Although the state is obliged to prosecute with earnestness and vigor, it is as much its duty to refrain from improper methods calculated to produce a wrongful conviction as it is to use every legitimate means to bring about a just one. Accordingly, when the state withholds from a defendant evidence that is material to the defendant’s guilt or punishment, it violates the right to due process of law. Evidence is material when there is a reasonable probability that, had the evidence been disclosed, the result of the proceeding would have been different. Evidence that is material to guilt will often be material for sentencing purposes as well; the converse is not always true, however. Cone v. Bell, 556 U.S. 449, 129 S. Ct. 1769, 173 L. Ed. 2d 701 (2009). The fallibility of eyewitness evidence does not, without the taint of improper state conduct, warrant a due process rule requiring a trial court to screen such evidence for reliability before allowing the jury to assess its creditworthiness. Perry v. New Hampshire, 565 U.S. 228, 132 S. Ct. 716, 181 L. Ed. 2d 694 (2012). A guilty plea does not bar a claim on appeal when, on the face of the record, the court had no power to enter the conviction or impose the sentence. Class v. United States, 583 U.S. ___, 138 S. Ct. 798, 200 L. Ed. 2d 37 (2018). Revocation of probation without a hearing is a denial of due process. Hahn v. Burke, 430 F.2d 100 (1970). There is no right under the U.S. Constitution to be conditionally released before the expiration of a valid sentence, and the states are under no duty to offer parole to their prisoners. A state can create a liberty interest in parole by placing substantive limits on its own discretion when deciding whether to grant or deny parole, but Wisconsin hasn’t done that. Graham, 560 U.S. 48 (2010), did not create an exception for juvenile offenders. Heredia v. Blythe, 638 F. Supp. 3d 984 (2022). Constitutional Law—Pretrial Publicity—The Milwaukee 14. 1970 WLR 209.
Constitutional Law—Due process—Revocation of a Juvenile’s Parole. Sarosiek. 1973 WLR 954.
As I See It: Due Process and the Voluntary Intoxication Defense. Larson. Wis. Law. Feb. 2019.
habeas corpus and bail
Habeas corpus is a proper remedy with which to challenge the personal jurisdiction of a trial court over a criminal defendant and to challenge a ruling on a motion to suppress evidence when constitutional issues are involved. State ex rel. Warrender v. Kenosha County Court, 67 Wis. 2d 333, 227 N.W.2d 450 (1975). Relief under habeas corpus is not limited to the release of the person confined. State ex rel. Memmel v. Mundy, 75 Wis. 2d 276, 249 N.W.2d 573 (1977). Application of bail posted by third parties to the defendant’s fines was not unconstitutional. State v. Iglesias, 185 Wis. 2d 117, 517 N.W.2d 175 (1994). A defendant’s prejudicial deprivation of appellate counsel, be it the fault of the attorney or the appellate court, is properly remedied by a petition for habeas corpus in the supreme court. State ex rel. Fuentes v. Court of Appeals, 225 Wis. 2d 446, 593 N.W.2d 48 (1999), 98-1534. A question of statutory interpretation may be considered on a writ of habeas corpus only if noncompliance with the statute at issue resulted in the restraint of the petitioner’s liberty in violation of the constitution or the court’s jurisdiction. State ex rel. Hager v. Marten, 226 Wis. 2d 687, 594 N.W.2d 791 (1999), 97-3841. As an extraordinary writ, habeas corpus is available to a petitioner only under limited circumstances. A party must be restrained of the party’s liberty, the party must show that the restraint is imposed by a body without jurisdiction or that the restraint is imposed contrary to constitutional protections, and there must be no other adequate remedy available in the law. State ex rel. Haas v. McReynolds, 2002 WI 43, 252 Wis. 2d 133, 643 N.W.2d 771, 00-2636. Laches is available as a defense to a habeas petition. When a habeas petition is brought by a Wisconsin prisoner, the burden is on the state to show that: 1) the petitioner unreasonably delayed in bringing the claim; 2) the state lacked knowledge that the claim would be brought; and 3) the state has been prejudiced by the delay. State ex rel. Washington v. State, 2012 WI App 74, 343 Wis. 2d 434, 819 N.W.2d 305, 09-0746. See also State ex rel. Wren v. Richardson, 2019 WI 110, 389 Wis. 2d 516, 936 N.W.2d 587, 17-0880. self-incrimination and confession
