class D: Up to 25 years and a $100,000 fine.
• Class E: Up to 15 years and a $50,000 fine.
• Class F: Up to 12.5 years and a $25,000 fine.
• Class G: Up to 10 years and a $25,000 fine.
• Class H: Up to 6 years and a $10,000 fine.
• Class I: Up to 3.5 years and a $10,000 fine.

Wisconsin’s Truth-in-Sentencing law eliminated parole for offenses committed after it took effect. A modern sentence is bifurcated into a term of initial confinement followed by extended supervision, and ordinary good-time credit does not shorten the confinement portion. Limited statutory programs and remedies can affect that term, including the Challenge Incarceration Program, the Substance Use Disorder Program, sentence adjustment petitions, sentence modification, and credit for presentence custody. Life sentences operate under a different framework. That structure makes the defense attorney’s role at sentencing—and in fighting the charges before sentencing—especially significant.

The Criminal Process in Milwaukee County

State criminal cases in Milwaukee County are handled at the Milwaukee County Safety Building, 821 W. State Street. Criminal complaints are filed by the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office.

Wisconsin’s statutory speedy trial provision appears at Wis. Stat. § 971.10. In misdemeanor cases, trial is to commence within 60 days of the initial appearance. In felony cases, trial is to commence within 90 days of a speedy trial demand, which may not be made until after the information or indictment is filed. Courts may grant continuances where the ends of justice outweigh the interest in a speedy trial, and the remedy for a statutory violation is generally release from custody rather than dismissal of the charges. The constitutional speedy trial right is analyzed separately. These timelines create urgency and also strategic decisions that an experienced defense attorney can weigh with the client.

Do You Really Need a Criminal Defense Lawyer if You Plan to Plead Guilty?

Yes. Even if you are considering a plea, an experienced defense attorney can affect the terms substantially. GRGB attorneys routinely find, after careful evidence review, that cases clients assumed were lost were more defensible than they appeared.

The overwhelming majority of federal defendants resolve their cases by guilty plea rather than trial. But a plea is a decision that should follow an evaluation of the evidence, not precede it. Defense attorneys review the record for constitutional violations that could result in key evidence being suppressed, identify charging and sentencing exposure the client may not understand, and negotiate terms with that analysis in hand.

Criminal charges can also trigger consequences beyond the courtroom: immigration status, professional licensing, employment, and civil rights. The intersection between criminal defense and these other areas of law is something GRGB understands. The firm’s attorneys handle both the criminal case and any parallel professional license defense proceedings that may arise from the same charges.

Criminal Defense in Milwaukee: Courts, Prosecutors, and Local Knowledge That Matters

Criminal defense in Milwaukee is not generic work. The judges, prosecutors, and procedures at the Milwaukee County Safety Building differ from those at the Eastern District federal courthouse. GRGB has practiced in both courts for decades, and that accumulated familiarity with local procedure is part of what the firm brings to every case.

Milwaukee and Wisconsin Courts

• Milwaukee County Circuit Court — Criminal Division: Milwaukee County Safety Building, 821 W. State Street, Room 117, Milwaukee, WI 53233. Handles state criminal cases from misdemeanors through Class A felonies.
• U.S. District Court — Eastern District of Wisconsin: 517 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Room 362, Milwaukee, WI 53202. Handles federal criminal cases for Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha, Ozaukee, Washington, and surrounding counties.
• Wisconsin Court of Appeals (District I): Serves Milwaukee County for criminal appeals.
• Wisconsin Supreme Court: Madison. The ultimate state appellate authority for criminal matters.

GRGB’s office at 330 East Kilbourn Avenue is within walking distance of the federal courthouse and a short drive from the Safety Building.

The firm represents clients throughout Wisconsin—Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha, Sheboygan, Madison, Green Bay, and beyond—and handles matters with national and international dimensions. Schedule your consultation today. Call 414-271-1440 or contact GRGB online to discuss your case.

Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Defense

How soon should I contact a criminal defense attorney after being arrested?

Immediately, ideally before you speak to police or investigators. Anything you say can be used against you. An attorney can be present during questioning, advise you on your right to remain silent, and begin building your defense from day one. GRGB accepts urgent criminal defense consultations.

What is the difference between a state criminal charge and a federal criminal charge?

State charges are prosecuted by the county District Attorney in Wisconsin Circuit Court under state statutes. Federal charges are brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in U.S. District Court, with the federal sentencing guidelines applying. Many federal charges carry mandatory minimum sentences, and federal investigations typically involve greater resources and longer timelines, which is why experienced federal defense counsel matters in these cases.

What is a strangulation charge in Wisconsin, and why is it a felony?

Under Wis. Stat. § 940.235, intentionally impeding another person’s normal breathing or blood circulation by applying pressure to the throat or neck, or by blocking the nose or mouth, is a Class H felony carrying up to 6 years and a $10,000 fine. It becomes a Class G felony, with up to 10 years, where the person has a qualifying prior conviction. Wisconsin made this a standalone offense in 2007 Wisconsin Act 127. Because the statute does not require visible injury, allegations that would previously have been charged as misdemeanors are now frequently charged as felonies, often alongside domestic abuse counts.

Can GRGB handle criminal charges outside of Milwaukee?

Yes. GRGB represents clients statewide—Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha, Sheboygan, Madison, Green Bay, and beyond. The firm includes an attorney licensed in Illinois, handles high-profile cases requiring travel, and manages matters with national and international reach.

What does it mean that GRGB attorneys are former prosecutors?

It means they have seen how the government builds a case. Former prosecutors understand charging decisions, what evidence tends to matter to a jury, and where investigative procedures can be challenged. GRGB’s criminal defense team includes attorneys who prosecuted cases in Wisconsin counties as well as attorneys who spent years as Wisconsin State Public Defenders.

Will my criminal case go to trial?

Most criminal cases do not go to trial. GRGB prepares cases as though they will be tried, so the firm is ready to present the case to a jury when a resolution cannot be reached on acceptable terms.

How does hiring GRGB compare to using a public defender?

The Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office represents people who meet its financial eligibility standards, and its attorneys handle a substantial volume of Wisconsin’s criminal cases. GRGB is a private firm, which means clients select their attorney directly and the firm sets the level of resources devoted to a case: early investigation, pre-trial motion practice, direct attorney access, and full trial preparation. Several GRGB attorneys previously served as Wisconsin State Public Defenders.

Does GRGB handle cases involving professional license consequences?

Yes. A criminal charge can trigger licensing investigations for doctors, lawyers, nurses, and other licensed professionals—even before a conviction. GRGB handles both the criminal defense and any parallel professional license defense, which matters because the two proceedings involve overlapping evidence and strategy.

What is white-collar criminal defense?

White-collar defense involves representing individuals and businesses accused of financially motivated crimes: fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, tax evasion, bribery, and securities fraud. These cases are often prosecuted federally and involve complex financial evidence. GRGB handles white-collar matters in both state and federal courts, including parallel civil proceedings and government investigations.