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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.

Resentencing — Modification, Distinguished From

State v. Wallace I. Stenzel, 2004 WI App 181
For Stenzel: Martin E. Kohler

Issue/Holding: ¶5, n. 2: “Technically, Stenzel is seeking a modification of a sentence imposed by an erroneous exercise of discretion; resentencing is only available if the initial sentence is vacated because it was illegally imposed. State v. Carter, 208 Wis. 2d 142, 146-47, 560 N.W.2d 256 (1997).”

Well,

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Resentencing – Illegal Sentence: Maximum Term of Initial Confinement Exceeded

State v. Brandon L. Mason, 2004 WI App 176
For Dawson: Ellen Henak, SPD, Milwaukee Appellate

Issue/Holding: Where the term of initial confinement exceeds the permissible maximum, based on the rule that this term may not exceed 75% of the total sentence, the error is not harmless even though the term is less than the maximum that could have been imposed had the maximum sentence been given;

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Presentence report – Miranda-Related Safeguards

State v. Jimmie R.R., 2004 WI App 168, motion for reconsideration denied 9/15/04
For Jimmie R.R.: Martha K. Askins, SPD, Madison Appellate

Issue/Holding: Because the “presentence investigation was not part of the accusatory stage of a criminal proceeding”; and because the PSR “interview was routine and was not conducted while Jimmie’s jeopardy was still in doubt, Jimmie, “unlike the defendant in Estelle,

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Presentence Report — Court-Ordered — Admissibility, Trial Involving New Charge

State v. Jimmie R.R., 2004 WI App 168, motion for reconsideration denied 9/15/04
For Jimmie R.R.: Martha K. Askins, SPD, Madison Appellate

Issue: Whether the holding of State v. Crowell, 149 Wis. 2d 859, 440 N.W.2d 352 (1989) with respect to confidentiality of presentence reports “only prohibited use of information obtained during the presentence investigation in a subsequent trial concerning the same charges,

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Presentence Report — Defense-Prepared — Admissibility, Trial Involving New Charge

State v. Jimmie R.R., 2004 WI App 168, motion for reconsideration denied 9/15/04
For Jimmie R.R.: Martha K. Askins, SPD, Madison Appellate

Issue/Holding: ¶¶21-22: Confidentiality of court-ordered presentence reports, State v. Crowell, 149 Wis. 2d 859, 440 N.W.2d 352 (1989) is not a right applicable to defense-prepared PSRs, State v. Thomas A. Greve,

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Appellate Procedure – Harmless Error – Jury Instructions – Omitted Element

State v. Timothy Scott Bailey Smith, Sr., 2004 WI App 116, reversed on other grounds, 2005 WI 104
For Smith: Patrick M. Donnelly, SPD, Madison Appellate
Issue/Holding:

¶10 The State points out that omissions in jury instructions are subject to a harmless-error analysis. See State v. Harvey, 2002 WI 93, ¶6, 254 Wis. 2d 442, 647 N.W.2d 189.

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Appellate Procedure – Harmless Error – Defendant’s Prior Record

State v. Sylvester Sigarroa, 2004 WI App 16, PFR filed 1/2/04
For Sigarroa: John Pray, UW Law School

Issue/Holding: A witness’s improper reference to the defendant’s prior criminal history was not prejudicial, where the judge ordered it struck, gave the standard final instruction on ignoring all things stricken, and the evidence of guilt was overwhelming. ¶27.

Also see State v. Gary M.B.

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Ch. 880 Guardianship Proceeding: Authority to Order Support In

Amy Z. v. Jon T., 2004 WI App 73
For Jon T.: Geoffrey Dowse

Issue/Holding:

¶18. We conclude that the circuit court had the authority to order child support in the context of the Wis. Stat. ch. 880 proceeding. We do so in light of the constitutional grant of broad plenary power to the circuit courts coupled with the petition requirements under Wis. Stat. § 880.07,

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Applicability of Interstate Compact on Mental Health, § 51.75. to NGI Commitment

State v. Richard A. Devore, 2004 WI App 87, PFR filed 4/21/04
For Devore: Catherine M. Canright

Issue/Holding: 

¶1 Richard Devore appeals an order denying his motion to be transferred to Minnesota under the Interstate Compact on Mental Health, WIS. STAT. § 51.75. He contends the circuit court erred when it concluded that, as a matter of law, § 51.75 did not apply to individuals found not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect (NGI) in accord with WIS.

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Resentencing — Correction of “Good Faith Mistake” by Sentencing Court

State v. Bart C. Gruetzmacher, 2004 WI 55, on certification
For Gruetzamacher: Jennelle London Joset

Issue/Holding:

¶14. We now decide whether circuit courts should be allowed to correct obvious errors in sentencing where it is clear that a good faith mistake was made in an initial sentencing pronouncement, where the court promptly recognizes the error, and where the court, by reducing an erroneous original sentence on one count and increasing the original sentence on another,

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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.