1999 Chapter 972

972.12 Sequestration of jurors.

972.13 Judgment.

972.14 Statements before sentencing.

972.15 Presentence investigation.

Ch. 972 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See definitions in s. 967.02.

972.01 972.01  Jury; civil rules applicable. The summoning of jurors, the selection and qualifications of the jury, the challenge of jurors for cause and the duty of the court in charging the jury and giving instructions and discharging the jury when unable to agree shall be the same in criminal as in civil actions, except that s. 805.08 (3) shall not apply.

972.01 History History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 585, 784 (1975); Sup. Ct. Order No. 96-08, 207 Wis. 2d xv (1997).

972.01 Annotation Wis. J. I.—Criminal, 520, the Allen charge, as to the duty of a jury to try to reach agreement, is proper. Kelley v. State, 51 Wis. 2d 641, 187 N.W.2d 810.

972.02 972.02  Jury trial; waiver.

972.02(1) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, criminal cases shall be tried by a jury selected as prescribed in s. 805.08, unless the defendant waives a jury in writing or by statement in open court or under s. 967.08 (2) (b), on the record, with the approval of the court and the consent of the state.

972.02(2) (2) At any time before the verdict in a felony case, the parties may stipulate in writing or by statement in open court, on the record, with the approval of the court, that the jury shall consist of any number less than 12. If the case is a misdemeanor case, the jury shall consist of 6 persons.

972.02(3) (3) In a case tried without a jury the court shall make a general finding and may in addition find the facts specially.

972.02(4) (4) No member of the grand jury which found the indictment shall be a juror for the trial of the indictment.

972.02 History History: Sup. Ct. Order, 67 Wis. 2d 784; Sup. Ct. Order, 141 Wis. 2d xiii (1987); 1995 a. 427; Sup. Ct. Order No. 96-08, 207 Wis. 2d xv (1997).

972.02 Note Judicial Council Note, 1988: Sub. (1) is amended to reflect that waiver of trial by jury may be made by telephone upon the defendant's request, unless good cause to the contrary is shown. [Re Order effective Jan. 1, 1988]

972.02 Note Judicial Council Note, 1996: This proposal changes ``drawn" to "selected" whenever a statute refers to choosing jurors or prospective jurors, for statutory uniformity. [Re Order effective 7-1-97]

972.02 Annotation A defendant cannot claim that his waiver of a jury, where the record is silent as to acceptance by the court and prosecution, made his subsequent jury trial invalid. Spiller v. State, 49 Wis. 2d 372, 182 N.W.2d 242.

972.02 Annotation A defendant can waive a jury after the state has completed its case. Warrix v. State, 50 Wis. 2d 368, 184 N.W.2d 189.

972.02 Annotation If defendant demanded a jury trial he cannot be held to have waived it by participating in a trial to the court. He can raise this question for the first time on appeal. State v. Cleveland, 50 Wis. 2d 666, 184 N.W.2d 899.

972.02 Annotation A record demonstrating the defendant's willingness and intent to waive a jury must be established before accepting a waiver. Krueger v. State, 84 Wis. 2d 272, 267 N.W.2d 602 (1978).

972.02 Annotation The defense's participation in a misdemeanor court trial, without objection, did not constitute waiver of a jury trial. State v. Moore, 97 Wis. 2d 669, 294 N.W.2d 551 (Ct. App. 1980).

972.02 Annotation The court abused its discretion in discharging an ill juror during deliberations without making any record as to the circumstances of the discharge and without counsel being present. Unless the defendant consents, it is reversible error for the court to substitute an alternate juror for a regular juror after jury deliberations have begun. State v. Lehman, 108 Wis. 2d 291, 321 N.W.2d 212 (1982).

972.02 Annotation A trial court may not deny an accused's motion to withdraw a jury waiver without showing that granting the withdrawal would substantially delay or impede the cause of justice. State v. Cloud, 133 Wis. 2d 58, 393 N.W.2d 129 (Ct. App. 1986).

972.02 Annotation A waiver of a jury trial must be made by an affirmative action of the defendant; neither counsel nor the court may waive it on the defendant's behalf. If the defendant has not personally waived the right, the proper remedy is a new trial rather than a postconviction hearing. State v. Livingston, 159 Wis. 2d 561, 464 N.W.2d 839 (1991).

972.02 Annotation The verdict of a 13 member jury panel agreed to by the defense and prosecution was valid. State v. Ledger, 175 Wis. 2d 116, 499 N.W.2d 199 (Ct. App. 1993).

972.02 Annotation When there are grounds to believe the jury in a criminal case needs protection, the trial court may take reasonable steps to protect the identity of potential jurors. Preventing references on the record to juror's names, employment and addresses while providing the defense with copies of the juror questionnaires during voir dire was within the court's discretion. State v. Britt, 203 Wis. 2d 25, 553 N.W.2d 528 (Ct. App. 1995).

972.02 Annotation The defendant was not automatically entitled to a new trial when, in waiving the right to a jury trial, the trial court did not advise that a jury verdict must be unanimous. The appropriate remedy is through a postconviction motion that, as a threshold requirement, must contain an allegation that the defendant did not know or understand the rights at issue. State v. Grant, 230 Wis. 2d 90, 601 N.W.2d 8 (Ct. App. 1999).

972.02 Annotation Waiver of jury in Wisconsin. 1971 WLR 626.

972.03 972.03  Peremptory challenges. Each side is entitled to only 4 peremptory challenges except as otherwise provided in this section. When the crime charged is punishable by life imprisonment, the state is entitled to 6 peremptory challenges and the defendant is entitled to 6 peremptory challenges. If there is more than one defendant, the court shall divide the challenges as equally as practicable among them; and if their defenses are adverse and the court is satisfied that the protection of their rights so requires, the court may allow the defendants additional challenges. If the crime is punishable by life imprisonment, the total peremptory challenges allowed the defense shall not exceed 12 if there are only 2 defendants and 18 if there are more than 2 defendants; in other felony cases 6 challenges if there are only 2 defendants and 9 challenges if there are more than 2. In misdemeanor cases, the state is entitled to 3 peremptory challenges and the defendant is entitled to 3 peremptory challenges, except that if there are 2 defendants, the court shall allow the defense 4 peremptory challenges, and if there are more than 2 defendants, the court shall allow the defense 6 peremptory challenges. Each side shall be allowed one additional peremptory challenge if additional jurors are to be selected under s. 972.04 (1).

972.03 History History: 1983 a. 226; 1995 a. 427; Sup. Ct. Order No. 96-08, 207 Wis. 2d xv (1997).

972.03 Note Judicial Council Note, 1983: This section is amended by allowing one additional peremptory challenge when additional jurors are to be impaneled. This approximates the right of each side under prior s. 972.05 to one additional peremptory challenge for each alternate juror. Since abolition of the concept of "alternate" jurors permits the additional peremptory challenge to be made to any member of the panel, only one additional challenge is permitted. [Bill 320-S]

972.03 Note Judicial Council Note, 1996: This proposal changes ``impaneled" to ``selected" whenever a statute refers to choosing jurors or prospective jurors, for statutory uniformity. [Re Order effective 7-1-97.]

972.03 Annotation A defendant has a heavy burden to show unlawful discrimination in a prosecutor's peremptory challenges. State v. Grady, 93 Wis. 2d 1, 286 N.W.2d 607 (Ct. App. 1979).

972.03 Annotation A party defending against an allegation that peremptory strikes were used for discriminatory reasons must offer something more than a bald statement that other nonprohibited factors were considered. There must be a showing that there is a nexus between legitimate factors and the juror who was struck. State v. Jagadowsky, 209 Wis. 2d 577, 563 N.W.2d 188 (Ct. App. 1997).

972.03 Annotation A potential juror who expressed that she could not be fair and impartial should have been removed for cause under s. 805.08 (1). Failure to remove the juror forced the defendant to strike the potential juror which resulted in the defendant being denied one of the peremptory strikes guaranteed under s. 972.03 and required a new trial. State v. Ramos, 211 Wis. 2d 12, 564 N.W.2d 328 (1997).

972.03 Annotation An appellate court should overturn a circuit court's determination that a prospective juror can be impartial only where the juror's bias is manifest; not where there is a reasonable suspicion of bias. The test for manifest bias is stated. State v. Ferron, 219 Wis. 2d 481, 579 N.W.2d 654 (1998). But see State v. Faucher, 227 Wis. 2d 700, 596 N.W.2d 770 (1999) for a review of this case to apply new terminology regarding juror bias.

972.03 Annotation Veteran jurors cannot be removed solely on the basis of having served as jurors in a similar case, but must be shown to have exhibited bias in the case they are called to hear. It was error for the trial court not to strike 5 potential jurors who had served on a prior case in which the same defense was used when the jurors expressed that they would not give serious consideration to the defense. State v. Kiernan, 227 Wis. 2d 736, 596 N.W.2d 760 (1999).

