COA finds challenge to contempt order in CHIPS case moot
Manitowoc County HSD v. K.H.,, 2025AP1865, 7/8/26, District II (ineligible for publication); case activity
Confronted with a relatively straightforward challenge to the circuit court’s discretion, COA finds that no exceptions to mootness require it to address K.H.’s arguments.
K.H. posted information about her CHIPS case on Facebook, in violation of a court order. (¶2). She was served a copy of the order to show cause, which informed her of her right to an attorney. (Id.). At the ensuing hearing, K.H. appeared without counsel and told the court she needed more time to have an attorney appointed. (¶3). The court, however, opted to move forward with the hearing. (Id.). During that hearing, it investigated K.H.’s claim that she had contacted the SPD for a lawyer and they had not responded, finding this claim not credible. (¶4). Although the court ultimately ordered a jail sanction, it stayed that sanction and gave K.H. the opportunity to purge the contempt finding by removing the posts from Facebook. (¶5). When she did not comply, the court partially lifted the stay and ordered that K.H. serve 20 of the 180 days previously ordered. (¶6). The contempt order expired in 2025. (Id.). K.H. now appeals the circuit court’s denial of her post-expiration motion to vacate the contempt finding, focusing on her denial of counsel at the hearing. (¶7).
However, COA finds the appeal moot, as its resolution will have no impact on the expired order. (¶10). It works through all of the mootness exceptions, finds that this discretionary order satisfies none of the criteria identified by SCOW and dismissed K.H.’s appeal.