State v. M.E.E., 2023AP1510, 11/28/23, District I (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity In a dense and fact-dependent opinion, COA affirms under well-settled standards of review. “Michael” attacks the sufficiency of the evidence with respect to both grounds found by the jury in this TPR appeal–continuing CHIPS and failure to assume parental responsibility. (¶7)… Read more
46. WI Court of Appeals
State v. T.J., 2023AP1239-1242, 11/28/23, District I (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity Despite a battery of legal challenges, COA swiftly and efficiently marches toward affirmance in this TPR appeal. “Tony’s” parental rights to four of his children were terminated following a jury trial. Accordingly, he first attacks three evidentiary rulings made during the… Read more
State v. Batterman, 2022AP181, 11/28/23, District III (ineligible for publication); case activity Given the discretionary standard of review used to assess a circuit court’s evidentiary rulings, COA wastes no time in upholding the court’s order excluding evidence the defendant did well on some field sobriety tests at a second offense PAC trial. Batterman was originally… Read more
Racine County v. B.L.M., 2023AP757, 11/22/23, District II (ineligible for publication); case activity Despite a creative challenge to a continued protective placement order, COA rejects any argument that the circuit court lost competency by failing to timely reappoint a GAL in this protective placement appeal. § 55.18 lists the required procedures for an annual review… Read more
Jackson County DHS v. R.H.H., 2023AP1229-1232, 11/16/23, District IV (one-judge decision, ineligible for publication); case activity In Kenosha Cnty. DHHS v. Jodie W., 2006 WI 93, ¶56, 293 Wis. 2d 530, 716 N.W.2d 845, the court overturned a TPR order premised on a parent’s failure to meet “an impossible condition of return, without consideration of… Read more
State v. J.A.J., 2022AP2066, 11/14/23, District I (ineligible for publication); case activity In a noteworthy juvenile appeal, COA rejects a novel argument highlighting the dysfunctional nature of our juvenile justice system as caused by the “closure” of Lincoln Hills. J.A.J. appeals a dispositional order for the serious juvenile offender program (SJOP) with placement at Lincoln… Read more
State v. B.M., 2023AP1137, 11/14/23, District I (ineligible for publication); case activity Despite an intervening decision from SCOW which generated skepticism as to whether parents can obtain plea withdrawal when a circuit court miscommunicates the burden of proof in a TPR plea colloquy, COA nevertheless reverses and remands in this case presenting yet another “A.G.”… Read more
Kenosha County DCFS v. M.T.W. 2023AP610, 11/15/23, District 2 (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity “Mary” appeals from the termination of her parental rights to her daughter “Carrie.” the court of appeals rejects several claims that Mary’s counsel was ineffective and affirms. Mary first argues her counsel should have objected when the county introduced… Read more
