State v. Curtis E. Gallion, 2004 WI 42, affirming 2002 WI App 265
For Gallion: Randall E. Paulson, SPD, Milwaukee App
Amici: Robert R. Henak, WACDL; Walter J. Dickey, et al., UW Law School
Issue/Holding:
¶31. Likewise, we agree with the Criminal Penalties Study Committee that the judiciary must address the increased responsibility placed upon the sentencing court in light of truth-in-sentencing. As the Committee observed, truth-in-sentencing legislation caused a “shift of more complete–and informationally accurate–sentencing decisionmaking to the judiciary.” ……
¶34. Now judges have an enhanced need for more complete information upfront, at the time of sentencing. Judges would be assisted in knowing about a defendant’s propensity for causing harm, the circumstances likely to precipitate the harm (e.g., alcoholic beverages, proximity to school children, etc.), and the connection between the elements of the sentence recommended and the objectives of sentencing. To this end, we encourage judges to request more complete presentence reports.
