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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.

§ 940.22(2), Sexual Exploitation by Therapist – Clergy as “Therapist,” Jury Instructions

State v. William E. Draughon III, 2005 WI App 162, (AG’s) PFR filed For Draughton: Stephen L. Miller Issue/Holding: Draughon, a pastor, was concededly a “clergy” member within § 940.22(2); however, the instructions relieved the State of its burden of proof on the element of whether he performed “therapy” in this capacity, in that they […]

OWI, § 346.63(1)(am) – Elements, Proof of “Impairment” Not Necessary

State v. Joseph L. Smet, 2005 WI App 263 For Smet: Christopher A. Mutschler Issue/Holding: Proof of “impairment” is not a necessary element of § 346.63, ¶¶12-16. Section 346.63(1)(am) (driving under influence of detectable amount of THC, regardless of impairment) is constitutional as against police power, due process, and equal protection attack, ¶¶6.

Defenses – § 948.03(2)(b) (2001-02), Harm to Child – Defense of Parental Privilege, § 939.45(5)

State v. Kimberly B., 2005 WI App 115 For Kimberly B.: Anthony G. Milisauskas Issue/Holding: ¶30      While Wis. Stat. § 939.45(5) recognizes the right of a parent to inflict corporal punishment to correct or discipline a child, that right of parental discipline has its limits. Kimberly seems to suggest that the statute prohibits only force that […]

SVP – Qualifying Placement, § 980.02(2)(ag) – Secure Facility, Juvenile Adjudication

State v. Tremaine Y., 2005 WI App 56, PFR filed 3/4/05 For Tremaine: Robert W. Peterson, Samantha Jeanne Humes, SPD, Milwaukee TrialI Issue: Whether a ch. 980 petition is supported against a juvenile who was not placed in a secured correctional facility following the original adjudication on the qualifying sexually violent offense but was subsequently placed in […]

Evidence, Admissibility – Sufficiency of Objection

State v. Van G. Norwood, 2005 WI App 218 For Norwood: Terry Evans Williams Issue: Whether objection to admissibility of a defendant’s statement on the ground that it was “an offer of settlement” (which thus raised a § 904.08 bar) sufficed to raise a § 904.10 objection of an inadmissible offer to plead guilty. Holding: […]

Serial Litigation Bar (Escalona-Naranjo): Applicable to No-Merit Report, § 809.32 (Anders Appeal)

State v. Christopher G. Tillman, 2005 WI App 71 Tillman, pro se Issue/Holding: ¶2. The issue on the instant appeal is whether the procedural bar of Escalona-Naranjo may be applied when a prior appeal was processed under the no merit procedure set forth in Wis. Stat. Rule 809.32. For the reasons stated below, we conclude […]

No-Merit Appeal: Generally

State v. Christopher G. Tillman, 2005 WI App 71 Tillman, pro se Issue/Holding: ¶16. The no merit appeal procedure has its genesis in Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967), and is codified in Wis. Stat. Rule 809.32. … Any motion to withdraw pursuant to Anders “necessarily implicates the merits of an appeal, because the […]

Certiorari — Availability

State ex rel. David C. Myers v. Swenson, 2004 WI App 224 For Myers: Christopher T. Sundberg; Bruce D. Huibregtse Issue/Holding: ¶8 Myers appears to argue that the Wisconsin courts retain the ability to conduct certiorari review of a Wisconsin inmate’s due process or equal protection challenge to a disciplinary action, even if the challenge […]

Certiorari – Judicial Act – Review Limited to Determining Tribunal’s Jurisdiction

State v. Christopher Swiams, 2004 WI App 217, District 1, 10/19/04 (published); case activity Issue/Holding: ¶8. … The State contends, however, that reconfinement orders may only be reviewed via common-law certiorari and not under Wis. Stat. Rule 809.30. It relies on State v. Bridges, 195 Wis. 2d 254, 536 N.W.2d 153 (Ct. App. 1995) (per […]

SVP – Disposition: Supervised Release – Revocation – Sufficiency of Evidence

State v. Ervin Burris, 2004 WI 91, affirming 2002 WI App 262, 258 Wis. 2d. 454, 654 N.W.2d 866 For Burris: Joseph L. Sommers Issue/Holding: ¶73. Judge Welker found that Burris disregarded the rules of his supervised release in order to satisfy his compulsive urges. Burris consumed alcohol, a drug that lowers inhibitions. He abused […]

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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.