Granting a witness immunity and ordering the witness to answer questions does not violate the witness’s constitutional rights. State v. Blake, 46 Wis. 2d 386, 175 N.W.2d 210 (1970). Although a person may invoke the right against self incrimination in a civil case in order to protect himself or herself in a subsequent criminal action, an inference against the person’s interest may be drawn as a matter of law based upon an implied admission that a truthful answer would tend to prove that the witness had committed the criminal act or what might constitute a criminal act. Molloy v. Molloy, 46 Wis. 2d 682, 176 N.W.2d 292 (1970). A hearing to determine the voluntariness of a confession is not necessary when a defendant knowingly fails to object to the evidence for purposes of trial strategy. Police officers need not stop all questioning after a suspect requests an attorney, since the suspect can change the suspect’s mind and volunteer a statement. Sharlow v. State, 47 Wis. 2d 259, 177 N.W.2d 88 (1970). The admission of evidence of the spending of money after a burglary did not unconstitutionally require the defendant to testify against himself in order to rebut it. State v. Heidelbach, 49 Wis. 2d 350, 182 N.W.2d 497 (1971). When the defendant volunteered an incriminatory statement outside the presence of retained counsel, the statement was admissible. State v. Chabonian, 50 Wis. 2d 574, 185 N.W.2d 289 (1971). There is no requirement that a hearing as to the voluntariness of a confession be separated into two stages as to the circumstances leading up to it and then as to its content. Discussing the content of Miranda, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), warnings. Bohachef v. State, 50 Wis. 2d 694, 185 N.W.2d 339 (1971). Discussing questions of investigational versus custodial interrogation in relation to a confession. Mikulovsky v. State, 54 Wis. 2d 699, 196 N.W.2d 748 (1972). A defendant who, believing he was seriously wounded, began to tell what happened and was given Miranda, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), warnings waived his rights when he continued to talk. Waiver need not be express when the record shows the defendant was conscious and alert and said he understood his rights. State v. Parker, 55 Wis. 2d 131, 197 N.W.2d 742 (1972). The privilege against self-incrimination does not extend to the production of corporate records by their custodian, even though the records may tend to incriminate the custodian personally. State v. Balistrieri, 55 Wis. 2d 513, 201 N.W.2d 18 (1972). A defendant who waived counsel and who agreed to sign a confession admitting 18 burglaries in return for an agreement that the defendant would be prosecuted for only one could not claim that the confession was improperly induced. The state had the burden of showing voluntariness beyond a reasonable doubt. Pontow v. State, 58 Wis. 2d 135, 205 N.W.2d 775 (1973). The administration of a blood or breathalyzer test does not violate a defendant’s privilege against self-incrimination. State v. Driver, 59 Wis. 2d 35, 207 N.W.2d 850 (1973). Discussing factors to be considered in determining whether a confession is voluntary. State v. Wallace, 59 Wis. 2d 66, 207 N.W.2d 855 (1973). A voluntary confession is not rendered inadmissible because the arrest is made outside the statutory jurisdictional limits of the arresting officer. State v. Ewald, 63 Wis. 2d 165, 216 N.W.2d 213 (1974). While Miranda, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), does require that upon exercise of a defendant’s 5th amendment privilege the interrogation must cease, Miranda does not explicitly state that the defendant may not, after again being advised of the defendant’s rights, be interrogated in the future. State v. Estrada, 63 Wis. 2d 476, 217 N.W.2d 359 (1974). Statements given to police without Miranda, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), warnings, while the defendant was injured and in bed, that the defendant was the driver and had been drinking, while voluntary, were inadmissible since at that time accusatorial attention had focused on the defendant. Scales v. State, 64 Wis. 2d 485, 219 N.W.2d 286 (1974). The voluntariness of a confession must be determined by examining all the surrounding facts under a totality of the circumstances test. Brown v. State, 64 Wis. 2d 581, 219 N.W.2d 373 (1974). The validity of a juvenile confession is determined by an analysis of the totality of the circumstances surrounding the confession. The presence of a parent, guardian, or attorney is not an absolute requirement for the juvenile to validly waive the right to remain silent but only one of the factors to be considered in determining