On Point blog, page 237 of 263
Mootness Doctrine
Managed Health Services Insurance Corp. v. Wisconsin DHS, 2010AP2551, District 1, 9/7/11
court of appeals decision (recommended for publication ); case activity
Managed Health’s appeal related to contract procurement is dismissed as moot; because of failure to seek a stay of the trial court’s order allowing the process to continue, the contracts have already been let, and therefore even if Managed Health were to prevail, no remedy could be awarded.
TPR – Evidence – Child’s Mental Health Problems; Prior Voluntary Termination – Harmless Error
Rock County HSD v. Jennifer B., 2011AP1524, District 4, 9/8/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Jennifer B.: Gina Frances Bosben; case activity
Evidence of the child’s diagnoses (ADHD; PTSD) was relevant to the main issue in contention, and was not unduly prejudicial, hence was admissible in the grounds phase of the TPR trial.
¶15 The question for the jury was whether there was a substantial likelihood that Jennifer would not “meet the child’s physical,
IAC – Jury Unanimity (Multiple Counts, Sexual Assault)
State v. Carl Mills, 2010AP1746-CR, District 1, 9/7/11
court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); for Mills: Randall E. Paulson, SPD, Milwaukee Appellate; case activity
Trail counsel was not ineffective for failing to object to jury instructions and verdict forms with respect to unanimity on multiple counts of sexual assault of a single victim, even though the verdict forms did not specify the types of sexual intercourse involved;
Reasonable Suspicion
State v. Andrew W. Rosenthal, 2011AP828-CR, District 3, 9/7/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Rosenthal: Erica L. Bauer; case activity
Reasonable suspicion supported stop of car, at 2:30 a.m., in isolated area which was site of frequent break-ins; State v. Young, 212 Wis. 2d 47, 569 N.W.2d 84 (Ct. App. 1997), distinguished:
¶14 Here, conversely, we conclude that Rosenthal’s conduct does not describe the conduct of a large number of innocent persons.
TPR – Mootness
Kenosha County DHS v. Amber D., 2011AP667, District 2, 9/7/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Amber D.: Philip J, Brehm; case activity
Mother’s termination appeal, explicitly linking itself to outcome of father’s then-pending appeal, rendered moot by latter’s unsuccessful outcome:
¶1 Amber D. appeals from an order terminating her parental rights. At the time that she wrote her brief, the father’s appeal was pending.
TPR – §§ 48.422(8) & 48.422(9)(a)
State v. Lakesha M., 2011AP1280, District 1, 9/7/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Lakesha M.: Carl W. Chessir; case activity
Termination of parental rights affirmed, court rejecting argument that procedural requirements of §§ 48.422(8) & 48.422(9)(a) (where petition not brought by agency, court “shall” order parent to provide certain information) violated:
¶5 The Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare did not file the petitions here.
Evidence – Blood Alcohol Concentration Chart, Foundation; Expert Witness – Intoximeter
State v. William M. Hart, 2011AP582, District 1, 8/30/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Hart: Craig S. Powell; case activity
Although a (DOT-prepared) blood alcohol chart is admissible without expert testimony, State v. Hinz, 121 Wis. 2d 282, 284–85, 360 N.W.2d 56 (Ct. App. 1984), nonethless, “the proponent must lay the proper foundation for the evidence, and the burden does not shift to the opponent unless the proponent does so,”
Illegal Possession Prescription Drug – Sufficiency of Evidence
State v. Troy A. Keys, 2011AP550-CR, District 3, 8/30/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Keys: Donna L. Hintze, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity
Evidence held insufficient to support scienter element of illegal possession of prescription drug, § 450.11(7)(h). A pill container, container 2 Citalopram pills, were found on Keys’ coffee table The court rejects the State’s argument that the jury reasonably could have inferred Keys’
Restitution – Profit Offset
State v. Thomas J. Haiduk, 2011AP551-CR, District 3, 8/30/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Haiduk: Gary S. Cirilli; case activity
In determining restitution for home improvement-related theft, the trial court failed to resolve whether the underlying contract was fixed-price or time-and-materials, therefore remand is necessary.
¶22 The court’s value-based $100,517.96 offset, and corresponding $35,877.33 restitution award, only includes an offset for the costof Haiduk’s materials,
TPR – Directed Verdict, Authority to Order; Failure to Assume Parental Responsibility
State v. Cedrick M., 2010AP3011, District 1, 8/30/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Cedrick M.: John J. Grau; case activity
Directed verdict as to grounds for termination held permissible, citing Door Cnty. DHFS v. Scott S., 230 Wis. 2d 460, 602 N.W.2d 167 (Ct. App. 1999), ¶¶10-11. The trial court was empowered to exercise this authority sua sponte,