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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.
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Miranda Rights: Valid Waiver Though Preceded by 3 Hours’ Silence
Berghuis v. Thompkins, USSC No. 08-1470, 6/1/10 Thompkins’ acknowledgment that he prayed for God’s forgiveness for the shooting was admissible as valid waiver of Miranda rights, despite being preceded by nearly 3 hours of silence during custodial interrogation. Rights must be invoked unequivocally, or not at all: The Court has not yet stated whether an […]
Federal Sex Offender Registration Act (SORNA): Construction, Effective Date
Carr v. U.S., USSC No. 08-1301, 6/1/10 … the Act established a federal criminal offense covering, inter alia, any person who (1) “is required to register under [SORNA],” (2) “travels in interstate or foreign commerce,” and (3) “knowingly fails to register or update a registration.” 18 U. S. C. §2250(a). At issue in this case […]
Order on Judicial Disqualification in: State v. Dimitri Henley, 2008AP697, 5/24/10
Wisconsin supreme court order The underlying question is whether Justice Roggensack “previously handled” Henley’s earlier appeal when she was a court of appeals judge; if so, then by statute she must be disqualified from participating in his now-pending appeal. She declined to disqualify herself in a memorandum decision, 2010 WI 12. Further background, here. And […]
Counsel – Ethically Deficient Performance
OLR v. Joan M. Boyd, 2010 WI 41 Various derelictions warrant 12-month license suspension, consecutive to already-imposed suspensions. The Counts include various failures to act competently and to keep her client reasonably informed in a number of postconviction actions. In one instance, lack of diligence led to loss of the federal habeas statute of limitations, […]
State v. Shane R. Heindl, No. 2009AP2534-CR, District IV, 5/27/10
court of appeals decision (1-judge; not for publication); for Heindl: Lisa A. McDougal; BiC; Resp.; Reply Jury Instructions – Self-Defense Trial for battery, which the State theorized occurred when Heindl put Lien in a headlock from behind. Heindl himself suffered scratches and swelling about an eye, but was seriously drunk and had difficulty giving a […]
Sex Offender Registration – Measuring Age Disparity
State v. Matthew C. Parmley, 2010 WI App 79; for Parmley: Christopher M. Eippert; BiC: Resp.; Reply A sex offender may obtain an exception from the registration requirement 0f § 301.45(1m)2, if “the person had not attained the age of 19 years and was not more than 4 years older or not more than 4 years […]
OWI – PAC: Timing of Countable Prior Convictions
State v. Brian K. Sowatzke, 2010 WI App 81; for Sowatzke: Andrew R. Walter; BiC; Resp.; Reply ¶13 Sowatzke had two countable OWI “convictions, suspensions or revocations” (i.e., he had two OWI convictions) at the time he was arrested on May 9; he had a BAC of 0.048 percent at the time he was arrested on […]
Court of Appeals Publication Orders 5/10
publication orders, 5/26/10 2008AP003192 2010 WI App 63 Charles F. Reuben, M.D. v. Keith D. Koppen 2008AP003235 2010 WI App 64 Curt Andersen v. Department of Natural Resources 2009AP000094 2010 WI App 65 Claudia D. Stumpner v. Charles C. Cutting, Jr. 2009AP000747 2010 WI App 66 Kalvin Loppnow v. Steven Bielik 2009AP001576 2010 WI App […]
State v. Michael J. Lonergan, No. 2009AP3001-CR, District III, 5/25/10
court of appeals decision (1-judge; not for publication); for Lonergan: Owen R. Williams; BiC; Resp. Reasonable Suspicion – OWI Stop Stop supported by reasonable suspicion, where vehicle “‘deviated constantly’ from a direct line of travel” and “made several abrupt course corrections,” albeit within its own lane. United States v. Lyons, 7 F.3d 973 (10th Cir. 1993) and United […]
Effective Assistance – Rape Shield
State v. Michael James Carter, 2010 WI 40 Wisconsin supreme court decision, reversing unpublished summary order; for Carter: John T. Wasielewski; BiC (State); Resp.; Reply Counsel made a reasonable tactical decision not to search for admissibility of sexual conduct evidence as an exception to the rape shield law. Therefore, Carter can’t show deficient performance. Separately, […]
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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.