3. Exigent circumstances

State v. Vanessa D. Hughes, 2000 WI 24, 233 Wis. 2d 280, 607 N.W.2d 621, reversing unpublished decision, cert. denied, __ U.S. __ (2001) For Hughes: Andrea Taylor Cornwall, SPD, Milwaukee Appellate. Issue/Holding: ¶25 In Smith, we recognized four circumstances which, when measured against the time needed to obtain a warrant, constitute the exigent circumstances required for a warrantless… Read more

State v. Robert J. Pallone, 2000 WI 77, 236 Wis. 2d 162, 613 N.W.2d 568, affirming State v. Pallone, 228 Wis. 2d 272, 596 N.W.2d 882 For Pallone: Steven J. Watson Issue: Whether the search of a vehicle passenger’s duffel bag, following the driver’s arrest for the forfeiture offense of having open intoxicants, was proper. Holding: The search… Read more

State v. Patrick E. Richter, 2000 WI 58, 235 Wis. 2d 524, 612 N.W.2d 29, reversing State v. Richter, 224 Wis. 2d 814, 592 N.W.2d 310 (Ct. App. 1999) For Richter: Susan Alesia, SPD, Madison Appellate Issue/Holding: ¶29 There are four well-recognized categories of exigent circumstances that have been held to authorize a law enforcement officer’s warrantless… Read more

State v. Rick R. Rome, 2000 WI App 243, 239 Wis.2d 491, 620 N.W.2d 225 For Rome: William E. Schmaal, SPD, Madison Appellate Issue/Holding: Police entry into a home and subsequent seizure of drugs in a closet was justified under the emergency doctrine: ¶12 In State v. Pires, 55 Wis. 2d 597, 201 N.W.2d 153 (1972)… Read more

State v. Walter Horngren, 2000 WI App 177, 238 Wis.2d 347, 617 N.W.2d 508 For Horngren: James M. Weber Issue/Holding1: ¶10 Horngren contends that the police entry, in response to a suicide threat, was made pursuant to WIS. STAT. § 51.15, “Emergency detention.” Therefore, he argues that the entry occurred while the officers were “engaging… Read more

State v. Robert W. Wodenjak, 2001 WI App 216, PFR filed 8/31/01 For Wodenjak: Rex Anderegg Issue: Whether administration of a blood test, following OWI arrest, was reasonable under the fourth amendment, where the police first rejected the driver’s request for a (less invasive) breath test. Holding: As long as the standard for warrantless blood draw established… Read more

State v. Timothy R. Stankus, 220 Wis. 2d 232, 582 N.W.2d 468 (Ct. App. 1998) For Stankus: Steven J. Watson Issue/Holding: Though the officer had never touched cocaine before, his discovery of a white, flour-like susbtance in clear plastic bags under the seat supported probable cause. And, because he therefore had probable cause to believe the… Read more