court of appeals decision TPR – Forfeiture of Jury Trial Failure to appear at initial hearing and make timely request forfeited right to jury trial; trial court’s ultimate refusal to enter default judgment “did not return the case to the initial hearing stage or reinstate Luis’s right to a jury trial”; nor did filing of… Read more
B. Constitutional rights
Walworth Co. DHHS v. Andrea L.O., 2008 WI 46, on Certification TPR – Elements, Ground of Continuing Need of Protection and Services, Generally Issue/Holding: ¶6 There are four elements to this ground for termination. First, the child must have been placed out of the home for a cumulative total of more than six months pursuant to… Read more
Waukesha Co. DHHS v. Teodoro E., 2008 WI App 16, District 2 (published) Issue/Holding: A deported father’s participation in the TPR proceeding by a webcam system was “meaningful,” given that he could see and hear witnesses, be seen by the court, and communicate privately with counsel and with aid of an interpreter, ¶¶10-19. State v… Read more
Walworth Co. DHHS v. Andrea L.O., 2008 WI 46, on Certification Issue/Holding: Stipulation to a TPR elements did not constitute withdrawal of the demand for a jury trial, where the element was submitted to, and found by, the jury under the instructions and special verdict form, ¶¶18-24. The court approvingly analogizes to State v. Charles… Read more
Manitowoc County HSD v. Allen J., 2008 WI App 137 Issue/Holding: ¶1 Allen J. appeals from orders terminating his parental rights to his children, Brandon [1] and Stephanie J. He argues that he was deprived of his right to a jury trial because the court, rather than the jury, answered one of the verdict questions… Read more
State v. Shirley E., 2006 WI 129, affirming 2006 WI App 55 Issue: “(W)hether a circuit court may deny a parent in a termination of parental rights proceeding the statutory right to counsel when the parent has appeared in the proceeding but failed to personally attend a hearing in contravention of a court order and… Read more
State v. Shirley E., 2006 WI 129, affirming 2006 WI App 55 ¶57 The State also argues that Shirley E., a parent over 18 years of age, has waived her right to counsel by not appearing personally. We can quickly dismiss this argument. Wisconsin Stat. § 48.23(2) explicitly requires that any waiver of counsel must be… Read more
Dane County DHS v. Susan P.S., 2006 WI App 100, PFR filed 5/15/06 Issue/Holding: Holding the dispositional hearing beyond the 45-day time limit set by § 48.424(4) did not deprive the trial court of competency to proceed, where good cause existed for continuance under § 48.315(2), namely that the respondent’s attorney was going to be… Read more
