Karl W. Nichols v. Lance Wiersma, No. 22-3059, 7/16/24 In a complicated case that contains many harsh lessons about the standards applicable to habeas petitions, the Seventh Circuit affirms an order denying habeas relief as the exculpatory value of unpreserved evidence was not “apparent.” (Note that our prior post about COA’s decision can be found… Read more
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In addition to the SCOTUS cases to which we devoted individual posts (Smith v. Arizona, Erlinger v. U.S., U.S. v. Rahimi, Garland v. Cargill), below is a summary of criminal or criminal-adjacent cases decided by SCOTUS in the 2023-24 term that we consider of interest to criminal practice in Wisconsin state courts. City of Grants… Read more
June brought several interesting criminal-law related cases, including two Fourth Amendment challenges involving THC in our changed legal landscape, a discussion of whether a crime forbidding the impersonation of police is unconstitutional, and a challenge to a conviction for lying on firearm purchase paperwork under the Second Amendment. United States of America v. Prentiss Jackson… Read more
State v. R.A.M., 2024 WI 26, 6/25/24, affirming an unpublished court of appeals decision; case activity (including briefs) In a 5-2 defense win, SCOW concludes that a statute requiring the circuit court to wait two days before proceeding to disposition after finding a parent in default means what it says. There is no dispute about… Read more
Smith v. Arizona, USSC No. 22-899, 6/21/2024, vacating and remanding Arizona v. Smith, No. 1CA-CR 21-0451 (Ariz. Ct. App. 2022) (unreported); Scotusblog page (with links to briefs and commentary) SCOTUS unanimously holds that expert witness testimony restating an absent lab analyst’s factual assertions to support his or her own opinion is hearsay. However, the Court… Read more
In the Matter of Proposed Rules Relating to Appellate Court Proceedings From Orders Entered Pursuant to Wis. Stat § 971.14 Regarding Pretrial Competency Rulings in Criminal Cases, Order Filed 5/2/2024; effective July 1, 2024. In response to an increasing amount of appeals pertaining to competency, particularly of medication orders, SCOW approves a new appellate mechanism… Read more
State v. Michael Gene Wiskowski, 2024 WI 23, 6/18/24, reversing and remanding an unpublished court of appeals decision; case activity (including briefs) Community caretaking does not allow police to continue seizure after officer resolves purpose for stop unless reasonable suspicion or probable cause developed. Three justices question continuing validity of Wisconsin’s community caretaking precedent in… Read more
May was quiet; aside from the seismic win in Pope, there were only a few cases of potential interest to our readers: United States of America v. Emanuel Dameron, No. 22-3291: This case is notable for what it chooses not to resolve. It’s also a potentially terrifying reminder of what police surveillance looks like in our modern… Read more
