On Point blog, page 64 of 214
Briefs – Issue-Selection, Generally
S.C. Johnson v. Milton E. Morris, 2010 WI App 6, PFR filed 12/30/09
Issue/Holding: ¶5 n. 1:
Justice Robert Hansen once wrote the now familiar phrase that “[a]n appellate court is not a performing bear, required to dance to each and every tune played on an appeal.” State v. Waste Mgmt. of Wis., Inc., 81 Wis. 2d 555,
Writs – Certiorari – Administrative Decision-Making Based Wholly on Uncorroborated Hearsay Insufficient
Michelle Williams v. Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee, 2010 WI App 14
Issue/Holding:
¶13 The circuit court reversed the Housing Authority’s denial of rent assistance because it concluded that, under Gehin v. Wisconsin Group Insurance Board, 2005 WI 16, 278 Wis. 2d 111, 692 N.W.2d 572, the Housing Authority could not base its decision solely on uncorroborated hearsay evidence (the officer’s written notes recalling the witness’s statement of what Williams said),
Reasonable Suspicion – Stop/Detention – Duration/Intensity – Handcuffed, Placed in Squad in Absence of Suspected Weapons
State v. Sameeh J. Pickens, 2010 WI App 5, reconsideration denied 1/20
For Pickens: Eileen A. Hirsch, SPD, Madison Appellate
Issue/Holding: A temporary detention is narrowly circumscribed, in terms of duration and intensity, by the least intrusive means necessary to dispel suspicion¸¶27. Thus, in the absence of any reason to believe weapons were present, use of handcuffs on Griffin was unjustified, ¶30.
¶33 In sum,
First Amendment – Overbreadth: Sexual Assault of Child, § 948.02, Not Unconstitutionally Overbroad re: “Proper Medical Purpose”
State v. Christopher J. Lesik, 2010 WI App 12, PFR filed
For Lesik: Anthony Cotton
Issue/Holding: Sexual assault (intercourse) of a child, § 948.02, isn’t unconstitutionally overbroad, against a theory that it criminalizes acts undertaken for “proper medical purpose.” Although the statute is silent with respect to medical conduct, potential overbreadth may be cured through judicial construction and the court therefore “conclude(s) here that ‘sexual intercourse’ as used in the sexual assault of a child statute does not include ‘bona fide medical,
Closing Argument: Prosecutorial Misconduct – Interest-of-Justice Review
State v. Clifford D. Bvocik, 2010 WI App 49; for Bvocik: James C. Murray
Prosecutorial Misconduct – Closing Argument
Improper prosecutorial closing argument—encouraging jury to draw false inference—requires new trial in interest of justice; State v. Robert H. Weiss, Jr., 2008 WI App 72, controlling:
¶1 State v. Weiss, 2008 WI App 72, ¶¶15-17, 312 Wis. 2d 382,
Counsel: Failed but Adequate Investigation; Interest-of-Justice Review: Critical Evidence (Absence of Herpes) Not Heard by Jury
State v. Jeffrey A.W., 2010 WI App 29; for Jeffrey A.W.: Hans P. Koesser
Adequacy of Counsel Investigation
Counsel’s attempt to demonstrate the absence of herpes in the defendant—an issue central to this sexual assault prosecution—was, although a failure, not the product of deficient performance.
¶12 There is no question that trial counsel’s investigation yielded the wrong information. But that does not necessarily equate to deficient performance.
Seizure of Person: Some Restraint Necessary; Reasonable Suspicion: Stop of Car: No Front Plate – “Frisk” of Car
State v. Leneral Louis Williams, 2010 WI App 39; for Williams: Richard L. Zaffiro; Resp Br.; Reply Br.
Seizure – Some Restraint Necessary
¶16 The Fourth Amendment is not implicated until there has been a seizure. The Court in Terry described a seizure as “whenever a police officer accosts an individual and restrains his [or her] freedom to walk away.” Id.
Hearsay Rule – Applicability – Reverse (Juvenile) Waiver, § 970.032(2)
State v. Corey Kleser, 2009 WI App 43, PFR filed 4/9/09
For Kleser: Robin E. Dorman, SPD Milwaukee Trial; Debra Flynn-Parrino, Devon M. Lee, SPD, Milwaukee Juvenile
Issue/Holding:
¶46 Wisconsin Stat. § 970.032(2) makes no provision for the admission of hearsay at a reverse waiver hearing. Where a statute does not specifically authorize hearsay, it is generally prohibited, see Wis. Stat.
TPR – Indian Child Welfare Act, Applicability: Not Limited to Physical Custody
Monroe County DHS v. Luis R., 2009 WI App 109
Issue: Whether ICWA, 25 U.S.C. § 1912(f), which requires likely serious emotional or physical damage to the child from continued parental custody, applies to placement outside the parental home when the TPR proceeding is initiated.
Holding:
¶18 The ICWA does not preempt the Wisconsin Children’s Code, and Wisconsin statutes can be harmonized with the federal law by applying any state law safeguards beyond those mandated by the ICWA.
Miranda – Custody – High School Student not in Custody Despite Detention, Frisk and Incriminatory Questioning
State v. Colin G. Schloegel, 2009 WI App 85
For Schloegel: Sarvan Singh
Issue/Holding: High school student Schloegel was not in custody for Miranda purposes, notwithstanding that he was frisked by police officer, compelled under school policy to consent to search of his car and asked, prior to formal arrest, incriminatory questions; analogy to State v. Dale Gruen, 218 Wis.