Legal Question in Criminal Law in Wisconsin

In order to avoid being arrested and held in custody, I would suggest that anyone facing a municipal court arrest warrant should first post a bond deposit which is sufficient to cover the fine (thereby vacating the arrest warrant, hopefully), and to only then consider whether or not it is worthwhile to fight over the legality of this newly revived, old case against you. Posting bond does not usually waive your right to fight the charge, as long as you make this clear in writing but hiring a lawyer to file the appropriate documents contesting the case. You might be able to argue that the loss of the paperwork constituted �arbitrary and capricious� conduct by the government, perhaps giving you an argument that the judge should throw out the charge. If this is not a municipal court case but instead a circuit court criminal case, there is probably much more at stake than a mere fine, since you could potentially be sentenced to jail on the charges. If so, it is even more important for you to hire an experienced criminal lawyer immediately. If it was criminal disorderly conduct case rather than an ordinance and you violated your bond my missing court, you could also face potential new charges for "bail jumping," which is shorthand for any sort of violation of your bond, including missing a court date or committing any sort of new violation while out on bond. This new potential charge can potentially double your jail exposure and can be more serious (and difficult to fight) than the original charge, again requiring you to immediately get competent legal representation. My comments in this public web forum are intended only for public educational purposes and are not legal advice specifically for you. Instead, you should retain a lawyer in order to meet your legal needs since I will be taking no action on your case. You are welcome to contact my Racine, WI office at 262-633-3090 or email me at [email protected] for further information if you desire it.