If you have been accused of battery, strangulation/suffocation, reckless injury, or another violent crime, Nelson Defense Group is here for you in this time of crisis. We are a team of criminal defense trial attorneys who are fully committed to defending our clients against the power of government, no matter how serious the charge.

Along with earning acquittals in high-stakes cases, we also work to have serious charges reduced or dismissed. But our real success is measured by the lives we’ve helped protect and the futures we’ve helped restore.

We know the stakes are high – let us help

We don’t just react to charges—we build strategic, human-centered defenses that confront the narrative being used against you. In violent crime cases, we work relentlessly to uncover the deeper truth and frame the facts to show the person behind the accusation. We investigate every detail and challenge every assumption, because justice depends on more than just evidence—it depends on how that evidence is understood.

We encourage you to contact us if you are accused of any of the following types of crimes:

• Battery, substantial battery
• Strangulation/Suffocation
• Reckless injury
• Homicide: intentional, reckless, negligent, felony, vehicular, OWI, and Len Bias homicide.
• Violent crimes involving sexual allegations
  
  

If you’re facing any of these charges, your future is on the line. Let us help protect it.

Criminal defense trial lawyers based in Wisconsin 

Nelson Defense Group practices criminal defense exclusively in Wisconsin. This is our home—our courts, our judges, our juries. Don’t risk your future with a lawyer who doesn’t know the Wisconsin legal system inside and out. We’ve defended against violent crime charges across the state, from domestic violence to murder, and we know how to fight back when everything is on the line.

When your freedom is at stake, trust the team that understands your rights and your story—right here in Wisconsin.

What should I do after being arrested for a violent crime in Wisconsin?

There are many reasons you should contact an attorney as soon as possible when arrested for a potential violent crime. First, arguments could and should be made that you should not be held in jail on bond simply because you have been accused of a violent crime. Even if allegations are presumed to be true for purposes of bond, violent behavior does not automatically mean the public is at risk while your case is pending, and every argument should be made on your behalf at a bond hearing. This is also true for potential no-contact conditions, which, if unnecessary, can cause major disruptions in your life and work. In addition to the usual criminal penalties, convictions for crimes that are considered violent can also cause difficulty for you in the future, potentially affecting where you live and your ability to work. The earlier you get an attorney on board, the more opportunities there are to protect your interests and start building a solid theory of defense.

What are the penalties for a battery in Wisconsin?

Battery, or simply causing bodily harm to another person without their consent, starts as a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of up to 9 months of jail and up to a $10,000 fine. This can increase to a felony level charge with substantially increased penalties however, if one of many circumstances is present, including substantial bodily harm such as a broken bone, need for stitches, loss of consciousness, etc. Penalties can also increase depending on the level of harm you intended at the time, not just the harm caused. Battery can also be a felony if it takes place between certain individuals, for example, if it occurs while you are in prison or jail, or if the harm is caused to an elderly or disabled person or a protected class of employees, such as law enforcement, public officers, or elected officials.  

Battery is a type of case where the defense frequently builds its theory on a claim of self-defense. In situations where people get physically involved with each other in violent ways, there is usually a lot of context and information regarding how and why the situation got to where it did. When assigning responsibility for harm, it is critical to look at the role all parties played in what went wrong and not simply listen to the person who happened to get hurt or call law enforcement.

Because there are so many factors that can go into specific allegations of battery and claims of self-defense, as well as the substantial penalties that can be involved,  it is important to have an attorney in your corner who has experience with all kinds of battery cases and can tailor a theory of defense to your specific circumstances.

What are the penalties for suffocation/strangulation in Wisconsin?

Stangulation/Suffocation (impeding the normal breathing or circulation of blood by applying pressure on the throat or neck or by blocking the nose or mouth of another person) is a serious allegation with a maximum penalty of up to 6 years imprisonment and up to a $10,000 fine. Penalties can be further increased if you have a prior conviction for strangulation or any other violent crime.  

