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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.
Fond du Lac Co. v. Jennifer E. Bailey, 2009AP 1789-FT, Dist II, 1/20/10
court of appeals decision (1-judge; ineligible for publication)
Traffic Stop – Crossing Center Line
Probable cause to stop for crossing center line, even if momentary and even if driving otherwise flawless.
State v. Bradley J. Tadych, 2009AP1911-CR, Dist II, 1/20/10
court of appeals decision (1-judge; ineligible for publication)
OWI – Probable Cause for PBT
Probable cause to administer PBT: rollover accident, odor of intoxicant, Tadych acknowledged drinking; also, PBT result admissible to establish probable cause to arrest.
State v. Robert H., 2009AP1975, Dist III 1/20/10
court of appeals decision (1-judge; ineligible for publication)
Delinquency Petition – Time Limit
Time limit for filing petition continues running during gap between date intake worker requests petition and date request actually filed with DA’s office, therefore this petition untimely; on remand trial court is to determine “proper remedy,” which may be dismissal, but not necessarily.
State v. Stanley W. Puchacz, 2010 WI App 30
court of appeals decision; for Puchacz: William M. Hayes
Resp Br
OWI Enhancer, § 346.65(2) – Out-of-State Conviction
Michigan convictions for driving while visibly impaired may be counted as Wisconsin OWI priors, given “broad interpretation and application of the final phrase in Wis. Stat. § 343.307(1)(d) and the public policy supporting our drunk driving laws,” ¶¶12-13.
Traffic Stop – Deviating from Center Line, § 346.05
Crossing center line,
County of Grant v. Kaleena E. Collins, 2009AP 2469-FT, Dist IV, 1/14/20
court of appeals decision (1-judge; ineligible for publication)
Vehicle Stop – Rear Plate State Name Obscured
Stop OK where rear plate bracket obscured name of state.
Melissa S. v. Edward T. K., 2009AP2354, Dist IV, 1/14/20
court of appeals decision (1-judge; ineligible for publication)
TPR – Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act
“Wis. Stat. § 822.23 does not require a court to dismiss a custody action as soon as it discovers that another state had entered a custody order for the child when the action was commenced in this state. It prohibits the court from modifying the custody determination of another state unless the other court has declined jurisdiction,” ¶15.
State v. Rene L. Fortun, 2010 WI App 32
court of appeals decision; for Fortun: Todd E. Schroeder
AG’s BiC; Resp Br; Reply
Forgery, § 943.38(1) – Altered Prescription
Altering the number of pills on a prescription and presenting the altered document to a pharmacist comes within the forgery statute, § 943.38(1).
Village of Butler v. Levarn Clay, 2009AP1763, Dist II, 1/13/10
court of appeals decision (1-judge; ineligible for publication)
Sanctions – Defendant’s Failure to Appear – Default Judgment
Court not empowered to enter default judgment in civil claim where defendant appears by counsel but not in person; odd discussion of “puerile” “tactic of some traffic defense lawyers to make the government prove identity without the defendant being in the courtroom.”
State v. Mary B. Schaetzer, 2009AP1796-CR, Dist II, 1/13/10
court of appeals decision (1-judge; not eligible for publication)
Traffic Stop
Reasonable suspicion to stop vehicle for violating § 346.31(2), right hand turns to be made close as practicable to right-hand edge curb or highway.
State v. Thomas Q. Ruby, 2008AP2277-CR, Dist II, 1/13/10
court of appeals decision (3-judge; not recommended for publication)
Guilty Plea – Hearing on Motion to Withdraw
Ruby satisfied burden of production, therefore was entitled to postconviction hearing, on plea-withdrawal due to ignorance of elements and/or maximum penalty.
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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.