State v. Mitchell

482 N.W.2d 364, 167 Wis. 2d 672, 1992 Wisc. LEXIS 189
CourtWisconsin Supreme Court
DecidedApril 20, 1992
Docket90-2267-CR
StatusPublished
Cited by81 cases

This text of 482 N.W.2d 364 (State v. Mitchell) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Wisconsin Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Mitchell, 482 N.W.2d 364, 167 Wis. 2d 672, 1992 Wisc. LEXIS 189 (Wis. 1992).

Opinions

DAY, J.

This is an appeal, by John P. Mitchell (defendant), certified by the Court of Appeals from a judgment of conviction by the Circuit Court for Wauke-sha County, Roger P. Murphy, Judge, for possession of a controlled substance, cocaine, with intent to deliver contrary to sec. 161.41(lm)(c)2, Stats., 1987-88 (Controlled Substances Act).

There are three issues in this case. First, whether the defendant was legally arrested. We hold that he was. Second, whether certain physical evidence and evidence of defendant's nonverbal conduct was admissible. We hold that both types of evidence were admissible. Third, whether Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966), requires that prior to interrogation a defendant be advised that he or she has the right to stop answering questions at any time. We hold that it does not. We therefore affirm the circuit court's judgment of conviction.

The court of appeals certified only the third issue to this court. This court may and will decide all three issues:

When this court grants direct review upon certification, it acquires jurisdiction of the appeal, which includes all issues, not merely the issues certified or [678]*678the issue for which the court accepts certification. Section 808.05(2), Stats. 1983-84. Further, the court has jurisdiction over issues not certified because the court may review an issue directly on its own motion. Section 808.05(3), 1983-84.

State v. Stoehr, 134 Wis. 2d 66, 70, 396 N.W.2d 177 (1986).

On June 27, 1988 at approximately 9:00 p.m., while on routine patrol near a commercial park in Brookfield, Wisconsin, Officer Scott Smith noticed two men seated in a parked car and decided to investigate. He parked behind the car and approached the driver's side on foot where, at the driver's window, he asked the occupants to identify themselves and asked if "there was any problem." Defendant, John P. Mitchell, seated in the driver's seat, and the passenger identified themselves and stated they had parked to eat some chicken.

Through the open window, Officer Smith smelled burned or burning marijuana and saw smoke inside the vehicle. He was able to identify the odor due to his training and experience. He asked both men to get out of the vehicle, and, at the rear of the vehicle advised both men that they were under arrest for possession of a controlled substance, marijuana.

After the arrests, Officer Smith informed defendant that he was going to search the vehicle and asked defendant if he would like to retrieve the marijuana himself prior to the search. It is unclear whether defendant responded verbally. Defendant walked to the driver's side of the vehicle where, through the open door, Officer Smith observed a plastic bag on the floor of the vehicle containing a scale and a white powdery substance which later proved to be cocaine and also observed defendant attempting to conceal the bag by pushing it under the seat.

[679]*679When he saw defendant's actions, Officer Smith took possession of the bag. By that time a back-up officer arrived and defendant was placed in the back-up officer's squad car. Officer Smith then searched defendant's car and discovered two bags of marijuana, two marijuana pipes, and $230 in cash. At some point he acquired defendant's wallet — either from defendant or from the vehicle — in which he found a list of names and numbers.

Officer Smith approached defendant and, without consulting a written Miranda warning form, advised him that he had the right to remain silent; that anything he said could be used against him in court; that he had the right to an attorney and to have him present during any , questioning; and that if he couldn't afford an attorney, the court would decide if he was entitled to one and appoint one without charge. He did not advise defendant that he could stop answering questions at any time.

After Officer Smith advised defendant of his Miranda rights, he asked defendant if he understood them and if he "wanted to speak to me now," to which defendant replied, "yes." Defendant then stated he and his friend bought some chicken and stopped and smoked some marijuana. Defendant admitted both bags of marijuana were his. Defendant also admitted that the cocaine was his, that he purchased it about a week before, that he believed it to be about an ounce, and that he planned to sell it to whomever wanted to buy it.

Defendant was then taken to the Brookfield Police Department where at approximately 9:40 p.m. he was again advised of his Miranda rights in the same fashion as before. Defendant was asked if he "wanted to talk about what happened," and defendant replied, "yes." Defendant then repeated his initial statements adding that he purchased the cocaine for either $1,100 or [680]*680$1,200, that the list in his wallet related, in part, to people who owed him money in drug transactions, and the scale found with the cocaine was his and used for drug transactions.

Defendant was then formally booked. At approximately 10:20 p.m., as a part of that procedure, defendant was given an "Interrogation — Advice of Rights" form to read and sign advising defendant of his Miranda rights. Under the "Your Rights" section, the form included the statement: "If you decide to answer questions now without a lawyer present, you will still have the right to stop answering at any time. You also have the right to stop answering at any time until you talk to a lawyer." Under the "Waiver of Rights" section, defendant crossed out the sentence, "I do not want a lawyer present at this time." Defendant signed the form, made no further statements, and called his lawyer.

On August 16, 1988 a criminal complaint was filed charging defendant with possession of a controlled substance, marijuana, contrary to sec. 161.41(3r), Stats. 1987-88, and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, cocaine, contrary to sec. 161.41(lm)(c)2, 1987-88 (Controlled Substances Act).

Defendant filed a motion to dismiss for unlawful arrest, a motion to suppress physical evidence, and a motion to suppress statements made by defendant. On February 22, 1989, at the motion hearing, the circuit court denied defendant's motion to dismiss for unlawful arrest and his motion to suppress physical evidence and ordered briefs on the motion to suppress statements. On May 9, 1989 the circuit court filed a decision affirming its denial of the motion to dismiss for unlawful arrest and the motion to suppress physical evidence. The circuit court also denied defendant's motion to suppress statements. Defendant moved for reconsideration of the [681]*681denial of the motion to suppress statements. On February 14, 1990, after briefs were filed and a hearing held, the circuit court filed its decision again denying defendant's motion to suppress statements.

On March 30, 1990 defendant entered a guilty plea to count two, possession with intent to deliver cocaine. Count one, possession of marijuana, was dismissed and read in for purposes of sentencing. Defendant was sentenced to four years probation, fines totaling $1,167 and six months in the county jail with good time. Defendant appealed his conviction. The sentence was stayed pending appeal and defendant is presently out on bail.

Defendant essentially makes three arguments.

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Bluebook (online)
482 N.W.2d 364, 167 Wis. 2d 672, 1992 Wisc. LEXIS 189, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-mitchell-wis-1992.