On Point blog, page 25 of 790
COA holds there was probable cause for OWI given admission of drinking up to twelve beers, slurred speech, inability to stand, and .198 PBT (among other evidence)
State v. Nicholas Allen Paulson, 2022AP186, 2/21/24, District III (1-judge decision, ineligible for publication); case activity
Although Paulson tries to establish that police did not have probable cause to arrest him despite, among other evidence, a PBT reading of .198, COA affirms.
COA affirms expired Ch. 51 order for involuntary medication
Douglas County v. K.A.D., 2023AP1072, 2/13/24, District 3 (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); petition for review granted 6/17/24 case activity
K.A.D. (“Kyle”) challenged the order authorizing his involuntary medication and treatment on two grounds: (1) that the county failed to establish that he was provided the required explanation regarding the recommended medication and treatment and (2) that the county failed to prove he is incompetent to refuse medication and treatment. While the court of appeals assumes without deciding that Kyle’s appeal is moot, the court concludes that Kyle’s case meets an exception to the mootness doctrine, and thereafter rejects Kyle’s argument on the merits.
Seventh Circuit holds that Wisconsin Court of Appeals did not unreasonably apply harmless error test
Deshawn Harold Jewell v. Gary Boughton, No. 22-3082, 1/22/24
Despite an obvious constitutional violation, Jewell is still precluded from obtaining a new trial given that Wisconsin courts did not unreasonably find the error harmless.
Notable Cases from the Seventh Circuit for January
January brought a few criminal (or criminal adjacent) cases our readers might find interesting:
Attempts to sow confusion in traffic appeal are unavailing given photographic proof driver did not obey school bus’s flashing red lights
City of Sheboygan Falls v. Wesley Scot Melton, 2023AP1183, 1/24/24, District II (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity
COA finds the City established sufficient evidence that Melton failed to stop for a school bus and therefore affirms.
Sufficient inferential evidence of impaired driving supported OWI conviction
City of Watertown v. Andrew D. Wiest, 2023AP992, 2/15/24, District IV (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity
Although Wiest faults the City for failing to prove that he operated his motor vehicle while intoxicated, COA is satisfied there was sufficient circumstantial proof and affirms.
COA rejects ineffectiveness claim and challenge to denial of request for new counsel in TPR appeal
Columbia County DH&HS v. S.A.J., 2023AP1884, 2/15/24, District IV (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity
In a lengthy opinion notable for its treatise-like treatment of the issues, COA rejects S.A.J.’s challenges to her TPR order.
Defense Win! COA reverses summary judgment order in private TPR
K.W. & D.W. v. S.L., 2023AP1582, 2/13/24, District 3 (one-judge decision, ineligible for publication); case activity
The summary judgment issue here turned on one simple question: did a genuine issue of fact exist as to whether S.L. (“Susan”) knew or could have reasonably discovered the whereabouts of her son (Alex) during the relevant period of alleged abandonment? Upon consideration of Susan’s multiple affidavits and drawing reasonable inferences in the light most favorable to the Susan, as the non-moving party, the court of appeals reverses the circuit court’s order granting summary judgment on grounds.
Challenge to court’s exercise of discretion at disposition rejected by COA
State v. E.M.A., 2023AP2043-45, 1/30/24, District 1 (one-judge decision, ineligible for publication); case activity
E.M.A.’s (“Emma’s) challenge to the court’s exercise of discretion at disposition fails and the court of appeals concludes the circuit court properly exercised its discretion in terminating Emma’s parental rights to her three children.
Probable cause found in refusal case despite dispute over timing of arrest
State v. Jacob Karl Schindler, 2023AP755, 1/25/24, District 4 (one-judge decision, ineligible for publication); case activity
Schindler appeals from an order revoking his operating privileges after he refused to submit to chemical testing of his blood pursuant to Wisconsin’s implied consent law. The court of appeals affirms after concluding that the arresting deputy had probable cause to believe Schindler operated a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol.