WLJ Legal News News

Computer sex crime reversed

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:21:25 CDT

A man who engaged in a sexually explicit on-line chat, and sent a webcam of himself to a person he thought was a 13-year-old girl, has won reversal of his conviction for using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime. The Wisconsin Court of Appeals on Oct. 2 found that a necessary element of the crime is that the defendant engaged in an act “other than use a computerized communications system,” and that none of the defendant’s acts met this criteria.

Complaint responds to campaign tactics

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:20:01 CDT

The Wisconsin Judicial Commission’s complaint against Justice Michael J. Gableman for an ad that ran during the 2008 Supreme Court race was a step in the right direction, according to a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee professor.

Proposed sick leave ordinance raises legal, business questions

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:19:57 CDT

A proposed ordinance, which would require all non-government employers in the city of Milwaukee to provide up to nine days of paid sick leave annually, has some attorneys feeling a little queasy.

Analysis of the Analysts

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:42:16 CDT

Criminal defense attorney Jerome F. Buting has filed a complaint with the Wisconsin Department of Justice, calling for an external investigation into possible negligence by employees at the state’s crime labs. Buting, who represented Steven Avery in 2006, referenced six instances since 2002 where he alleges technicians or lab analysts could have compromised forensic testing.

$6.5 million judgment barred by subsequent judgment

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:41:42 CDT

“Don’t be greedy!”It’s a demand that we’ve all heard and made before. But rarely is the cost as great as that in a recent case from federal court in Illinois -- more than $6.5 million.

Drug users lose right to bear arms

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:40:11 CDT

The U.S. District Court in the Western District of Wisconsin has issued what appears to be first opinion in the country since D.C. v. Heller , 128 S.Ct. 2783 (2008), to consider whether the federal ban on possession of firearms by users of controlled substances runs afoul of the Second Amendment.

Commission files complaint against new justice

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:39:26 CDT

The Wisconsin Judicial Commission has filed a complaint against Justice Michael J. Gableman for an ad that ran during the 2008 Supreme Court race.

Citation of unpublished opinions comes back for more debate

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:21:17 CDT

Citation to unpublished opinions by the Wisconsin Court of Appeals appears imminent.

New chief, old story for proposed county court budget

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 14:08:10 CDT

Even though new Chief Judge Jeffrey A. Kremers is working through the Milwaukee County budget process for the first time, he is all too familiar with the annual reductions to court operations proposed by County Executive Scott Walker.

In his 2009 proposal, Walker plans to abolish 27 staff positions, not mandated by the state, to help offset a multi-million dollar hole in the court’s budget.

SPD budget seeks more staff attorneys, fewer private bar

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:40:03 CDT

Since 1995, the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office has been unable to secure an increase in the compensation rate for private bar attorneys.

Relatives who assist suicide can inherit

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:20:28 CDT

Assisting a relative in committing suicide is not a bar to recovering under his will.

Milwaukee DAs office receives grant extension for witness protection program

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:15:05 CDT

On the day a state grant was to expire, the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office learned that an additional $50,000 in funding will be provided for its witness protection program.

Past U.S. Supreme Court term gives defense opportunities

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:09:29 CDT

The recently concluded term of the U.S. Supreme Court provides new opportunities for criminal defense attorneys in defending their clients.

Tribal attorney finds niche advising Menominee Indians

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:24:28 CDT

The director of legal services for the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin usually keeps an eye on cases involving the tribe he represents, or Seventh Circuit cases involving other Native American groups. However, earlier this summer, he was also paying close attention to a case out of Montana.

Court reverses sexual assault conviction

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:01:28 CDT

In a prosecution for sexual assault of a child, the state may ask an expert witness about typical signs indicating that a child has been “coached” to make a false allegation, and whether the child exhibits such signs.

Sites Unseen

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:31:02 CDT

Social networking Web sites like Facebook and MySpace offer everything from conversing electronically with a former classmate, to trading photos from spring break in Mexico.

But some attorneys are using the sites as re-search tools to investigate clients, witnesses and jurors.

Court: LLCs need attorneys to appear in court

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:25:26 CDT

Limited liability companies (LLCs) can’t appear in federal court without an attorney.

Budget proposal calls for funding of witness protection program

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:09:43 CDT

This past summer, a Milwaukee County drug case informant, who was the subject of attempted murder, was able to get protection thanks to an updated witness protection pilot program.

State not liable for criminals actions

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:48:01 CDT

No matter how negligent a government is in releasing a criminal, his subsequent victims don’t have a civil rights claim against the government.

Van Hollen suit allowed to proceed

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:21:45 CDT

The state’s code of professional conduct for attorneys permits current Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen to sue one of his current clients, the Government Accountability Board (GAB). But whether it’s a proper use of his power is yet to be determined.

Butler plans to teach at UW Law School

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:15:38 CDT

Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Louis B. Butler Jr. is going back to his alma mater - the University of Wisconsin Law School. The law school has announced that Butler has accepted a two-year appointment to its faculty.

He originally graduated from UW Law School in 1977. Now, he's going back to teach appellate advocacy, criminal law and legal procedure.

Wisconsin Supreme Court term moves forward

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:55:51 CDT

The Wisconsin Supreme Court term for 2008-09 just began this month, and some important cases have already been heard or are scheduled to be heard soon.

Man must repay forfeited bail to his mother

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:50:41 CDT

A defendant who jumped bail can be forced to pay back the money his mother posted for him and forfeited.

Lawyers long for City Hall comforts

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:14:06 CDT

A budget decision will force Milwaukee city attorneys to spend another year away from their City Hall home and split between two floors before their offices are renovated.

Studies highlight pay gap

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:41:18 CDT

Attorney Molly E. Klinge has more than $100,000 in law school debt.