voluntariness. Theriault v. State, 66 Wis. 2d 33, 223 N.W.2d 850 (1974). A written confession is admissible in evidence, although it is not signed by the defendant, so long as the defendant has read the statement and adopted it as the defendant’s own. Kutchera v. State, 69 Wis. 2d 534, 230 N.W.2d 750 (1975). When the defendant claimed to understand the defendant’s Miranda, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), rights but agreed to talk to police without counsel because of a stated inability to afford a lawyer, further questioning by police was improper and the resulting confession was inadmissible. Micale v. State, 76 Wis. 2d 370, 251 N.W.2d 458 (1977). The state may compel a probationer’s testimony in a revocation proceeding if the probationer is first advised that the testimony will be inadmissible in criminal proceedings arising out of the alleged probation violation, except for purposes of impeachment or rebuttal. State v. Evans, 77 Wis. 2d 225, 252 N.W.2d 664 (1977). A volunteered confession made while in custody and prior to Miranda, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), warnings was admissible despite an earlier inadmissible statement in response to custodial interrogation. LaTender v. State, 77 Wis. 2d 383, 253 N.W.2d 221 (1977). No restrictions of the 4th and 5th amendments preclude enforcement of an order for handwriting exemplars directed by a presiding judge in a John Doe proceeding. State v. Doe, 78 Wis. 2d 161, 254 N.W.2d 210 (1977). Due process does not require that a John Doe witness be advised of the nature of the proceeding or that the witness is a “target” of the investigation. Ryan v. State, 79 Wis. 2d 83, 255 N.W.2d 910 (1977). The defendant’s confession was admissible although it was obtained through custodial interrogation following the defendant’s request for a lawyer. Leach v. State, 83 Wis. 2d 199, 265 N.W.2d 495 (1978). When a “conversational” visit was not a custodial interrogation, the defendant’s voluntary statement was admissible despite a lack of Miranda, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), warnings. State v. Hockings, 86 Wis. 2d 709, 273 N.W.2d 339 (1979). Immunity for compelled testimony contrary to the 5th amendment privilege extends to juvenile court proceedings. State v. J.H.S., 90 Wis. 2d 613, 280 N.W.2d 356 (Ct. App. 1979). The defendant’s voluntary statements were admissible for impeachment even though they were obtained in violation of Miranda, 384 U.S. 436 (1966). State v. Mendoza, 96 Wis. 2d 106, 291 N.W.2d 478 (1980). When the accused cut off the initial interrogation but was interrogated by another officer nine minutes later following fresh Miranda, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), warnings, the confession was admissible. State v. Shaffer, 96 Wis. 2d 531, 292 N.W.2d 370 (Ct. App. 1980). By testifying as to the defendant’s actions on the day a murder was committed, the defendant waived the self-incrimination privilege on cross-examination as to prior actions related to the murder that were the subject of the pending prosecution. Neely v. State, 97 Wis. 2d 38, 292 N.W.2d 859 (1980). Miranda, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), warnings were unnecessary when an officer entered the defendant’s home in the belief that the defendant might have killed his wife four days earlier and asked, “Where is your wife?” State v. Kramer, 99 Wis. 2d 306, 298 N.W.2d 568 (1980). A prosecutor’s comment on the failure of an alibi witness to come forward with an alibi story did not infringe on the defendant’s right of silence. State v. Hoffman, 106 Wis. 2d 185, 316 N.W.2d 143 (Ct. App. 1982). Videotapes of sobriety tests were properly admitted to show physical manifestations of the defendant driver’s intoxication. State v. Haefer, 110 Wis. 2d 381, 328 N.W.2d 894 (Ct. App. 1982). A John Doe subpoena requiring the production of income tax returns violated the self-incrimination right. B.M. v. State, 113 Wis. 2d 183, 335 N.W.2d 420 (Ct. App. 1983). A statement given to police, without Miranda, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), warnings, while the accused was in an emergency room that the accused was the driver in a fatal crash was admissible. State v. Clappes, 117 Wis. 2d 277, 344 N.W.2d 141 (1984). After a guilty plea the privilege against self-incrimination continues at least until sentencing. State v. McConnohie, 121 Wis. 2d 57, 358 N.W.2d 256 (1984). When a defendant does not testify but presents the defendant’s own argument to the jury, the prosecutor may