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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.

Search & Seizure – Curtilage: Attached Garage

Village of Oregon v. Jeremy Florin, 2011AP1708, District 4, 8/16/12

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

Suspected of drunk driving, Florin was followed by a police officer to his home, ignored the officer’s command to stop, and went inside via an open garage. The officer entered the still-open garage, knocked on the door to the home, induced Florin outside and eventually arrested him for drunk driving.

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Traffic Stop – Reasonable Suspicion

Village of Jackson v. John W. Hespe, 2012AP680-FT, District 2, 8/15/12

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

“Unsafe,” but not necessarily “illegal” rate of speed supported traffic stop, State v. Anagnos, 2012 WI 64, 341 Wis. 2d 576, 815 N.W.2d 675, followed:

¶6        Here, Hespe contends that while the court found that his speed was not normal,

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Miranda-Edwards Interrogation Rule: Unequivocal Request for Counsel – Reinitiation of Interrogation

State v. Pierre R. Conner, 2012 WI App 105 (recommended for publication); case activity

Interrogations – Miranda-Edwards Rule – Unequivocal Request for Counsel 

The issues on a request-for-counsel challenge to in-custody interrogation are whether the individual  unequivocally invoked his right to counsel and, if so, whether he subsequently reinitiated questioning, Edwards v. Arizona, 451 U.S. 477, 484-85 (1981). Although the trial court found that Conner’s requests for counsel were equivocal,

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Reasonable Suspicion – Prolonged Stop

State v. Johnnie Austin, 2011AP2953-CR, District 1, 8/14/12

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

Continued detention of Austin, following an indisputably proper stop for illegal parking, was supported by reasonable suspicion:

¶14      This court disagrees; the trial court properly found Officer Tisher’s continued detention of Austin reasonable.  If, during a valid traffic stop, an officer becomes reasonably suspicious of an individual,

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Reasonable Suspicion – Drug Activity

State v. Craig R. Moss, 2012AP259-CR, District 3, 8/14/12

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

Terry stop of Moss’s car supported by reasonable suspicion of involvement in drug activity:

¶10      While patrolling a high crime area in the middle of the night, Steffens observed a vehicle stop briefly in front of a known drug house.  When the vehicle observed Steffens’ squad car,

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TPR – Default Judgment, Grounds

State v. Yvette A., 2012AP548, District 1, 8/14/12

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); case activity

Parent’s failure to appear at grounds phase of TPR trial, because she was locked in a mental health unit, supported default judgment, where parent had documented history of checking herself into hospitals despite actual need for psychiatric treatment.

¶13      Because entry of default is a particularly harsh sanction,

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Reasonable Suspicion – Traffic Stop, OWI – Informant’s Tip

State v. Michael P. Green, 2011AP2137-CR, District 2, 8/8/12

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); case activity

Traffic stop, based on report by gas station attendant of suspected drunk driver, was sufficiently reliable to support investigatory stop.

¶10      This court has previously held that a tip shows sufficient indicia of reliability to justify an investigative stop when the informant identifies himself or herself to the dispatcher,

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Self-Representation

State v. Anthony S. Irving, 2011AP1908-CR, District 2, 8/8/12

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

A defendant has a constitutional right to self-representation, State v. Imani, 2010 WI 66, ¶20, 326 Wis. 2d 179, 786 N.W.2d 40, but it must be triggered by a “clear and unequivocal” request for self-representation, State v. Darby,

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TPR – Best Interests Determination

Grant Co. DSS v. Elizabeth M. R., 2012AP1059, District 4, 8/9/12

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

By failing to consider whether the child had a substantial relationship with the parent, § 48.426(3), the trial court erroneously exercised discretion in concluding that termination of parental rights was in the child’s bests interests.

¶16      In Margaret H.,

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Supreme Court Justice Recusal

Memorandum Decision on Recusal in: Wisconsin Judicial Commission v. David T. Prosser, Jr., 2012 WI 104 (Justice Gableman);  case activity; companion decisions: 2012 WI 103; 2012 WI 692012 WI 43

¶1   On May 8, 2012, I received a letter from Kevin P. Reak, counsel for Justice David T. Prosser, Jr., filed with the court, requesting that I recuse myself from participation in the captioned matter.  

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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.