State v. David C. Liebnitz

Annotate this Case

Download PDF

SUPREME COURT OF WISCONSIN Case No.: 98-2182 Complete Title of Case: State of Wisconsin, Plaintiff-Respondent, v. David C. Liebnitz, Defendant-Appellant. ON CERTIFICATION FROM THE COURT OF APPEALS Opinion Filed: Submitted on Briefs: Oral Argument: Source of APPEAL COURT: COUNTY: JUDGE: JUSTICES: Concurred: Dissented: December 21, 1999 October 12, 1999 Circuit Washington Annette K. Ziegler BRADLEY, J., dissents (opinion filed). ABRAHAMSON, C.J., joins the dissent. Not Participating: ATTORNEYS: For the defendant-appellant there were briefs (in the court of appeals) by Rex R. Anderegg and Anderegg & Mutschler, LLP, Milwaukee and oral argument by Rex R. Anderegg. For the plaintiff-respondent the cause was argued by Gregory M. Posner-Weber, assistant attorney general with whom on the brief was James E. Doyle, attorney general. No. 98-2182 NOTICE This opinion is subject to further editing and modification. The final version will appear in the bound volume of the official reports. No. 98-2182 STATE OF WISCONSIN : IN SUPREME COURT State of Wisconsin, FILED Plaintiff-Respondent, DEC 21, 1999 v. Marilyn L. Graves Clerk of Supreme Court Madison, WI David C. Liebnitz, Defendant-Appellant. APPEAL from an order of the Circuit Court for Washington County, Annette K. Ziegler, Circuit Court Judge. ¶1 WILLIAM A. BABLITCH, J. (Liebnitz) was charged with Affirmed. Defendant David C. Liebnitz multiple felony counts and as a habitual criminal (a repeat offender or repeater) pursuant to Wis. Stat. 1 § 939.62 (1991-92).1 Liebnitz and the State of Wis. Stat. § 939.62 (1991-92) states in relevant part: Increased penalty for habitual criminality. (1) If the actor is a repeater, as that term is defined in sub. (2), and the present conviction is for any crime for which imprisonment may be imposed (except for an escape under s. 946.42 or a failure to report under s. 946.425) the maximum term of imprisonment prescribed by law for that crime may be increased as follows: (a) A maximum term of one year or less may be increased to not more than 3 years. 1 No. Wisconsin which (State) Liebnitz agreement subsequently agreed included a to entered enter sentencing a plea into of an no recommendation 98-2182 agreement contest. that could attained only through application of the repeater statute. in The be The circuit court accepted Liebnitz s no contest plea and imposed the recommended penalty. ¶2 Liebnitz now contends that the years of incarceration attributable to his status as a repeater are void. To sentence (b) A maximum term of more than one year but not more than 10 years may be increased by not more than 2 years if the prior convictions were for misdemeanors and by not more than 6 years if the prior conviction was for a felony. (c) A maximum term of more than 10 years may be increased by not more than 2 years if the prior convictions were for misdemeanors and by not more than 10 years if the prior conviction was for a felony. (2) The actor is a repeater if he was convicted of a felony during the 5-year period immediately preceding the commission of the crime for which he presently is being sentenced, or if he was convicted of a misdemeanor on 3 separate occasions during that same period, which convictions remain of record and unreversed. It is immaterial that sentence was stayed, withheld or suspended, or that he was pardoned, unless such pardon was granted on the ground of innocence. In computing the preceding 5-year period, time which the actor spent in actual confinement serving a criminal sentence shall be excluded. All subsequent references to the Wisconsin Statutes are to the 1991-92 text unless otherwise noted. Although Wis. Stat. § 939.62 has been amended since 199192, the changes do not impact upon our analysis in this case. 2 No. 98-2182 a defendant as a repeater, Wis. Stat. § 973.12(1)2 requires the State to prove, or the defendant to admit, any prior convictions that form Liebnitz case. the basis contends that We disagree. of the defendant s § 973.12(1) was not repeater status. satisfied in his The record establishes that Liebnitz fully understood the nature of the repeater charge. Based upon the totality of the record, we conclude that Liebnitz s plea to the information constituted an admission under § 973.12. Therefore, we affirm the circuit court order denying his motion to void an excess sentence not authorized by law. ¶3 The facts in this case are not in dispute. On August 27, 1992, Liebnitz was in an automobile collision in which three 2 Wis. Stat. § 973.12(1) provides: Sentence of a repeater. (1) Whenever a person charged with a crime will be a repeater as defined in s. 939.62 if convicted, any prior convictions may be alleged in the complaint, indictment or information or amendments so alleging at any time before or at arraignment, and before acceptance