On Point blog, page 2 of 4
State v. Heather L. Steinhardt, 2015AP993-CR, petition for review granted 10/11/2016
Review of an unpublished per curiam court of appeals decision; case activity (including briefs); petition for review
Issues (composed by On Point)
(1) Was Steinhardt’s right to be free from double jeopardy violated when she was convicted of both party to the crime of First Degree Child Sexual Assault in violation of § 948.02(1)(e) and Failure to Protect a Child from Sexual Assault in violation of § 948.02(3)?
(2) Did Steinhardt forfeit her right to raise the double jeopardy issue by pleading no contest to the charges?
(3) Did Steinhardt’s postconviction motion, which alleged trial counsel was ineffective for failing to advise her about the double jeopardy issue, sufficiently allege that she was prejudiced by trial counsel’s failure?
Court of appeals affirms plea though defendant misunderstood appellate rights; trips over law governing plea withdrawal and IAC
State v. Jeromy Miller, 2014AP1246-CR, 2/24/15, District 2 (not recommended for publication); click here for docket and briefs
This decision smells like SCOW bait. Miller pleaded guilty believing that he had the right to appeal the circuit court’s denial of his pre-trial motion to dismiss. Both the court and defense counsel told him so. The State concedes they were wrong. The court of appeals held the error harmless because the motion had no merit. In doing so it bungled case law re plea withdrawal and the “prejudice” prong of an ineffective assistance of counsel claim.
Facts as found by circuit court supported probable cause to arrest for OWI
City of Chippewa Falls v. Douglas M. Buchli, 2014AP1422, District 3, 12/23/14 (1-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity
There was probable cause to arrest Buchli for OWI despite the fact the police investigation discovered inconsistent information—including an admission by Buchli’s companion, Mahoney, that she was driving.
Judge’s factual findings weren’t clearly erroneous, despite officer’s equivocal testimony
City of Antigo v. M.K., 2013AP2627, District 3, 7/8/14 (1-judge; ineligible for publication); case activity
The circuit court held there was reasonable suspicion to stop the vehicle M.K. was driving because the court found the officer knew the vehicle’s registration was expired before he made the stop. The court’s finding of fact was not clearly erroneous, even though the officer’s testimony was equivocal as to whether he learned that fact as part of the original dispatch or after he spotted the vehicle and called in the license plate.
CCW, § 941.23 (Pre-Act 35 Amendment) – Facially Constitutional
State v. Brian K. Little, 2011AP1740-CR, District 4, 1/26/12
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Little: Lane Fitzgerald; case activity
The court rejects challenges to § 941.23, carrying concealed weapon, as facially violating the state and federal constitutional right to bear arms. (The statute presently allows concealed carry under specified circumstances, 2011 WI Act 35. Little was convicted under the prior version,
Guilty Plea Waiver Rule
Columbia County v. Fred A. Ederer, 2010AP2369, District 4, 5/12/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Ederer: John Smerlinski; case activity
Ederer’s no contest plea waived his right to appeal suppression issue in this OWI-1st (therefore, civil) case. His reliance on County of Ozaukee v. Quelle, 198 Wis. 2d 269, 275-76, 542 N.W.2d 196 (Ct. App. 1995) (court should consider 4-factor test in determining whether to impose waiver bar) is misplaced:
¶5 Ederer acknowledges that Quelle was partially overruled on other grounds by Washburn County v.
Reasonable Suspicion – OWI Stop; Guilty Plea Waiver Rule – Suppression Rule; Briefing Rules
City of West Allis v. Susan Schneidler, 2010AP2531, District 1, 4/5/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Schneidler: Thomas C. Simon; case activity
Tip from an identified citizen informant – that she had seen Schneidler drinking alcohol before driving off – supported stop of Schneidler’s car, without requiring independent corroboration.
¶18 In short, Parr was a reliable witness who told police that she personally observed Schneidler drink alcohol and then drive and who made herself available to the police for questioning.
Guilty Plea – Withdrawal – Presentence, Undisclosed Exculpatory Evidence, Waiver Rule; Ineffective Assistance of Counsel; Sentencing
State v. Morris L. Harris, 2009AP2759-CR, District 1, 11/2/10
court of appeals decision (3-judge, not recommended for publication); for Harris: Gary Grass; BiC; Resp.; Reply
Guilty Plea – Withdrawal – Presentence
The trial court properly applied the “fair and just reason” standard to Harris’s presentencing motion to withdraw guilty plea, ¶¶5-9.
The particular grounds asserted – no factual basis for plea;
Guilty Plea Waiver Rule: Detainer Act Claim
State v. Karon M. Asmus, 2010 WI App 48; for Asmus: Donald C. Dudley
Interstate Detainer Act claim is waived by guilty plea:
¶3 A guilty plea constitutes a waiver of all nonjurisdictional defects and defenses. State v. Kelty, 2006 WI 101, ¶18, 294 Wis. 2d 62, 716 N.W.2d 886. This rule applies even though the defendant attempts to preserve an issue by raising it in the circuit court.
Guilty Plea Waiver Rule – Generally, Authority to Ignore
State v. Benjamin D. Tarrant, 2009 WI App 121
For Tarrant: Susan E. Alesia, SPD, Madison Appellate
Issue/Holding:
¶6 Waiver. Before addressing the merits, the State argues that Tarrant’s no contest plea constitutes a waiver of all nonjurisdictional defects and defenses. State v. Multaler, 2002 WI 35, ¶54, 252 Wis. 2d 54, 643 N.W.2d 437.