6. Restitution

State v. Mark R. Johnson, 2005 WI App 201 For Johnson: Jefren Olsen, SPD, Madison Appellate Issue/Holding: ¶12      First, restitution is limited to “special damages … which could be recovered in a civil action against the defendant for his or her conduct in the commission of a crime considered at sentencing.” Wis. Stat. § 973.20(5)(a). The… Read more

State v. Mark R. Johnson, 2005 WI App 201 For Johnson: Jefren Olsen , SPD, Madison Appellate Issue/Holding1: Lost profits are “special damages,” and therefore subject to a restitution order, because the underlying causal criminal conduct could give rise to a civil action based on the torts of conversion and interference with prospective contractual relationships, ¶¶16-17… Read more

State v. Tony G. Longmire, 2004 WI App 90 For Longmire: Charles B. Vetzner, SPD, Madison Appellate Issue/Holding: ¶13. Restitution awarded under Wis. Stat. § 973.20(5)(a) is limited in two ways relevant to our present analysis. First, before a trial court may order restitution “there must be a showing that the defendant’s criminal activity was a substantial factor… Read more

State v. Tony G. Longmire, 2004 WI App 90 For Longmire: Charles B. Vetzner, SPD, Madison Appellate Issue: Whether the defendant was entitled to set-off as a defense to restitution for theft by (home improvement) contractor, for work that was paid for by the contractor to a subcontractor. Holding: ¶18. We conclude that the trial court… Read more

State v. Tony G. Longmire, 2004 WI App 90 For Longmire: Charles B. Vetzner, SPD, Madison Appellate Issue: Whether attorney fees, incurred by the victims in seeking damages under the contract underlying this theft by contractor case, are subject to restitution. Holding: ¶29. Longmire contends the trial court erred because the “American Rule” requires litigants in… Read more

State v. Tony G. Longmire, 2004 WI App 90 For Longmire: Charles B. Vetzner, SPD, Madison Appellate Issue: Whether expenditures by victims to correct shoddy work done by defendant in theft by contractor case may be subject to restitution. Holding: ¶23. We conclude that these costs, incurred by the homeowners and admittedly arising out of… Read more

State v. Mark M. Loutsch, 2003 WI App 16, PFR filed 1/17/03; X-PFR filed 1/31/03 For Loutsch: Charles B. Vetzner Issue/Holding: ¶20. When the trial court has the authority to order restitution for a loss, the court’s decision to order restitution in a particular amount is committed to the trial court’s discretion. Holmgren, 229 Wis. 2d at… Read more