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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.

Conspiracy, § 939.31 (to Commit Homicide) – Agreement

State v. Frederick L. Lucht, 2011AP1644-CR, District 4, 9/27/12

court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); case activity

The record supports the existence of an agreement between Lucht and another to commit the crime of first-degree intentional homicide.

¶28      Lucht refers us to cases standing for propositions that a conspiracy cannot be based on a mere “agreement to negotiate,” see United States v.

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State v. Julius C. Burton, 2011AP450-CR, WSC review granted 9/27/12

on review of unpublished decision; case activity

Issues (composed by on Point) 

1. Whether Burton is entitled to a Machner hearing on his postconviction motion asserting that counsel was ineffective for failing to advise that Burton could pursue a bifurcated (NGI) plea along with his guilty plea, and have a jury determine whether he was not responsible by reason of mental disease or defect.

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Court of Appeals Publication Orders, 9/12

court of appeals publication orders, 9/27/12

On Point posts:

2012 WI App 99 State v. Michael Anthony Lock

2012 WI App 101 State v. Mark M. Benson

2012 WI App 103 State v. Cody A. Gibson

2012 WI App 104 State v. Jason M. Jacobs

2012 WI App 105 State v.

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Search & Seizure – Mistake of Law

State v. Pamela L. Hammersley, 2012AP1131-CR, District 2, 9/26/12

court of appeals decision (1-judge, ineligible for publication); case activity

Stop of vehicle, assertedly for violating local trespassing ordinance, held not supportable:

¶3        It is settled law that a stop cannot be based on an officer’s mistaken understanding of the law.  State v. Longcore, 226 Wis. 2d 1, 3-4, 594 N.W.2d 412 (Ct.

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TPR – “Relevant Background Information” Forming Basis for Expert’s Opinion

Buffalo County Department of Health & Human Services v. Jennifer C., 2012AP1564, District 3, 9/25/12

court of appeals decision (1-judge, ineligible for publication); case activity

Though not “independently admissible,” a long list of damaging items related to Jennifer’s background (such as theparent’s father’s sexual abuse of his daughters, and Jennifer’s own emotional and sexual abuse by her adoptive parents) was admissible to show the basis for an expert’s opinion that Jennifer was unlikely to meet conditions for return of her children:

¶16      Wisconsin Stat. 

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Extraneous Conduct

State v. Mark E. Johnson, 2011AP2673-CR, District 3, 9/25/12

court of appeals decision (1-judge, ineligible for publication); case activity

Cross-examination of Johnson, on trial for possession of marijuana and bail jumping, as to his marijuana use was proper, but as to his use of cocaine (eliciting an admission) was reversible error:

¶10      Johnson concedes that, after he testified he never possessed marijuana, the State was permitted to cross-examine him about a previous instance where he possessed marijuana.  

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Traffic Stop – Inattentive Driving

State v. Timothy W. Bastian, 2012AP793-CR, District 3, 9/25/12

court of appeals decision (1-judge, ineligible for publication); case activity

 The court holds, without resolving the issue of whether reasonable suspicion sufficed, that probable cause supported Bastian’s traffic stop for inattentive driving, given “the circuit court’s factual determination that Bastian was ‘looking towards the passenger seat’”:

¶10      Wisconsin Stat. § 346.89, titled “Inattentive driving,” provides in relevant part:  “No person while driving a motor vehicle shall be so engaged or occupied as to interfere with the safe driving of such vehicle.”  Wis.

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Missouri v. Tyler G. McNeely, USSC No. 11-1425, cert granted 9/25/12

Question Presented:

Whether a law enforcement officer may obtain a nonconsensual and warrantless blood sample from a drunk driver under the exigent circumstances exception to the Fourth Amendment warrant requirement based upon the natural dissipation of alcohol in the bloodstream.

Docket

Lower court opinion (State v. McNeely, 358 S.W.3d 65 (Mo. Banc 2012))

Scotusblog page

Does the evanescent quality of alcohol (or any metabolized substance,

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The Plotkin Analysis: the next session

The SPD is nearing completion of the agency’s 2013-2015 biennial budget proposal.  This means that after what seems like all too short a time, talk of new legislation will soon begin.

 The SPD has already been contacted by legislators seeking input on bill drafts that may be offered next session.  These contacts have mostly been the result of the work by the Legislative Council Study Committee on the Permanency for Young Children in the Child Welfare System. 

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OWI – Refusal Hearing; Search & Seizure – Consensual Encounter

State v. William R. Hartman, 2011AP622, District 4, 9/20/12

court of appeals decision (1-judge, ineligible for publication); case activity

OWI – Refusal Hearing – Raising Challenge to Lawfulness of Stop

Refusal hearing supports litigation of lawfulness of stop; State v. Anagnos2012 WI 64, ¶42, 341 Wis. 2d 576, 815 N.W.2d 675, followed:

 ¶14      Accordingly, we reject the State’s contention that Hartman improperly raised the issue of reasonable suspicion at the refusal hearing.   

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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.