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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.
Probable Cause to Arrest, OWI
State v. Tammi Zellmer, 2010AP1986, District 4, 10/27/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Zellmer: John D. Hyland; case activity
Probable cause to believe Zellmer was operating under the influence supported her arrest: she was speeding; the time, 2:50 a.m., was close to “bar time”; her eyes were glassy and bloodshot; she admitted to having drunk 2 beers and a mixed drink; her performance on field sobriety tests exhibited signs of intoxication.
Extended Supervision Conditions – Limits on Fourth Amendment Rights
State v. Tally Ann Rowan, 2010AP1398-CR, rev. granted 10/25/11
on certification request (District 3/4); for Rowan: LaZotte, Paul G.; case activity
Issue (from Certification):
The issue presented by this appeal is whether a sentencing court violated the Fourth Amendment or Wis. Const. art. I, § 11, by setting a condition of extended supervision that allows any law enforcement officer to search the defendant’s person, vehicle,
State v. Abraham C. Negrete, 2010AP1702, rev. granted 10/25/11
on review of summary order (District 2); for Negrete: Jeffrey W. Jensen; case activity
Plea Withdrawal – Collateral Attack – Deportation Consequences
Issues (Composed by On Point):
1. Whether the laches doctrine bars Negrete’s motion to withdraw his guilty plea, 18 years after he entered it.
2. Whether Negrete’s assertion that he didn’t know his plea exposed him to deportation entitles him to a hearing on his motion.
Reasonable Suspicion – Traffic Stop
State v. John E. Ahern, 2011AP898, District 2, 10/26/11
court of appeals decision(1-judge, not for publication); for Ahern: Dennis M. Melowski, Sarvan Singh; case activity
The officer had reasonable suspicion to “stop” Ahern’s vehicle for a noncriminal traffic violation, namely that the vehicle was parked in a roadway without affording other traffic sufficient room to drive around it.
¶10 At the time of the stop,
Interest-of-Justice Review: Post-Trial Revelations Undermining State’s Witnesses
State v. Kenneth M. Davis, 2011 WI App 147 (recommended for publication); for Davis: Robert R. Henak; case activity; reissuance after prior decision withdrawn
Several items of testimony, coming to light after trial, directly contradict the trial testimony of the main State’s witnesses, leading the court to conclude that the real issue in controversy – Davis’s alleged involvement in a drug-house robbery and murder of an occupant –
Sentence review – Inaccurate Information
State v. Toronee L. Kimbrough, 2010AP2676-CR, District 1, 10/25/11
court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); for Kimbrough: Andrea Taylor Cornwall, SPD, Milwaukee Appellate; case activity
The court rejects Kimbrough’s challenge to sentence, as based on 3 instances of alleged inaccuracies:
- the sentencing court’s reliance on the co-defendant’s statements as suggestive of Kimbrough’s own failure to accept responsibility for the crime (Kimbrough doesn’t meet his burden of showing erroneous attribution to him of the co-defendant’s statements,
Sentence Modification – New Factor
State v. Altonio Laroy Chaney, 2011AP207-CR, District 1, 10/25/11
court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); for Chaney: Angela Conrad Kachelski; case activity; prior appeal: 2008AP395-CR
Chaney’s argument that an eyewitness had recanted his version of having seen Chaney sexually assault the victim didn’t satisfy the new factor test for sentence modification: the sentencing court didn’t focus on the claim that Chaney,
Original commitment based on dangerousness under 51.20(1)(a)2.b upheld
Outagamie County v. Lorna G., 2011AP1662, District 3, 10/25/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Lorna G.: Eileen A. Hirsch, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity
Although the trial court’s reference to “potential” for harm was an “imprecise summary” of the §51.20(1)(a)2b test for commitment (“substantial probability of physical harm”), this articulation “was not a deviation from the” correct standard. Moreover, the trial court’s finding that Lorna G.
La Crosse Tribune v. Circuit Court for La Crosse County, 2010AP3120, District 4, 10/20/11
court of appeals certification; for Bryan Stanley: Kristin M. Kerschensteiner; case activity
Open Records – Sealed Court File – NGI Condition Release Plan
The appeal raises two significant issues at the intersection of Wisconsin’s Open Records Law and Mental Health Act, one procedural and one substantive. The procedural issue involves the proper mechanism to pursue an open records request for documents that have been placed under seal by the circuit court.
Postconviction Proceedings – Expiration of Deadline for Ruling; Ineffective Assistance of Counsel – Voir Dire – Juror Bias
State v. Edward Beck, 2010AP872-CR, District 4, 10/20/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); pro se; case activity
Circuit court is under no obligation to seek extension of the § 809.30(2) limitation period for its ruling on a postconviction motion.
¶6 Beck reads too much into the 2001 amendment to Wis. Stat. § 809.30(2)(i). The amendment simply added language to § 809.30(2)(i) specifying the entities that may request an extension,
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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.