On Point blog, page 2 of 25

COA upholds statute prohibiting possession of a firearm while intoxicated despite State’s failure to adequately litigate matter in circuit court

State v. Bernabe Gonzalez,  2024AP358-CR, 5/6/25, District I (1-judge decision, ineligible for publication); case activity

In what we believe is COA’s first foray into the vexing world of firearm regulation post-Bruen and RahimiCOA holds that Wisconsin’s statute prohibiting intoxicated persons from “going armed” passes muster under an originalist legal analysis.

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COA affirms juvenile waiver decision despite judge’s mistaken belief about SJO program

State v. J.A.V.,  2024AP2081, 4/23/25, District I (1-judge decision, ineligible for publication); case activity

COA rejects two claims relating to the circuit court’s discretionary decision, including an argument that the circuit court relied on inaccurate information regarding the SJO program.

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COA affirms denial of suppression in OWI, concludes police had probable cause to arrest

City of Delafield v. Shawn M. Office, 2024AP227, 2/26/25 District II (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity

COA affirms Office’s OWI 1st conviction, concluding that his arrest was supported by probable cause because sufficient evidence existed to reasonably believe that Office been driving while under the influence of an intoxicant.

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COA affirms OWI 1st conviction despite hand sanitizer contamination defense

County of Waukesha v. Jacob A. Vecitis, 2023AP919, 2/12/25, District II (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity

Vecitis appeals from a judgment, entered after a bench trial, convicting him of OWI 1st, and an order denying reconsideration. COA concludes the circuit court’s factual findings were not clearly erroneous and affirms.

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COA holds that difference between “L meth” and “D meth” does not create a defense to RCS prosecution

State v. Walter L. Johnson, 2024AP79-CR, 2/13/25, District IV (recommended for publication); case activity

In a case resolving a hot issue for OWI litigators, COA rejects challenges to an RCS prosecution based on the chemical difference between “L meth”–found in certain nasal decongestant sprays–and “D meth,” which is found in illicit street drugs.

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COA rejects challenges to extension and medication orders and affirms another Chapter 51

Racine County v. C.D.B., 2024AP1195, 2/5/25, District II (1-judge decision, ineligible for publication); case activity

In “Banks’s” most recent appeal, he once again challenges the sufficiency of the evidence pertaining to his extension and medication orders. Like his last appeal, however, those arguments go nowhere.

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Defense Win! Evidence insufficient to continue ch. 55 protective placement orders

Monroe County v. H.K.B., 2024AP1305, District 4, 1/16/25 (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity

On appeal from the two most recent Watts review hearings, the COA concludes that there was insufficient evidence for the protective placement order because the County failed to prove that H.K.B. was “so totally incapable of providing for . . . her own care or custody as to create a substantial risk of serious harm to . . . herself or others,” as required by § 55.08(1)(c).under Wis. Stat. § 55.08(1)(c).

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COA affirms juvenile delinquency order in sufficiency challenge

State v. D.Y., 2024AP710, 12/26/24, District I (1-judge decision, ineligible for publication); case activity

“Daniel” appeals from the circuit court’s order adjudicating him as a juvenile delinquent, on the basis of a second-degree sexual assault of a child offense. (¶1). He contends that the state failed to prove the intent element, specifically, sexual gratification or arousal from the contact. (¶10). The COA concludes that there was sufficient evidence to support the court’s decision and affirms.

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COA holds that trial court properly removed adversary counsel in CHIPS case; reverses order reducing lawyer’s fee

Richland County DH&HS v. D.M.K., 2022AP2190, District IV, 11/14/24 (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity

In a somewhat rare CHIPS appeal, COA upholds the circuit court’s decision to remove adversary counsel but reverses the court’s order modifying that attorney’s request for fees.

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COA reverses order dismissing charge for failing to register as sex offender; defendant required to register when cir. ct. ordered registration at sentencing after revocation of probation, even though registration not required when defendant placed on probation.

State v. Kayden Young, 2021AP1596-CR, 10/29/24, District III (recommended for publication); case activity

In a case recommended for publication, the Court of Appeals reversed the circuit court’s order dismissing the charge against Kayden Young for failing to comply with the sex offender registration requirements.  Where the circuit court did not require Young to register as a sex offender when it placed him on probation, but required registration when it sentenced him after revocation of probation, “that latter order controls the defendant’s requirement to comply with sex offender registration.”  (¶ 22).

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