972.03 Annotation Ramos does not entitle a defendant to a new trial when both the prosecution and defense are given an equal number of peremptory strikes, even if the number is less than provided for by statute. State v. Erickson, 227 Wis. 2d 758, 596 N.W.2d 749 (1999).

972.03 Annotation There is no automatic disqualification of potential jurors who have been convicted of crimes. The erroneous dismissal of a prospective juror for cause does not constitute an additional peremptory challenge for the moving party; it is an error subject to harmless error analysis. State v. Mendoza, 227 Wis. 2d 838, 596 N.W.2d 736 (Ct. App. 1998).

972.03 Annotation Peremptory challenges may not be exercised, and therefore not changed, after the parties have accepted the jury, even if the jury has not yet been sworn. State v. Nantelle, 2000 WI App 110, 235 Wis. 2d 91, 612 N.W.2d 356.

972.03 Annotation Equal protection precludes a prosecutor's use of a peremptory challenge to exclude potential jurors solely by reason of race; a criminal defendant can raise the equal protection claim that jurors were excluded because of their race, whether or not there is racial identity between the defendant and the excluded jurors. Powers v. Ohio, 499 U.S. 400, 113 L. Ed. 2d 411 (1991). See also Basten v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79, 90 L. Ed. 2d 69 (1986) for a process for evaluating a claim that race was the sole basis for a peremptory challenge.

972.03 Annotation Gender-based peremptory strikes are barred by the equal protection clause. J.E.B. v. Alabama ex rel. T.B. 511 U.S. 127, 128 L. Ed. 2d 89 (1994).

972.04 972.04  Exercise of challenges.

972.04(1) (1) The number of jurors selected shall be prescribed in s. 756.06 (2) (a) or (am), whichever is applicable, unless a lesser number has been stipulated and approved under s. 972.02 (2) or the court orders that additional jurors be selected. That number, plus the number of peremptory challenges available to all the parties, shall be called initially and maintained in the jury box by calling others to replace jurors excused for cause until all jurors have been examined. The parties shall thereupon exercise in their order, the state beginning, the peremptory challenges available to them, and if any party declines to challenge, the challenge shall be made by the clerk by lot.

972.04(2) (2) A party may waive in advance any or all of its peremptory challenges and the number of jurors called pursuant to sub. (1) shall be reduced by this number.

972.04 History History: 1983 a. 226; 1995 a.. 427; Sup. Ct. Order No. 96-08, 207 Wis. 2d xv (1997).

972.04 Note Judicial Council Note, 1983: Sub. (1) is amended by allowing the court to order that additional jurors be impaneled. The size of the panel is then reduced to the appropriate number by lot immediately before final submission if that has not already occurred through death or discharge of a juror. See s. 972.10 (7), stats. Abolition of the concept of "alternate" jurors is intended to promote an attentive attitude and a collegial relationship among all jurors. [Bill 320-S]

972.04 Annotation Guarantees of open public proceedings in criminal trials include voir dire examinations of potential jurors. Press-Enterprise Co. v. Superior Court of Cal. 464 U.S. 501 (1984).

972.06 972.06  View. The court may order a view by the jury.

972.06 Annotation The trial court, sitting as the trier of fact, committed an error of law in making and relying on an unrequested, unannounced, unaccompanied and unrecorded view of an accident scene in assessing evidence produced at trial. American Family Mut. Ins. Co. v. Shannon, 120 Wis. 2d 560, 356 N.W.2d 175 (1984).

972.07 972.07  Jeopardy. Jeopardy attaches:

972.07(1) (1) In a trial to the court without a jury when a witness is sworn;

972.07(2) (2) In a jury trial when the selection of the jury has been completed and the jury sworn.

972.07 Annotation The federal rule that jeopardy attaches when the jury is sworn is an integral part of the guarantee against double jeopardy. Crist v. Bretz, 437 U.S. 28 (1978).

972.07 Note NOTE: See also the notes to Article I, section 8 of the Wisconsin constitution.

972.08 972.08  Incriminating testimony compelled; immunity.

972.08(1) (1) 

972.08(1)(a) (a) Whenever any person refuses to testify or to produce books, papers or documents when required to do so before any grand jury, in a proceeding under s. 968.26 or at a preliminary examination, criminal hearing or trial for the reason that the testimony or evidence required of him or her may tend to incriminate him or her or subject him or her to a forfeiture or penalty, the person may nevertheless be compelled to testify or produce the evidence by order of the court on motion of the district attorney. No person who testifies or produces evidence in obedience to the command of the court in that case may be liable to any forfeiture or penalty for or on account of testifying or producing evidence, but no person may be exempted from prosecution and punishment for perjury or false swearing committed in so testifying.

