On Point blog, page 1 of 4

COA rejects venue-based challenge to juvenile waiver and affirms

State  v. D.R., 2024AP2196 & 2198, 7/8/26, District II (ineligible for publication); case activity

“Drew” appeals orders waiving juvenile court jurisdiction, arguing that the circuit court erred when it rejected his claim that the criminal venue statute prevents the court from considering waive and in applying the standard. COA rejects both claims and affirms.

Read full article >

COA construes second juvenile waiver petition as motion for reconsideration; affirms denial

State  v. A.V., 2026AP359, 6/30/26, District I (ineligible for publication); case activity

AV turned 17 after the circuit court denied the state’s first waiver petition. The state petitioned again to waive A.V. into adult criminal court, citing WIS. STAT. § 938.18(2) as the statutory basis for the petition and making new allegations. COA affirms the circuit court’s denial of the state’s second petition without an evidentiary hearing.

Read full article >

Defense Win: COA, in decision recommended for publication, finds reverse waiver statute unconstitutional

State v. Noah Q. Mann-Tate, 2024AP2585-CR, 2/3/26, District I (recommended for publication); petition for review granted 5/20/26 case activity

In a massively consequential decision, COA reaffirms the uniqueness of children facing criminal charges and finds our notoriously-stringent reverse waiver statute unconstitutional as a result.

Read full article >

COA affirms juvenile waiver decision despite judge’s mistaken belief about SJO program

State v. J.A.V.,  2024AP2081, 4/23/25, District I (1-judge decision, ineligible for publication); case activity

COA rejects two claims relating to the circuit court’s discretionary decision, including an argument that the circuit court relied on inaccurate information regarding the SJO program.

Read full article >

COA affirms waiver of juvenile court jurisdiction

State v. J.C., 2024AP17, 7/30/24, District 1 (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity

“Jacob” appealed from an order granting the state’s waiver petition on charges of first-degree reckless injury, first-degree recklessly endangering safety, and possession of a dangerous weapon. The COA affirms.

Read full article >

COA affirms denial of reverse waiver and motion for discovery prior to § 970.032(1) preliminary examination despite holding that juvenile defendants have a (limited) right to discovery

State v. Jayden Adams, 2023AP218-CR, 7/23/24, District 1 (recommended for publication); petition for review granted, 2/12/25, voluntarily dismissed 3/5/25, case activity

Adams appealed a nonfinal order denying his motion for discovery prior to his Wis. Stat. § 970.032(1) preliminary examination and his motion for reverse waiver to juvenile court. Despite holding that juvenile defendants have a limited right to discovery before a prelim under State v. Klesser, 2010 WI 88, 328 Wis. 2d 42, 786 N.W.2d 144, the COA concludes that Adams was not entitled to the discovery he requested in this case. The COA also concludes that the circuit court did not erroneously exercise its discretion in denying the reverse waiver.

Read full article >

COA: Circuit court need not weigh all criteria equally when determining whether to waive juvenile into adult court.

State v. M.P., 2024AP32, 6/26/24, District II (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity

COA affirms circuit court’s order waiving M.P. into adult court based on M.P.’s age and seriousness of the offense.

Read full article >

COA upholds order waiving juvenile into adult court based on finding that juvenile’s treatment needs currently being met just fine in less-restrictive placement

State v. T.H., Jr., 2023AP285, 10/3/23, District III (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity

In yet another juvenile waiver appeal demonstrating the power of the discretionary standard of review, COA affirms the circuit court’s order despite the potential internal inconsistencies of that ruling.

Read full article >

Waiver of juvenile court jurisdiction affirmed

State v. C.W.P., 2022AP1240 & 2022AP1317, District 2, 12/14/22 (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity (2022AP1240; 2022AP1317)

The state filed two juvenile delinquency petitions regarding C.W.P. and petitioned for waiver of juvenile jurisdiction in both cases. The circuit court held joint waiver hearings after which it granted waiver. The court of appeals rejects C.W.P.’s challenges to the circuit court’s decision.

Read full article >

Circuit court properly exercised its discretion in waiving juvenile to adult court

State v. K.J.P.,  2022AP807, District 2, 11/2/22 (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity

The court of appeals rejects K.J.P.’s arguments that the circuit court erred in deciding to waive juvenile court jurisdiction and allow him to be prosecuted in adult court.

Read full article >