of any plea. The court may, upon motion of the district attorney, grant a reasonable time to investigate possible prior convictions before accepting a plea. If such prior convictions are admitted by the defendant or proved by the state, he shall be subject to sentence under s. 939.62 unless he establishes that he was pardoned on grounds of innocence for any crime necessary to constitute him a repeater. An official report of the F.B.I. or any other governmental agency of the United States or of this or any other state shall be prima facie evidence of any conviction or sentence therein reported. Any sentence so reported shall be deemed prima facie to have been fully served in actual confinement or to have been served for such period of time as is shown or is consistent with the report. The court shall take judicial notice of the statutes of the United States and foreign states in determining whether the prior conviction was for a felony or a misdemeanor. This statute has been amended since 1991-92. However, the modifications do not impact upon our analysis in this case. 3 No. people were killed and two were seriously injured. 98-2182 Liebnitz was also injured in the crash. ¶4 three On the following day, the State charged Liebnitz with felony counts of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle3 and two counts of causing great bodily harm by negligent operation of a vehicle.4 With each of these five counts, the criminal complaint charged Liebnitz as a repeat offender under Wis. § 939.62.5 Stat. complaint set Liebnitz. forth Liebnitz specificity of the Each the repeater facts does repeater charge supporting not its challenge provisions in the criminal application the detailed to accuracy or within the complaint. ¶5 Court Liebnitz appeared before the Washington County Circuit for a hearing on August 31, 1992. At the hearing, Liebnitz, through his counsel, received a copy of the criminal complaint. ¶6 Although Liebnitz s counsel waived reading of the complaint, the circuit court judge proceeded to read the charges and the repeater allegations: THE COURT: Mr. Liebnitz, what Count 1 says is that on August 27, 1992, in the Town of Jackson, in 3 Wis. Stat. § 940.10 and Wis. Stat. § 939.50(3)(e). 4 Wis. Stat. § 346.62 (4) and Wis. Stat. § 346.65(5). 5 Liebnitz also was charged with one count of possessing a controlled substance with intent to deliver, contrary to Wis. Stat. § 161.14(4)(t) and 161.41(1m)(h)1. As part of the plea agreement, the State agreed to dismiss and read in this charge for sentencing purposes. 4 No. 98-2182 Washington County, you did feloniously cause the death of John Talbot by the negligent operation or handling of a vehicle. Do you understand the nature of the charge? MR. LIEBNITZ: Yes, I do. THE COURT: The penalty, if you are convicted, is one for which you could be fined not to exceed $10,000.00 or imprisonment not to exceed two years, or both. Do you understand the nature of the penalties? MR. LIEBNITZ: Yes. THE COURT: I should advise you further that the complaint further alleges that pursuant to the statutes, you are a repeater in that you were convicted of a felony being the delivery of a controlled substance contrary to the law in that on March 27, 1989, you were in possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance as a subsequent offender contrary to the law and that on October 17, 1989, and therefore by virtue of your repeater status under the section of the statute, the above penalty is enhanced or increased by six years so that the maximum possible penalty can be imprisonment for a term not to exceed eight years. Do you understand the possible enhancement of the penalty involved here? MR. LIEBNITZ: Yes, sir. THE COURT: Further, it indicates that on August 27, 1992 in Count 2 in the Town of Jackson, Washington County, you did feloniously cause the death of Dolores M. Harrigan by the negligent operation or handling of a vehicle. Do you understand the nature of this charge? MR. LIEBNITZ: Yes. THE COURT: And you should be further advised that if you are convicted of this charge, there could be a penalty of a fine not to exceed $10,000.00, or imprisonment not to exceed two years or both. Do you understand the nature of this charge and the possible penalties? 