Capital punishment is a retributive punishment, which means, in short, that it exacts punishment with an "eye-for-an-eye" philosophy - it sentences the person who committed murder to death for causing the death of another person.

In 2007, Wisconsin voters brought the death penalty to reality for Wisconsin juries. Even so, in a recent public survey, people voted to get rid of the death penalty.

Death Penalty Voted By Jury

Under Wisconsin law, the death penalty is imposed by the jury. The jury must first find the defendant guilty of the crime charged. The death penalty must be a possible sentence for the convicted crime. A jury cannot impose the death penalty on a person convicted of a crime for which the death penalty is not available as a punishment.

Once a guilty verdict is returned from the jury, if the death penalty is available, then the jury will be asked to vote on the decision of whether to impose the death penalty. That vote is separate and apart from the jury's vote to determine guilt.

Court's Discretion Of Death Penalty

After the jury determines whether or not the death penalty should be imposed, the jury's decison is given to the Wisconsin Circuit Court judge presiding over the trial. At that point, the judge can accept the jury's decision and impose the death penalty, or set the jury's decision aside and impose sentencing at his or her discretion.

Attorney Chris Van Wagner, a former Chicago, Illinois criminal defense lawyer, defended people in the capital punishment state of Illinois for many years. Not one of Attorney Van Wagner's capital crimes clients ever saw death row (the jail cells provided for people waiting to be put to death).

Free Initial Consultation

If you are under investigation for homicide or murder, if you have been charged with a murder or homicide, or if you have been convicted but believe your conviction or sentencing were wrong, please call (608-284-1200 locally in Madison Wisconsin, or 1-866-262-4599 toll free nationally) right away to speak with an attorney about your case. The attorneys at Van Wagner & Wood will give you a straightforward, honest, brief but professional free first-impression analysis of the case against you so that you may make the critical decisions about your defense.

You can also send your case information to the attorneys for email or telephone response.

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Felony Murder, Homicide, Intentional Homicide, Negligent Homicide, Reckless Homicide

The criminal defense attorneys at Van Wagner & Wood represent people charged with Felony Murder, Homicide, Negligent Homicide, Reckless Homicide, Vehicular Homicide, Reckless Endangerment, First-degree Intentional Homicide, and Second-degree Intentional Homicide. Those attorneys most frequently represent people accused or charged in the state of Wisconsin. Often times, they are called upon by a client residing outside of the state of Wisconsin, which they represent in very serious crimes such as Felony Murder or Homicide. Van Wagner & Wood have handled cases for clients in Kansas, Oklahoma, California, New Jersey, Minnesota, and Illinois.

Appeals & Serious Crimes - Homicide - Murder - State - Federal

Federal Crimes

Van Wagner & Wood's criminal defense attorneys handle Federal cases throughout the state of Wisconsin and Federal appeals cases throughout the nation. The attorneys at Van Wagner & Wood have handled Federal cases for more than twenty years, cases and appeals ranging from Federal conspiracy, drug charges of possession, intent to deliver, sell, distribute controlled substance, securities fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, domestic terrorism, Internet crimes money laundering, to kidnapping.

Sexual Assault, Rape & Sex Crimes

Van Wagner & Wood's criminal law defense lawyers frequently appear in Wisconsin Circuit Courts in Madison, Wisconsin for Dane County; Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin for Chippewa County Circuit Court; Menomonie, Wisconsin for Dunn County Circuit Court; Eau Claire, Wisconsin for Eau Claire Circuit Court; Lancaster, Wisconsin for Grant County Circuit Court; Monroe, Wisconsin for Green County Circuit Court; Mauston, Wisconsin for Juneau County Circuit Court; La Crosse, Wisconsin for LaCrosse County Circuit Court; Wausau, Wisconsin for Marathon County Circuit Court; Sparta, Wisconsin for Monroe County Circuit Court; Stevens Point, Wisconsin for Portage County Circuit Court; Janesville, Wisconsin at Rock County Circuit Court; Baraboo, Wisconsin at Sauk County Circuit Court; Wisconsin Dells at Columbia County Circuit Court; Wisconsin Rapids at Wood County Circuit Court; Waukesha, Wisconsin at Waukesha County Circuit Court; Elkhorn, Wisconsin at Walworth County Circuit Court. They also appear at Oneida Circuit Court in Rhinelander, Wisconsin; Langlade Circuit Court at Antigo, Wisconsin.