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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.
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COA affirms juvenile delinquency order in sufficiency challenge
State v. D.Y., 2024AP710, 12/26/24, District I (1-judge decision, ineligible for publication); case activity
“Daniel” appeals from the circuit court’s order adjudicating him as a juvenile delinquent, on the basis of a second-degree sexual assault of a child offense. (¶1). He contends that the state failed to prove the intent element, specifically, sexual gratification or arousal from the contact. (¶10). The COA concludes that there was sufficient evidence to support the court’s decision and affirms.
COA: Driver passed out in car not seized or subjected to custodial interrogation after police knocked on window to investigate.
State v. Lavelle Edgar Young, 2024AP470, 12/26/24, District I (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity
The Court of Appeals affirmed the circuit court’s order denying Lavelle Young’s motion to suppress physical evidence and his statements when an officer knocked on the window of his vehicle after observing Young sleeping in the driver’s seat of the vehicle. The Court held that Young was not seized and was not in custody when he was questioned by police.
Defense Wins: COA reverses Chapter 51 commitment for insufficient evidence of dangerousness.
Monroe County v. M.C., 2024AP924, 12/12/24, District IV (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity
The Court of Appeals reversed the circuit court’s commitment order under Chapter 51 where the court did not make sufficient factual findings to support its conclusion that M.C. was dangerous, as required by D.J.W.
COA affirms denial of motion to dismiss for state’s failure to preserve video evidence
State v. Jeffrey A. Roth, 2024AP737, 12/11/24, District II (1-judge decision, ineligible for publication); case activity
Three police officers confronted Roth after receiving a complaint that he was stumbling around and then sitting in a vehicle. The state charged Roth with five counts, including resisting. Before his jury trial, which resulted in two misdemeanor convictions, Roth moved to dismiss based on the police officers’ failure to preserve body and squad camera footage of the underlying incident. After a three-day evidentiary hearing, the circuit court denied the motion. The COA affirms, concluding that Roth failed to prove the videos were apparently exculpatory, or that the police acted in bad faith.
COA holds that circuit court erroneously permitted defendant to represent themselves at a competency hearing
State v. L.J.T., Jr., 2024AP1877-CR, 12/12/24, District IV (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity
In a very unique appeal arising from pretrial competency proceedings, COA holds that the defendant was not competent to exercise the right of self-representation and reverses for a new hearing.
COA: Circuit court may use defendant’s federal disability payments to assess ability to pay restitution.
State v. Eric J. Joling, 2023AP1023-CR, 12/11/24, District II (recommended for publication); case activity
Federal law prohibits subjecting social security disability insurance payments (SSDI) to “execution, levy, attachment, garnishment, or other legal process.” 42 U.S.C. § 407(a). In a decision recommended for publication, the Court of Appeals held that a circuit court may nevertheless use a defendant’s SSDI payments to calculate the ability to pay restitution.
COA holds that County sufficiently proved dangerousness in Chapter 51 extension hearing
Trempealeau County v. R.B., 2024AP1052, 12/10/24, District III (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity
COA affirms, holding that the evidence of potential deterioration during commitment period justified extension order.
SCOW grants review in interesting OWI involving domestic violence victim
State v. Joan L. Stetzer, 2023AP874-CR, petition for review of an unpublished court of appeals decision, granted 12/10/24; affirmed 7/3/25 case activity
In an interesting case asking the justices to probe the competing interests at stake when a victim becomes a criminal defendant, SCOW will be given an opportunity to assess Wisconsin’s coercion defense under some very unique facts.
Defense win! COA affirms suppression of evidence, concluding officer lacked reasonable suspicion for traffic stop
City of Platteville v. Travis Jon Knautz, 2024AP1291 & 1292, 12/5/24, District IV (1-judge decision, ineligible for publication); case activity
In this drunk driving forfeiture case, the city appeals an order granting Knautz’s motion to suppress all of the evidence that police obtained after an investigatory traffic stop. The COA affirms, concluding that the city failed to show that there was reasonable suspicion for the stop.
COA holds that funeral costs are recoverable as part of a restitution order in connection with a juvenile disposition order
State v. Q.D.R., 2024AP1067, 12/3/24, District I (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity
In a matter of first impression, COA rejects Q.D.R.’s statutory construction arguments and holds that funeral costs are recoverable under the juvenile restitution statute.
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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.