5 No. MR. LIEBNITZ: 98-2182 Yes. THE COURT: The criminal complaint further says with reference to Count 2 that you are a repeater in that you were convicted of felonies being the delivery of a controlled substance contrary to the section of the statutes and alleges that on October 17, 1989 and therefore, by virtue of your repeater status under the section of the Wisconsin Statutes, the penalty is enhanced by six years so that the maximum possible imprisonment is for a term not to exceed eight years. Do you understand the increased or enhanced penalty? MR. LIEBNITZ: Yes. THE COURT: Count 3 says that on August 27, 1992 in the Town of Jackson, Washington County, Wisconsin, you did feloniously cause the death of Mark A. Talbot by the negligent operation or handling of a vehicle. Do you understand the nature of this charge? MR. LIEBNITZ: Yes. THE COURT: If you should be found guilty of this charge, you could be fined not to exceed $10,000.00 or imprisonment not to exceed two years or both under the law. Do you understand those penalties? MR. LIEBNITZ: Yes. THE COURT: Again with respect to Count 3, it goes on to further say and indicate that pursuant to the statutes of Wisconsin, you are a repeater in that you were convicted of felonies, and again it indicates the delivery of a controlled substance contrary to the law in that on March 27, 1989, you were in possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance as a subsequent offender, again contrary to the law in that on October 17, 1989, and therefore by virtue of your repeater status under the statute, the above penalty is enhanced by six years so that the maximum possible imprisonment is for a term not to exceed eight years. Do you understand the possible enhanced and increased penalty? MR. LIEBNITZ: Yes. 6 No. 98-2182 THE COURT: Count 4 says that on August 27, 1992, in the Town of Jackson, Washington County, you did feloniously cause great bodily harm to Merry L. Talbot, by the negligent operation of a vehicle. Do you understand the nature of this charge? MR. LIEBNITZ: Yes. THE COURT: You should know that if you are found guilty of this charge, there could be a fine of not less that [sic] $600.00 nor more than $2,000.00 and you may be imprisoned for not less than 90 days nor more than 18 months contrary to the Wisconsin statutes. Do you understand the penalty? MR. LIEBNITZ: Yes. THE COURT: It further indicates that in connection with Count 4, that you are a repeater in that you were convicted of felonies being the delivery of a controlled substance contrary to the law on March 27, 1989 and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance as a subsequent offender on October 17, 1989, and the above penalty is enhanced or increased by six years to that the maximum possible imprisonment is for a term not to exceed 7 years 6 months. Do you understand these penalties? MR. LIEBNITZ: Yes. THE COURT: Further, it alleges in Count 5 that on August 27, 1992 in the Town of Jackson, Washington County, you did feloniously cause great bodily harm to Mary D. Talbot by the negligent operation of a vehicle. Do you understand the nature of this charge? MR. LIEBNITZ: Yes. THE COURT: The penalty in connection with this, if you should be found guilty or convicted, is that you could be fined not less than $600.00 nor more than $2,000.00, and may be imprisoned for not less than 90 days nor more than 18 months under the section of the Wisconsin Statutes. Do you understand these possible penalties? MR. LIEBNITZ: Yes. 7 No. 98-2182 THE COURT: Further in connection with Count 5, it further indicates that pursuant to a section of the Wisconsin Statutes, you are a repeater in that you were convicted of felonies being the delivery of a controlled substance, that is the delivery of a controlled substance, on March 27, 1989 and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance as a subsequent offender contrary to the section of the statutes and that on October 17, 1989, and therefore by virtue of your repeater status under the section of the Wisconsin statutes, the above penalty is enhanced by six years so that the maximum possible imprisonment is for a term not to exceed 7 years 6 months. Do you understand the nature and the enhancement of the increased penalty? MR. LIEBNITZ: ¶7 Yes, sir. An arraignment was held on October 16, 1992. The information was served, filed, and defense counsel acknowledged receipt of a copy of that document. The information individually listed each count, and its related repeater charge, being brought against Liebnitz. Liebnitz entered a plea of not guilty. ¶8 The Subsequently, written plea the parties agreement, filed reached with the a plea agreement. circuit court on February 8, 1993, set forth a sentencing recommendation that provided for through three consecutive, (four years enhanced on each sentences count) on and counts one consecutive, statutory maximum sentences on counts four and five (18 months on each count). On February 26, 1993, Liebnitz completed a Request to Enter Plea and Waiver of Rights form and filed it with the court. On the form, Liebnitz acknowledged that he understood that the possible maximum penalties that he faced 8 No. 98-2182 upon his conviction were eight years each for counts one, two and three; seven years, six months each for courts four and five; plus written fines. plea Although agreement as the sentence well as recommended the maximum in the penalties acknowledged by Liebnitz in the Request