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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.
Guilty Plea Colloquy: “Hampton” Advisal – No Manifest Injustice
State v. James Lee Johnson, 2012 WI App 21 (recommended for publication); for Johnson: Melinda A. Swartz, SPD, Milwaukee Appellate; case activity
The guilty plea colloquy was defective, in that it failed to advise Johnson that the trial court wasn’t obliged to follow the terms of the plea bargain (here: to dismiss and read-in a count), contrary to State v. Hampton,
Ineffective Assistance – Photo Array; Ineffective Assistance – Generally; Ineffective Assistance – Postconviction Counsel, Generally
State v. Kwesi B. Amonoo, 2011AP566, District 1, 1/24/12
court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); for Amonoo: Robert N. Meyeroff; case activity
Amonoo fails to show that trial counsel provided ineffective assistance with respect to pretrial identification procedure (context: “sufficient reason” to overcome serial litigation bar following direct appeal):
¶15 Amonoo contends that of all the persons pictured in the photo array, he was the only one wearing a jacket.
Delinquency Sanctions: Municipal Truancy – Electronic Monitoring; Judicial Bias / (Juvenile) Disqualification: Judge’s Initiation of Sanctions Works Disqualifier
State v. Dylan S. / Renee B., 2012 WI App 25 (recommended for publication); for Dylan S.: Devon M. Lee, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity; for Renee B.: Susan E. Alesia, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity
Delinquency – Sanctions – Municipal Truancy
After finding the juveniles in violation of first-offense truancy under the local municipal code, the trial court set compliance conditions. The court did not,
Search – GPS Tracking Device
U.S. v. Antoine Jones, USSC No. 10-1259, 1/23/12, affirming United States v. Maynard, 615 F.3d 544 (D.C. Cir. 2010), reh’g denied sub nom. United States v. Jones, 625 F.3d 766 (D.C. Cir. 2010); effectively overruling State v. Sveum, 2009 WI App 81, ¶8
The Fourth Amendment provides in relevant part that “[t]he right of the people to be secure in their persons,
Habeas – Procedural Bar – Cause to Excuse
Cory R. Maples v. Thomas, USSC No. 10-63, 1/18/12, reversing 586 F.3d 879 (11th Cir. 2009)
On “the uncommon facts presented here,” the Court finds that cause existed to excuse on federal habeas review Maples’ procedural default, namely his failure to file a timely appeal of his state (Alabama) postconviction petition.
The sole question this Court has taken up for review is whether,
Eyewitness ID Instructions and …
The Federal Evidence Blog gauges the impact of last-week’s decision relegating “happenstance” but suggestive ID procedure to jury (rather than due process) determination. Pointing out that Perry highlights 5 “protections” against unreliable IDs, the post keys on appropriate jury instructions (and promises to “review some of these [other] key protections in upcoming posts”; might therefore be worth your while to check that site for updates).
OWI – Refusal – Probable Cause to Arrest
Town of Mukwonago v. John J. Uttke, 2011AP2021, District 2, 1/18/12
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Uttke: Michael C. Witt; case activity
Uttke’s driver’s license was revoked for refusal to submit to a blood test upon OWI arrest, and he requested a “refusal hearing,” unsuccessfully challenging the existence of probable cause to arrest, § 343.305(9). The court of appeals affirms:
¶9 We first address whether Officer Heckman had probable cause to arrest Uttke.
Reasonable Suspicion – Traffic Stop extended for Field Sobriety Testing
State v. Gary A. Senger, 2011AP1950-CR, District 2, 1/18/12
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Senger: Robert C. Raymond; case activity
Applying the test described in State v. Betow, 226 Wis. 2d 90, 94-95, 593 N.W.2d 499 (Ct. App. 1999) for extending a traffic stop, the court concludes that the officer had reasonable suspicion to administer FSTs following a stop for driving with a revoked license.
Cavazos v. Tara Sheneva Williams, USSC No. 11-465, cert grant 1/13/12
Whether a habeas petitioner’s claim has been “adjudicated on the merits” for purposes of 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d) where the state court denied relief in an explained decision but did not expressly acknowledge a federal-law basis for the claim.
The Court expressly limited the grant to the procedural issue recited above, even though the 9th granted habeas relief relating to dismissal of a juror mid-deliberations.
Conditions of pre-trial release – alcohol treatment and testing; individualized determination
State v. Joseph J. Wilcenski, 2013 WI App 21; case activity
Conditions of pre-trial release – alcohol treatment and testing; constitutionality
Waukesha County has adopted a policy that all persons arrested for OWI as a second or subsequent offense who live in one of ten counties be released from custody on the condition that they participate in a “pretrial intoxicated driver treatment program.” Wilcenski argues that this condition violates the constitutional rights to medical privacy and freedom from unreasonable searches.
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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.