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BENCH BLOG: Supreme Court has wrong say on pro se
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals recently rebuked the Wisconsin Supreme Court for a 2010 opinion upholding a Waukesha County judge’s cursory denial of a defendant’s right to self-representation.
CRITIC’S CORNER: The truth (about jury instruction 140) is out there
In my column from March, I wrote about Wisconsin’s criminal jury instruction 140. This instruction explains the notion of reasonable doubt, but then, strangely, concludes by telling jurors “not to search for doubt” when rendering their verdict but instead “to search for the truth.”
BENCH BLOG: Court weighs in on difference between custody, detention
A sexual-assault case provided the context for the Court of Appeals to distinguish a formal arrest from detention in one’s home during the execution of a search warrant.
CRITIC’S CORNER: Convicting Avery (and overturning Denny)
The wildly popular Netflix documentary “Making a Murderer” chronicles the two convictions of Steven Avery. The bulk of the documentary concentrated on Avery’s second case — his trial for the murder of Teresa Halbach — in which there was a great deal of evidence that someone else, other than Avery, committed the crime.
BENCH BLOG: Sheriff fights law, law wins
A sheriff did battle with the open records law and lost.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: Wisconsin has enough prosecutors
Attorney General Brad Schimel has announced his plan to ask the Legislature for millions more dollars to hire more prosecutors throughout the state.
Should grandparents have visitation rights?
In a rare unanimous decision, the Wisconsin Supreme Court construed the meaning of the statute on grandparents’ visitation rights after a divorce.
Federal judge admonishes attorney for cursing at prosecutor
A federal judge has publicly admonished a longtime Cleveland criminal defense attorney after he swore at a prosecutor and called him profane names during a November sentencing hearing: http://bit.ly/1NoR5UM
BRIEFS FOR THE BRIEF WRITER: Posner on prose: Oft-cited federal judge dispenses writing advice
Formidable 7th Circuit Judge Richard Posner recently published in the winter edition of the legal journal "Green Bag" the delightfully readable first installment of a two-part article: What is Obviously Wrong With the Federal Judiciary, Yet Eminently Curable.
Open letter to next State Bar president-elect: Lawyers should be allowed to discuss public aspects of closed cases
The next president of the Wisconsin State Bar, Paul Swanson, has promised to serve the organization's members in a variety of ways. I take him at his word, and am writing this open letter to suggest a starting point.
Case tests limits of exception for dying declarations
In Judge William Brash’s first published appellate opinion, he tackles the hearsay exception for dying declarations.
Trial judge asks how grenade-like device works … boom
A trial in an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan was dramatically halted earlier this week after the judge asked a police officer how an explosive — that authorities say they took from the defendant — worked: http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/trial_j[...]
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- Steven Avery prosecutor Ken Kratz admits ‘mistakes were made’
- Colombian national extradited to Milwaukee faces International narcotics-trafficking conspiracy charge
- MPD: Milwaukee homicides down nearly 40 percent compared to last year
- EVERS: Republican lawmakers No-Show at special meeting to release statewide PFAS funding, stabilize healthcare access
- Wisconsin ICAC Task Force conference on Missing and Exploited Children highlights increase in sextortion cases
- More than 300 Wisconsin officers back in law enforcement after being fired or forced out
- Former Trump staffer who said to ‘fan the flame’ after 2020 loss hired to lead Wisconsin GOP
- Gov. Evers appoints David Casey to Serve as DOR Secretary
- Former Marine sentenced for Molotov Cocktail attack against Planned Parenthood Clinic
- ABA names 34th Annual Margaret Brent Women Lawyers of Achievement Awards honorees
- FBI launches criminal investigation into Key Bridge collapse
- Man charged in slaying after woman’s leg found at Milwaukee-area park
WLJ People
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Russell Nicolet
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Benjamin Nicolet
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Dustin T. Woehl
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Katherine Metzger
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Joseph Ryan
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – James M. Ryan
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Dana Wachs
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Mark L. Thomsen
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Matthew Lein
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Jeffrey A. Pitman
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – William Pemberton
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Howard S. Sicula
