If you dream of arguing a case to SCOTUS, this new study may dash your hopes. It suggests that SCOTUS doesn’t seriously consider cases that lack an “amicus wrangler” (someone to recruit the right amici) and an “amicus whisperer” (someone to coordinate the wrangled amici’s messages). Just one amicus brief by any ole lawyer won’t do… Read more
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State v. Isiah O. Smith, 2015AP1645-CR, 11/15/16, District 1 (not recommended for publication); case activity (including briefs) Two guys walk into an apartment complex and leave a short time later. One carried a gun and a cell phone; the other a cell phone. They got into a car belonging to a friend of the guy… Read more
State v. Tydis Trinard Odom, 2015AP2525-CR; District 2, 11/9/16; certification refused 1/9/17; case activity (including briefs) Issue: Does the imposition of multiple DNA surcharges constitute “potential punishment” under WIS. STAT. § 971.08(1)(a) such that a court’s failure to advise a defendant about them before taking his or her plea establishes a prima facie showing that… Read more
Sheboygan County v. J.L.H., 2016AP461, District 2, 11/9/16;(1-judge opinion, ineligible for publication); case activity This case raises an issue now pending in SCOW: what makes someone a “proper subject for treatment” under §51.20(1)? J.L.H. has schizophrenia, intermittent explosive disorder, and a mental disability. There is no dispute that he is mentally ill and dangerous to himself. The question… Read more
Winnebago County v. J.M., 2016AP619, District 2, 11/9/16 (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication), petition for review granted 5/15/17, affirmed, 2018 WI 37; case activity J.M.’s lawyer didn’t secure civilian clothes for him to wear at his ch. 51 recommitment hearing, so he appeared before the jury in his prison greens (sans the shackles, at least; and the stun… Read more
City of Appleton v. Jacob Anthony Vandenberg, 2015AP2649, District 3, 11/8/16 (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity (including briefs) Because he entered a plea to OWI, first offense, Vandenberg forfeited his arguments that police lacked reasonable suspicion to stop him for operating while intoxicated or hit-and-run under § 346.69, and the court of appeals declines… Read more
Professors O’Hear and Wheelock surveyed over 800 registered voters in Wisconsin about their attitudes toward punishment, rehabilitation and reform. See how public attitudes toward sentencing vary by race, gender and political party affiliation here… Read more
Here’s an interesting new study on the consequences of courts imposing prison sentences that are much longer than a person’s natural lifespan… Read more
