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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.
Forfeited Issue – Failure of Court Reporter to Take Down Tape as Played to Jury
State v. Garrett L. Huff, 2009 WI App 92, PFR filed 6/3/09 For Huff: Jeffrey W. Jensen Issue/Holding: ¶14 As we have seen, the trial court did not require its court reporter to take down the tapes as they were being played. This was error. See State v. Ruiz-Velez, 2008 WI App 169, ___ Wis. […]
Instructions — Omitted Element — “Fact-Law Distinction”
See summary of State v. Thomas Scott Bailey Smith, Sr., 2005 WI 104, here. Omitted Issues – Stalking: Submission to Jury of Prior Conviction for “Violence” Despite Stipulation State v. Jeffrey A. Warbelton, 2009 WI 6, affirming 2008 WI App 42 For Warbelton: Paul G. Lazotte, SPD, Madison Appellate Issue/Holding: On a trial for stalking, […]
Particular Issues – Counsel – Ineffective Assistance – Deficient Performance: Lack of Familiarity with Vienna Convention on Consular Relations
Johnbull K. Osagiede v. USA, 7th Cir No. 07-1131, 9/9/08 Issue/Holding: Counsel’s ignorance of VCCR Art. 36 rights available to foreign national client was deficient: Osagiede’s claim is a common one in Sixth Amendment cases. In essence, Osagiede argues that his lawyer should have been aware of his legal rights under Article 36 and should have […]
Closing Argument – Reference to Defendant’s Failure to Testify
State v. Carmen L. Doss, 2008 WI 93, reversing 2007 WI App 208 For Doss: Robert R. Henak Issue/Holding: Closing argument remarks addressed to Doss’s failure to explain missing funds did not amount to a comment on her failure to testify: ¶81 … [F]or a prosecutor’s comment to constitute an improper reference to a defendant’s […]
Functional Equivalent of Custodial “Interrogation”
State v. Scott M. Hambly, 2008 WI 10, affirming 2006 WI App 256 For Hambly: Martha K. Askins, SPD, Madison Appellate Issue: Whether, following his in-custody invocation of right to counsel, Hambly’s subsequent statements that he didn’t know what was going on (eliciting the officer’s response that he’d sold cocaine to an informant) and wanted to talk to […]
Assertion of Right to Counsel – Not Offense-Specific
State v. Willie B. Cole, 2008 WI App 178 For Cole: Scott A. Szabrowicz Issue/Holding: ¶25 … If a suspect requests counsel at any time during the interview, he or she is not subject to further questioning until a lawyer has been made available or the suspect himself or herself reinitiates conversation. … ¶26 The Fifth […]
Miranda Waiver – Voluntariness
State v. Scott M. Hambly, 2008 WI 10, affirming 2006 WI App 256 For Hambly: Martha K. Askins, SPD, Madison Appellate Issue/Holding: ¶93 The defendant summarizes his argument that he did not voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently waive his right to counsel, stating that at the time of his arrest, he was hungry, alone in the back seat […]
Reinitiating Communication with Police, Following Assertion of Right to Counsel
State v. Scott M. Hambly, 2008 WI 10, affirming 2006 WI App 256 For Hambly: Martha K. Askins, SPD, Madison Appellate Issue/Holding: ¶77 Whether a suspect “initiates” communication or dialogue does not depend solely on the time elapsing between the invocation of the right to counsel and the suspect’s beginning an exchange with law enforcement, although the […]
Custodial Assertion of Rights – Assertion of Right to Counsel (Edwards Rule), made pre-Miranda warnings
State v. Scott M. Hambly, 2008 WI 10, affirming 2006 WI App 256 For Hambly: Martha K. Askins, SPD, Madison Appellate Issue: Whether a suspect’s in-custody invocation of right to counsel before administration of Miranda warnings triggers the Edwards bar on interrogation absent the suspect’s reinitiating communication with the police. Holding: ¶23 The State argues that in the […]
Appellate Procedure – Supreme Court Review, Scope – Certification: Authority to Reach All Issues Raised Below
State v. Jordan A. Denk, 2008 WI 130, on certification For Denk: Lora B. Cerone, SPD, Madison Appellate Issue/Holding: ¶29 When we accept certification from the court of appeals, we acquire jurisdiction of the entire appeal. We thus consider all issues raised before the court of appeals. See Wis. Stat. §§ 808.05(2) and (Rule) 809.61; State […]
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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.