972.08(1)(b) (b) The immunity provided under par. (a) is subject to the restrictions under s. 972.085.

972.08(2) (2) Whenever a witness attending in any court trial or appearing before any grand jury or John Doe investigation fails or refuses without just cause to comply with an order of the court under this section to give testimony in response to a question or with respect to any matter, the court, upon such failure or refusal, or when such failure or refusal is duly brought to its attention, may summarily order the witness's confinement at a suitable place until such time as the witness is willing to give such testimony or until such trial, grand jury term or John Doe investigation is concluded but in no case exceeding one year. No person confined under this section shall be admitted to bail pending the determination of an appeal taken by the person from the order of confinement.

972.08 History History: 1979 c. 291; 1989 a. 122; 1993 a. 98, 486.

972.08 Annotation Granting a witness immunity and ordering him to answer questions does not violate his constitutional rights. State v. Blake, 46 Wis. 2d 386, 175 N.W.2d 210.

972.08 Annotation The district attorney is required to move that witnesses be granted immunity before the court can act. The trial court has no discretion to act without a motion and a defendant cannot invoke the statute. Elam v. State, 50 Wis. 2d 383, 184 N.W.2d 176.

972.08 Annotation An order by a judge to compel a witness in a John Doe proceeding to testify after a refusal on the ground of self-incrimination must be done in open court. State ex rel. Newspapers, Inc. v. Circuit Court, 65 Wis. 2d 66, 221 N.W.2d 894.

972.08 Annotation In considering whether to move for immunity for a witness, a district attorney should bear in mind that his duty is not merely to convict but to seek impartial justice, and he should not hesitate to move for immunity solely on the ground that the testimony thus elicited might exonerate the defendant. Peters v. State, 70 Wis. 2d 22, 233 N.W.2d 420.

972.08 Annotation Sub. (2) does not apply to preliminary proceedings. State v. Gonzales, 172 Wis. 2d 576, 493 N.W.2d 410 (Ct. App. 1992).

972.08 Annotation This section does not prevent a district attorney from entering into a nonprosecution agreement prior to filing charges in exchange for information in a criminal investigation. State v. Jones, 217 Wis. 2d 57, 576 N.W.2d 580 (Ct. App. 1998).

972.08 Annotation A defendant seeking review of prosecutor's immunization decision must make a substantial evidentiary showing that the government intended to distort the judicial fact-finding process. Stuart v. Gagnon, 614 F. Supp. 247 (1985).

972.08 Note NOTE: See also the notes to Article I, section 8 of the Wisconsin constitution.

972.085 972.085  Immunity; use standard. Immunity from criminal or forfeiture prosecution under ss. 13.35, 17.16 (7), 77.61 (12), 93.17, 111.07 (2) (b), 128.16, 133.15, 139.20, 139.39 (5), 195.048, 196.48, 551.56 (3), 553.55 (3), 601.62 (5), 767.47 (4), 885.15, 885.24, 885.25 (2), 891.39 (2), 968.26, 972.08 (1) and 979.07 (1) and ch. 769, provides immunity only from the use of the compelled testimony or evidence in subsequent criminal or forfeiture proceedings, as well as immunity from the use of evidence derived from that compelled testimony or evidence.

972.085 History History: 1989 a. 122; 1995 a. 225, 400; 1997 a. 35.

972.09 972.09  Hostile witness in criminal cases. Where testimony of a witness at any preliminary examination, hearing or trial in a criminal action is inconsistent with a statement previously made by the witness, the witness may be regarded as a hostile witness and examined as an adverse witness, and the party producing the witness may impeach the witness by evidence of such prior contradictory statement. When called by the defendant, a law enforcement officer who was involved in the seizure of evidence shall be regarded as a hostile witness and may be examined as an adverse witness at any hearing in which the legality of such seizure may properly be raised.

