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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: State has important interest, for purposes of Sell, to forcibly medicate defendant charged with resisting arrest causing soft tissue injury.
State v. T.A.W., 2025AP437-CR, 6/3/25, District I (not recommended for publication); case activity
Although the charges against T.A.W. — resisting an officer causing soft tissue injury and retail theft — are not “serious crimes” under Wis. Stat. § 969.08, which specifies procedures for pretrial release, the COA found that the State met its burden to show an important governmental interest in forcibly medicating T.A.W. to competency under the aggravated circumstances of the case.
Seventh Circuit Cases for April and May
We made the mistake of waiting to consolidate our monthly digest given the slow pace of the court. Turns out there’s a lot to post on! This installment features an interesting decision on child porn possession, multiple alleged Franks violations, some Fourth Amendment wrangling, disturbing prisoner abuse in Wisconsin institutions, and a handful of non-Wisconsin habeas cases!
COA: Defendant not prejudiced at trial for OWI by “numbers-only” jury selection process.
State v. Nicholas J. Bergner, 2024AP1875, District I, 6/3/25 (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity
The COA affirmed the circuit court’s order denying Nicolas Bergner’s postconviction motion for a new trial. Although the circuit court did not follow the procedure required by SCOW in Tucker for using a numbers-only jury selection process, to which trial counsel did not object, Bergner was not prejudiced.
Defense Win: COA finds exception to potential jurisdictional defect and reverses order denying early releasing following SAP completion
State v. Benny Burgos, 2024AP1497-CR, 6/3/25, District I (not recommended for publication); case activity
In an interesting appeal presenting questions of statutory construction and appellate jurisdiction, COA uses principles of equity to reach the merits and reverses in Burgos’s favor.
COA holds prior recantation of allegation made by alleged victim against same defendant inadmissible for impeachment
State v. Johnny Ray Martin, 2023AP603, 5/28/25, District III (1-judge decision, ineligible for publication); case activity
COA rejects Martin’s claims that the circuit court erroneously exercised its discretion by denying his attempt to impeach the alleged victim with her prior recantation of a separate incident, and that defense counsel was ineffective by failing to adequately investigate the recantation, prepare to address the recantation at trial, and argue the issue under the correct legal theory.
SCOW ends years of TPR uncertainty and clarifies there is no burden of proof applicable to a disposition hearing
State v. H.C., 2025 WI 20, 6/3/25, affirming an unpublished court of appeals decision; case activity
In a decision that has been awaited by TPR practitioners, all seven justices affirm COA’s mandate, with five justices joining in a majority opinion which concludes there is no burden of proof applicable at a dispositional hearing.
Using umbrella for a snow shovel arouses suspicion of intoxication; COA affirms conviction for operating with prohibited alcohol concentration and refusing PBT.
City of Monona v. Erick J. Erickson, 2024AP312, District IV, 5/30/25 (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity
The COA affirmed Erick J. Erickson’s conviction following a bench trial for operating with a prohibited alcohol concentration and revocation of his operating privileges because he unreasonably refused to submit to a preliminary breath test (PBT). COA found that the circuit court correctly denied Erickson’s motion to suppress because police had probable cause to request the PBT and probable cause to arrest Erickson.
SCOTUS to determine whether police need probable cause that an emergency is occurring to invoke emergency aid doctrine and enter a home without a warrant
William T. Case v. Montana, USSC No. 24-624, certiorari granted 6/2/25
SCOTUS added to its docket when it accepted an increasingly rare grant from state criminal proceedings in this Fourth Amendment case:
Whether law enforcement may enter a home without a search warrant based on less than probable cause that an emergency is occurring, or whether the emergency-aid exception requires probable cause.
COA: State does not need to prove intent to conceal victim’s homicide to prove defendant hid corpse with intent to conceal a crime.
State v. Roger A. Minck, 2022AP2292-CR, 5/28/25, District III (recommended for publication); case activity
In a case of first impression, the COA held in a decision recommended for publication that hiding a corpse with intent to conceal a crime under Wis. Stat. § 940.11(2) requires the State to prove the defendant intended to conceal any crime, not a crime related to the victim’s homicide. The COA found the evidence sufficient to affirm the jury’s verdict finding Roger Minck guilty of hiding a corpse.
COA holds that allocution statements are admissible following plea withdrawal
State v. Daniel J. Rejholec, 2023AP2192-CR, 5/28/25, District II (recommended for publication); case activity
In a consequential appeal, COA holds that allocution statements are admissible evidence after a plea has been withdrawn.
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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.