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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.

McQuiggin v. Floyd Perkins, USSC No. 12-126, cert granted 10/29/12

Question Presented: The Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 (AEDPA) contains a one-year statute of limitations for filing a habeas petition. In Holland v. Florida, 130 S. Ct. 2549, 2562 (2010), this Court affirmed that a habeas petitioner is entitled to equitable tolling of that one-year period “only if he shows: (1) that […]

Nicole Harris v. Sheryl Thompson, 7th Cir No. 12-1088, 10/18/12

seventh circuit decision (html) (90-page pdf download: here), granting habeas relief in 904 N.E.2d 1077 (Ill. App. 2009) A significant decision in several respects – not least, attorney performance – that a summary post cannot hope to capture, save broad highlights. Executive summary: Harris was convicted of killing her 4-year-old son Jaquari, against a defense of accidental death (self-strangulation with an […]

The Plotkin Analysis: SPD 2013-2015 budget request

On September 17, state agency budget requests for the 2013-2015 biennium were submitted to the Department of Administration for review prior to the introduction of the budget bill by the Governor in February 2013.  While not all agency proposals will be included in the Governor’s budget, the requests give an indication of agency priorities during […]

Reasonable Suspicion, Probable Cause – OWI

court of appeals decision (1-judge, ineligible for publication); case activity State v. Andrew Wheaton, 2012AP173-CR Reasonable Suspicion – OWI Presence of the following factors establish reasonable suspicion to stop Wheaton for impaired driving: ¶23      The State points to the following as factors that produced an objectively reasonable suspicion of impaired driving at the time of the stop:  (1) Wheaton […]

Arrest – Fresh Pursuit

State v. Randall Lee Sugden, 2012AP408-CR, District 4, 10/15/12 court of appeals decision (1-judge, ineligible for publication); case activity Arrest in Richland County by a Sauk County deputy sheriff was justified under the fresh pursuit doctrine, § 175.40(2). State v. Haynes, 2001 WI App 266, 248 Wis. 2d 724, 638 N.W.2d 82, discussed and applied: ¶12      Applying Haynes to the facts […]

Traffic Stop – “Dealer Imitation” Plate

State v. Jan P. Hogan, 2012AP966-CR, District 4, 10/25/12 court of appeals decision (1-judge, ineligible for publication); case activity Reasonable suspicion supported stop of car displaying “dealer imitation” plate (i.e., failing to display permanent or temporary plate in violation of § 341.04(1)). State v. Griffin, 183 Wis. 2d 327, 333, 515 N.W.2d 535 (Ct. App. 1994) (OK to […]

Serial Litigation Bar – Sufficiency of Evidence

State v. Robert J. Jacobson, 2011AP581, District 2/3, 10/24/12 court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); case activity; prior history: 2003AP2023-CR (direct appeal), 2005AP1928 (Knight petition) Jacobson was convicted after jury trial on three counts of attempted homicide. He undertook an unsuccessful direct appeal, followed by a “Knight” habeas petition (the latter arguing that appellate […]

Probation Search: PBT Administered by Police Officer

State v. Marilee F. Devries, 2012 WI App 119 (recommended for publication); case activity Devries’ probation agent, after detecting alcohol on her breath during a visit at the probation office, had a law enforcement officer administer a preliminary breath test. One thing led to another and she was convicted of OWI. She challenges the PBT […]

Plea Bargains: Validity, Good-Faith Error in Maximum Penalty

State v. Ronald W. Lichty, 2012 WI App 129(recommended for publication); case activity Lichty pleaded no contest pursuant to plea bargain which allowed, due to a good-faith mistake, the State to recommend a period of extended supervision that exceeded the permissible maximum by one year. The error was discerned prior to sentencing, where the State reduced its […]

William Thompkins, Jr. v. Pfister, 7th Cir No. 10-2467, 10/23/12

seventh circuit decision, denying habeas relief in 641 N.E.2d 371 (Ill. 1994) and 521 N.E.2d 38 (1988) Habeas Review – 6th Amendment Attachment of Counsel – State Court Findings The Seventh Circuit rejects, on habeas review of his Illinois conviciton, Thompkins’ challenge to admissibility of his statement. Thompkins made his statement after his arrest and, according to the state court, before […]

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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.