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Extension of commitment moots appeal of original order
May 15, 2019
Waukesha County v. W.E.L., 2018AP1486, District 2, 5/15/19 (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity While W.E.L.’s challenge to his initial six-month-long commitment and medication orders was pending, both orders were extended by stipulation for 12 months. He didn’t challenge the extension, so his appeal of the initial orders is moot.
Chapter 51 extension statute constitutional, and extension order was valid
May 14, 2019
Milwaukee County v. D.C.B., 2018AP987, District 1, 5/14/19 (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity The court of appeals rejects D.C.B.’s constitutional and procedural challenges to the extension of his ch. 51 commitment.
Turning off idling car didn’t scotch probable cause
City of West Allis v. James M. Gregg, 2018AP1326, District 1, 5/14/19 (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity (including briefs) Sure, the car wasn’t running by the time the officer pulled up behind it with his squad lights flashing. But that doesn’t mean the officer lacked probable cause to believe the guy behind the […]
The harmful consequences of pre-trial detention
May 9, 2019
Thanks to Margaret Johnson for highlighting this new article on the harmful effects of pre-trial detention. If you’re too poor to post bail you get detained. And people who get detained are more likely to get convicted, receive longer sentences and become involved in the criminal justice system. The article concludes with suggestions for better […]
A prosecutor’s ethical duties when negotiating a plea in a misdemeanor case
Many misdemeanor defendants don’t have lawyers. So when prosecutors are negotiating a plea deals with them do they have to ensure that the defendants have an opportunity to obtain counsel or reveal collateral consequences–like deportation or the loss of public services? There’s a new ABA ethics opinion on this topic. Read about it here.
Pro se inmate wins appeal and then acquittal of homicide charge on remand
Take that prosecutor! Click here for the story.
Federal legislation to support public defenders
Yes, federal legislation. You don’t see that very often. Yesterday Senator Kamala Harris introduced the EQUAL Defense Act to provide financial support for public defender systems across the county. Among other things, the proposed legislation aims to track and limit public defender workloads and create pay parity between public defenders and prosecutors within 5 years.
Harmless error and a “reasonable reading” of the record doomed dad’s appeal from TPR order
Dane County DHS v. T.S., 2019AP415, 5/9/19, District 4 (1-judge opinion, ineligible for publication); case activity At the grounds phase of this TPR case, T.S. challenged the circuit court’s application of §48.415(2), the CHIPS ground for terminating his parental rights. He also argued that at the disposition phase the circuit court ignored one of the […]
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