Recent Articles from Anthony Cotton
ON THE DEFENSIVE: Should juries really be searching for the ‘truth?’
Jury instructions are a central part of any criminal trial.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: The case for ‘good time’ on extended supervision
For more than 15 years, Wisconsin courts have operated under the “truth in sentencing” model.
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.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: Netflix documentary shows making of a good defense attorney
The Netflix series “Making a Murderer” has garnered national attention. The episodes are compelling, largely because Steven Avery was wrongly convicted of rape, having served 18 years in prison for that crime.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: With pay progression, prosecutors and defenders should come before judges
In her State of the Judiciary Address, Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Pat Roggensack promised that she will fight for higher judicial salaries when the Legislature begins work on the state’s next budget.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: She was just 17… and shouldn’t be tried as an adult
Under Wisconsin law, a 17-year-old is considered an “adult” for the purpose of criminal prosecution.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: The expanding Fourth Amendment
In recent years, some of the biggest cases before the United States Supreme Court have dealt with how Fourth Amendment protections should apply in modern circumstances.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: Citations shouldn’t be cash cow for municipalities
Americans are over-legislated, a fact that partly explains why we incarcerate more people than any other country on the planet.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: Doubling down on a failed approach
America has 5 percent of the world’s population, but 25 percent of its prisoners. As a society, we should have the courage to recognize that doubling down on a failed system is not a means of making our communities safer.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: The veteran’s dilemma
Of the 1.6 million military members who are now veterans, about 670,000 have been deemed to have a disability that is connected to their military service.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: Wisconsin’s disastrous probation revocation system
By state law, probation must be the first consideration at sentencing. Because of this, and because many everyday crimes do not warrant incarceration, thousands of defendants are placed on probation every year in Wisconsin.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: Planted evidence yields only harm for justice system
There is nothing that harms the integrity of the criminal justice system more than a rogue officer planting evidence.
Legal News
- Outside the RNC, small Milwaukee businesses and their regulars tried to salvage a sluggish week
- Biden called to resign immediately after the president announces he won’t seek reelection
- Biden drops out of 2024 presidential race, endorses Harris
- Local PA cops allegedly thought Trump’s would-be assassin was Secret Service
- Biden-Lead Secret Service admits agency denied past requests by Trump’s campaign for tighter security
- Class action filed against Walgreens
- Former Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant pleads guilty to smuggling contraband
- Two dead, one injured after Ozaukee County water rescue
- RNC Final Day: Trump accepts GOP Nomination
- Wisconsin officials intervene in Planned Parenthood action
- 7th Circuit adopts modifications to Rules 31, 34, 40, 47 and 60
- MPD issues statement on outside agency officer assignments
Case Digests
- Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes
- Separation of Powers- Legislative Oversight of Executive Actions
- Notice of Recommitment and Involuntary Medication Hearings
- Firearm Possession-Sufficiency of Evidence
- Motion for Substitute Counsel
- Jury Instructions
- Equal Credit Opportunity Act
- Fourth and 14th Amendment Rights-Parental Medical Neglect
- Eminent Domain
- Intrusion Upon Seclusion Claim-§1983 claim
- Employment Law- Title VII
- Employment Law