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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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State v. Sambath Pal, 2015AP1782-CR, petition for review granted 10/11/2016
Review of a court of appeals summary disposition; case activity (including briefs); petition for review
Issues (composed by On Point)
(1) Could the defendant be convicted of two counts of hit and run with death resulting for a single act of leaving the scene of an accident that caused two deaths?
(2) Is the defendant’s sentence unduly harsh?
State v. Heather L. Steinhardt, 2015AP993-CR, petition for review granted 10/11/2016
Review of an unpublished per curiam court of appeals decision; case activity (including briefs); petition for review
Issues (composed by On Point)
(1) Was Steinhardt’s right to be free from double jeopardy violated when she was convicted of both party to the crime of First Degree Child Sexual Assault in violation of § 948.02(1)(e) and Failure to Protect a Child from Sexual Assault in violation of § 948.02(3)?
(2) Did Steinhardt forfeit her right to raise the double jeopardy issue by pleading no contest to the charges?
(3) Did Steinhardt’s postconviction motion, which alleged trial counsel was ineffective for failing to advise her about the double jeopardy issue, sufficiently allege that she was prejudiced by trial counsel’s failure?
State v. Gary F. Lemberger, 2015AP1452-CR, petition for review granted 10/11/2016
Review of an unpublished court of appeals decision; case activity (including briefs); petition for review
Issues (composed by On Point)
(1) May a prosecutor argue that a defendant’s refusal to submit to a breathalyzer test shows consciousness of guilt?
(2) When a circuit court denies a postconviction motion based on arguably inapplicable case law, must the defendant ask the circuit court to reconsider its ruling in order to preserve for appeal the claim that the case law doesn’t apply?
State v. Keimonte Antonie Wilson, Sr., 2015AP671-CR, petition for review granted, 10/11/16
On review of a per curiam opinion; case activity (including briefs)
Issues:
1. Which statute governs the service of a subpoena in a criminal case: §885.03 which provides that a subpoena may be left at a witness’s abode or §805.07 and §801.11 which require reasonable diligence to personally serve a witness before leaving the subpoena at her abode?
2. Whether trial counsel was ineffective for failing to argue that he had properly served the witness with a subpoena per §885.03? If not, then whether trial counsel was ineffective for failing to attempt to serve the witness personally before leaving the subpoena at her abode as required by §801.11.
State v. Stietz, 2014AP2701-CR, petition for review granted, 10/11/16
Review of a per curiam opinion; case activity (including briefs); petition for review
Issues (from Stietz’s petition):
1. On the facts of this case, did the court of appeals deny Stietz’s federal and state constitutional rights to present a complete defense of self-defense, and contradict controlling precedent of this Court in State v. Mendoza, 80 Wis. 2d 122, 258 N.W.2d 260 (1977), by weighing Stietz’s credibility and requiring more than “some evidence,” even if inconsistent, to support a self-defense instruction?
2. On the facts of this case, did the court of appeals deny Stietz’s federal and state constitutional rights to present a defense by forbidding argument that Stietz was defending himself against two men he reasonably believed were armed trespassers?
3. On the facts of this case the court of appeals contradict this Court’s controlling decision in State v. Hobson, 218 Wis. 2d 350, 577 N.W.2d 825 (1998), by foreclosing self-defense against wardens who: (a) the accused did not know were law enforcement officers, on evidence the jury was entitled to credit; (b) were not even claiming to make an arrest, but only were trying to disarm a man without apparent right; and (c) were not acting peaceably in any event, but rather were trying violently to disarm a lawfully armed man?
Gabler v. Crime Victims Rights Board, 2016AP275, petition for bypass granted 10/11/16
On bypass; case activity (including briefs)
Issue (derived from court of appeals’ briefs):
Whether the Crime Victims Rights Board’s power to remedy a violation of a victim’s right to the speedy disposition of a criminal case can be applied to judges without violating the separation of powers doctrine.
Court of appeals upholds involuntary medication order, tests limits of Melanie L.
Outagamie County v. J.J., 2016AP43, 10/12/16, District 3 (1-judge opinion, ineligible for publication); case activity
If this opinion doesn’t cross the line of Outagamie County v. Melanie L., 2013 WI 67, ¶¶91, 97, 349 Wis. 2d 148, 833 N.W.2d 607, it at least curls its toes around the decision.
How accurate are risk assessment tools?
They may seem more measured and bias free, but according to this new article, they aren’t very good. Compas has significant flaws, and the accuracy of the Static 99-R “is not much better than a coin toss.” This article links to a number of studies that might support a challenge to the use of these […]
Driving near to and touching center line justified traffic stop
State v. Sabrina Marie Hebert, 2015AP2183-CR, District 3, 10/12/2016 (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity (including briefs)
The court of appeals rejects Hebert’s challenges to the circuit court’s factual findings and its conclusion that there was reasonable suspicion to stop the car she was driving.
Stop by officer outside his jurisdiction was reasonable
State v. Darren Wade Caster, 2015AP1965-CR, District 3, 10/12/2016 (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity (including briefs)
The fact that an officer stopped Caster outside the limits of his jurisdiction does not mean the evidence garnered from the stop must be suppressed because the stop was reasonable.
On Point is sponsored by Wisconsin State Public Defenders. All content is subject to public disclosure. Comments are moderated. If you have questions about this blog, please email [email protected].
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.