Feb. 6, 2019 – As a criminal defense attorney, you know there’s a lot to keep track of to serve your clients’ best interests.

For anyone practicing criminal defense – new or experienced – Wisconsin Criminal Defense Manual from State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE^® provides a practical guide consistently help your clients.

You’ll save more time for your clients with the updates and checklists in the newly supplemented Manual, which also provides updates on recent U.S. and Wisconsin Supreme Court decisions.

With all that’s new, though, don’t overlook the procedures and checklists in the Manual’s first two chapters – helping you to run a more efficient and profitable criminal defense practice, no matter your level of experience.

36 Sample Motions and More

The Manual’s Checklist of Trial Motions offers 36 motions that a criminal defense lawyer could file in a typical case. You’ll also find multiple sample motions, including a motion to dismiss with 15 variations to account for different reasons a case should be dismissed, as well as motions to suppress, to sever charges or defendants, for a continuance, to withdraw as counsel, and many others.

These sample forms save you drafting time, and the accompanying case law references and commentary provide a solid starting point for your research.

Because some motions require supporting affidavits, the book also includes sample affidavits, such as a motion for change of venue or venire – to show the type of information needed to position the motion for success.

Don’t Forget a Step with Procedure Checklists

Chapter 1 contains an outline of criminal procedure. Even experienced criminal defense attorneys will find it useful. You can use the checklists as reminders of best practices and to establish a process for thorough, competent, and consistent representation in every case.

Already have your own checklists and procedures? Use the ones in the Manual to inspire revisions to your own – such as adding quick references to relevant cases and statutes.

Find checklists for these common procedures:

• Checklist of Time Limitations – a quick reference for statutory deadlines, handy to print and keep nearby;

• Checklist for the Initial Appearance – how to interview the client, give them initial advice, begin the investigation, argue bail or bond at the initial appearance, demand discovery after the initial appearance, and consider various motions, etc.;

• Checklist for the Preliminary Examination – preparation for the preliminary examination, strategy, examining witnesses at the preliminary examination, and motions to consider;

• Checklist for Plea Negotiations and the Plea Decision – the attorney’s ethical responsibilities, the potential consequences of convictions, an evaluation of the client’s options, maximum and minimum sentences, defense strategies for negotiation, factors for the client to consider in making a decision, and making a final decision, etc.;

• Checklist for the Arraignment – what to do before, during, and after an arraignment;

• Checklist for Trial – tasks before trial, at the opening, at the close of the state’s case, at the close of all the evidence, and after the verdict, along with helpful reminders of deadlines, various motions to make, and issues to preserve; and

• Checklist for Sentencing – common arguments to make, alternatives to incarceration, the presentence report, preparing the defendant, planning for witnesses, sentence credit, and advising the client of the right to appeal.

Keeps You Organized

For attorneys new to criminal defense, Chapter 2 provides tips on organizing the client file. A well-organized file ensures that you keep track of events in the case and have all the information you need at hand.

Getting organized is the first step to providing good representation – and avoiding unpleasant conversations with appellate attorneys later on.

How to Order

The latest supplement to Wisconsin Criminal Defense Manual is available both in print for $179 for members and $229 for nonmembers, and online via Books UnBound®, the State Bar’s interactive online library.

Subscribers to the State Bar’s automatic supplementation service will receive future updates at a discount off the regular price.

For more information or to place an order, visit the WisBar Marketplace or call the State Bar at (800) 728-7788 or (608) 257-3838.