Walworth County v. M.R.M., 2023 WI 59, 6/29/23, on certification from the court of appeals; case activity (briefs not available) In a case with potentially far-reaching implications for Chapter 51 appeals, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issues a narrow holding that leaves a major D.J.W. issue for another day. (See our previous posts on this case here and here.)… Read more
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On June 28, 2023, the court of appeals ordered publication of one criminal law related decision: State v. Tracy Laver Hailes, 2023 WI App 29 (circuit court can’t apply § 939.62(1) and § 961.48 penalty enhancers at the same time)… Read more
Department on Aging v. R.B.L., 2022AP1431, District I, 6/27/23 (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity (briefs not available) In this protective placement appeal raising two interesting issues related to the circuit court’s competency, the court of appeals reverses with instructions to dismiss the underlying petition. R.B.L. has been the subject of a protective placement… Read more
State v. Cedric Tung, 2021AP1705-CR, 6/20/23, recommended for publication; case activity (including briefs) In a factually complicated ineffectiveness case that does not involve the usual Strickland analysis, the court of appeals affirms based primarily on a messy factual record. Tung was charged with first-degree sexual assault of a child based on conduct occurring in 2017… Read more
Counterman v. Colorado, USSC No. 22-183, 6/27/2023; Scotusblog page (with links to briefs and commentary) In a case with possible implications for Wisconsin law, SCOTUS holds that in a criminal prosecution involving “true threats,” the State must prove the person “consciously disregarded a substantial risk that his communications would be viewed as threatening violence.” Counterman… Read more
State v. Eric J. Debrow, 2023 WI 54, 6/23/23, reversing an unpublished court of appeals decision; case activity (including briefs) In yet another reversal of a defense win, SCOW defers to the circuit court’s decision denying a motion for mistrial but slightly muddies the waters as to the proper legal analysis when assessing mistrial claims… Read more
State v. Quaheem O. Moore, 2023 WI 50, 6/20/23, reversing an unpublished court of appeals decision; case activity (including briefs) As many surrounding states continue to legalize marijuana–and with the explosion of CBD and other legal hemp-derived products throughout Wisconsin–some observers have questioned the continued viability of Fourth Amendment rules permitting intrusive law enforcement action… Read more
State v. Julie A. Minnema, 2022AP446-CR, District 4, 6/8/23 (one-judge decision, not eligible for publication); case activity (including briefs) In an unusually lengthy OWI second appeal, the court rejects Minnema’s ineffective assistance of counsel claims either because Minnema failed to establish deficient performance or because Minnema failed to establish prejudice. (Opinion, ¶1). At trial, Minnema’s defense… Read more
