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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.

Grant of continuance under speedy trial statute also continued deadline for trial under Intrastate Detainer Act

State v. Malcolm A. Butler, 2014 WI App 4; case activity The 120-day deadline for trying a case under the Intrastate Detainer Act, § 971.11(2), is explicitly “subject to” the speedy trial statute, § 971.10; thus, the Intrastate Detainer Act incorporates the provision of the speedy trial statute that allows for continuances for good cause, § 971.10(3)(a), and […]

Court to State: Ends of adult court jurisdiction don’t justify means violating juvenile code

State v. Cody Phillips, 2014 WI App 3; case activity This case reached the court of appeals via a petition for leave to appeal a non-final order. The State’s juvenile delinquency petition alleged that Phillips committed one count of 1st-dgree sexual assault of child by use or threat of force and a second count of 2nd-degree assault of a […]

Admitting photo of victim and family at homicide trial is harmless error

State v. George A. Trinka, 2013AP539, District 2, 12/18/13; (not recommended for publication); case activity A jury found Trinka guilty of 1st-dgree reckless homicide and 1st-degree recklessly endangering safety, both with use of a weapon.  The issue on appeal was whether the trial court erred in allowing the State to introduce into evidence a family photograph of the victim, his […]

State v. James R. Hunt, 2012AP2185-CR, petition for review granted 12/17/13

Review of unpublished per curium court of appeals decision; case activity Issue (from state’s petition for review) Whether, if it was error for the trial court to prevent a defense witness from testifying about particular facts relevant to the defense, the error was harmless. Hunt was charged with child sexual assault and causing a child […]

State v. Cortez Lorenzo Toliver, 2012AP393-CR, petition for review granted 12/17/13

Review of unpublished per curiam court of appeals decision; case activity Issues (composed by On Point) Did the adult court lose jurisdiction or competency to proceed against a juvenile by failing to make a specific finding at the preliminary hearing that there was probable cause to believe the juvenile committed an offense that gave the […]

State v. Jimothy A. Jenkins, 2012AP46-CR, petition for review granted 12/17/13

Review of unpublished per curiam court of appeals decision; case activity Issue (composed by On Point) In deciding whether trial counsel was ineffective for failing to call a witness, did the postconviction court err by deciding trial counsel’s failure to present the witness was not prejudicial because the witness was not credible? Unlike electronically filed briefs […]

State v. Angelica C. Nelson, 2012AP2140-CR, petition for review granted 12/16/13

Review of unpublished per curiam court of appeals decision; case activity Issue (composed by On Point) Does harmless error analysis apply when a trial judge erroneously denies a defendant the right to testify in her own defense? Nelson wanted to testify in her child sexual assault trial, and the court engaged in a colloquy with […]

State v. Cummings, 2011AP1653-CR and State v. Smith, 2012AP520-CR, petitions for review granted

Review of 2 unpublished per curiam court of appeals decisions in 2 unrelated cases now joined for purposes of oral argument. State v. Carlos A. Cummings, District 4 court of appeals decision, case activity State v. Adrean L. Smith, District 1 court of appeals decision, case activity Cummings and Smith both present the question of whether defendants […]

Driver has no reasonable expectation of privacy in his vehicle registration or driver’s license information

State v. Daniel R. Folkman, 2013AP1363-CR, District 3, 12/17/13; court of appeals decision (1-judge; ineligible for publication); case activity A deputy on patrol checked the license plate of an oncoming car. The check showed the car belonged to Folkman. The deputy then checked Folkman’s license status, which was expired, so the deputy stopped the car, […]

Kevin Loughrin v. United States, USSC 13-316, cert granted 12/13/13

Question Presented: Whether the government must prove that the defendant intended to defraud a bank and expose it to risk of loss in every prosecution under 18 U.S.C. § 1344. Lower court decision: United States v. Loughrin, 710 F.3d 1111 (10th Cir. 2013) Docket Scotusblog page Are you defending someone charged with federal bank fraud […]

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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.