Wisconsin Supreme Court accepts seven new cases

Madison, Wisconsin - November 22, 1999

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to grant review in seven new cases. The case numbers, issue, and county of origin are listed below. Please note that the statement of the issue is cursory. To read the full record, go to the Supreme Court Clerk's office, Ste. 215, Tenney Building, 110 E. Main St., Madison. Court of Appeals opinions in these cases, if they exist, may be found on the court system's Web site, www.courts.state.wi.us.

98-0394 In re Commitment of D. Miller: State v. D. Miller
Issues: Does the circuit court have the option of placing a Chapter 980 (Sexual Predator Statute) petitioner under "supervised release" that would not actually involve release, but rather placement in a less restrictive facility than the usual "secure mental health facility" (the Wisconsin Resource Center)? From Milwaukee County.

98-0576 State v. Anthony D.B.
Issues: Does the trial court have authority to issue an order allowing the forcible administration of medication to a person committed under ch. 980 (Sexual Predator Statute)? From Milwaukee County.

98-1581 T. Strasser v. Transtech Mobile Fleet Service
Issues: Did the Court of Appeals' majority err in concluding that the plaintiff confronted an open and obvious danger? Did the circuit court and Court of Appeals' concurrence err in concluding that the defendant could not be liable because it was only a "reconditioner" of the product under Rolph v. EBI Cos., 159 Wis. 2d 518, 464 N.W.2d 667 (1991)? From Milwaukee County.

98-2762 Dowhower v. West Bend Mutual Ins. Co.
Issues: Does the statute allowing reducing clauses for underinsured motorist coverage, Wis. Stat. § 632.(5)(i), violate substantive due process? From Racine County.

98-3175-CR State v. S. Jensen
Issues: Is the standard objective or subjective for determining whether the crime was committed "under circumstances which show utter disregard for human life?" Was there sufficient evidence in this case to meet the standard? From Dane County.

99-0316 In re Commitment of D. Thiel: State v. Thiel
Issues: Must the state, in a Chapter 980 sexual predator proceeding, establish beyond a reasonable doubt that at the time the sexual predator petition was filed the respondent was within 90 days of release of discharge? From Fond du Lac County.

99-0752-CR State v. A. Williams
Issues: Should Wisconsin adopt a procedure in plea cases requiring trial judges to inform the defendant before sentencing that the court will not be following the bargained-for sentence recommendation and then allow the defendant to withdraw his or her plea? From Milwaukee County.

For more information contact:
Amanda Todd
Court Information Officer
(608) 264-6256

Back to top

Back to headlines archive 1999