Explore in-depth analysis
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.
Outrageous Governmental Conduct
State v. William Thomas Hudson, III, 2010AP1598-CR, District 4, 9/13/12
court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); case activity
¶9 “The concept of outrageous governmental conduct originates from the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment.” [State v. Givens, 217 Wis. 2d 180, 188, 580 N.W.2d 340 (Ct. App. 1998).] Outrageous governmental conduct may arise where the government’s conduct is so enmeshed in the criminal activity that prosecution of the defendant would be repugnant to the American criminal justice system.
Reasonable Suspicion: Stop of Auto (Flight from Scene of Reported Trespass; “Guzy” Factors; Collective Knowledge Doctrine)
State v. Carl Rissley, 2012 WI App 112 (recommended for publication); case activity
Reasonable suspicion supported Terry stop to investigate possible crime. Homeowner called police to report early-morning confrontation with possible trespasser, who then took flight in van at high rate of speed, and officer stopped vehicle matching description within five minutes of report:
¶13 All of this occurred just before 3:00 a.m. When a citizen is confronted in his driveway by an unknown stranger at this time in the morning,
Plea-Withdrawal; Sentencing Discretion
State v. Alvin C. Harris, 2012AP518-CR, District 2, 9/12/12
court of appeals decision (1-judge, ineligible for publication); case activity
Plea-Withdrawal
Harris failed to make a prima facie showing that his plea colloquy was defective, therefore his motion to withdraw plea was properly denied without an evidentiary hearing:
¶7 Here, Harris’s motion alleged that his plea was not entered knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily because of a defect in the plea colloquy.
Coram Nobis: “Very Limited Scope”
Chintan V. Patel v. State of Wisconsin, 2012 WI App 117 (recommended for publication); case activity
¶12 In this appeal, we are asked to determine whether the trial court erred in denying Patel’s writ of coram nobis. The writ of coram nobis is a discretionary writ of “very limited scope” that is “addressed to the trial court.” Jessen v. State,
OWI – PAC – Countable Convictions
State v. Frederick J. Scott, 2012AP533-CR, District 3, 9/11/12
court of appeals decision (1-judge, ineligible for publication); case activity
The threshold for illegal alcohol concentration is reduced from .08 to .02 for drivers who have at least 3 prior qualifying convictions. Scott had three priors, thus was subject to arrest and prosecution for driving with a PAC of .03. However, prior convictions may be collaterally attacked if obtained in violation of the right to counsel,
TPR – Right to Be Present
State v. Tenesha T., 2012AP1283, District 1, 9/5/12
court of appeals decision (1-judge, ineligible for publication); case activity
Parent’s right to be present during TPR trial wasn’t violated when court allowed 30 minutes of testimony during parent’s volunary absence:
¶16 Tenesha bases her argument on Shirley E., contending that a parent’s right to be present during termination proceedings is inherent in Shirley E.
TPR – Meaningful Participation: Telephonic Appearance
Brown County Department of Human Services v. David D., 2012AP722, District 3, 95/12
court of appeals decision (1-judge, ineligible for publication); case activity
Parent’s appearance by telephone held to satisfy right to “meaningful participation”:
¶10 “A parent’s rights to his or her children are substantial and are protected by due process.” Waukesha Cnty. DHHS v. Teodoro E., 2008 WI App 16,
TPR – Effective Assistance of Counsel – Conflict of Interest
Dunn County Human Services v. Eric R., 2011AP2416, District 3, 9/5/12
court of appeals decision (1-judge, ineligible for publication); case activity
That counsel for the parent on a termination petition had, while serving as a family court commissioner 19 months earlier, entered a child support order against the parent, did not alone establish a conflict of interest. Supreme Court Rule 20:1.12(a) (“a lawyer shall not represent anyone in connection with a matter in which the lawyer participated personally and substantially as a judge”),
Enhancers – § § 343.307(1), 346.65(2)(am)3., OWI – Jury Determination and Apprendi
State v. Lisa M. Arentz, 2011AP2307-CR / State v. Eric R. Hendricks, 2012AP243-CR, District 2, 9/5/12
court of appeals decision (1-judge, ineligible for publication); case activity (Arentz; Hendricks)
Criminal OWI prosecution is premised on, and a resulting sentence enhanced by, a prior civil-forfeiture OWI conviction (which does not itself require unanimous jury verdict upon proof beyond reasonable doubt). Arentz and Hendricks raise the same arguments: the elements of the underlying civil forfeiture must be proved to the jury beyond reasonable at the criminal trial;
Manitowoc County v. Samuel J. H., 2012AP665, District 2, 9/5/12, WSC review granted 11/14/12
court of appeals certification, supreme court review granted 11/14/12; case activity
§ 51.35(1)(e) Patient Transfer, Time Limits
Issue certified:
Whether our holding in Fond du Lac County v. Elizabeth M.P., 2003 WI App 232, ¶¶26, 28, 267 Wis. 2d 739, 672 N.W.2d 88, that “Wisconsin Stat. § 51.35(1)(e) mandates that a patient transferred to a more restrictive environment receive a hearing within ten days of said transfer,” is contrary to the plain language of the statute.
Important Posts
Ahead in SCOW
Sign up
On Point is sponsored by Wisconsin State Public Defenders. All content is subject to public disclosure. Comments are moderated. If you have questions about this blog, please email [email protected].
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.