Opinion ID: 1867276
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Failure to file a Shiffra motion

Text: ¶ 31. State v. Shiffra, 175 Wis. 2d 600, 605, 499 N.W.2d 719 (Ct. App. 1993), and its progeny, see, e.g., State v. Green, 2002 WI 68, ¶ 34, 253 Wis. 2d 356, 646 N.W.2d 298, and State v. Navarro, 2001 WI App 225, ¶ 7, 248 Wis. 2d 396, 636 N.W.2d 481, allow a defendant to request an in camera review of privileged or confidential records upon a preliminary good-faith showing of a specific factual basis demonstrating a reasonable likelihood that the records contain relevant information necessary to a determination of guilt or innocence and [are] not merely cumulative to other evidence available to the defendant. Green, 253 Wis. 2d 356, ¶ 34. Shiffra and Green deal with privileged or confidential records. In both the Shiffra and Green cases, the defendants were charged with sexual crimes, and in both cases, both defendants sought an in camera review of the alleged victim's counseling records. Green, 253 Wis. 2d 356, ¶ 9; Shiffra, 175 Wis. 2d at 603. In Navarro, the defendant requested confidential department of corrections records relating to the alleged victim, a correctional officer. Navarro, 248 Wis. 2d 396, ¶¶ 3-4. Allen does not request review of the victims' privileged or confidential records. Therefore, his motion is not a  Shiffra motion. ¶ 32. Instead, Allen's motion contends that his counsel was ineffective for failing to file a pretrial motion for an in camera review of other court documents containing what he alleges to be potentially exculpatory evidence. Allen asserted that it became apparent that defense counsel was going to attempt to introduce evidence of Bobby B.'s conviction for sexual assault, and evidence of the placement dispute between Bobby B. and Lynn Allen. Prior to the start of trial, the circuit court ruled that defense counsel could not reference Bobby B.'s sexual assault conviction or the placement dispute in his opening statement. As a result, defense counsel waived his opening statement. Allen claims that because trial counsel did not make a pre-trial motion for review of any related court proceedings, prosecutions, affidavits, or any form of evidence, whatsoever, the defense was unable to rebut the State's argument that the only defense Allen had was speculation. Allen submits that this failure to establish whether any evidence actually existed left the circuit court and Allen adrift and denied him a fair trial. ¶ 33. As with his first alleged failure of trial counsel, Allen provides many facts, but no material facts. Allen does not list what records actually exist or whether they are privileged, and he asserts no facts explaining why any such records may be relevant. He simply sets forth a general list of documents that he asserts potentially could contain information that he guesses is out there. Further, Allen provides only his opinion that the records he seeks contain relevant or exculpatory information; this is not a fact. There is no factual basis to believe that Bobby B. encouraged his daughters to concoct sexual assault charges against Allen in order to aid his placement dispute with their mother. Furthermore, it is just as likely that any records on the placement dispute bear out Shalisia's testimony: that she wanted to live with her father primarily because of the assaults she experienced at the hands of her stepfather. Further, any conviction Bobby B. may have for sexual assault of a child was held not to be admissible and therefore, would have been of no use to Allen's defense. ¶ 34. We conclude that Allen again has failed to raise sufficient material facts that would entitle him to the relief he seeks; therefore, the circuit court did not erroneously exercise its discretion in denying his motion without a hearing.