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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.
IAC – Prejudice
State v. Leroy M. Godard, 2010AP1731-CR, District 2, 6/22/11
court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); for Godard: Rick B. Meier; case activity
Counsel’s failure to listen to police recordings of the interrogations of Godard’s accomplices, even if deficient, wasn’t prejudicial.
¶15 The postconviction motion hearing testimony shows that Godard’s case was not weakened without the line of questioning from the recordings. At trial,
Consent to Search – Co-Tenant; Search Warrant – Factual Inaccuracies
State v. Brian T. St. Martin, 2011 WI 44, on certification; for St. Martin: Michael K. Gould, SPD, Milwaukee Appellate; case activity
Consent to Search – Co-Tenant – Georgia v. Randolph
Georgia v. Randolph, 547 U.S. 103 (2006) holds that a physically present resident’s objection trumps a co-tenant’s consent to a warrantless search of a residence.
Petition for (NGI) Conditional Release, § 971.17(2) (1987-88): Dangerousness, Review
State v. Alan Adin Randall, 2011 WI App 102 (recommended for publication); for Randall: Brian Kinstler, Craig S. Powell; case activity; prior history: State v. Randall, 192 Wis. 2d 800, 532 N.W.2d 94 (1995) (“Randall I”); State v. Randall, 222 Wis. 2d 53, 586 N.W.2d 318 (Ct.
SVP – Sexually Motivated Offense; Admissibility, No-Contest Plea; Expert Opinion – Reliance on Hearsay
State v. Albert M. Virsnieks, 2010AP1967, District 2 / 1, 6/21/11
court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); pro se; case activity
Virsnieks’ plea-based conviction for burglary supported ch. 980 commitment.
¶35 A Wis. Stat. ch. 980 petition must allege, among other things, that a “person has been convicted of a sexually violent offense.”[5] Wis. Stat. § 980.02(2)(a)1. A “[s]exually violent offense” is defined,
Probable Cause to Arrest, OWI
State v. Omar F. Ofarril-Valez, 2010AP3109-CR, District 1, 6/21/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Ofarril-Velez: Dustin C. Haskell, SPD, Milwaukee Appellate; case activity
The court marshals “nine indicia of impairment” to support its conclusion of probable cause to arrest: time (2:30 a.m.); driving 3-4 miles over posted limit; “light odor” of alcohol; admission of drinking 1 beer; glassy eyes; difficulty complying with instructions;
TPR -Statutory Construction – “Reasonable Time to Prepare” for Dispositional Hearing
State v. Beverly H., 2011AP536, District 1, 6/21/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Beverly H.: Jeffrey W. Jensen; case activity
The trial court didn’t err in denying the parent’s request for an adjournment of dispositional hearing, following jury verdict finding grounds to terminate. The court of appeals rejects the argument that § 48.31(7)(a) controls the issue.
¶2 This Court disagrees with Beverly H.’s arguments on appeal.
Statute of Limitations: Attempted first-Degree Intentional Homicide
State v. Rodney A. Larson, 2011 WI App 106 (recommended for publication); for Larson: Chris Gramstrup; case activity
Prosecution for attempt rather than completed crime, §939.32, comes within the general limitation period in § 939.74(1). Therefore, although prosecution for homicide may be commenced at any time, § 939.74(2)(a), Larson’s prosecution for attempted first-degree intentional homicide had to be commenced within 6 years, and must be dismissed as untimely.
State v. Devin W. Felix, 2010AP346-CR, review granted, 6/15/11
on review of unpublished decision; for Felix: Leonard D. Kachinsky; case activity
Warrantless Nonconsensual Entry to Effectuate Arrest – Attenuation Doctrine
Issue (composed by On Point):
Whether Wisconsin should adopt the rule of New York v. Harris, 495 U.S. 14 (1990) – post-arrest statements following illegal entry supported by probable cause but not exigent circumstances aren’t suppressible if made away from the home.
State v. Jon Anthony Soto, 2010AP2273, review granted, 6/15/11
on certification; for Soto: Shelley Fite, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity; prior post
Issues (composed by On Point):
Whether a defendant has a non-waivable right to be physically present at a §§ 971.04(1)(g) and 885.60.
If the right to physical presence at the plea proceeding can be waived or forfeited, whether a formal colloquy is nonetheless required before the defendant enters a plea via video conferencing.
TPR – IAC Claim; Request for Substitute Counsel; Request for Self-Representation
Sheboygan County DH&HS v. Wesley M., No. 2010AP2946, District 2, 6/15/11
court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Wesley M.: Leonard D. Kachinsky; case activity
¶7 A parent is entitled to the effective assistance of counsel in termination of parental rights proceedings, and the applicable standards are those which apply in criminal cases. See A.S. v. State, 168 Wis.
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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.