On Point

State v. Anthony R. Pico, 2015AP1799-CR, 5/10/17, District 2 (not recommended for publication), petition for review granted 10/10/17, affirmed, 2018 WI 66; case activity (including briefs)

The circuit court granted Pico a new trial on a charge of first degree child sexual assault after concluding Pico’s trial lawyer was ineffective on various grounds. Over a dissent, the court of appeals reverses and reinstates Pico’s conviction.

You’ve no doubt heard about digital devices from outfits like Nest or Amazon Echo or Google Home that allow you remotely to control your thermostat or your lights and blinds or take video of the goings-on in your yard or on your porch. Perhaps you’ve also heard about the case in Arkansas in which the prosecution was seeking audio from the defendant’s Amazon Echo to determine if it contained evidence about his culpability for a murder.

That’s what Judicata is saying about its new legal research service. It claims to be “mapping the legal genome.” Read more about it here.

Ever wonder what they are like? Check out this new report on two such centers in Georgia. Warning: Viewer discretion advised.

Such a popular topic! a new paper, by Jordan Hyatt of Drexel University, and Steven Chanenson of Villanova University School of Law, surveys judges and stakeholders across the nation. Read it here.

Click here to The Sentencing Project’s new report, “Still Life: America’s Increasing Use of Life and Long-term Sentences.”

State v. Jason Napiwocki, 2016AP1264-CR, 5/4/17, District 4 (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity (including briefs)

The circuit court didn’t erroneously exercise its discretion when it issued a final restitution order that adopted the findings of fact and conclusions of law of the court commissioner who conducted the restitution hearing.

State v. Eugene B. Santiago, 2016AP1267, District 2, 5/3/17 (not recommended for publication); case activity (including state’s brief)

Santiago’s trial lawyer missed a charging error that led to an overstatement of the penalties Santiago faced; this failure doesn’t allow Santiago to withdraw his plea, however, because he fails to sufficiently allege that he would not have entered a plea if his lawyer had caught the mistake.

Dear On Point fans: We just moved all On Point subscriptions to a new service called Mailchimp. If all went according to plan, you received an email blast from Mailchimp on the morning of May 3rd. If you did NOT receive that email blast, check your junk mail. If it’s not there, go to the sidebar of On Point‘s home page and press “Get Updates.”

Why the switch?

State v. J.L.C., 2017AP197, 5/2/17, District 1 (1-judge opinion, ineligible for publication); case activity

J.L.C. argued that the circuit court erroneously terminated his parental rights to his son, K.C., because J.L.C. moved to Arizona, not because J.L.C. failed to provide a safe environment.