Racine County Criminal Defense Attorney
Racine County criminal defense, circuit court practice, municipal courts across 7 cities, and every law enforcement agency in the county. Since 1994.
Racine County, Criminal Defense Since 1994
Cafferty & Scheidegger has defended clients in Racine County Circuit Court and municipal courts throughout the county since 1994. Our main office is at 840 Lake Avenue, two blocks from the Racine County Courthouse. We know the local process, the courthouse geography, and the procedural rhythms that shape a case’s outcome in this county.
Racine County’s criminal-case volume is driven by three factors: the I-94 corridor, the Racine-Mount Pleasant-Sturtevant industrial belt, and the urban core of the City of Racine itself.
Why the City Matters in Your Case
Where in Racine County the alleged offense occurred can affect the entire prosecution posture:
- Arrests inside the City of Racine are prosecuted at the City Municipal Court (ordinance level) or at the County Courthouse (criminal level). The Racine PD and Racine County Sheriff both file here.
- Arrests in Mount Pleasant, Caledonia, Sturtevant, Burlington, Union Grove, and Waterford go to that village/city’s municipal court if it’s an ordinance violation; to the County Courthouse if criminal.
- I-94 arrests typically involve State Patrol and are prosecuted at the county level.
- Federal matters (major drug trafficking, firearms under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), federal white-collar crimes) move to the Eastern District of Wisconsin in Milwaukee.
Our Racine County Practice
- OWI/DUI defense, We handle 1st through felony 5th-offense OWI, CDL-OWI, and § 940.09 vehicular homicide. See our OWI practice and dedicated microsite racineowi.com.
- Homicide defense, Every degree under Chapter 940. See our homicide hub.
- Drug charges, Cocaine, meth, marijuana, heroin, prescription, federal conspiracy. See our drug defense overview.
- Weapons charges, Felon in possession, CCW, federal firearms. See our gun and weapons hub.
- Traffic, All traffic violations, especially CDL and license-suspension matters. Dedicated microsite: racineticket.com.
- Disorderly conduct, domestic violence, theft, white collar, full practice.
Most Common Criminal Charges in Racine County
- OWI/DUI, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th-offense under § 346.63
- Speeding and reckless driving (§§ 346.57, 346.62)
- Drug possession and PWID (Chapter 961)
- Disorderly conduct (§ 947.01), one of the most frequently filed county-wide
- Domestic violence / DC with DV modifier
- Theft and retail theft (§§ 943.20, 943.50)
- Weapons charges, felon in possession (§ 941.29), CCW (§ 941.23)
- Federal charges, white collar, drug conspiracy, firearms
Racine County by the Numbers
Verified statistics from official state and county sources.
How criminal cases move through Racine County court
Racine County cases can move quickly because the courthouse, jail, District Attorney, and most criminal calendars are concentrated around Wisconsin Avenue. The first job is to identify the track: county circuit court for felonies and criminal misdemeanors, municipal court for ordinance and forfeiture matters, or federal court in Milwaukee for federal charges.
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Charging and first appearance
A criminal case usually starts with a police report, arrest, citation, or referral to the District Attorney. The first appearance addresses the charge, bond, no-contact rules, travel limits, and the next court date under § 970.01.
§ 970.01 → -
Felony screening and preliminary hearing
Felony cases usually include a preliminary hearing under § 970.03 unless it is waived. This is one of the earliest chances to pressure the filing theory, test probable cause, and separate witness issues from assumptions in the complaint.
§ 970.03 → -
Arraignment, branch assignment, and motions
After bindover or arraignment, the assigned branch controls scheduling. Defense work turns to discovery, bodycam, squad video, search issues, statements, lab evidence, and motions under § 971.31.
§ 971.31 → -
Municipal court versus circuit court
Racine County municipal courts handle ordinance citations and many traffic forfeitures. Circuit court handles felonies, criminal misdemeanors, criminal traffic, and county-filed forfeitures. That split matters because circuit court can create jail, probation, firearm, immigration, licensing, and CCAP consequences.
