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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. Jacqueline Robinson, 2011AP2833-CR, petition for review granted, 2/11/13
Review of per curiam court of appeals decision; case activity Issue (from the Petition for Review): Were Robinson’s state and federal constitutional rights against double jeopardy violated when, after imposing a sentence and remanding her to start serving the sentence forthwith, the circuit court recalled the case the next day and increased her sentence, not […]
State v. Nancy J. Pinno, 2011AP2424-CR/State v. Travis J. Seaton, 2012AP918, certification granted, 2/25/13
On review of court of appeals certification; case activity: Pinno; Seaton Issue (from certification): Is the failure to object to the closure of a public trial to be analyzed upon appellate review under the “forfeiture standard” or the “waiver standard”? See our previous post for further discussion.
State v. Curtis L. Jackson, 2011AP2698-CR, petition for review granted, 2/11/13
Review of unpublished court of appeals decision; case activity Issues (composed by On Point) 1. Whether the jury instructions on self defense as it pertained to second degree reckless homicide fairly and adequately explained the defense to the jury. 2. Whether trial court erroneously excluded evidence of the victim’s reputation for violence. Petitions for review aren’t […]
Milwaukee County v. Mary F.-R., 2012AP958, petition for review granted, 2/11/13
Review of unpublished court of appeals decision; case activity Issues (composed by On Point) 1. Whether there was sufficient proof that Mary F.-R. evidenced a “substantial probability of physical harm” to herself or others and was therefore dangerous under Wis. Stat. § 51.20(1)(a)(2). 2. Whether Wis. Stat. § 51.20(11) is an unconstitutional violation of equal […]
Search and seizure of vehicle — attaching GPS tracking device; warrant — scope, coverage of particular GPS device
State v. James G. Brereton, 2013 WI 17, affirming 2011 WI App 127; case activity Search and seizure of vehicle — attaching GPS tracking device After lawfully stopping Brereton, the police removed him from his car, towed it to a lot, and, after obtaining a warrant, attached a GPS tracking device. The car was returned […]
OWI – collateral attack on prior uncounseled conviction; prima facie showing
State v. Scott B. Bohlinger, 2013 WI App 39; case activity Bohlinger made a prima facie showing that two prior OWI convictions were invalid because he did not knowingly and intelligently waive the right to counsel due to his limited cognitive capabilities. The circuit court concluded he had not made such a showing because he did […]
Warrantless entry based on “community caretaker” exception; OWI — collateral attack on prior conviction
State v. Juan G. Gracia, 2013 WI 15; affirming unpublished court of appeals decision; case activity Warrantless Entry – “community caretaker” exception Entry into Gracia’s bedroom by police, who had linked him to a serious traffic accident, was justified by the community caretaker doctrine because the police had an objectively reasonable basis to believe Gracia […]
Attempted possession of a firearm by a felon recognized as an offense under Wisconsin law
State v. Wyatt D. Henning, 2013 WI App 15; case activity The crime of attempted possession of a firearm by a felon is recognized in Wisconsin, distinguishing State v. Briggs, 218 Wis. 2d 61, 579 N.W.2d 783 (Ct. App. 1998): ¶14 Turning to the particular language of the felon in possession of a firearm statute, and […]
Newly discovered evidence – reasonable probability jury would have reasonable doubt about guilt; new trial in interest of justice
State v. Brian Avery, 2013 WI 13 (Wis. S. Ct. 1/30/13), reversing 2011 WI App 148; case activity The supreme court affirms the trial court’s denial of Brian Avery’s Wis. Stat. § 974.06 motion for a new trial based on newly discovered evidence, concluding there isn’t a reasonable probability a jury would have a reasonable […]
Right to trial by impartial jury – seating of juror not actually summoned
State v. Jacob Turner, 2013 WI App 23; case activity Addressing an unusual set of facts, the court of appeals holds Turner’s constitutional rights to an impartial jury and due process were not violated by the seating of a juror who had not been summoned for service and who did not disclose that to the […]
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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.