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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.
SVP Discharge Hearing – Showing Required, § 980.09(2)
State v. Shawn David Schulpius, 2012 WI App 134; court of appeals decision (recommended for publication); case activity
SVP Discharge Hearing – Showing Required, § 980.09(2)
Before granting discharge hearing on a ch. 980 petition, the circuit court must satisfy itself that the petition answers two concerns: First, under § 980.09(1) “paper-review” determination, the petition alleges sufficient facts to show that the petitioner no longer satisfies commitment criteria.
Court of Appeals Publication Orders, 11/12
court of appeals publication orders, 11/29/12
On Point posts:
2012 WI App 119 State v. Marlee F. Devries
2012 WI App 120 Godfrey & Kahn, SC v. Circ. Ct. for Milw. Co.
2012 WI App 121 State v. Robert W. Schmitt
2012 WI App 122 Ardonis Greer v. Schwarz
2012 WI App 126 State v.
Complaint – Adequate Notice; Jury Instructions – Authorizing Guilty Verdict on Speculation
State v. Darryl J. Badzinski, 2011AP2905-CR, District 1, 11/27/12; court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication), petition for review granted 4/18/13; reversed, 2014 WI 6; case activity
Complaint – Adequate Notice (Child Sexual Assault) – Waived Objection
Badzinski waived his objection to the complaint – counsel conceded, at a motion to dismiss because of vagueness,
Sentence Credit – Consecutive Sentences
State v. Cecil Lennel Hudson, 2012AP702-CR, District 1, 11/27/12
court of appeals decision (1-judge, ineligible for publication); case activity
Hudson isn’t entitled to credit against his new (disorderly conduct) sentence because it runs consecutive to his old (ES-revocation) sentence:
¶9 At the time of Hudson’s plea and sentencing hearing on the disorderly conduct charge, Hudson’s trial counsel was aware that Hudson was going to be serving an additional eighteen months on the 2008 case.
Other-Acts Evidence – State’s Failure to Identify Specifics
State v. Joel Steinhauer, 2012AP189-CR, District 3, 11/27/12
court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); case activity
When the State fails to articulate the specific other acts testimony it seeks to adduce, the trial court acts within its discretion in ruling the testimony inadmissible without performing the 3-step analysis of State v. Sullivan, 216 Wis. 2d 768, 771–73, 576 N.W.2d 30 (1998).
The Plotkin Analysis: update on draft legislation
The Legislative Council study committees I mentioned in July are beginning to work on draft legislation that will be forwarded to the Legislature for its consideration early next year.
Most of the legislation affects the SPD or our clients, but two drafts are particularly noteworthy at this point.
First, WLC 0010/1, being considered by the Special Committee on Permanency for Young Children in the Child Welfare System, would return the ability for the SPD to represent adults in Children in Need of Protective Services (CHIPS) proceedings.
Sentencing Sexual Assault-Child, § 948.02(1)(b): Mandatory Min., Probation-Ineligible
State v. Tony J. Lalicata, 2012 WI App 138 (recommended for publication); case activity
Probation is not an available disposition under § 948.02(1)(b) (child sexual assault). By mandating that “the court shall impose a bifurcated sentence” with a confinement portion of at least 25 years for that offense, § 939.616 forecloses the possibility of probation:
¶14 … We conclude instead that § 939.616(1r) unambiguously prohibits probation,
TPR – Meaningful Cross-Examination, § 906.11(1)
La Crosse Co. DHS v. Kristle S., 2012AP2005, District 4, 11/21/12
court of appeals decision (1-judge, ineligible for publication); case activity
The parent was given a meaningful opportunity to cross-examine the social worker with respect to conditions for the children’s return, in that the trial court permitted extensive questioning on these issues before instructing counsel to pursue a different line of questioning:
¶17 Our review of the record also demonstrates that Kristle had a meaningful opportunity to impeach Simmons’ credibility.
Habeas Procedure – Filing Deadline – “Mailbox Rule”
Elliot D. Ray v. Clements, 7th Cir No. 11-3228, 11/19/12
seventh circuit decision, appeal following remand in 592 F.3d 793 (7th Cir 2010) (summarized in prior post)
… (W)e hold that in cases where the pro se prisoner’s post-conviction motion is not received, the petitioner must submit a sworn statement and some evidence to support his claim that he timely delivered the filing to a prison official,
Vagrancy (Begging), § 947.02(4) – Vague and Overbroad
State v. Bradley S. Johnson, Outagamie Co. Circ. Ct. No. 12CM495
circuit court decision; case activity
Panhandling prosecution under § 947.02(4) is dismissed with prejudice because the vagrancy statute is unconstitutional under first amendment analysis: panhandling (“begging”) is a form of protected speech and its criminalization under § 947.02(4) is fatally vague and overbroad. State v. Starks, 51 Wis.2d 256, 186 N.W.2d 245 (1971) (loitering statute unconstitutional as providing insufficient notice of prohibited conduct,
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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.