Strong Week for the Wisconsin Criminal Law System

3L Ron Tusler forwards an important bit of news regarding the Wisconsin criminal justice system:

Governor Doyle recognized on Monday that Wisconsin needs to do more to comply with the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendment.  The Sixth Amendment requires that “in all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right . . . to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.”  Gideon v. Wainwright applied the Sixth Amendment to the states as a fundamental due process right.  372 U.S. 335 (1963).  The Gideon Court did not define indigency and the states are free to define it as they will.

Until Governor Doyle signed Senate Bill 263 into law, Wisconsin held an extremely low income threshold set in 1987.  As a student practitioner at the Outagamie County Public Defender’s Office last summer, the state required me to turn down individuals with less than $100 income per month.  Imagine telling someone with so little income that they were too wealthy for help.  That is a message many public defenders must deliver every day.  Imagine how many go on to inadequately represent themselves pro se.  Is that Constitutional?  I doubt the Gideon Court would approve. 

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A Rainy Day in Boston

4226435693_8378885c16Our National Appellate Advocacy Competition adventures came to an end today.  One team advanced to the semifinal rounds, and I tried to explain to the teams that their performances were really outstanding accomplishments.  But I don’t think it helped much.  We also learned that the Labor and Employment Law team failed to reach the finals; though, again, from my perspective, their performance was terrific.

The rainy day here suited our mood pretty well.  We consoled ourselves with Italian food and desserts at the North End.  I think we’d all recommend Mike’s pastry.

It’s easier for me to say, being the coach and not the advocates, but I really do hope that the students can appreciate what an accomplishment it is to make such a good showing in these national competitions.  Eventually, anyway.  (I told them that I think it only took me about ten years to get over my own team’s loss in the National Moot Court Competition, when I was in law school.)

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Labor and Employment Law Moot Court Team Advances

780px-New_York_Law_School_jehI also received news today that our moot court team competing in the Wagner Labor and Employment Law Competition has advanced to the octo-final round.  The students on that team are Allison Luczak, Michael Miner, and Jesse Dill, coached by Professors Phoebe Williams and Paul Secunda.

The Wagner Competition is in its 34th year, and more than 40 teams compete in it each spring.  It’s taking place at New York Law School.  I am proud that our team is doing so well in this prestigious competition.

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