Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

By: Derek Hawkins//December 19, 2017//

Listen to this article

WI Court of Appeals – District III

Case Name: State of Wisconsin v. Aaron J. VanCaster

Case No.: 2016AP2298-CR

Officials: Stark, P.J., Hruz and Seidl, JJ.

Focus: Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

Aaron VanCaster appeals a judgment convicting him of nine counts of possession of child pornography and an order denying his postconviction motion to withdraw his no-contest pleas. VanCaster entered the pleas after a psychologist’s report concluded there was no basis for pursuing a defense of not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect (NGI). VanCaster contends his trial attorney was ineffective for urging him to abandon the NGI defense and accept the State’s plea offer without first seeking a second opinion. We reject that argument and affirm the judgment and order.

Full Text

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.

Select Region or Brand

Upcoming Event