On Point blog, page 67 of 215

SVP Commitments – Evidence – References to Post-Commitment Re-Evaluations

State v. Carl Kaminski, 2009 WI App 175
For Kaminski: Donald T. Lang, SPD, Madison Appellate

Issue/Holding: “Infrequent references to annual re-evaluation” were not “sufficiently egregious to diminish the jury’s sense of responsibility for its verdict,” ¶¶20-24.

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SVP Commitments – Evidence – References to Psychopathic Treatment Program

State v. Carl Kaminski, 2009 WI App 175
For Kaminski: Donald T. Lang, SPD, Madison Appellate

Issue/Holding: Testimony by a state’s expert to the effect that the only treatment program for psychopaths is at Sand Ridge did not require a new trial under the theory that it implicitly suggested commitment would be in the community’s and respondent’s best interest, ¶¶25-27 (court rejecting analogy to TPR procedure):

¶27      Wisconsin Stat.

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Sentence Modification – New Factor – DOC Determination of Ineligibility for Boot Camp (CIP)

State v. Jeremy D. Schladweiler, 2009 WI App 177
Pro se

Issue/Holding: DOC determination that an inmate isn’t eligible for CIP doesn’t constitute a new factor, notwithstanding the sentencing court’s determination that he is eligible.

¶11      Here, the trial court determined that Schladweiler was eligible for the CIP. … The sentencing court expressly indicated that participation in the CIP is a possibility to be ultimately determined by the department,

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Sentencing – Review – Harsh and Excessive – Sexual Assault

State v. Anthony L. Prineas, 2009 WI App 28
For Prineas: Raymond M. Dall’Osto, Kathryn A. Keppel

Issue/Holding: Prineas was convicted on 2 counts of 2nd-degree sexual assault, and acquitted on another 4; the PSI recommended 6-8 years, but he was sentenced to 10 IC, 10 ES and a concurrent 30-year term of probation; though a first-time offender, the disposition is upheld against a claim of harsh and excessive sentence,

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Writs – Certiorari – Inmate Complaint – “Misdirected” Writ, Lack of Jurisdiction

State ex rel. David C. Myers v. Smith, 2009 WI App 49
Pro se

Issue/Holding: Writ of certiorari “misdirected” to wrong respondent (in this instance, review of inmate complaint, improperly naming as respondent institution warden rather than DOC Secretary or designee) must be dismissed:

¶10      We begin by observing that certiorari “is available only for the purpose of reviewing a final determination.” Id.

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Wtits – Certiorari – Inmate Complaint – Limitation on Discovery

State ex rel. David C. Myers v. Smith, 2009 WI App 49
Pro se

Issue/Holding: Inmate may not utilize discovery to bypass security-based restrictions on access to banned material such as pornography:

¶16      Inmates must not be allowed to evade security restrictions by simply filing suit or petitioning for writ of certiorari and obtaining prohibited materials through discovery. Due process does not mean that a prisoner has an absolute right to everything relevant to his or her case.

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Sentence – Consecutive Terms – Exercise of Discretion, Generally

State v. Todd W. Berggren, 2009 WI App 82, PFR filed 6/24/09
For Berggren: Robert G. LeBell

Issue/Holding: The sentencing court need not state separately why it chooses consecutive rather than concurrent terms; rather, this determination is made by considering the same factors as inform sentence length, ¶¶45-46.

 

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Sentence – Review – Exercise of Discretion, Generally

State v. Todd W. Berggren, 2009 WI App 82, PFR filed 6/24/09
For Berggren: Robert G. LeBell

Issue/Holding: Sentence was based on proper exercise of discretion, including gravity of offense and defendant’s character and “long-term treatment needs,” ¶¶38-44.

 

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Sentencing Review – Factors – Proof: Prior Acquittal

State v. Anthony L. Prineas, 2009 WI App 28
For Prineas: Raymond M. Dall’osto, Kathryn A. Keppel

Issue/Holding: The sentencing court properly considered a count for which Prineas was acquitted, as well as uncharged, “sexually inappropriate behavior,” ¶28, citing State v. David Arredondo, 2004 WI App 7.

 

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Sentencing Review – Factors – Seriousness of Offense – Weight Left to Trial Court

State v. Corey E. Young, 2009 WI App 22, PFR filed 1/7/09
For Young: Jeffrey W. Jensen

Issue/Holding: The trial court, in sentencing for first-degree intentional homicide, sufficiently explained why it was assigning extended supervision eligibility of 50 years’ confinement (rather than the 40 recommended by the State). Weight given each sentencing factor is committed to the trial court’s discretion, ¶24; the sentencing court in this instance reached its conclusion only after weighing a number of sentencing factors,

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