to Enter a Plea and Waiver of Rights form could be reached only by application of the repeater penalties, neither specifically stated that Liebnitz was in fact a repeat offender. ¶9 Also on February 26, 1993, a plea hearing was held. The district attorney described the terms of the plea agreement, including Liebnitz, the in sentence response to recommendation, the circuit for record. judge s court the inquiry, stated that he joined in the agreement described by the district attorney. The circuit court judge asked Liebnitz to state his plea for each of the five counts in the information. Liebnitz pled no contest to each count. ¶10 As part of the plea colloquy, the judge ascertained Liebnitz s affirmative understanding of the nature of the five counts charged against him by the State. judge also asked Liebnitz if he had The circuit court read and understood everything contained in the Request to Enter Plea and Waiver of Rights form. of the Liebnitz answered affirmatively. circuit court judge, defense counsel Upon the inquiry stated that he believed that Liebnitz understood both the nature of the charges against him concluded and that the consequences Liebnitz was of entering voluntarily. 9 his his plea. plea The freely judge and No. ¶11 basis The circuit court judge then found sufficient factual for Liebnitz s complaint. by your 98-2182 plea in the facts as outlined in the The judge asked, Mr. Liebnitz, is it correct that pleas you ve chosen not to contest the allegations contained in the complaint that was provided to you when you first appeared in court? The judge did not, Liebnitz answered in the affirmative. however, advise Liebnitz of the maximum penalties he would be facing by entering a plea or ask Liebnitz if he was actually a repeat offender. proceedings, the State Liebnitz s status as did a not offer repeat During this phase of the any proof offender. to After establish the judge pronounced Liebnitz guilty, the State requested that the court find, as a complaint. matter of law, the repeater allegation in the The judge responded, the Court will find that he apparently is a repeater as defined under Wisconsin statutes. ¶12 Sentencing immediately followed the plea hearing. Statements made by the State during sentencing referred to the penalty enhancement caused by the repeater and its impact on the sentence recommendation in the plea agreement. Defense counsel specifically told the circuit court judge, we re joining in this recommendation for the sentences as set forth in the plea agreement, and I think that [the district attorney] has given you more than recommendation. adequate reasons why you should follow the The judge stated that in making the sentencing decision, he considered the fact that Liebnitz had two prior felony convictions. The judge also characterized the sentence recommendations as, if he had not had the status as a felon, 10 No. these are really basically double the statutory 98-2182 maximums. Neither Liebnitz nor his counsel acknowledged or disputed that Liebnitz was a repeat offender during sentencing. The judge subsequently gave Liebnitz the sentence recommended in the plea agreement. ¶13 In 1998 Liebnitz brought a motion to void the portion of the sentence generated by his repeater status. motion that is the subject of our review. It is this According to Liebnitz, relief is warranted because the requirements of Wis. Stat. § 973.12(1) Liebnitz contends were not that he satisfied did not when admit he his was sentenced. repeat offender status, the State had not proved his status, and therefore the penalty enhancements must be vacated as not authorized by law. The circuit court denied his motion. Liebnitz appealed. The court of appeals subsequently certified the following question to this court: When a defendant never disputes the repeater allegation, bargains for a sentence enhanced because of the repeater allegations and receives the sentence he or she bargained for, but there is a failure of proof of the repeater allegation, what is the result? Standard of Review ¶14 The sole issue presented in this case is whether the requirements Application of of Wis. Stat. § 973.12(1) § 973.12(1) to undisputed question of law that we review de novo. 11 have been facts satisfied. presents a State v. Reitter, 227 No. 98-2182 Wis. 2d 213, 223, 595 N.W.2d 646 (1999); State v. Zimmerman, 185 Wis. 2d 549, 554, 518 N.W.2d 303 (Ct. App. 1994). Although our review of this question of law is independent, we benefit from the analyses appeals. conducted Reitter, by 227 the Wis. 2d circuit at court 223. In and our court of review we consider the analysis for certification provided by the court of appeals where, as here, the court of appeals has not decided the issue. Id. Analysis ¶15 sentenced Under as Wis. a Stat. repeater § 973.12(1), if he an either individual admits may the be prior convictions