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On Point is a judicial analysis blog written by members of the Wisconsin State Public Defenders. It includes cases from the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, Supreme Court of Wisconsin, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

COA finds evidence sufficient for medication order in Ch. 51; once again highlights inconsistent case law

Winnebago County v. D.P., 2024AP2391-FT, 3/19/25, District II (1-judge decision, ineligible for publication); case activity

In appeal eerily similar to a SCOW case that was dismissed as improvidently granted, COA affirms and holds that the conclusory testimony supporting involuntary medication and recommitment was legally sufficient.

COA: Reasonable suspicion to stop vehicle if police know owner of vehicle was not issued Wisconsin driver’s license unless officer has information suggesting owner is not driving.

State v. Tobin J. Jagla, 2023AP2311-CR, 3/18/25, District III (not recommended for publication); case activity

COA affirms circuit court’s order denying Tobin Jagla’s motion to suppress where police stopped the vehicle he was driving after an officer determined the registered owner of the vehicle did not have a Wisconsin driver’s license.  Although officer learned during the stop that Jagla was not the registered owner, Jagla and owner were both males and similar in age.

COA affirms juvenile’s placement at Copper Lake School, rejecting argument that placement was improper until State builds facilities contemplated when Lincoln Hills was closed.

State v. A.A.A., 2024AP2001, 3/12/25, District II (ineligible for publication); case activity

COA affirmed the circuit court’s dispositional order placing juvenile in the Serious Juvenile Offender program at Copper Lake School, a Type I juvenile correctional facility for girls.  The Court rejected juvenile’s claim that such a placement was not permissible until the State builds a secure residential care center. 

Seventh Circuit cases for February

February brought a handful of cases potentially relevant to our practice:

SCOW accepts review in two cases focusing on the Fourth Amendment in context of internet surveillance targeting alleged child pornography

State v. Gasper, 2023AP2319, petition for review of a published decision of the court of appeals, granted 3/13/25; case activity

State v. Rauch Sharak., 2024AP469-CR, accepting review of a certification, granted 3/13/25; case activity

SCOW accepts review in juvenile appeal seeking suppression of statements given to school resource officer

State v. K.R.C., 2023AP2102, petition for review of an unpublished decision of the court of appeals, granted 3/13/25; case activity

In a case that could prove consequential for the rights of juveniles in schools policed by “school resource officers,” SCOW accepts review of a case taking direct aim at the court of appeals’ reading of the “reasonable person” standard in constitutional law.

COA rejects challenges to possession of child porn based on erroneous jury instruction and state’s closing argument

State v. Catherine E. Edwards, 2023AP1042-CR, 3/6/25, District IV (not recommended for publication); case activity

Edwards’s appeal focuses on the definition of “lewd exhibition of intimate parts” and the state’s closing arguments as to child pornography. COA rejects Edwards’s arguments on appeal and affirms her convictions for possession of child pornography.

COA holds that 911 call created “emergency” justifying warrantless entry into home

State v. Ryan D. Wilkie, 2022AP730-CR, 3/11/25, District III (1-judge decision, ineligible for publication); case activity

COA rejects Wilkie’s interesting constitutional arguments regarding the authority of law enforcement to enter his home without a warrant and affirms his conviction for obstructing an officer.

7th Circuit denies habeas relief to Wisconsin prisoner by holding it cannot consider new evidence supporting petitioner’s claim

Breion S. Woodson v. Bradley Mlodzik, No. 22-3153, 2/28/25

Although Woodson has new evidence seeming to suggest he was sentenced on the basis of inaccurate information, the complex procedural rules of habeas litigation require affirmance.

COA finds police had reasonable suspicion to extend traffic stop to conduct field sobriety tests; reverses suppression order.

State of Wisconsin v. Alex Mark Hagen, 2024AP1180, 3/6/25 District IV (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity

COA reversed the circuit court’s order suppressing evidence of field sobriety tests and their fruits, finding that police had reasonable suspicion to extend a traffic stop to investigate the defendant for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

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On Point provides information (not legal advice) about important developments in the law. Please note that this information may not be up to date. Viewing this blog does not create an attorney-client relationship with the Wisconsin State Public Defender. Readers should consult an attorney for their legal needs.