District IV

 


January 6, 2014 


To:


Hon. Daniel George

Circuit Court Judge

Columbia County Courthouse

400 DeWitt St., P.O. Box 587

Portage, WI  53901-2157

 

Susan K. Raimer

Clerk of Circuit Court

Columbia County Courthouse

400 DeWitt St., P.O. Box 587

Portage, WI  53901-2157

 

Troy Dean Cross

Asst. District Attorney

P.O. Box 638

Portage, WI  53901-0638
William E. Schmaal

Asst. State Public Defender

P.O. Box 7862

Madison, WI  53707-7862

 

Gregory M. Weber

Assistant Attorney General

P.O. Box 7857

Madison, WI  53707-7857

 

Dennis Neil Tomlinson 586811

Waupun Corr. Inst.

P.O. Box 351

Waupun, WI  53963-0351


 

You are hereby notified that the Court has entered the following opinion and order: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012AP2672-CRNM

State of Wisconsin v. Dennis Neil Tomlinson (L.C. #2010CF426)

 

 

 


Before Blanchard, P.J., Lundsten and Sherman, JJ.

Attorney William Schmaal, appointed counsel for Dennis Tomlinson, has filed a no-merit report pursuant to Wis. Stat. Rule 809.32 (2011-12)[1] and Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967).  Counsel provided Tomlinson with a copy of the report, and both counsel and this court advised him of his right to file a response.  Tomlinson has not responded.  After our independent review of the record, we conclude that there is no arguable merit to any issue that could be raised on appeal.

Tomlinson pled no contest to one count of operating while intoxicated, fifth or sixth offense, with a minor in the vehicle.  The court imposed a sentence of four years of initial confinement and three years of extended supervision. 

The no-merit report addresses whether Tomlinson’s pleas were entered knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently.  The plea colloquy sufficiently complied with the requirements of State v. Bangert, 131 Wis. 2d 246, 255-72, 389 N.W.2d 12 (1986), and Wis. Stat. § 971.08 relating to the nature of the charge, the rights Tomlinson was waiving, and other matters.  The record shows no other ground to withdraw the plea.  There is no arguable merit to this issue.

The no-merit report addresses whether the court erroneously exercised its sentencing discretion.  The standards for the circuit court and this court on sentencing issues are well established and need not be repeated here.  See State v. Gallion, 2004 WI 42, ¶¶17-51, 270 Wis. 2d 535, 678 N.W.2d 197.  In this case, the court considered appropriate factors, such as the seriousness of the offense, the ineffectiveness of Tomlinson’s earlier convictions at changing his behavior, and his prior record and need for rehabilitation and punishment.  The court did not consider improper factors, and reached a reasonable result.  There is no arguable merit to this issue.

Our review of the record discloses no other potential issues for appeal. 

Therefore,

IT IS ORDERED that the judgment of conviction is summarily affirmed.  See Wis. Stat. Rule 809.21.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Attorney William Schmaal is relieved of further representation of Dennis Tomlinson in this matter.  See Wis. Stat. Rule 809.32(3).


 

Diane M. Fremgen

Clerk of Court of Appeals

 



[1]  All references to the Wisconsin Statutes are to the 2011-12 version unless otherwise noted.