On Point: 46. WI Court of Appeals

State v. Cathy Ann Currie, 2011AP322-CR, District 3, 7/19/11

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Currie: Jon Stanek; case activity

¶7        Lear testified he stopped Currie because he observed “a very large air freshener” hanging from her rearview mirror.  The court determined that any object hanging from a rearview mirror would obstruct a driver’s clear view through the front of the windshield.  The court also found Lear’s testimony about his observations credible.  

certification; for Williams: Jonas B. Bednarek; case activity; review granted, 8/31/11

Search Warrants: Court Commissioner Authority to Issue

We certify this appeal to the Wisconsin Supreme Court to decide whether court commissioners have the power to issue search warrants.  Although Wis. Stat. § 757.69(1)(b)[1] appears to grant that power to court commissioners, appellant Williams argues that the legislature may not confer that power by statute because the Wisconsin Constitution does not authorize the legislature to grant judicial powers to court commissioners.  

Waukesha County DH&HS v. Jennifer L. H., 2010AP2990, District 2, 7/13/11

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Jennifer L.H.: Suzanne L. Hagopian, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity

Evidence held sufficient to prove Jennifer’s failure to assume parental responsibility as TPR ground, notwithstanding that she lived with the child and helped raise him from birth until he was removed from her home: “although Jennifer did live with Kurt for most of his life,

County of Jefferson v. Karla J. Raue, 2010AP3131, District 4, 7/7/11

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Raue: Walter Arthur Piel, Jr.; case activity

Act of bar patron (turning off car and taking key from Raue) was private, non-governmental action, therefore didn’t implicate Raue’s 4th amendment rights. State v. Butler, 2009 WI App 52, 317 Wis. 2d 515, 768 N.W.2d 46 (acts of private security guard not subject to 4th amendment scrutiny),

State v. Charles M. Ermers, Jr., 2011 WI App 113 (recommended for publication); for Ermers: Steven D. Phillips, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity

A ch. 980 discharge hearing requires that the petitioner allege “facts from which the court or jury may conclude the person’s condition has changed since the date of his or her initial commitment order so that the person does not meet the criteria for commitment as a sexually violent person,” 

State v. Ryan Stefan Roberts, 2010AP2899, District 4, 6/30/11

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Roberts: Bruce J. Rosen, Susan C. Blesener; case activity

Request for preliminary breath test supported by probable cause, despite somewhat inconclusive field test results, in view of strong odor of alcohol emitted by Roberts along with his admission of drinking. County of Jefferson v. Renz,

State v. Lisa K. Beckman, 2010AP2564-CR, District 2, 6/29/11

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Beckman: Gary Grass; case activity

¶12      Here, Schubel observed Beckman’s vehicle at 11:40 p.m. on a Sunday night in a parking lot behind one closed business before it proceeded to the parking lot of another closed business.  There were no lights on at either location.  Schubel considered this activity in light of his knowledge that there had been reports of burglaries of small businesses in the area. 

State v. John D. Tiggs, Jr., 2010AP1530, District 2, 6/29/11

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); pro se; case activity

Tiggs knew that DNA test results would be released in mere hours, yet chose to enter his no-contest plea. His postconviction motion to withdraw the plea, based on a theory that the test results amount to newly discovered evidence, fails to satisfy the requirements that the evidence was discovered after conviction and that the defendant wasn’t negligent in seeking the evidence. 

court of appeals publication orders, 6/29/11

On Point posts from this list:

2011 WI App 78 State v. Marilee Devries

2011 WI App 79 State v. Andre D. Hansbrough

2011 WI App 80 State v. Yancy D. Freland

2011 WI App 81 State v. Eliseo Peralta

2011 WI App 86 State v.

State v. James Thomas Morton, 2010AP2041-CR, District 1, 6/28/11

court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); for Morton: Carl W. Chessir; case activity

Evidence that Morton told an undercover officer to put her money on the kitchen table, and that “what you came for is right here,” supported conviction for delivery of the controlled substance the officer found on the table.

¶13      “[A] constructive transfer need not be hand to hand.