972.09 History History: Sup. Ct. Order, 59 Wis. 2d R1, R6 (1973); 1993 a. 486.

972.09 Annotation The defendant was not prejudiced by receipt in evidence of the hostile state witness's entire statement rather than only those portions she acknowledged at trial, for while prior inconsistent statements may not be introduced until they have been read to the witness in order that the witness may explain the contradiction, it appeared herein that the unread portion of the statement was not inconsistent with the witness' testimony at trial, but would have been objectionable as hearsay if such objection had been made. When the question is raised as to the propriety of use of a prior inconsistent statement of a witness, and request is made for hearing outside the presence of the jury, the more appropriate procedure is to excuse the jury; however, such request is addressed to the discretion of the trial court and will not constitute grounds for reversal unless there is a showing of prejudicial effect on the jury or denial of defendant to his right to a fair trial. Bullock v. State, 53 Wis. 2d 809, 193 N.W.2d 889.

972.09 Annotation This section does not forbid the use of prior inconsistent statements of a witness as substantive evidence when no objection is made by counsel. There is no duty on the trial court to sua sponte reject the evidence or to instruct the jury that the evidence is limited to impeachment. Irby v. State, 60 Wis. 2d 311, 210 N.W.2d 755.

972.10 972.10  Order of trial.

972.10(1) (1) 

972.10(1)(a) (a) After the selection of a jury, the court shall determine if the jurors may take notes of the proceedings:

972.10(1)(a)1. 1. If the court authorizes note-taking, the court shall instruct the jurors that they may make written notes of the proceedings, except the opening statements and closing arguments, if they so desire and that the court will provide materials for that purpose if they so request. The court shall stress the confidentiality of the notes to the jurors. The jurors may refer to their notes during the proceedings and deliberation. The notes may not be the basis for or the object of any motion by any party. After the jury has rendered its verdict, the court shall ensure that the notes are promptly collected and destroyed.

972.10(1)(a)2. 2. If the court does not authorize note-taking, the court shall state the reasons for the determination on the record.

972.10(1)(b) (b) The court may give additional preliminary instructions to assist the jury in understanding its duty and the evidence it will hear. The preliminary instructions may include, without limitation, the elements of any offense charged, what constitutes evidence and what does not, guidance regarding the burden of proof and the credibility of witnesses, and directions not to discuss the case until deliberations begin. The additional instructions shall be disclosed to the parties before they are given and either party may object to any specific instruction or propose instructions of its own to be given prior to trial.

972.10(2) (2) In a trial where the issue is mental responsibility of a defendant, the defendant may make an opening statement on such issue prior to the defendant's offer of evidence. The state may make its opening statement on such issue prior to the defendant's offer of evidence or reserve the right to make such statement until after the defendant has rested.

972.10(3) (3) The state first offers evidence in support of the prosecution. The defendant may offer evidence after the state has rested. If the state and defendant have offered evidence upon the original case, the parties may then respectively offer rebuttal testimony only, unless the court in its discretion permits them to offer evidence upon their original case.

972.10(4) (4) At the close of the state's case and at the conclusion of the entire case, the defendant may move on the record for a dismissal.

972.10(5) (5) When the evidence is concluded and the testimony closed, if either party desires special instructions to be given to the jury, the instructions shall be reduced to writing, signed by the party or his or her attorney and filed with the clerk, unless the court otherwise directs. Counsel for the parties, or the defendant if he or she is without counsel, shall be allowed reasonable opportunity to examine the instructions requested and to present and argue to the court objections to the adoption or rejection of any instructions requested by counsel. The court shall advise the parties of the instructions to be given. No instruction regarding the failure to call a witness at the trial shall be made or given if the sole basis for such instruction is the fact the name of the witness appears upon a list furnished pursuant to s. 971.23. Counsel, or the defendant if he or she is not represented by counsel, shall specify and state the particular ground on which the instruction is objected to, and it shall not be sufficient to object generally that the instruction does not state the law, or is against the law, but the objection shall specify with particularity how the instruction is insufficient or does not state the law or to what particular language there is an objection. All objections shall be on the record. The court shall provide the jury with one complete set of written instructions providing the burden of proof and the substantive law to be applied to the case to be decided.

972.10(6) (6) In closing argument, the state on the issue of guilt and the defendant on the issue of mental responsibility shall commence and may conclude the argument.

972.10(7) (7) If additional jurors have been selected under s. 972.04 (1) and the number remains more than required at final submission of the cause, the court shall determine by lot which jurors shall not participate in deliberations and discharge them.

972.10 History History: 1979 c. 128; 1981 c. 358; 1983 a. 226; Sup. Ct. Order, 130 Wis. 2d xi (1986); 1993 a. 486; 1995 a. 387; Sup. Ct. Order No. 96-08, 207 Wis. 2d xv (1997).