Explore in-depth analysis
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.
Important posts
Ahead in SCOW
Sign up
Guilty Pleas – Procedure – Plea Questionnaire, Generally
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 […]
Guilty Pleas – Plea Bargains – Construction of Terms
State v. Richard L. Wesley, 2009 WI App 118, PFR filed 8/4/09 For Wesley: Alvin Ugent Issue/Holding: ¶12 The interpretation of plea agreements is rooted in contract law. See State v. Deilke, 2004 WI 104, ¶12, 274 Wis. 2d 595, 682 N.W.2d 945. Contractual language is ambiguous only when it is “reasonably or fairly susceptible […]
Witness – Personal Knowledge Requirement, § 906.02 – Computer-Generated Animation
State v. Jeremy Denton, 2009 WI App 78 / State v. Aubrey W. Dahl, 2009 WI App 78For Denton: Paul G. Bonneson For Dahl: Patrick M. Donnelly Issue/Holding: Lay witness, who testified to computer-generated animation that attempted to recreate the alleged crime through the eyes of certain witnesses, lacked personal knowledge to undertake this effort: ¶16 As […]
Opinion Testimony – Comment by One Witness Whether another Witness Truthful
State v. Patrick R. Patterson, 2009 WI App 161 For Patterson: David R. Karpe Issue/Holding: ¶35 The first three alleged instances of misconduct are similar. In each instance, the prosecutor sought to demonstrate the possible unreliability of one witness’s recollection by using seemingly inconsistent recollections of another witness. For example, in one instance the prosecutor […]
Guilty Pleas – Required Knowledge – Collateral Consequence: Firearm Possession Prohibition, Disorderly Conduct as “Crime of Domestic Violence”
State v. Joseph E. Koll, Jr., 2009 WI App 74, PFR filed 4/29/09 For Koll: Alexander L. Ullenberg Issue: Whether Koll’s conviction of so-called “non-domestic” disorderly conduct was for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence as defined 18 U.S.C. §921(a)(33)(A), so as to preclude him from obtaining a handgun. Holding: The federal Gun Control Act […]
Rebuttal Witness – Test for “Bona Fide” Rebuttal
State v. Juan M. Sandoval, 2009 WI App 61, PFR filed 5/6/09 For Sandoval: Jefren E. Olsen, SPD, Madison Appellate Issue/Holding: The State need not disclose bona fide rebuttal evidence, the test for which turns on whether the evidence “only became necessary at rebuttal” (as opposed to whether it would have been admissible or useful […]
§ 904.04, Self-Defense – “McMorris” Acts of Prior Violence by Victim – Generally
State v. Jason L. McClaren, 2009 WI 60, reversing 2008 WI App 118 For McClaren: Michael C. Witt Issue/Holding: ¶21 It is well established that a defendant seeking to support a self-defense claim may attempt to “prov[e] prior specific instances of violence within [the defendant’s] knowledge at the time of the incident.” State v. Wenger, 225 Wis. 2d […]
Due Process – Defendant’s Right to Testify – Retraction of Waiver – Offer of Proof Required
State v. Ronnie Lee Winters, 2009 WI App 48, PFR filed 4/8/09 For Winters: Ralph Sczygelski Issue/Holding: Where the defendant validly waived his right to testify but then, after the state had rested and released its rebuttal witnesses, sought to retract the waiver, his failure to make an offer of proof as to the substance of his […]
Due Process – Defendant’s Right to Testify – Exercise of Right: Knowing, Voluntary Waiver of Right Not to Testify
State v. Mark A. Jaramillo, 2009 WI App 39 For Jaramillo: Margaret A. Maroney, SPD, Madison Appellate Issue: Whether the trial court must conduct a colloquy before a defendant testifies to determine whether waiver of the right not to testify is knowing and voluntary. Holding: ¶16 We have previously noted that we do “not possess any supervisory authority […]
Due Process – Notice of Charge – Sufficient to Allege Elements, Specific Acts Unnecessary
State v. Janet A. Conner, 2009 WI App 143, PFR filed 9/28/09 For Conner: J. Steven House Issue/Holding: An information alleging the elements of stalking, § 940.32(2m)(b), but not the acts allegedly establishing the “course of conduct,” provided adequate notice of the charge; court rejecting argument that Connor deprived of notice of “time frame in which the […]
On Point is sponsored by Wisconsin State Public Defenders. All content is subject to public disclosure. Comments are moderated. If you have questions about this blog, please email [email protected].
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.