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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.

Sentence Credit, § 973.155

State v. Daryl J. Teska, 2011AP1010-CR, District 2, 3/14/12

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Teska: John E. German; case activity

Teska was originally placed on probation, sentences withheld, on 3 counts; jail time as a condition of probation was ordered as to 1 count. Probation was later revoked and although all 3 of sentences were imposed concurrently, credit for the time spent in jail as a condition of probation was allocated only to that particular count.

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OWI – Operating on Public “Premises” – Frozen Lake

State v. Todd M. Anderson, 2011AP1499-CR, District 2, 3/14/12

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Anderson: pro se; case activity

Frozen Lake Winnebago is a public “premises” within § 346.61, therefore supports prosecution for operating a vehicle on the lake while intoxicated. City of Kenosha v. Phillips, 142 Wis. 2d 549, 419 N.W.2d 236 (1988), discussed and applied.

¶9        Unlike the Phillips court,

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Conspiracy to Commit Theft by Fraud, §§ 939.31, 943.20(1)(d): Value of Stolen Property:Sufficiency of Evidence; Sentencing: Accurate Information – Partial Acquittal

State v. Matthew R. Steffes, 2012 WI App 47 (recommended for publication), petition for review granted, 10/16/12; for Steffes: Jeffrey W. Jensen; case activity

Conspiracy to Commit Theft by Fraud, §§ 939.31, 943.20(1)(d) – Sufficiency of Evidence 

Evidence held sufficient to sustain Steffes’ conviction for conspiracy to commit theft by fraud, based on his participation in a prisoners’ “burn-out” telephone scam.

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Sex Offender Registration § 301.45 – Homeless Registrant

State v. William Dinkins, Sr., 2012 WI 24, affirming 2010 WI App 163; for Dinkins: Steven D. Phillips, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity; note: the court affirms the mandate (reversal of conviction and dismissal of charge), but “upon a different rationale,” ¶63; the net effect is, “affirmed, as modified

Although homelessness is not in and of itself a defense to prosecution for failing to register as a sex offender, 

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“Anders” No-Merit Procedure (§ 809.32)

State v. Jeffery G. Sutton, 2012 WI 23, reversing summary order of court of appeals; for Sutton: Kaitlin A. Lamb, Colleen Ball, SPD, Milwaukee Appellate;  for amicus, WACDL: Robert R. Henak; case activity

Although presented with an unpreserved but seemingly meritorious issue (defective jury-waiver colloquy) on § 809.32 no-merit review, the court of appeals nonetheless accepted counsel’s no-merit report, thereby affirming Sutton’s conviction, and instructed him to seek relief pursuant to § 974.06 even though he was no longer in custody and the remedy was thus illusory.

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Reasonable Suspicion; Instructions – Party to a Crime – Evidentiary Support; Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

State v. Jermaine Kennard Young, 2010AP2959-CR, District 1, 3/6/12

court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); for Young: Robert N. Meyeroff; case activity

Reasonable suspicion existed to justify investigative stop of Young, based on a tip from confidential informant that someone matching Young’s description would be at a specified time and place to sell drugs.

¶13      When determining the reliability of a CI’s tip,

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Jury Selection – Batson; Privileged (Mental Health) Records – In Camera Review; Evidence – Relevance; Expert Witness

State v. Britney M. Langlois, 2011AP166-CR, District 4/1, 3/6/12

court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); for Langlois: Philip J. Brehm; case activity

The court  of appeals upholds a trial court finding that the prosecutor’s explanation for striking an African-American juror (recent conviction for disorderly conduct) was non-discriminatory:

¶33      After reviewing the record, we are satisfied that the trial court properly applied the Batson test.  

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Effective Assistance of Counsel – Revocation of Supervision, Generally; Parole Hold – DOC Jurisdiction to Revoke

State ex rel. Gerald Porter v. Cockroft, 2011AP308, 2011AP308, District 1, 3/6/12

court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); for Porter: Joseph E. Redding; case activity

 Ineffective assistance of counsel at a revocation hearing is reviewable by habeas corpus, ¶10, citing State v. Ramey, 121 Wis. 2d 177, 182, 359 N.W.2d 402 (Ct. App. 1984). But, because there is no right to counsel on review of a revocation order,

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Reasonable Suspicion – Traffic Stop

State v. Elizabeth C. Emmenegger, 2011AP1214-CR, District 4, 3/1/12

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Emmenegger: Lora B. Cerone, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity

Sufficient cause for traffic stop upheld, citing State v. Post, 2007 WI 60, 301 Wis. 2d 1, 733 N.W.2d 634.

¶17      While any one of these facts, standing alone, might be insufficient to constitute reasonable suspicion,

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Reasonable Suspicion – Traffic Stop

County of Sheboygan v. Kenneth E. Mauser, 2011AP2153, District 2, 2/29/12

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Mauser: Chad A. Lanning; case activity

Failure to dim high-beam headlights, along with weaving within and outside the traffic lane, provided grounds for a traffic stop.

¶10      The circuit court properly looked to the totality of the circumstances and found the stop reasonable.  The circuit court did not rely exclusively on either the high-beam headlight use or the weaving;

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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.