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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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Restitution – Ability to Pay not Limited by Length of Sentence or Probation
State v. Alberto Fernandez, 2009 WI 29, on certification For Fernandez: Eileen A. Hirsch, Shelley M. Fite, SPD, Madison Appellate Issue: Whether the holding of State v. Mark M. Loutsch, 2003 WI App 16, ¶25, “that the court order at sentencing an amount of restitution that it determines the defendant will be able to pay before the completion […]
First Amendment (Freedom of Speech) – Applied to Identity Theft, § 943.201(2)(c): Charge Survives Strict Scrutiny
State v. Christopher Baron, 2009 WI 58, affirming 2008 WI App 90 For Baron: Daniel P. Dunn Issue/Holding: The identity theft charge against Baron, sending emails from Fischer’s account without authorization and with intent to harm his reputation as a government official, survives strict scrutiny analysis under the First Amendment (freedom of speech clause): ¶45 To survive strict […]
First Amendment (Freedom of Speech) – Applied to Identity Theft, § 943.201(2)(c): Content-Based Speech
State v. Christopher Baron, 2009 WI 58, affirming 2008 WI App 90 For Baron: Daniel P. Dunn Issue/Holding: The charge of identity theft, based on Baron’s alleged conduct in sending emails from Fischer’s account without authorization and with intent to harm his reputation, is “content based” within the meaning of First Amendment analysis: ¶38 In the case at […]
Warrants – Overbreadth – John Doe Subpoena for Computer Records
Custodian of Records for Legislative Technology Services Bureau v. State, 2004 WI 65, on reconsideration 2004 WI 149 Issue/Holding: ¶34. When we review a John Doe subpoena, a foundational issue may be constitutional in nature. For example, does the issuance of a subpoena in a John Doe proceeding, the sole purpose of such proceeding being to investigate […]
§ 940.30, False Imprisonment – Sufficiency of Evidence – Elements: “Confined” or “Restrained”; “Consent”
State v. Michael Scott Long, 2009 WI 36, affirming in part and reversing in part unpublished opinionF For Long: Joseph L. Sommers Issue: Whether “restrained or confined” element of false imprisonment was established where the defendant hugged the complainant tightly while committing an act of sexual contact. Holding: ¶28 This court has previously explained that […]
Warrantless Entry of Residence – Exigency – Effectuate Misdemeanor Arrest
State v. Kelly R. Ferguson, 2009 WI 50, reversing unpublished opinion Issue/Holding: Support for warrantless entry of a residence to effectuate an arrest may be found where the offense is jailable, even if a misdemeanor; State v. Mikkelson, 2002 WI App 152 overruled: ¶27 Our review of the reasoning of Mikkelson, as compared with that of Welsh and Santana, causes us to overrule Mikkelson and […]
Arrest – Probable Cause – Specific Examples: Traffic Violation – Deviating from Center Line, § 346.05
State v. Michael L. Popke, 2009 WI 37, reversing unpublished opinion For Popke: John Miller Carroll, Aaron W. Schenk Issue/Holding: Police had probable cause to believe Popke violated § 346.05, driving on right-side of highway: ¶16 In this case, the officer testified that he was sitting at a stop sign when the defendant turned left onto the road […]
Arrest – Probable Cause – OWI
State v. Mitchell A. Lange, 2009 WI 49, reversing unpublished opinion For Lange: Steven M. Cohen Issue/Holding: Probable cause to arrest for OWI was based on the following factors: ¶24 First, the driving that Officer Hoffman and Officer Penly witnessed is relevant. The driving was not merely erratic and unlawful; it was the sort of wildly dangerous driving […]
Community Caretaker – Investigation of Stopped Car with Hazard Lights on
State v. Todd Lee Kramer, 2009 WI 14, affirming 2008 WI App 62 For Kramer: Stephen J. Eisenberg, Marsha M. Lysen Issue/Holding: ¶37 We conclude that Wagner had an objectively reasonable basis for deciding that a motorist may have been in need of assistance when he stopped behind Kramer’s vehicle. Kramer was parked on the side of […]
Plea-Withdrawal – Post-Sentencing – Prima Facie Showing: Plea Questionnaire Function
State v. Christopher S. Hoppe, 2009 WI 41, affirming 2008 WI App 89 For Hoppe: Martha K. Askins, SPD, Madison Appellate Issue/Holding: A court may incorporate a plea questionnaire form into the guilty plea colloquy, but only up to a point: ¶32 The Plea Questionnaire/Waiver of Rights Form provides a defendant and counsel the opportunity to review together […]
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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.