Wisconsin municipal courts → -
Resolution, trial, or sentencing
A case can resolve through dismissal, amendment, diversion, plea, treatment court, trial, or sentencing. The strongest defense plan identifies the consequence to prevent before the calendar becomes routine.
Wis. Stat. ch. 972 →
Courts in Racine County
Racine County Circuit Court
730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403
Phone: (262) 636-3333
Felony matters and most misdemeanor cases in Racine County are filed here. Racine County lists ten current circuit court branches.
Sitting Racine County Circuit Court judges
- Hon. Wynne P. Laufenberg · Branch 1 · Chief Judge
- Hon. Eugene A. Gasiorkiewicz · Branch 2
- Hon. Jessica E.H. Lynott · Branch 3
- Hon. Scott P. Craig · Branch 4
- Hon. Kristin M. Cafferty · Branch 5 Listed for factual completeness; the firm does not practice before this branch.
- Hon. David W. Paulson · Branch 6
- Hon. Jamie M. McClendon · Branch 7
- Hon. Faye M. Flancher · Branch 8
- Hon. Robert S. Repischak · Branch 9
- Hon. Timothy D. Boyle · Branch 10
Law Enforcement Agencies Serving Racine County
Racine County Sheriff's Office
County-wide; primary agency for unincorporated townships and I-94 enforcement
Non-emergency: (262) 636-3213
Operates the Racine County Jail and Detention Center. Deputies work multiple drug, traffic, and OWI task forces with neighboring agencies.
Wisconsin State Patrol, Post 4 (Waukesha)
Interstate highway enforcement (I-94, I-894), CDL inspections
Non-emergency: (262) 544-0441
Primary state OWI and commercial-vehicle enforcement on I-94 through Racine County.
FBI, Milwaukee Field Office
Federal offenses (white collar, major drug, firearms, public corruption)
Non-emergency: (414) 276-4684
High-Enforcement Corridors
- I-94 from the Illinois state line north through Sturtevant and Racine to the Milwaukee County line, a major speeding, OWI, and State Patrol enforcement corridor.
- Highway 20 (Washington Ave), primary east-west corridor connecting Racine to Burlington.
- Highway 11 (Durand Ave), Racine city limits through Mount Pleasant and Sturtevant, with traffic and work-zone enforcement varying by project and season.
- Highway 32 (Main St), north-south through eastern Racine County along Lake Michigan.
- Highway 38, Caledonia-to-Milwaukee corridor.
Honors & Recognition
Verified awards and ratings that document our reputation across southeastern Wisconsin.
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Best Law Office, Racine
Cafferty & Scheidegger has been voted top legal practice by Journal Times readers in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025. Patrick Cafferty won Best Attorney individually in 2020; the firm-wide award began in 2021.
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Wisconsin Super Lawyers
Patrick has been named a Super Lawyer every consecutive year since 2008 (Top 50 in Wisconsin). Jillian was recognized as a Rising Star from 2021 to 2025.
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Avvo "Superb" 9.4
Avvo's highest rating tier, calculated from years of experience, disciplinary history, peer endorsements, verified client reviews, and professional achievements.
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Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent
AV Preeminent - Martindale-Hubbell's highest peer-review rating for legal ability and ethical standards, awarded through confidential evaluation by judges and lawyers in the practice area.
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Best Lawyers in America
Recognized in Best Lawyers in America for criminal defense and named Lawyer of the Year, Criminal Defense (Wisconsin).
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Martin Hanson Memorial Prize
The Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers awards this prize for acquittal in a criminal homicide case - one of the rarest and most difficult achievements in criminal defense practice.
Award announcement link pending
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Racine County criminal cases heard?
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OWI / DUI defense
Facing an OWI in Racine County?
We run a dedicated site for OWI/DUI defense in Racine County: statutes, courthouse, and county-specific defense strategy.
Visit the Racine County OWI guideCharged in Racine County? We defend across Racine County.
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