Mendenhall test (Wisconsin) · Go Syfert
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Mendenhall test in Wisconsin

7 Wisconsin opinions name it 2 courts 2002–2024 3 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Wisconsin courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (12)

CaseFollowedCited
County of Grant v. Daniel A. Vogtgreen
wis · 2014 · cited in 3 Wisconsin opinions naming this issue, 2019–2024
2 sentences

2023Under the Mendenhall test—which controls in Wisconsin in cases like Kahle’s where a person cooperates with an officer—“‘a person has been ‘seized’ within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment only if, in view of all of the circumstances surrounding the incident, a reasonable person would have believed that he was not free to leave.’” Vogt, 356 Wis. 2d 343, ¶20 (quoting Mendenhall, 446 U.S. at 554 ).

2023Under the Mendenhall test—which controls in Wisconsin in cases like Kahle’s where a person cooperates with an officer—“‘a person has been ‘seized’ within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment only if, in view of all of the circumstances surrounding the incident, a reasonable person would have believed that he was not free to leave.’” