What to Expect When Sentenced to Jail in Wisconsin

The defense attorneys at Eisenberg Law Offices in Wisconsin work hard to keep our clients out of jail, but sometimes, jail time is unavoidable given the severity of the charges or if the crime has mandatory jail time. If you do find yourself facing time in jail or prison, our team is here to help you navigate the sentencing and service process.

Jail and Work

One of the most common questions we hear is “Can I leave jail to go to work?” In some cases, the answer is yes. If you were granted Huber Work Release, you are able to leave the jail to go to work, receive treatment, take care of your children, or search for a job. The specifics of your work/personal release program is determined by the jail staff. It is considered a privilege and can be taken away if the staff determines that you are not following the Huber Work Release rules. If this happens, you may even lose credit towards “good time” (good time can lead to a 25% reduction in your sentence) or have to serve “straight time”, which is jail for 24 hours a day with no option of work release.

Huber Work Release starts with an eligibility evaluation. This takes place on the day you report to serve your sentence with Huber release. The jail will give you a drug test and an alcohol test right away. If you fail either test, your work release will be denied and you will have to serve your sentence as straight time.

Those on Huber Work Release are able to bring clothes and other necessary items with them to jail. You will need to check with the specific jail to find out what is and is not allowed. You will also have to bring certain documentation and pay Huber release fees. Failure to bring the documentation or fees can result in a denial of work release.

Monitoring Bracelets as an Alternative to Jail

Electronic monitoring via ankle bracelet may be a possibility. Similar to Huber release programs, electronic monitoring is at the discretion of the jail where you will be serving time. If you are eligible for Huber release, the bracelet will allow you to go to work, be at home, etc. depending on the terms of your work release. Each has its own requirements and restrictions, so you’ll need to work out your restrictions with the jail.

Reporting for Jail in Wisconsin

The judge determines when you are to report to jail. You may be taken into custody immediately after the sentence is announced or you may be given a report date on which to turn yourself in. If you do not show up to the correct jail on your report date, you’ll be charged with a felony. In Wisconsin, the term “prison” is used to refer to sentences of more than one year with no release privileges or good time credit.

In general, you will be able to request a transfer to a jail located in the county in which you live. This is done after you report to the jail to which the judge has sentenced you. The county jail that you have requested has final say if you can be housed there or not.

Eisenberg Law Offices Can Help You Navigate Sentencing and Work Release Options

The best way to prepare for jail is to have an experienced advocate on your side. The defense attorneys at Eisenberg Law Offices will work hard through every step of your case to collect and/or challenge evidence, evaluate police actions and conduct, negotiate with the prosecution, or discuss sentencing options with the judge, including work release, to minimize the impact of a jail sentence on your life.

Contact Eisenberg Law Offices at 608-256-8356 or by emailing Info@eisenberglaw.org to schedule a free, no-risk consultation with one of our Wisconsin criminal law attorneys to prepare for your court case or sentencing hearing.