or the convictions are proved by the State. A charge of being a repeater is not a charge of a crime and, if proved, only renders the defendant eligible for an increase in penalty for the crime of which he is convicted. State v. Farr, 119 Wis. 2d 651, 661, 350 N.W.2d 640 (1984) (quoting Block v. State, 41 Wis. 2d 205, 212, 163 N.W.2d 196 (1968)). If the requirements of § 973.12 are satisfied, the consequence is that the defendant is subjected to the possibility of a sentence longer than the maximum one provided by law for the offense for which the defendant is convicted. Id. The State concedes it did not prove Liebnitz s prior convictions. During the plea colloquy, the circuit court judge did not directly ask Liebnitz whether he had been convicted of the crimes set forth in the repeater allegations. Nevertheless, based upon the principles we applied in State v. Rachwal, 159 Wis. 2d 494, 465 N.W.2d 490 (1991), we find that the record presents sufficient facts to 12 No. find that Liebnitz s plea to the information defendant pled 98-2182 constitutes an admission. ¶16 In Rachwal, the no contest misdemeanor charge that included a repeater provision. to a During the plea colloquy the circuit court judge specifically drew the defendant s attention to the repeater provision. Id. at 502-03. The judge also advised the defendant of the increased penalty he would face as a result of being charged as a repeater. Id. In addition, the judge solicited an affirmative response from the defendant, acknowledging an understanding consequences of entering a plea to a repeater charge. concluded in defendant was entering a presumably because Rachwal no the he that cognizant the contest of the plea. defendant honestly record knew potential Id. chose at to the demonstrated We a allegations the Id. We that the consequences 511. enter of no as of stated that contest plea to his prior convictions to be true and because he considered it futile to require proof by the prosecution. Id. Under these circumstances the defendant s plea of no contest to a criminal complaint containing a repeater allegation constituted an admission of his prior convictions for purposes of Wis. Stat. § 973.12 and Wis. Stat. § 939.62. ¶17 may be Id. at 512-13. We went on to say in Rachwal that in the future, it that his plea of guilty or no contest would not constitute an admission, e.g., if the judge does not conduct the questioning as did the judge here 13 so as to ascertain the No. defendant s understanding of consequences of such a plea. ¶18 case the meaning and 98-2182 potential Id. at 512. Liebnitz contends that the future is now, for in this the circuit court judge at the plea hearing did not ascertain Liebnitz s understanding of the meaning and potential consequences provision. of a plea to charges that included a repeater Nevertheless, we find that the record demonstrates, as it did in Rachwal, that Liebnitz was fully aware of the repeater charge and its consequences. ¶19 First, complaint and the the record shows information that charged both the Liebnitz as criminal a repeat offender under Wis. Stat. § 939.62 on all the counts to which he subsequently information pled set no forth contest. in detail Both the the nature complaint of his and previous convictions, the dates of conviction, the number of years added to the underlying charge as a result of his repeater status, and the maximum possible term of imprisonment for each count when the repeater provision is applied. ¶20 Second, when Liebnitz appeared in court on August 31, 1992, the judge read each count and its possible penalties to Liebnitz, asked if Liebnitz understood the nature of the charge, and received an affirmative answer from Liebnitz. also read the repeater charge associated with The judge each count, including the description of when and of what Liebnitz had been convicted previously, and explained specifically how the repeater charge increased the possible penalties associated with the underlying charge. After reviewing each repeater provision 14 No. 98-2182 with Liebnitz, the judge asked Liebnitz if he understood the possible enhancement of the penalty. Each time Liebnitz replied in the affirmative. ¶21 plea Third, we note that unlike Rachwal, in this case a agreement Rachwal, 159 was reached Wis. 2d at between 503. Liebnitz Liebnitz and the completed State. a plea questionnaire and waiver of rights form, and the form was filed with the circuit court. initialed by Liebnitz, One section of the form, completed and stated I acknowledge that a factual basis for my plea of no contest is established by the criminal complaint and transcript of preliminary exam [sic]. ¶22 Finally, during the course of accepting Liebnitz s no contest plea and establishing a factual basis for the plea, the judge asked Liebnitz, is it correct that by your pleas you ve chosen not to contest the allegations contained in the complaint that was provided to you when you first appeared in court? Liebnitz replied yes. As we stated in Rachwal, it is a well- established what rule that is admitted by a guilty or no contest plea is all the material facts alleged in the charging document. Rachwal, 159 Wis. 2d at 509. (collecting cases). In this case the criminal complaint clearly set forth the repeater charge attached to each count filed against Liebnitz, and Liebnitz specifically stated on the record that he would not contest any allegation in the complaint. ¶23 We note that the question certified in this case is analogous to the issue we recently considered in State v. Burns, 226 Wis. 2d 762, 594 N.W.2d 799 (1999). 