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.

Constitutional Defenses – Bear Arms – Fundamental Right, Under Wis. Const. Art. I, § 25 – Necessary Showing

State v. Munir A. Hamdan, 2003 WI 113, on bypass
For Hamdan: Chris J. Trebatoski

Issue/Holding:

¶86. In the meantime, we must give effect to the constitutional right embodied in Article I, Section 25.39 A defendant who challenges on constitutional grounds a prosecution for carrying a concealed weapon will be required to secure affirmative answers to the following legal questions before he or she is entitled to raise a constitutional defense.

Read full article >

Double Jeopardy – Multiplicity: Multiple Punishments, Single Prosecution, In General

State v. Jimmie Davison, 2003 WI 89, reversing 2002 WI App 109, 235 Wis. 2d 715, 647 N.W.2d 390
For Davison: Keith A. Findley, UW Law School, Criminal Appeals Project

Issue/Holding:

¶32. In sum, we conclude that the imposition of cumulative punishments from different statutes in a single prosecution for “the same offense” violates double jeopardy when the cumulative punishments are not intended by the legislature. 

Read full article >

Due Process – Right to Present Defense – “Denny” Evidence

State v. Matthew J. Knapp, 2003 WI 121, on certificationvacated and remanded on other grounds for further consideration in light of United States v. Patane, 542 U. S. ____ (2004), Wisconsin v. Knapp, No. 03-590); subsequent decision on remand, Miranda issue: State v. Knapp (II),

Read full article >

Enhancers — Multiple Enhancers — §§ 346.65(2), 939.62

State v. Richard W. Delaney, 2003 WI 9, affirming unpublished decision
For Delaney: Joseph R. Cincotta

Issue/Holding:

¶1 … Specifically, Delaney asks this court to determine whether Wis. Stat. § 939.62 (1999-2000) was properly applied to his already enhanced OWI offense under Wis. Stat. § 346.65(2)(c), based on the existence of a past non-OWI offense, so as to enhance Delaney’s penalty twice for count one of his judgment of conviction.

Read full article >

Double Jeopardy – Multiplicity: Battery, by Prisoner and Simple

State v. Jimmie Davison, 2003 WI 89, reversing 2002 WI App 109, 235 Wis. 2d 715, 647 N.W.2d 390
For Davison: Keith A. Findley, UW Law School, Criminal Appeals Project

Issue/Holding: The legislature did not intend to preclude cumulative punishments for both aggravated battery, § 940.10(6) and battery by prisoner, § 940.20(1), for the same conduct. ¶¶47-111.

Read full article >

Common Law Defenses – Causation, Homicide – “Year and a Day” Rule

State v. Waylon Picotte, 2003 WI 42, on certification
For Picotte: John T. Wasielewski

Issue: Whether conviction for homicide is barred because the victim did not die within a year and a day of infliction of the fatal injuries.

Holding:

¶5. We disagree with the circuit court and hold that the defendant’s conviction in this case is barred by the common-law year-and-a-day rule.

Read full article >

§ 941.23, Carrying concealed weapon – Facial Constitutionality, in Light of Wis. Const. Art. I, § 25

State v. Phillip Cole, 2003 WI 112, on certification
For Cole: Michael Gould, SPD, Milwaukee Appellate 

Issue: Whether § 941.23 is facially unconstitutional as impermissibly infringing on the right to bear arms.

Holding: The constitutional right of an individual to bear arms, Wis. Const. Art. I, § 25, being “fundamental” in nature, ¶20, the question is whether § 941.23 “reasonably” restricts that right, which in turn requires balancing the interests involved.

Read full article >

§ 941.23, Carrying concealed weapon – As-AppliedConstitutionality, in Light of Wis. Const. Art. I, § 25

State v. Phillip Cole, 2003 WI 112, on certification
For Cole: Michael Gould, SPD, Milwaukee Appellate 

Issue: Whether § 941.23 is unconstitutional as applied to Cole.

Holding:

¶48. Cole claims that he was carrying the weapons because he had been “the victim of a brutal beating when he was younger and he did not feel safe in the neighborhood.” (Pet’r Br. at 3.) He did not assert that he had the weapons in the car in response to any specific or imminent threat.

Read full article >

§ 948.22, Nonsupport — Modification of Support Payments – Factors: Incarceration

State v. Terry L. Dumler, 2003 WI 62, affirming summary order
For Dumler: Todd G. Smith

Issue/Holding:

¶ 1.… The central issue before this court is whether the circuit court erroneously exercised its discretion in refusing to reduce Dumler’s child support payments in light of Dumler’s incarceration and resulting change in income. Although we find it appropriate for a court to consider incarceration when reviewing a request for modification,

Read full article >

§ 904.04 – Greater Latitude Rule in Sexual Assaults

State v. John P. Hunt, 2003 WI 81, reversing unpublished order of court of appeals
For Hunt: Rex R. Anderegg

Issue/Holding:

¶86. We have ruled that “Wisconsin courts permit a more liberal admission of other crimes evidence in sexual assault cases than in other cases.” Davidson, 236 Wis. 2d 537, ¶44; State v. Hammer, 2000 WI 92,

Read full article >

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.