On Point blog, page 3 of 10
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,
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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,
Substitution of (Retained Counsel), Contingent on Continuance
State v. Anthony L. Prineas, 2009 WI App 28, PFR filed 3/6/09
Prineas: Raymond M. Dall’osto, Kathryn A. Keppel
Issue/Holding: Trial court refusal to allow Prineas to substitute one retained counsel for another absent “an extraordinary reason,” where substitution would necessitate continuance of the scheduled trial over objection of the complainant and her family, upheld as proper exercise of discretion; Carlson v. Jess,
Choice of (Retained Counsel), Generally
State v. Anthony L. Prineas, 2009 WI App 28, PFR filed 3/6/09
Prineas: Raymond M. Dall’osto, Kathryn A. Keppel
Issue/Holding:
¶14 In United States v. Gonzalez-Lopez, 548 U.S. 140 (2006), the U.S. Supreme Court explained that the right to counsel derived from the Sixth Amendment includes “the right of a defendant who does not require appointed counsel to choose who will represent him.” Id.
Hit-and-Run – §§ 346.67(1) and 346.74(5)(b), Hit and Run Causing Personal injury – Felony Rather Than Misdemeanor
State v. Ross M. Brandt, 2009 WI App 115
For Brandt: John M. Yackel
Issue/Holding: Although it carries a maximum penalty of 9 months’ imprisonment, hit-and-run causing injury less than serious bodily harm, §§ 346.67(1) and 346.74(5)(b), is a felony.
Obviously, this result is going to make life more difficult for hit-run representation, for the obvious reason: it’s one thing to advise your client to plead out to a misdemeanor,