15 In Burns, we affirmed No. 98-2182 the defendant s judgment of conviction, even though he did not expressly and personally articulate a plea of no contest on the record in open court, because the only inference possible from the totality of the facts and circumstances in the record is that the defendant intended to plead no contest. In this case, the record supports a finding Id. at 764. that Liebnitz understood the nature and consequences of the charges against him and the consequences of his plea. In Farr we said that for the purposes of Wis. Stat. § 973.12(1), an admission may not by statute be rather, must defendant. noted in inferred be a nor made direct by and defendant s specific Farr s prescriptive admission is not necessarily exclusive. at 508. admission Farr, 119 Wis. 2d at 659 (1984). Rachwal, attorney, for by but the However, as we determining an Rachwal, 159 Wis. 2d In Farr the court was presented with a case in which a jury had found the defendant guilty of burglary. Wis. 2d at 655. Farr, 119 The standard set forth in Farr reflected the fact that the defendant never admitted all the material facts alleged in the charging document. ¶24 is an In contrast to Farr, Liebnitz pled no contest, which admission complaint. to all the material facts alleged in the The complaint, read in whole to Liebnitz, contained the repeater allegations. He responded affirmatively that he understood these allegations and, at the taking of the plea, stated he would not contest them. We conclude therefore that based upon the totality of the record, Liebnitz s plea to the 16 No. 98-2182 information constituted an admission for purposes of Wis. Stat. § 973.12.6 By the Court. The order of the circuit court is affirmed, and the cause is remanded. 6 Having found the requirements of Wis. Stat. § 973.12 to be satisfied, we need not address the State s arguments regarding waiver, estoppel, or invited error. 17 98-2182.awb ¶25 ANN WALSH BRADLEY, J. (dissenting). The problem with the majority opinion is that in lowering the standard to address the actions of this defendant, it lowers the standard for us all. the The majority's new standard apparently is that if complaint containing allegations of prior convictions is read to the defendant at the initial appearance, then that is good enough to establish six months later at the plea hearing a direct and specific allegations. admission by the defendant to those Because the majority lowers the standard so low that it is essentially devoid of limitation, I dissent. ¶26 The majority, apparently mindful of its race to the bottom, makes a glaring omission. It fails to acknowledge that in State v. Rachwal, 159 Wis. 2d 494, 513, 465 N.W.2d 490 (1991), this court previously lowered absolute bare minimum. standard. the standard and addressed the Now the majority once again lowers the The majority's critical omission can perhaps be best understood as a recognition that today s decision results in an unwarranted erosion of the statutory requirement that a defendant 1 98-2182.awb cannot be sentenced as a repeat offender unless the State proves the prior convictions or they are admitted by the defendant.7 ¶27 In State v. Farr, the court stated that an "admission may not [under § 973.12] be inferred nor made by defendant s attorney, but rather, must be a direct and specific admission by the defendant." 119 Wis. 2d 651, 659, 350 N.W.2d 640 (1984). Moreover, a defendant s silence could not constitute an admission of his prior conviction, unless it was affirmatively proved by Id. at 660. the State. ¶28 The court redefined the Farr requirement in Rachwal and found that case, a according plea of no to the contest particular produced circumstances a specific and of that direct admission to a repeater status in satisfaction of Wis. Stat. § 973.12. 