Matthew J. Krische
Top rated Criminal Defense attorney in Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Krische & Moertel LLC
Practice areas: Criminal Defense; view more
Licensed in Wisconsin since: 2011
Education: Hamline University School of Law
Selected to Rising Stars: 2016 - 2023 Call today:
715-579-9675
Krische & Moertel LLC
21 S. Barstow StreetSuite 211
Eau Claire, WI 54701 Visit website
Details 
Focused exclusively on criminal defense cases, Matthew J. Krische founded Krische & Moertel Trial Attorneys, LLC to help people facing charges that include felonies, misdemeanors, drunk driving, sex offenses, weapons crimes, theft and drug crimes. He represents clients in Menomonie, Chippewa Falls, River Falls and Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
After earning a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Mr. Krische went on to receive a Juris Doctor in 2010 from the Hamline University Mitchell Hamline School of Law.
An aggressive trial attorney, Mr. Krische is thorough when preparing a defense. He knows that even in the early stages of the criminal system, a person’s rights could be violated or, at the very least, compromised. As soon as clients reach out to him, Mr. Krische begins strategizing the best possible way to protect their interests.
This client-focused approach is the reason Mr. Krische has had numerous successes, which include not-guilty jury verdicts in cases involving battery, strangulation, sexual assault and controlled substances. He has also prevented cases from going to trial, such as an instance in which he proved that a witness had lied to police about a sexual assault charge. In other cases, he obtained case dismissals and reduced sentencing on behalf of clients.
Admitted to practice in Wisconsin and Minnesota, Mr. Krische is active in the legal community through his memberships with the Eau Claire County Bar Association, the Chippewa County Bar Association, the Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the State Bar of Wisconsin, and the Minnesota State Bar Association.
Practice areas
Criminal DefenseFocus areas
Assault & Battery, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Felony, Misdemeanor, Sex Offenses, Theft, Traffic Violations
- 100% Criminal Defense
First Admitted: 2011, Wisconsin
Professional Webpage: https://www.eauclaireattorney.com/attorney/matthew-j-krische...
Bar / Professional Activity
- Wisconsin Bar Association , 2025
- National College of DUI Defense, 2025
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2025
- State Bar of Minnesota, 2025
- Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member, 2025
- State Bar of Wisconsin, 2025
- Chippewa County Bar, 2025
- Minnesota Bar Association, 2025
- Eau Claire County Bar Association. Curren member, past Bar President (2020-2021), 2025
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Client charged with second degree sexual assault of intoxicated person. We filed a motion that was granted to introduce 972.11 evidence (rape shield) allowing the defense to introduce evidence that the Client and alleged victim had consensual sexual intercourse prior to the alleged offense date and for weeks after the alleged offense date. The granted motion allowed us to successfully negotiate a settlement where the sexual assault case was dismissed with prejudice., 2025
- Client charged with repeated sexual assault of a child, one count of child enticement, and two counts of neglect of a child. Attorney Krische argued to the jury that the only time an accusation was made was after extremely suggestive questions were utilized during a forensic interview, supporting that argument with the testimony of a forensic reviewer. Before the end of the trial, the prosecutor agreed to dismiss the child enticement and the court gave a directed verdict on the two counts of neglect. The jury found the client not guilty of repeated sexual assault, 2025
- Client was charged with OWI and operating with Prohibited Alcohol Concentration. The matter went to a jury trial where Attorney Krische successfully had the matter dismissed at end the State's case because no evidence had been entered regarding the client's inability to safely control the motor vehicle due to the consumption of alcohol. For the remaining count, Attorney Krische successfully argued to the jury that the State failed to prove the client's blood alcohol concentration was .08 or above at the time of driving. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty., 2025
- Client charged with third degree sexual assault. Attorney Krische argued multiple pretrial motions that allowed the jury to hear evidence about the prior consensual intercourse between the client and the alleged victim, allowed evidence of prior untruthful acts of the alleged victim, and prohibited multiple other acts evidence the State had asked to introduce. The matter proceeded to trial where the alleged victim was confronted with her multiple text messages she had sent and received during the relationship, including admissions of consensual sexual acts. After 7 1/2 hours of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty., 2025
- Client charged with possession of child pornography. The case had multiple issues regarding improper seizure of electronics, whether the images met the statutory definitions, and past trauma that allowed Attorney Krische to successfully negotiate the charge to a lesser offense for probation. As a result, the mandatory imprisonment went away and the client was able to obtain fulltime employment and go about their life., 2025
- Client was charged with second degree sexual assault of person incapable of giving consent due to intoxication. The matter proceeded to a jury trial. At trial, Attorney Krische entered evidence through witnesses that the alleged victim was in control of her decisions and movements, there was a disparity between witnesses who described her as intoxicated and as not, there was no forensic evidence of intoxication, and the alleged victim had a bias against the client because he dated her friend right after their encounter. After a two-day trial, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty., 2023
- Client charged with repeated sexual assault of a child and second degree sexual assault by use of force. The matter proceeded to jury trial where Attorney Krische was able to provide evidence that the alleged victim had a motive to make the accusation. The alleged offenses were claimed to have occurred during the alleged victim's childhood. Through cross-examination of the alleged victim, it was admitted that she had been visiting client and his new family from age 18 through age 21, had been provided for financially by the client and his family, and had been cut off financially right before making the accusation to police. After a two-day trial, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty., 2023
