Recent Articles from MaryBeth Matzek, Special to the Wisconsin Law Journal
Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes
The Supreme Court of Wisconsin reversed and remanded the circuit court’s decision regarding the use of absentee ballot drop boxes.
Separation of Powers- Legislative Oversight of Executive Actions
In this case, the Wisconsin Supreme Court dealt with the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches of the state government.
Notice of Recommitment and Involuntary Medication Hearings
The Wisconsin Supreme Court addressed three primary issues: the entry of default judgments against individuals represented by counsel at commitment hearings, the necessity of personal notice for recommitment hearings under Wis. Stat. § 51.20(10)(a), and the forfeiture of the right to competency examinations to refuse medication.
Firearm Possession-Sufficiency of Evidence
Joshua Lee Pietrantonio, convicted of armed robbery, firearm possession by a felon, false imprisonment, carrying a concealed weapon, and two counts of misdemeanor bail jumping, appealed his convictions for firearm possession and carrying a concealed weapon.
Motion for Substitute Counsel
Robert Smith pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Jury Instructions
In late 2016, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents began investigating individuals sharing child pornography over peer-to-peer file-sharing networks.
Equal Credit Opportunity Act
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) brought an action against Townstone Financial, Inc. and its CEO, Barry Sturner, alleging they discouraged black prospective applicants from applying for mortgage loans, violating Regulation B of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA).
Fourth and 14th Amendment Rights-Parental Medical Neglect
Three sets of parents refused to allow their newborns to receive Vitamin K shots at private hospitals in Illinois, citing concerns about risks and religious reasons.
Eminent Domain
The case centers on a property owned by Indiana Land Trust #3082 in Hammond, Indiana, where Omar and Haitham Abuzir operate a profitable fireworks and tobacco business.
Intrusion Upon Seclusion Claim-§1983 claim
Cassandra Socha, a patrol officer with the Joliet Police Department (JPD), sent a text message to her neighbor criticizing her for testifying in the criminal trial of Socha’s boyfriend.
Employment Law- Title VII
Charles Vavra, employed by Honeywell International, Inc., was instructed to complete an online unconscious bias training program.
Employment Law
Henry Beverly, a financial analyst employed at Abbott Laboratories, took a personal leave of absence during which he began working for Cook County without notifying Abbott.
Legal News
- 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
- 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
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