159 Wis. 2d at 512-13. The Rachwal court, recognizing that it was lowering the statutory requirement, made clear that 7 Wisconsin Stat. § 973.12 (1991-92) provides in relevant part: (1) Whenever a person charged with a crime will be a repeater as defined in s. 939.62 if convicted, any prior convictions may be alleged in the complaint, indictment or information or amendments so alleging at any time before or at arraignment, and before acceptance of any plea. . . . If such prior convictions are admitted by the defendant or proved by the state, he shall be subject to sentence under s. 939.62 unless he establishes that he was pardoned on grounds of innocence for any crime necessary to constitute him a repeater . . . . (emphasis added). 2 98-2182.awb the particular circumstances verge upon minimum necessary for a valid admission. ¶29 case, By the finding majority decision. a direct dismisses and the the absolute bare Id. at 513. specific admission limitations of in the this Rachwal Rachwal made several references to the sufficient and detailed plea colloquy, in which the circuit court referenced the repeater charges penalties and flowing alerted from the those defendant charges. to the The increased Rachwal court incorporated the colloquy into the defendant s understanding of the allegations he was facing and found that the no contest plea, viewed in the context of the record discussion constituted an affirmative complaint. ¶30 admission of the allegations contained in the of the Id. at 508. The majority endeavors to tailor the facts present case to address the limitation imposed by Rachwal that a direct and questioning specific . . . admission so as cannot to be ascertain found the without defendant s understanding of the meaning and potential consequences of such a plea. 159 Wis. 2d at 512. plea hearing, Liebnitz s The majority notes that at the attorney stated his belief that Liebnitz understood the meaning and consequences of his plea. Majority at 10. ¶31 The Its attempt, however, falls short of the mark. questioning during Liebnitz s colloquy did not remotely approach the level of questioning by the circuit court 3 98-2182.awb in Rachwal. Furthermore, reliance on defense counsel to articulate Liebnitz s admission undermines the Farr mandate that a defendant s admission cannot be made by his attorney. 119 Wis. 2d at 659. ¶32 We must measure a defendant s understanding of the nature of his charge at the time the plea is entered. State v. Bangert, 131 Wis. 2d 246, 269, 389 N.W.2d 12 (1986). See also State v. Bartelt, 112 Wis. 2d 467, 474 n.2, 334 N.W.2d 91 (1983) ( Because the fact that a defendant was told sometime earlier of his rights is not necessarily determinative understood those rights at a later time. ). to suggest that at the time of the of whether he There is no evidence plea hearing Liebnitz understood the significance of his repeat offender charge. ¶33 of the Yet the majority concludes that based on the totality record, Liebnitz fully understood the repeater charge at the time he entered his plea. nature of the A review of the record cited in the majority opinion, however, underscores the frail foundation of the majority s conclusion. ¶34 The majority concedes, as it must, that at the plea hearing the judge neither asked Liebnitz if he was actually a repeat offender nor advised Liebnitz of the maximum penalties he would be facing as Majority op. at 10. a repeat offender by entering his plea. The majority also concedes, as it must, that at the plea hearing the State did not offer any proof to 4 98-2182.awb establish Liebnitz s status as a repeat offender. Majority op. at 10. ¶35 written Likewise, the majority acknowledges that neither the statement of the plea agreement nor the plea questionnaire and waiver of rights form specifically stated that Liebnitz was a repeat offender. Majority op. at 9. Although the majority references the record of the sentencing hearing that immediately followed the plea hearing, it concedes that neither Liebnitz nor his counsel admitted that Liebnitz was a repeat offender at the sentencing hearing. ¶36 Majority op. at 11. The majority s true focus is not on the totality of the record, but on Liebnitz s initial appearance, which took place six months prior to the plea hearing and during which the court read him the allegations contained in the complaint. In an attempt to fill the void in the record at the critical time of the plea hearing and the void during the six-month interval, the majority spends nearly one-quarter of its opinion quoting at length from the transcript of the initial appearance. ¶37 The majority opinion apparently stands for the proposition that even though six months have passed, a reading of the complaint at the time of the initial appearance will suffice for the conclusion that at the time of the plea hearing Liebnitz had entered convictions. a direct and specific admission of his prior Because such a conclusion lowers the standard to 5 98-2182.awb the bottom and renders the legislative mandate meaningless, I dissent. ¶38 I am authorized to state that CHIEF JUSTICE SHIRLEY S. ABRAHAMSON joins this dissent. 6 98-2182.awb 1

Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.