Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

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WI Court of Appeals – District I

Case Name: State of Wisconsin v. Yvette L. Harris

Case No.: 2016AP2489-CR

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

Focus: Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

Yvette Harris appeals a judgment of conviction, entered following a jury trial, for Medicaid fraud1 and theft by false representation of an amount under $2500. Harris also appeals two orders. Harris appeals an order denying her postconviction motion contending: (1) the two convictions were multiplicitous and thus in violation of the constitutional prohibition against double jeopardy; (2) her trial counsel provided ineffective assistance; and (3) the evidence at trial was insufficient to support her convictions. In addition, she appeals an order denying her motion for reconsideration of the circuit court’s denial of her postconviction motion. On appeal, Harris again contends that: (1) Medicaid fraud and theft by false representation are multiplicitous charges; (2) she was denied effective assistance of counsel on various grounds; (3) insufficient evidence was presented at trial to support her convictions; and (4) she should receive a new trial in the interest of justice. We reject all of Harris’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.