On Point

The court of appeals has ordered the publication of the following criminal law related opinion:

State v. Randy L. Bolstad, 2021 WI App 81 (defendant entitled to resentencing because sentencing court failed to consider the gravity of the offense)

Marathon County DHS v. S.K., 2021AP1124 & 2021AP1125, District 3, 11/18/21 (one-judge decision; ineligible for publication); case activity

The circuit court granted partial summary judgment on the petitions to terminate the parental rights of S.K. (“Sarah”) for failure to assume parental responsibility of her two daughters. The court of appeals reverses, holding there are genuine issues of material fact that require a trial on the grounds for the petitions. [continue reading…]

Trempealeau County DSS v. T.M.M., 2021AP100 & Trempealeau County DSS v. T.M.M., 2021AP139, District 3, 11/12/21 (one-judge opinions; both ineligible for publication); case activity: 2021AP100 & 2021AP139

The court of appeals agrees with T.M.M. (“Tiffany”) that the evidence presented at her recommitment hearing was insufficient to prove she was dangerous under one of the standards listed in § 51.20(1)(a)2. The court also rejects as moot her appeal of an order transferring her under § 51.35(1)(e) to a more restrictive placement while she was still under the original commitment order. [continue reading…]

Waukesha County v. E.J.W., 2021 WI 85, 11/23/21, reversing an unpublished court of appeals’ opinion; case activity

This 4-3 “defense win” delivers a 1-2-3 punch! The decision:  (1) holds that a person undergoing commitment has the right to demand a jury 48 hours before the time set for his final hearing–even if the hearing is rescheduled; (2) reverses a recent, published court of appeals opinion to the contrary; and (3) resolves a split over the proper remedy for cases where the appellate court holds that the circuit court erred, but the underlying commitment order has expired.  (Answer: Simply reverse because the circuit court lacks competency to conduct remand proceedings on an expired commitment order.) [continue reading…]

Have your mentally ill clients been denied medication or over-medicated? Have they been placed in seclusion or denied access to a phone or to interpreters?

Section 51.61 establishes “patients rights” for persons receiving services for mental illness, developmental disabilities, or drug dependency, pursuant to Chapters 48, 51, 55, 971, 975 or 980. When your client says that their rights are being violated, consider sending them a copy of Disability Rights Wisconsin’s new Do It Yourself Guide to Filing a Patient/Client Grievance. It summarizes their rights and the grievance procedure. It also includes forms and templates for pursuing a grievance.

Since 2019, SCOW’s most steadfast liberal allies are Justices A.W. Bradley and Dallet. Its most conspicuous conservative allies are Justices Roggensack and Ziegler. SCOWstats’ latest post takes a peek at cases where these allies have disagreed.

State v. M.P.H.-R., 2021AP1628, 11/23/21, District 1 (1-judge opinion, ineligible for publication); case activity

M.P.H.-R gave birth to A.S.H. in 2011 when she was just 14 years old. Since then both mother and daughter have suffered mental health problems. They lived together briefly twice over the intervening 10 years. Otherwise, for 7 years A.S.H. has lived with a foster family.  The trial court terminated M.P.H.-R.’s parental rights based on §48.426(3)‘s “best interests of the child” factors. The court of appeals affirmed. [continue reading…]