On Point

State v. Aaron AJ Bethke, 2025AP1383-CR, 8/4/26, District III; case activity (including briefs)

In a rare case where the State believes the pattern jury instructions get it wrong, COA asks SCOW to settle an important burden of proof issue for marijuana prosecutions.

Brian Lafferty and Katie Lafferty v. Jeff Pertl and Julie Driscoll, 2025AP414, 7/31/26, District II (recommended for publication); case activity

In one of the first published Wisconsin cases to apply SCOTUS’s evolving precedent on firearm possession, COA holds that at least some regulations placed on foster parents to limit access to firearms went too far.

Town of Geneva v. Terry Douglas Litts, II, 2025AP1039, 8/5/26, District II (ineligible for publication); case activity

The COA rejected the defendant’s evidentiary challenges and affirmed his convictions after a court trial for operating under the influence and operating with a prohibited alcohol concentration.

State v. Derek A. Lamb, 2025AP824, 7/31/26, District IV (not recommended for publication); case activity

The COA reversed the circuit court’s order denying the defendant’s motion to suppress the fruits of a traffic stop where the only evidence of criminal activity was that the defendant was parked next to another vehicle on a dead-end road at 3 a.m. and the defendant attempted to avoid contact with law enforcement.

Jeffrey Hineman v. Daisy Chase, 7th Circuit Court of Appeals No. 25-2000, 7/20/26

The Seventh Circuit reversed the Eastern District of Wisconsin’s order granting a petition for habeas corpus after the petitioner was convicted of first-degree sexual assault in Racine County.  The Court held that SCOW’s decision that evidence favorable to the petitioner and not disclosed by the State was cumulative to evidence that was available to trial counsel was not contrary to clearly established federal law as determined by SCOTUS.

State of Wisconsin v. Jorge Luis Perez-Aldape, 2026AP642-CR, 7/29/26, District II (ineligible for publication); case activity

In a unique OWI case, COA relies on SCOW guidance to uphold the circuit court’s order suppressing blood evidence due to a failure to read the person the Informing the Accused Form.

County of Milwaukee v. Troy Michael Tordoer, 2024AP2492, 7/28/26, District I (ineligible for publication); case activity

Although Tordoer claims that he was coerced into consenting to an evidentiary blood draw, COA agrees with the circuit court that Tordoer’s consent was voluntary.

Barron County v. K.L.P., 2026AP460 & 2026AP461, 7/21/26, District III (ineligible for publication); case activity

The COA held that the circuit court did not lose competency to enter disposition orders in an action to terminate parental rights if it accepts a no-contest plea to the grounds for termination without hearing testimony, even if Wis. Stat. § 48.422(3) requires testimony.

Kenneth J. Jouppi v. Alaska, USSC No. 25-246, certiorari granted 7/20/26

SCOTUS will consider an Alaska bush pilot’s case seeking to prevent the State of Alaska from forfeiting his plane because he attempted to transport beer to a dry village.

Village of Grafton v. Blake S. Barnes, 2026AP160, 7/15/26, District II (ineligible for publication); case activity

The COA affirmed the circuit court’s order denying the defendant’s motion to suppress the fruits of his stop and arrest for speeding and operating while intoxicated where the defendant drove 48 miles per hour on a road posted for 25 miles per hour at 12:30 a.m., the officer smelled alcohol in the vehicle, the defendant exhibited glassy eyes, admitted he drank alcohol that night, and failed field sobriety tests.