On Point blog, page 246 of 263
Traffic Stop – Mistake of Fact
County of Sheboygan v. Jeffrey L. Bubolz, 2010AP2997, District 2, 4/6/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Bubolz: Casey J. Hoff; case activity
Ignoring a warning sign that a road is closed except to local traffic creates reasonable suspicion for a traffic stop, even though the sign was an “unofficial” one put up by the contractor.
¶11 Failure to adhere to official traffic signs is a violation of WIS.
Right to Present Defense – Hearsay Testimony; “Shiffra” Disclosure; Judicial Bias
State v. Bryan Peter Leather, 2010AP354-CR, District 1, 4/5/11
court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); for Leather: Rex Anderegg; case activity
Leather argues he was entitled to call the prosecutor as a witness to testify about the complainant’s hearsay statements to her. The 6th amendment right to present a defense (confrontation and compulsory process) isn’t absolute and in particular doesn’t extend to irrelevant evidence. The offer of proof in support of admissibility shows that the complainant’s statements to the prosecutor weren’t inconsistent with her testimony,
Reasonable Suspicion – OWI Stop; Guilty Plea Waiver Rule – Suppression Rule; Briefing Rules
City of West Allis v. Susan Schneidler, 2010AP2531, District 1, 4/5/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Schneidler: Thomas C. Simon; case activity
Tip from an identified citizen informant – that she had seen Schneidler drinking alcohol before driving off – supported stop of Schneidler’s car, without requiring independent corroboration.
¶18 In short, Parr was a reliable witness who told police that she personally observed Schneidler drink alcohol and then drive and who made herself available to the police for questioning.
Appellate Procedure – Mootness Doctrine; Sentencing Review – Consideration of Pending Charge
State v. Thomas J. Hoffman, 2010AP1327-CR, District 2, 3/30/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Hoffman: Kathleen A. Lindgren; case activity
Hoffman’s challenge to the length of his sentence became moot once he had fully served it.
¶6 At the outset, the State contends that Hoffman’s appeal is moot; he has served his entire seven-month sentence and this court’s review on his motion for sentence modification will have no practical effect.
OWI – Statute of Limitations
State v. Bradley A. Faber, 2010AP2325-CR , District 2, 3/23/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Faber: Susan E. Alesia, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity
¶1 The State of Wisconsin appeals from an order of the circuit court dismissing the criminal charges against Bradley A. Faber. Faber was issued a pair of citations for operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated (OWI) (First offense) by the City of Delavan in November 2005 and February 2006.
Traffic Stop – Weaving
County of Sheboygan v. John A. Taylor, 2010AP2819, District 2, 3/23/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Taylor: Kirk B. Obear, Casey J. Hoff; case activity
Weaving within lane supported reasonable suspicion for OWI stop, State v. Post, 2007 WI 60, 301 Wis. 2d 1, 733 N.W.2d 634 (“repeated weaving by a driver within a single lane does not alone give rise to the reasonable suspicion necessary for a traffic stop”),
Ch. 51 recommitment – evidence satisfied “if treatment were withdrawn” test
Rock County v. Henry J. V., 2010AP3044-FT, District 4, 3/17/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Henry J.V.: Steven D. Grunder, Madison Appellate; case activity
Evidence held sufficient to sustain extension of mental health commitment, as against argument respondent wasn’t shown to be dangerous if treatment were withdrawn.
¶6 As Henry acknowledges, his proceeding was for an extension of his commitment, not for an original commitment,
TPR; Interest of Justice Review – Generally
Winnebago County DHHS v. Thomas C. W., 2010AP847, District 2, 3/16/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Thomas C.W.: Theresa J. Schmieder; case activity
Though trial counsel was ineffective with respect to a single discrete oversight – failure to lodge a meritorious motion for judgment notwithstanding verdict as to one of the 3 grounds for termination – the court discerns no basis to doubt either of the remaining 2 grounds,
Interest of Justice – Shaken Baby Syndrome; Confessions – Voluntariness
State v. Quentin J. Louis, 2009AP2502-CR, District 3, 3/15/11
court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); for Louis: Edward J. Hunt; amicus, Wis. Innocence Project: Keith A. Findley, Peter Shawn Moreno; case activity
Trial court grant of new trial in interest of justice upheld as proper exercise of discretion: the issue in controversy wasn’t fully and fairly tried, given failure to adduce at trial medical testimony that the deceased baby’s injuries didn’t result from shaken baby syndrome.
Delinquency – Serious Juvenile Offender Program
State v. Emanuel M., 2010AP2175, District 1, 3/15/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Emanuel M.: Devon M. Lee, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity
The trial court made the requisite findings for SJOP disposition, § 938.34(4h): the juvenile was at least 14 years old; the adjudication offense(s) qualified under the statute; correctional placement was the only other appropriate disposition (as to which, the trial court’s multiple references to “Wales”