Recent Articles from Derek Hawkins
Federal student loans for nearly 153,000 borrowers are being automatically canceled, Biden says
President Joe Biden announced Wednesday that his administration was automatically canceling federal student loans for nearly 153,000 borrowers, putting the spotlight on his debt cancellation efforts as he ramps up his reelection campaign.
Wisconsin bills to fight ‘forever chemicals’ pollution, speed ballot counting in jeopardy
Measures that would legalize medical marijuana, spend $125 million to combat pollution from "forever chemicals" and allow election officials to speed up the counting of absentee ballots all appear to be doomed as the Wisconsin Legislature approaches the end of its session for the year.
DA asks Wisconsin Supreme Court to decide abortion lawsuit without lower court ruling
A Republican prosecutor asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court on Tuesday to decide whether a 174-year-old state law bans abortion in the state without waiting for a ruling from a lower appellate court.
Senate votes to reject Evers appointees
The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Senate voted Tuesday to reject four of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers' appointees, including a member of the state's natural resources policy board and a former lieutenant governor who was to serve on a hospital governing board.
Wisconsin to get $24M after arbitration win in dispute with cigarette manufacturers
Attorney General Josh Kaul announced Tuesday that an arbitration panel of former judges has ruled in favor of the state of Wisconsin in its dispute with Philips Morris USA Inc., RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co. and other cigarette manufacturers.
Welcome to the ‘Hotel California’ case: The trial over handwritten lyrics to an Eagles classic
The song, "Hotel California," became one of rock's most indelible singles. And nearly a half-century later, those handwritten pages of lyrics-in-the-making have become the center of an unusual criminal trial set to open Wednesday.
California judge under investigation for alleged antisemitism and ethical violations
A Northern California judge is under investigation by a state agency for allegedly making antisemitic remarks when addressing a deputy public defender, failing to recuse himself from cases involving attorneys and other people he socialized with, sexually harassing women, and other ethical violations.
Driver in Milwaukee crash that killed 5 people gets 25 years in prison
A drunken driver who sped through a red light in Wisconsin and smashed into another vehicle, killing five of her passengers including four children, was sentenced Monday to 25 years in prison.
Termination of Parental Rights
Susan appeals from an order terminating her parental rights to her son, Alex, on the ground of abandonment pursuant to WIS. STAT. § 48.415(1)(a).
Involuntary Medication and Treatment-Sufficency of Evidence
Kyle appeals an order for his involuntary medication and treatment pursuant to WIS. STAT. § 51.61(1)(g).
Exclusion of Evidence
Rychtik appeals from a judgment convicting him of second-degree sexual assault by use of force and from an order denying his postconviction motion.
Sufficiency of Evidence-Jury Instructions
On the evening of January 17, 2020, Schultz was leaving the Bull Pen Bar in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, when he backed his vehicle into a truck parked behind him.
Legal News
- Wisconsin DNR agrees to repeal anti-firearm rule
- Harris kicks off campaign for president with a rally in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin leads 26 governors to strengthen state and tribal child support enforcement act
- Wisconsin man charged with fleeing to Ireland to avoid prison term for Capitol riot role
- Wisconsin Supreme Court reveals September oral arguments calendar
- New Jersey man sentenced for series of violent assaults on members of the Orthodox Jewish Community
- Milwaukee County District Attorney, UWM police address Jewish threats
- With GOP convention over, Milwaukee weighs the benefits of hosting political rivals
- Secret Service head resigns as Congress formally investigates
- Milwaukee Police Department issues statement regarding video release policy
- GOP convention sets the stage for the Democratic convention in Chicago, activists and police say
- Survey: Harris has enough delegates to be nominee
Case Digests
- Ineffective Assistance of Counsel; Double Jeopardy; Sentencing
- Ineffective Assistance of Counsel; Sexual Assault-Prosecutorial Misconduct
- Contract-Negligence
- Criminal Law; Juvenile Law; Discovery
- Family Law; Child Support; Property Division First paragraph(s)
- Ineffective Assistance of Counsel- Exclusion of Evidence of Witness Bias
- Postconviction Relief-Sentencing-Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
- 14th Amendment – Due Process
- Criminal-Sentencing Guidelines – Enhancement
- Bankruptcy-Tax
- Civil Rights – 14th Amendment-Jury Instructions
- Contract; Foreclosure and Property