innocent unless proven guilty

attorney jonas bednarek
bednarek law office, LLC
10 East Doty Street, Ste 507
Madison, Wisconsin 53703
608.257.1680

we will defend your innocence

Beyond a reasonable doubt

At the conclusion of a jury trial, the judge will provide the jury with its instructions; that process is referred to as "charging the jury" and the instructions are simply called "jury instructions". Jury instructions include the "letter of the law" as it is stated in Wisconsin statutes, along with explanations to help the jury understand the portion of Wisconsin criminal code read to them and how that code is applied to evidence. In other words, the instructions inform the jury of how to interpret the written law.

Prior to the judge charging the jury, both the criminal defense attorney and the prosecuting attorney can motion (ask) the court to exclude certain instructions, or include explanations that are not part of the Wisconsin Jury Instructions. The judge will consider the requests, and render his decision. That decision is final as far as the trial court is concerned; it can, however, be overturned by the Wisconsin State Court of Appeals or Wisconsin Supreme Court.

After the jury has been charged, they leave the jury box, and gather in closed sessions to discuss the case. It is at that point where the true interpretation and application of "proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt" applies. It is then up the jury to determine when guilt has been proven beyond the shadow of any reasonable doubt.

Often times, a defendant is shocked by a jury's decision when the jury returns a guilty verdict. The defendant is doubtful that the jury considered all the facts, and if they did, how the jury could ever possibly find for a guilty verdict without doubt.

Unfortunately, jurors often return incorrect guilty verdicts. Often times, jurors are swept up in the prosecutor's opening and closing remarks, and his calls for justice to be served (no matter what).

So, while it is true that you are innocent in the eyes of the law until you are proven guilty, it will be the eyes of the jurors that will view the evidence. If you will be tried for a crime, you will have but one chance to defend your innocence.

We will defend your innocence.

Your Rights

You have a right to remain silent and to refrain from giving testimony against yourself. You have a right to face your accusers, unless your act prevents them from giving testimony. You have a right to have legal representation present during questioning. And you have a right to a trial by jury.