Wisconsin Lawyer: 2002 Significant Court Decisions

In his annual feature, the author highlights what he believes are significant Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals decisions for the year 2002.

Daniel Hildebrand

Other Significant Cases

2002 Significant Court Decisions

Space does not permit a more complete discussion, but the holdings of these other informative cases are summarized below.

Attorneys and Judges

Jackson v. Benson, 2002 WI 14, 249 Wis. 2d 681, 639 N.W.2d 545, reconsideration denied, 2002 WI 90, 255 Wis. 2d 24, 647 N.W.2d 815 (frivolous motion to disqualify justice).
State v. Tkacz, 2002 WI App 281, 258 Wis. 2d 611, 654 N.W.2d 37 (prosecutor was not disqualified when prior representation of defendant was not substantially related to prosecution).

Torts

Physicians Plus Ins. Corp. v. Midwest Mut. Ins. Co., 2002 WI 80, 254 Wis. 2d 77, 646 N.W.2d 777 (relationship between nuisance and negligence).
Montalvo v. Borkovec, 2002 WI App 147, 256 Wis. 2d 472, 647 N.W.2d 413 (physician not required to explain risks of disability of infant in emergency premature birth).

Constitutional Law

Village Food & Liquor Mart v. H & S Petroleum Inc., 2002 WI 92, 254 Wis. 2d 478, 647 N.W.2d 177 (constitutional right to a jury trial in suit for damages under Unfair Sales Act).
State v. Rachel, 2002 WI 81, 254 Wis. 2d 215, 647 N.W.2d 762 (constitutionality of revisions to Wis. Stat. section 980.06, providing for commitment of sex offenders).

Contracts

J.G. Wentworth S.S.C. L.P. v. Callahan, 2002 WI App 183, 256 Wis. 2d 807, 649 N.W.2d 694 (enforced prohibited assignment of structural settlement contract).

Pleading and Practice

Manitowoc Western Co. v. Montonen, 2002 WI 21, 250 Wis. 2d 452, 639 N.W.2d 726 (fraud exception to transient rule of personal jurisdiction).
Schaefer v. Riegelman, 2002 WI 18, 250 Wis. 2d 494, 639 N.W.2d 715 (summons and complaint signed by unadmitted lawyer defective).
State v. Noble, 2002 WI 64, 253 Wis. 2d 206, 646 N.W.2d 38 (suppression of evidence not required when state uses nonlawyer to conduct questioning).
Mucek v. Nationwide Communications Inc., 2002 WI App 60, 252 Wis. 2d 426, 643 N.W.2d 98 (failure to respond to notice to admit).
Split Rock Hardwoods Inc. v. Lumber Liquidators Inc., 2002 WI 66, 253 Wis. 2d 238, 646 N.W.2d 19 (failure to file answer).

Real Estate

Jones v. Estate of Jones, 2002 WI 61, 253 Wis. 2d 158, 646 N.W.2d 280 (waiver of homestead exemption).
Mitchell Bank v. Schanke, 2002 WI App 225, 257 Wis. 2d 723, 652 N.W.2d 636 (loss of note prevents foreclosure).

Municipal Law

Lodl v. Progressive Northern Ins. Co., 2002 WI 71, 253 Wis. 2d 323, 646 N.W.2d 314 (exception to immunity for known danger for failure of traffic officers to control traffic when traffic lights did not function during storm).
Sills v. Walworth County Land Mgmt. Comm., 2002 WI App 111, 254 Wis. 2d 538, 648 N.W.2d 878 (grantor of conditional use permit for use of historical building need not consider restrictive covenant).

Administrative Law

Kitten v. Wisconsin Dep't of Workforce Dev., 2002 WI 54, 252 Wis. 2d 561, 644 N.W.2d 649 (perception of disability as basis for discrimination).

Family Law

In Re Paternity of Roger D.H., 2002 WI App 35, 250 Wis. 2d 747, 641 N.W.2d 440 (grandparent was not required to demonstrate parental unfitness to obtain visitation).
Praefke v. American Enter. Life Ins. Co., 2002 WI App 235, 257 Wis. 2d 637, 655 N.W.2d 456 (power of attorney did not specifically state holder could benefit).
Knight v. Milwaukee County, 2002 WI 27, 251 Wis. 2d 10, 640 N.W.2d 773 (standing of revoked holder of power of attorney to appeal).
Sheboygan County DHHS v. Julie A.B., 2002 WI 95, 255 Wis. 2d 170, 648 N.W.2d 402 (standards for termination of parental rights).
LaCount ex rel. LaCount v. Salkowski, 2002 WI App 287, 258 Wis. 2d 635, 654 N.W.2d 295 (ex-wife not responsible for minor's accident).

Insurance

State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Gillette, 2002 WI 31, 251 Wis. 2d 561, 641 N.W.2d 662 (Wisconsin insured can recover noneconomic damages from Manitoba accident even though Manitoba law does not allow recovery of such damages).
Badger Mut. Ins. Co. v. Schmitz, 2002 WI 98, 255 Wis. 2d 61, 647 N.W.2d 223 (UIM coverage and reducing clause).
Stubbe v. Guidant Mut. Ins. Co., 2002 WI App 203, 257 Wis. 2d 401, 651 N.W.2d 318 (umbrella policy covers insured for UIM).

Criminal Law and Procedure

State v. Polashek, 2002 WI 74, 253 Wis. 2d 527, 646 N.W.2d 330 (disclosure of information prohibited by Wis. Stat. section 48.981(7); suspected child abuse is strict liability offense).
State v. Head, 2002 WI 99, 255 Wis. 2d 194, 648 N.W.2d 413 (elements of perfect and imperfect self-defense).
State v. Jennings, 2002 WI 44, 252 Wis. 2d 228, 647 N.W.2d 142 ("I think maybe I need to talk to a lawyer").
State v. Bergquist, 2002 WI App 39, 250 Wis. 2d 792, 641 N.W.2d 179 (forfeiture subject to excessive fines clause).
State v. Samuel, 2002 WI 34, 252 Wis. 2d 26, 643 N.W.2d 423 (suppression of witness's statements for egregious police misconduct).
State v. Douangmala, 2002 WI 62, 253 Wis. 2d 173, 646 N.W.2d 1 (advice to alien defendant that he may be deported upon conviction).