Legal Question in Criminal Law in Wisconsin

party to a crime

my niece and nephews where involved in a robbery all three are in custody one of my nephews is underage he was the look out person will he be able to get probation for this or how long will he have to do my sister doesn't have money for a attorney what should she do


Asked on 11/24/08, 5:19 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

JAY Nixon nixon law offices

Party to the Crime of Robbery by Three Siblings, Liability as a Lookout, Court Appointed Attorneys

In WI, all defendants charged with major felonies have the right to an attorney. The WI State Public Defender's Office is responsible for representing persons who satisfy the state's definition of indigency (inability to hire one's own lawyer due to lack of assets). Many counties also have local programs for representation of persons who make too much money or own too many assets to get a public defender. If the mother cannot afford an attorney, she should therefore start with your local WI Public Defender's Office. Unfortunately, as for your nephew who was the "lookout," in WI he is liable for all the same penalties as those to actually executed the robbery under the "party to a crime" laws. It might be more possible, however, for someone in his position to obtain more lenient treatment in return for testifying against the others. Armed robberies or roberries by force in WI usually result in long prison terms upon conviction. Maximum penalties can run 25 years or longer. Hence, your relatives really need to be represented as soon as possible. However, my comments in this online forum to not constitute legal advice and do not create any attorney client relationship between us.

Read more
Answered on 12/07/08, 5:27 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Criminal Law questions and answers in Wisconsin