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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.
Interstate Agreement on Detainers
State v. Jerome Mark Panick, Jr., 2011AP1107-CR, District 3, 1/4/12
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Panick: Paul G. LaZotte, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity
The court rejects Panick’s argument that he “substantially complied” with IAD requirements for demanding a speedy trial on a detainer as set forth in § 976.05(3)(b). (Panick concededly fell short of the literal requirements – he mailed a letter to the prosecutor but failed to send it certified or to the local court or to obtain the warden’s certificate.) Fex v.
Reasonable Suspicion – Traffic Stop
State v. Nathaniel B. Kind, 2011AP1875-CR, District 4, 12/29/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Kind: Ryan McNamara; case activity
A traffic stop for impaired driving supported by officer’s observation that Kind’s vehicle crossed fog line twice, without explicable cause such as debris on road.
¶15 While any one of these facts, standing alone, might be insufficient to constitute reasonable suspicion, “such facts accumulate,
State v. Juan G. Gracia, 2011AP813-CR, District 2, 12/28/11, rev. granted 5/14/12
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Gracia: Tracey A. Wood; case activity; petition for review granted 5/14/12
Warrantless Entry – Community Caretaker
Entry into Gracia’s bedroom by police, who had linked him to a serious traffic accident, was justified by the community caretaker doctrine; State v. Ultsch, 2011 WI App 17, 331 Wis. 2d 242,
OWI – Implied Consent Law
State v. Luke T. Nirmaier, 2011AP1355-CR, District 3, 12/28/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Nirmaier: Michael M. Rajek; case activity
The odor of alcohol on Nirmaier following a traffic accident resulting in substantial bodily injury triggered the implied consent law, notwithstanding absence of probable cause to arrest at that point:
¶9 Wisconsin Stat. § 343.305(3) outlines different scenarios in which an officer may invoke the implied consent law and request a chemical test of an individual’s breath,
Recommitment and involuntary medication orders affirmed
Shawano County v. Anne R., 2011AP2040, District 3, 12/28/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Anne R.: Donna L. Hintze, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity
Anne R. challenges the extension of her mental health commitment / involuntary medication order, on the ground the County failed to prove she would be a proper subject for commitment if treatment were withdrawn, § 51.20(1)(am). The court rejects the argument,
Probable Cause – PBT
State v. Jason E. Goss, 2011 WI 104, affirming court of appeals summary order; for Goss: Daniel J. Chapman; case activity
¶2 We are asked to determine whether the officer’s request for the PBT breath sample was made in violation of Wis. Stat. § 343.303, which states that an officer “may request” a PBT breath sample “[i]f a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that the person is violating or has violated s.
Identity Theft – Sufficiency Of Evidence; Restitution – Substantial Factor
State v. Cedric O Clacks, 2011AP338-CR, District 4, 12/22/11
court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); for Clacks: Jefren E. Olsen, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity
Evidence held sufficient to prove contested, fourth element of identity theft (intentional representation user of personal identification document of another authorized to use it), § 943.201(2)(a) as party to the crime.
¶15 Specifically, Clacks contends that handing the credit card to a sales clerk to make a purchase and signing the electronic credit card slip cannot,
TPR – Telephonic Appearance
Dane Co. DHS v. Johnny S., 2011AP1659, District 4, 12/22/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Johnny S.: Dennis Schertz; case activity
¶7 Johnny contends he was not able to meaningfully participate at the trial for three reasons. First, he appeared by telephone, not videoconference, and he did not waive his right to appear by videoconference. Second, he could not hear what was being said during trial.
Search & Seizure: Third-Party Consent – Residential Entry, Search of Laptop
State v. Kenneth M. Sobczak, 2012 WI App 6 (recommended for publication), petition for review granted, 6/13/12; for: Sobczak: Ryan J. Hetzel; case activity
¶6 The issue in this case is whether the girlfriend—as a guest in Sobczak’s parents’ home—had the authority to consent to the officer’s entry into the Sobczak residence and to the search and seizure of Sobczak’s laptop.[1] We hold that she did
Evidence Excluded from Case-in-Chief for Discovery Violation Admissible on Rebuttal; Appellate Review: Omitted Transcript Presumed to Support Discretionary Trial Court Ruling; Sleeping Juror
State v. Brent T. Novy, 2012 WI App 10 (recommended for publication), petition for review granted, 6/13/12; for Novy: Joseph George Easton; case activity
Rebuttal – Evidence Excluded from Case-in-Chief for Discovery Violation
Expert witness testimony, excluded from the State’s case-in-chief as a sanction failure to identify the witness during discovery, was admissible on rebuttal to attack the defendant’s testimony after he testified.
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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.