There has been a significant increase in these types of charges based on changes in law enforcement practice due to pressures from domestic violence advocates who maintain that the presence of strangulation or suffocation presents an increase in potential lethality, especially in domestic violence cases. This has led to checklists that involve asking alleged victims whether very specific things happened to them, even if they did not report them happening in their initial statements. This can lead to issues of credibility where suggestions are made to complaining witnesses. Defense attorneys need to have a background in law enforcement practices and other factors that can influence the credibility of alleged victims and other witnesses.

How does a prior conviction affect my current case?

Your prior convictions can have several impacts on any new charges you face.  

First, the state can increase potential maximum penalties for new charges by adding a Repeater allegation. The state must prove all prior convictions for Repeater allegations just like any other element but if proven along with the other elements of the crime, you will be subject to increased penalties. Some often think that a Repeater allegation means that you committed the same exact crime for a second time. In Wisconsin, however, it means that you were convicted of either a felony or three misdemeanors within the 5 years before the date of the current offense. Depending on your prior convictions and your new charges, maximum penalties can be increased for anywhere from 2 to 10 years.  

Prior convictions are usually considered during plea negotiations and again at sentencing. Because prior convictions can impact your ability to resolve your case with a fair plea agreement and can affect any future sentence you receive, it is important to have an attorney who is experienced in reviewing criminal records for convictions to ensure that any alleged prior convictions are accurate.

Can my charges be reduced or dismissed?

Once you and the prosecuting attorney have both had time to review the evidence and do any additional investigation that is needed, discussions can take place regarding whether a plea agreement can be reached that will reduce the charges and provide recommendations for sentencing. In some cases, it may even be possible to argue that your case should be dismissed entirely. We work hard to help the prosecution see the weaknesses in their case and understand the reasons why they will not be successful if the case goes to trial.  Sometimes we can suppress evidence, which leaves them unable to prove their case at trial. Either way, we will make every attempt to make it difficult or impossible for the state to proceed to trial.  In some cases, once we have done our part, they can conclude on their own that going to trial is not in the interest of justice, and they will dismiss their case.

Should I speak to the police before contacting a lawyer?

We advise that people being investigated or charged not discuss the investigation or charges with the police. Sometimes, law enforcement may approach you with promises to help you take care of your case if you share your side of the story or implicate others in the crime. While we understand that it can be tempting to want to tell your side of the story right away, we advise that you never speak to law enforcement without talking to your attorney first. Anything law enforcement promises to do for you should still be available when your attorney is present. If they will only talk to you alone, then they are not acting in your best interests; they are simply trying to get you to talk to build a case against you.  

In fact, we advise that you not discuss the case with anyone, even with your closest friends and family. Your communication with friends and family is not protected by any kind of privilege, and they can be compelled to testify about anything you say to them. The only conversations about your case that are protected are with your attorney. We will be here to talk through your case with you, and we want you to have every opportunity to challenge the case against you. 

Why choose Nelson Defense Group for violent crime defense?

The attorneys at Nelson Defense Group have a wide range of experience with every kind of violent crime, and we have been doing it for a long time. Violent crimes can carry significant penalties, and they also have more negative impacts on your criminal record than other convictions. When you are facing charges that include violent crimes, you want someone who will take the time to understand all the dynamics of what may have happened, make sure your story is told, and every effort is made to defend you.

Is it possible to avoid jail time with a negotiated plea?

Yes. While every case is different, some of the common benefits of plea agreements are a reduction in the number or seriousness of the charges as well as recommendations for a sentence that you can manage. Reducing or eliminating jail time is one of the biggest components of plea agreements because losing your liberty can have such enormous impacts on work, family, and maintaining the things you have going for you in your life. While recommendations from prosecutors are only recommendations and the judge is not required to follow them, judges tend to give serious weight to the negotiations reached by the parties and will generally try to follow them when they can.

How soon should I contact a lawyer after an arrest?

It is never too soon to consult with an attorney regarding your case and your rights. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we can start working with you to protect your interests, whether that is at the point of a charging decision or appearing in court to argue for fair and reasonable conditions of bond. Arrest and investigation of an alleged crime can be an intimidating and uncomfortable situation to be in, but a skilled attorney can guide you through the process and help you make the most advantageous decisions every step of the way. We will also make sure you understand timelines that apply to your case and work with you to make sure that you never miss an opportunity to challenge your charges.