- Client charged with repeated sexual assault of a child. The matter went to trial where Attorney Krische was able to show through cross examination of the alleged victim, and through testimony of defense witnesses, that the alleged victim has a motive to fabricate the accusation. Evidence was introduced that the alleged victim no longer wished to live under the rules of the home and had made statements indicating an intent to lie. After a two-day trial, the jury returned with a verdict of not guilty, 2023
- Client charged with possession of child pornography while under age 18. Attorney Krische successfully negotiated a resolution to an offense that did not mandate registration and where the most serious offense would be expunged upon completion of certain conditions., 2025
- Client hired Attorney Krische as successor counsel after first attorney was discharged. A thorough motion to suppress evidence was filed which led to a new round of negotiation. The felony charged of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine (50g) was reduced to the lowest possession with intent felony (less than 5g) and the parties were free to argue the sentence. Attorney Krische filed a lengthy sentencing memorandum outlining the presentence investigation's failure to take into account addiction as a precursor to the offense. Through the sentencing argument, the court sided with the defense and ordered a low sentence that allowed for treatment and early release from custody., 2025
- Client charged with first degree intentional homicide, first degree intentional homicide of unborn child, and hiding a corpse. A review of discovery revealed that while the State could prove hiding a corpse, there was very limited evidence for manner/cause of death. Through negotiation, we were able to resolve the matter to a single reduced felony charge. The State requested the maximum sentence, but through our filed sentencing memorandum, alternative PSI, and argument at court, the judge sided with our points and ordered a lessor sentence., 2025
- Client charged with felony theft by representative. The discovery was voluminous, but a careful review revealed the monetary amount the prosecution sought was too high. Using this information, as well as a lack of criminal history, we were able to successfully negotiate the felony to a misdemeanor theft for probation. , 2024
- Client was charged with OWI 5th offense and multiple counts of fleeing an officer in three different counties. We successfully argued a motion collaterally attacking two prior OWI convictions, showing the court that the client was not properly informed of his right to an attorney nor explained how an attorney could assist him. The court granted the motion which lessened the felony OWI charge to a misdemeanor charge of OWI 3rd offense. With that felony taken care of, we were able to negotiate a global resolution for probation and dismissal of multiple felonies throughout the three counties., 2024
- Client was charged with second degree sexual assault of a child. The charges were based upon an interview conducted by DHS. We retained an expert on child forensic interviews who was able to provide us with the best practices for such interviews and review the interview at issue. The expert's report was very helpful in negotiating a misdemeanor resolution for probation, no jail, and no sex offender registration., 2024
- Client charged with OWI 2nd offense. We filed a motion to suppress based upon no reasonable suspicion to request field sobriety tests. During the testimony, the officer changed his statements from what was recorded on the body worn camera; he was unable to explain why his written report was different from the conversation that was recorded. After testimony and arguments, the court found the officer lacked the necessary reasonable suspicion to extend the stop for field sobriety tests. The OWI matter was dismissed., 2024
Educational Background
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, B.B.A., 2002-2006
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Presented to the Annual President's Conference of the Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys. The presentation focused on defending sexual assault charges by moving for the admission of rape shield evidence, presenting sample motion arguments, and discussing motion strategies., Presenter, Playing Offense: Piercing the 972.11 Sheild, Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Defense Attorneys, 2024
Honors
- This award is presented to attorney who successfully defend and obtain acquittals on felony sexual assault charges. This award was presented for obtaining an acquittal of client charged with incest of step-cousin. We were able to show the jury the alleged victim was not credible based upon her numerous changed in story to the police and while testifying. We were able to show the jury that the police found no evidence the person she claimed to be communicating with was the Client., Kuchler-Nicholson-Stilling Award, Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2023
- This award is presented to attorneys who successfully defend and obtain acquittals on felony sexual assault charges. This award was presented for obtaining an acquittal on a client charged with repeated sexual assault of a child. We were able to show the jury that the alleged victim had a motive for making a false allegation of abuse that was alleged to have occurred years prior. At the time of the allegation, the alleged victim had been cut off financially from the client. We able to show the jury that during the time the alleged victim was receiving financial support, she and her boyfriend spent a majority of their time with the client and his family; there was never any animosity until he would no longer provide her with support., Kuchler-Nicholson-Stilling Award, Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2024
- This award is presented to attorneys who successfully defend and obtain acquittals on felony sexual assault cases. This award was presented for obtaining an acquittal on a client who was charged with second degree sexual assault of a child. We were able to show the jury that the alleged victim had a motive for providing a false statement so she could leave the home and be free from the house rules. That motive was supported by witness testimony as well as a recorded statement of the alleged victim., Kuchler-Nicholson-Stilling Award, Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2024
- This award is presented to attorneys who successfully defend and obtain acquittals on felony sexual assault charges. This award was presented for obtaining an acquittal on a client who was charged with second degree sexual assault of intoxicated person. We were able to show the jury the sexual intercourse was consensual based upon statements of the alleged victim, statements of witnesses, and the interactions between the client and alleged victim weeks after the incident date., Kuchler-Nicholson-Stilling Award, Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2024
Office location for Matthew J. Krische
21 S. Barstow Street
Suite 211
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Phone: 715-579-9675
Selections
8 Years Rising Stars
- Rising Stars: 2016 - 2023
