On Point

View all >

Defense win: COA reverses guardianship med order

Grant County Dept of Social Services v. D.G.N., 2025AP2382, 2/27/26, District IV (ineligible for publication); case activity

In this appeal limited to the validity of an order for the involuntary administration of psychotropic medication in a guardianship case, COA holds that the county failed to meet two of the Wis. Stat. § 55.14(3) requirements.

Read full article >

SCOW reverses COA in 971.14 med order appeal, decides standard of review for Sell factors, limits Green’s applicability, and declines to resolve several issues

State v. J.D.B., 2026 WI , 2/25/26, reversing a published court of appeals opinion; case activity

SCOW reverses the COA, holding , clarifies the standard of review for each of the Sell factors, holds that Green is overruled to the extent that it “require[d] each and every piece of information it lists” and declines to decide several issues.

Read full article >

SCOTUS holds that trial court may limit discussion between defendant and counsel during overnight trial recess about defendant’s testimony for its own sake but not about issues incidental to testimony.

Villarreal v. Texas, USSC No. 24-557, 2/25/2025, affirming Villarreal v. State, 707 S.W.3d 138 (Tex. Crim. App. 2024) ; Scotusblog page (with links to briefs and commentary)

SCOTUS holds that testifying criminal defendant may be prohibited by trial court from conferring with defense counsel during an overnight recess about testimony for its own sake but not about matters incidental to testimony.

Read full article >

COA: Reasonable suspicion for traffic stop after report to police that vehicle hit road barrier and officer observed “unusual” driving behavior

State of Wisconsin v. Jonathan G. Berbaum, 2025AP1380-CR, 2/25/26, District II (ineligible for publication); case activity

The COA affirmed the circuit court’s order denying the defendant’s motion to suppress the fruits of a traffic stop, which included evidence that led to his conviction for operating a vehicle while intoxicated as a third offense.  The COA found that a witness’s report that a vehicle hit a barrier, combined with the defendant’s erratic driving, provided reasonable suspicion to suspect the driver was operating while intoxicated.

Read full article >

Press Releases

View all >

Public defenders back bill that would create new positions and decrease delays

Read full release >

Wisconsin State Public Defenders and UW Law announce revamped Public Defender Project, bringing real-world experience into the classroom

Read full release >

SPD recognizes outstanding attorneys and advocates at 2025 awards ceremony

Read full release >

SPD Statement on Bill LRB-0779

Read full release >

Tom Reed Retires from SPD After More Than 40 Years of Service

Read full release >

Gina Pruski Presented with 2024 Lifetime of Service Award

Read full release >