The Wisconsin Supreme Court issued three opinions from March 27-April 2. As of April 2, the court issued 20 opinions in 2023 — five more than this point a year ago. The three opinions are below:
- State v. Hoyle, where the court reversed the appellate court’s reversal of the defendant’s conviction on two counts of second-degree sexual assault and second-degree sexual assault of a child. The court also reversed the appellate court’s reversal of a denial of postconviction relief.
- State v. Nietzold, where the court “reversed the determination of the court of appeals that Defendant was entitled to a new sentencing hearing, holding that the prosecutor cured a breach of the plea agreement in this case and that defense counsel was not deficient for failing to object earlier to the remarks.”
- Office of Lawyer Regulation v. Tracy R. Eichhorn-Hicks, where the court suspended an attorney’s license to practice law for failure to pay bar dues, failure to complete trust account certification, and failure to comply with continuing legal education reporting requirements.
From March 27-April 2, state supreme courts issued 131 opinions nationally. The North Dakota Supreme Court issued the most with 17. State supreme courts in 18 states issued the fewest with zero. Courts where judges are elected have issued 82 opinions, while courts whose members are appointed have issued 49.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is the state’s court of last resort and has seven judgeships. The current chief of the court is Annette Ziegler. The court issued 68 opinions in 2022 and 79 in 2021. Nationally, state supreme courts issued 7,423 opinions in 2022 and 8,320 in 2021. The courts have issued 1,640 opinions in 2023. Courts where judges are elected have issued 904 opinions, while courts whose members are appointed have issued 736. Wisconsin is a divided government, meaning neither party holds trifecta control.
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