Motion to Suppress Evidence Denied

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WI Court of Appeals – District IV

Case Name: State of Wisconsin v. Christopher C. Bouchette

Case No.: 2017AP820-CR

Officials: BLANCHARD, J.

Focus: Motion to Suppress Evidence Denied

Christopher Bouchette appeals a judgment of conviction for operating a motor vehicle with a prohibited alcohol concentration (2nd offense), denial of his motion to suppress evidence, and denial of his postconviction motion, which effectively requested reconsideration of the denial of his suppression motion. Bouchette argues that the circuit court erred in denying his motion to suppress evidence obtained by a police officer during an encounter with Bouchette that ended outside of the officer’s jurisdiction. This involves the fresh pursuit doctrine, which defines an exception to the general rule that police officers lack authority to take official action outside of the physical boundaries of the political subdivision within which they primarily exercise their official authority. See WIS. STAT. § 175.40(2). For reasons explained below, I reject Bouchette’s arguments and affirm.

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Attorney Derek A. Hawkins is the managing partner at Hawkins Law Offices LLC, where he heads up the firm’s startup law practice. He specializes in business formation, corporate governance, intellectual property protection, private equity and venture capital funding and mergers & acquisitions. Check out the website at www.hawkins-lawoffices.com or contact them at 262-737-8825.