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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.

Ch. 51 recommitment – evidence satisfied “if treatment were withdrawn” test

Rock County v. Henry J. V., 2010AP3044-FT, District 4, 3/17/11

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Henry J.V.: Steven D. Grunder, Madison Appellate; case activity

Evidence held sufficient to sustain extension of mental health commitment, as against argument respondent wasn’t shown to be dangerous if treatment were withdrawn.

¶6        As Henry acknowledges, his proceeding was for an extension of his commitment, not for an original commitment,

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TPR; Interest of Justice Review – Generally

Winnebago County DHHS v. Thomas C. W., 2010AP847, District 2, 3/16/11

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Thomas C.W.: Theresa J. Schmieder; case activity

Though trial counsel was ineffective with respect to a single discrete oversight – failure to lodge a meritorious motion for judgment notwithstanding verdict as to one of the 3 grounds for termination – the court discerns no basis to doubt either of the remaining 2 grounds,

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Interest of Justice – Shaken Baby Syndrome; Confessions – Voluntariness

State v. Quentin J. Louis, 2009AP2502-CR, District 3, 3/15/11

court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); for Louis: Edward J. Hunt; amicus, Wis. Innocence Project: Keith A. Findley, Peter Shawn Moreno; case activity

Trial court grant of new trial in interest of justice upheld as proper exercise of discretion:  the issue in controversy wasn’t fully and fairly tried, given failure to adduce at trial medical testimony that the deceased baby’s injuries didn’t result from shaken baby syndrome.

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Delinquency – Serious Juvenile Offender Program

State v. Emanuel M., 2010AP2175, District 1, 3/15/11

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Emanuel M.: Devon M. Lee, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity

The trial court made the requisite findings for SJOP disposition, § 938.34(4h): the juvenile was at least 14 years old; the adjudication offense(s) qualified under the statute; correctional placement was the only other appropriate disposition (as to which, the trial court’s multiple references to “Wales”

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Investigatory Stop – Reasonable Suspicion; Frisk

State v. Loren C. Purintun, 2010AP2493-CR, District 3, 3/15/11 

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Purintun: Dan Chapman; case activity

¶9        Here, the totality of the circumstances provided Hodek with reasonable suspicion to stop Purintun.  Hodek was dispatched to a semi-rural area to investigate a report of either a shooting or a car accident.  He encountered Purintun about one-half mile from the address provided by dispatch. 

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SVP – Discharge Proof

State v. Eric James Hendrickson, 2010AP1181, District 3/4, 3/10/11

court of appeals decision (not recommended for publication); for Hendrickson: Jefren E. Olsen, SPD, Madison Appellate; case activity

Under State v. Laxton, 2002 WI 82, 254 Wis. 2d 185, 647 N.W.2d 784, proof of a mental disorder implicitly proves requisite risk of sexually violent recidivism (“serious difficulty” controlling behavior). Therefore, “direct evidence” of such difficulty,

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Search & Seizure – “Citizen’s Arrest”

Waupaca County v. Heather M. Krueger, 2010AP1290, District 4, 3/10/11

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Krueger: John M. Carroll; case activity

Citizen’s detention of driver (for suspected drunk driving) until police arrived to effectuate probable cause-based arrest can’t support suppression of evidence because no state action was involved.

¶5        Krueger seeks suppression of evidence of her intoxicated driving obtained after she was stopped by Sparks,

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TPR

Dodge Co. HSHD v. James R., 2010AP3092, District 4, 3/10/11

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); case activity; for James R.: Steven Zaleski

Evidence that the father sought admitted to show the County’s motive for filing the petition – “that the County’s real motivation for filing was not because the County believed he posed a substantial threat to the children, but rather to facilitate adoption”

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United States v. Styles Taylor, et al, 7th Cir No. 05-2007, 3/9/11

7th circuit court of appeals decision

Batson Challenge

Scope of the remand inquiry for the government to proffer nonracial justification for striking a minority juror is limited to the original reason offered during voir dire, new post hoc justifications being inadmissible. Miller-El v. Dretke, 545 U.S. 231 (2005), discussed and followed:

… Accordingly, Miller-El II instructs that when ruling on a Batson challenge,

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Traffic Stop – Probable Cause – Crossing Fog Line

Kenosha County v. Jodi A. Braune, 2010AP834, District 2, 3/9/11

court of appeals decision (1-judge, not for publication); for Braune: Theodore B. Kmiec, III; case activity

¶7        We hold that under the plain language of Wis. Stat. § 346.13(3), Braune’s deviation over the fog line was sufficient to establish probable cause that Braune committed a traffic violation.  When the deputy observed Braune’s conduct, he had probable cause that Braune did not drive “in the lane designated.”  See § 346.13(3). 

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