Explore in-depth analysis
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.
Important posts
Ahead in SCOW
Sign up
State v. Clayton W. Williams, 2011AP2868-CR, petition for review granted 11/21/13
Review of published court of appeals decision; case activity Issue (composed by On Point) Does § 346.65(2)(am)6., which provides that “the confinement portion of a bifurcated sentence imposed under s. 973.01 [for an OWI 7th, 8th, or 9th] shall be not less than 3 years,” require that a bifurcated sentence be imposed? The court of appeals […]
State v. Andrew J. Matasek, 2012AP1582, petition for review granted
Review of a published court of appeals decision; case activity Issue: Whether under § 973.015 the circuit court has the discretion to withhold its decision on expungement until after the defendant completes probation? Wis. Stat. § 973.015 authorizes the circuit court to expunge the record of a defendant under the age of 25 in certain situations. […]
State v. Luis M. Rocha-Mayo, 2011AP2548-CR, petition for review granted
Review of per curiam court of appeals decision; case activity Issue (composed by On Point) Whether Wis. Stat. § 343.303, which bars the admission of certain preliminary breath test results in motor vehicle prosecutions, applies to PBT results obtained by Emergency Room staff? Issue (again, composed by On Point) WIS JI- Criminal 1185, which is based upon […]
State v. Jeremiah J. Purtell, 2012AP1307-CR, petition for review granted 11/20/13
Review of unpublished court of appeals decision; case activity Issue (from the state’s Petition for Review) Whether the court of appeals went beyond the boundaries of an appellate court when it reversed the trial court’s decision based on a sua sponte argument–and subsequent appellate factual determinations–that was never presented to the trial court. Purtell was […]
The newly-adopted Daubert standard does not apply to ch. 980 discharge proceedings if the original petition for commitment was filed before the effective date of the standard’s adoption
State v. Michael Alger, 2013 WI App 148, petition for review granted, 5/23/14, affirmed, 2015 WI 3; case activity In this important decision addressing an issue that’s been percolating in ch. 980 cases, the court of appeals holds that the Daubert standard for expert testimony does not apply to any proceedings in a ch. 980 case […]
Defects in notice about right to request refusal hearing didn’t excuse untimely filing of request
State v. Sidney H. Sawicky, 2013AP1335, District 3, 11/19/13; court of appeals decision (1-judge; ineligible for publication); case activity Village of Elm Grove v. Brefka, 2013 WI 54, 348 Wis. 2d 282, 832 N.W.2d 121, held that the 10-day limit for requesting a refusal hearing set out in § 343.305(9)(a)4. and (10)(a) is mandatory and cannot be […]
Charge of driving without valid license instead of operating after revocation didn’t deprive circuit court of jurisdiction
State v. Cindy Lou Hilsgen, 2013AP659-CR & 2013AP660-CR, District 3, 11/19/13; court of appeals decision (1-judge; ineligible for publication); case activity When Hilsgen moved here from Minnesota her driver’s license was revoked, and she never got a Wisconsin license. She was charged in two separate cases with operating without a valid license. Relying on § 343.05(6), […]
Huge restitution award upheld based on defendant’s chance of winning lottery
State v. Ericka S. Thomas, Appeal No. 2013AP341-CR; District 1; 11/13/13 (not recommended for publication); case activity This is a split decision over the proper application of § 973.20, the restitution statute. The circuit court convicted Thomas of Medicaid fraud, sentenced her to imprisonment, and ordered her to pay $356, 366.33 (the total amount she and […]
Dismissal of pro se appeal affirmed for lack of service
City of West Allis v. Brandon J. Michaels, Appeal No. 2013AP710, District 1, 11/13/13; (one-judge decision, ineligible for publication); case activity Michaels tried to appeal a municipal court conviction for disorderly conduct to the circuit court, per Wis. Stat. § 800.14. He consulted the clerk of court and followed all of the instructions he was given. […]
Hearing on motion for plea withdrawal granted; trial court failed to ensure mentally-impaired defendant understood plea
State v. Matthew Allen Lilek, Appeal No. 2012AP1855, District 1; 11/13/13, (not recommended for publication), case activity The dispositive issue in this appeal was whether the defendant, who is legally blind and has suffered cognitive disabilities his entire life, knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily entered a no-contest plea to second degree sexual assault, with use of force, […]
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.