caution the jury that the defendant’s statements are not evidence. State v. Johnson, 121 Wis. 2d 237, 358 N.W.2d 824 (Ct. App. 1984). When a relative of the accused contacted police and asked if anything could be done to help the accused, a subsequent confession elicited from the accused by the relative was inadmissible. Discussing factors to be considered in determining when a civilian becomes an agent of the police. State v. Lee, 122 Wis. 2d 266, 362 N.W.2d 149 (1985). Police had no duty to inform a suspect during custodial interrogation that a lawyer retained by the suspect’s family was present. State v. Hanson, 136 Wis. 2d 195, 401 N.W.2d 771 (1987). Incriminating statements by an intoxicated defendant undergoing medical treatment for painful injuries were voluntary since there was no affirmative police misconduct compelling the defendant to answer police questioning. State v. Clappes, 136 Wis. 2d 222, 401 N.W.2d 759 (1987). A probationer’s answers to a probation agent’s questions are “compelled” and may not be used for any purpose in a criminal trial. State v. Thompson, 142 Wis. 2d 821, 419 N.W.2d 564 (Ct. App. 1987). The prosecution may comment on an accused’s pre-Miranda, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), silence when the accused elects to testify on the accused’s own behalf. State v. Sorenson, 143 Wis. 2d 226, 421 N.W.2d 77 (1988). The admission of an involuntary or coerced confession is subject to the harmless error test. State v. Childs, 146 Wis. 2d 116, 430 N.W.2d 353 (Ct. App. 1988). An unconstitutionally obtained confession may be admitted and serve as the sole basis for a bindover at a preliminary examination. State v. Moats, 156 Wis. 2d 74, 457 N.W.2d 299 (1990). The 5th amendment protects a defendant only when it is the state that is the questioner. Fear of self-incrimination does not exempt one from contractual duties. Constitutional immunity has no application to a private examination arising out of a contractual relationship. Thus, an insured cannot justify refusing to answer questions during an investigation of an insurance claim by invoking the 5th amendment privilege. State Farm Fire & Casualty Insurance Co. v. Walker, 157 Wis. 2d 459, 459 N.W.2d 605 (Ct. App. 1990). See also Link v. Link, 2022 WI App 9, 401 Wis. 2d 73, 972 N.W.2d 630, 20-1244. When a psychiatrist did not comply with Miranda, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), the constitution did not require exclusion of the results of the interview with the defendant from the competency phase of the trial. State v. Lindh, 161 Wis. 2d 324, 468 N.W.2d 168 (1991). The primary concern in attenuation cases is whether the evidence objected to is obtained by exploitation of a prior police illegality or instead by means sufficiently attenuated so as to be purged of the taint. Under Brown, 422 U.S. 590 (1975), the presence of Miranda, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), warnings alone does not cause a statement to be sufficiently attenuated so as to purge it of the taint of the illegal action. Other factors to be considered in determining attenuation are the temporal proximity of the official misconduct and the confession, the presence of intervening circumstances, and the purpose and flagrancy of the official misconduct. State v. Anderson, 165 Wis. 2d 441, 477 N.W.2d 277 (1991). Miranda, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), safeguards are not required when a suspect is simply in custody but are required when the suspect in custody is subjected to interrogation. State v. Coulthard, 171 Wis. 2d 573, 492 N.W.2d 329 (Ct. App. 1992). A criminal defendant may be compelled to submit a voice sample consisting of specific words for purposes of identification. The words do not require a revelation of the contents of the mind to impart an admission of or evidence of guilt. Commenting on a refusal to give a sample does not violate the right against self-incrimination. State v. Hubanks, 173 Wis. 2d 1, 496 N.W.2d 96 (Ct. App. 1992). A waiver of Miranda, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), rights must be made knowingly and intelligently, as well as voluntarily. A knowing and intelligent waiver must be shown by a preponderance of the evidence as determined from an objective assessment of the circumstances. State v. Lee, 175 Wis. 2d 348, 499 N.W.2d 250 (Ct. App. 1993). If police do not use coercive tactics, that a defendant is undergoing medical treatment or experiencing pain is not determinative on the issue of voluntariness. State v. Schambow, 176 Wis. 2d 286, 500 N.W.2d 362 (Ct. App. 1993). When a defendant pleads guilty then appeals the denial of a suppression motion under s. 971.31 (10), the harmless error rule may not be applied when a motion to suppress was erroneously denied. State v. Pounds, 176 Wis. 2d 315, 500 N.W.2d 373 (Ct. App. 1993). Failure to give Miranda, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), warnings during a telephone conversation initiated to encourage the defendant’s surrender following an armed robbery police suspected was committed by the defendant did not require suppression of admissions made to the police. State v. Stearns, 178 Wis. 2d 845, 506 N.W.2d 165 (Ct. App. 1993). Routine booking questions, such as the defendant’s name and address, that are not intended to elicit incriminating responses are exempted from the coverage of Miranda, 384 U.S. 436 (1966). Miranda safeguards are applicable to questions asked during an arrest or concerning name and residence when the questions relate to an element of the crime. State v. Stevens, 181 Wis. 2d 410, 511 N.W.2d 591 (1994). The defendant’s intoxication for purposes of motor vehicle statutes did not per se demonstrate an inability to knowingly waive Miranda, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), rights. State v. Beaver, 181 Wis. 2d 959, 512 N.W.2d 254 (Ct. App. 1994). Coercive police activity is a predicate to establishing involuntariness but does not itself establish involuntariness. Officer dissatisfaction with a defendant’s answers and statements by the officer that cooperation would benefit the defendant is not coercion without a promise of leniency. State v. Deets, 187 Wis. 2d 630, 523 N.W.2d 180 (Ct. App. 1994). A refusal to perform a field sobriety test is not testimony and not protected by the constitution. The refusal to submit to the test was properly admitted as evidence to determine probable cause for arrest for intoxicated operation of a motor vehicle. State v. Babbitt, 188 Wis. 2d 349, 525 N.W.2d 102 (Ct. App. 1994). Edwards, 451 U.S. 477 (1981), requires interrogation to cease once a suspect requests an attorney. It does not prohibit questions designed to accommodate the request. When in response to being asked his attorney’s name a suspect gave a name and then stated that the person was not an attorney, the interrogating officer was not prevented from continuing interrogation. State v. Lagar, 190 Wis. 2d 423, 526 N.W.2d 836 (Ct. App. 1994). A forced confession as a condition of probation does not violate the right against self-incrimination. The constitution protects against the use of confessions in subsequent criminal prosecutions but does not protect against the use of those statements in a revocation proceeding. State v. Carrizales, 191 Wis. 2d 85, 528 N.W.2d 29 (Ct. App. 1995). A suspect’s reference to an attorney who had represented or is presently representing the suspect in another matter is not a request for counsel requiring the cessation of questioning. State v. Jones, 192 Wis. 2d 78, 532 N.W.2d 79 (1995). The rights to counsel and to remain silent are the defendant’s. An attorney not requested by the defendant could not compel the police to end questioning by stating that no questioning was to take place outside the attorney’s presence. State v. Jones, 192 Wis. 2d 78, 532 N.W.2d 79 (1995). Once given, it is not necessary to repeat the Miranda, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), warnings during an investigation of the same person for the same crime. State v. Jones, 192 Wis. 2d 78, 532 N.W.2d 79 (1995). While polygraph tests are inadmissible, post-polygraph interviews, found distinct both as to time and content from the examination that preceded them and the statements made therein, are admissible. State v. Johnson, 193 Wis. 2d 382, 535 N.W.2d 441 (Ct. App. 1995). See also State v. Greer, 2003 WI App 112, 265 Wis. 2d 463, 666 N.W.2d 518, 01-2591; State v. Davis, 2008 WI 71, 310 Wis. 2d 583, 751 N.W.2d 332, 06-1954. The privilege against self-incrimination extends beyond sentencing as long as a defendant has a real fear of further incrimination, as when an appeal is pending, before an appeal of right or plea withdrawal has expired, or when the defendant intends or is in the process of moving for sentence modification and shows a reasonable chance of success. State v. Marks, 194 Wis. 2d 79, 533 N.W.2d 730 (1995).
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wisconsinconstitution
/constitution/wi/000229/000019/000008/000012
section
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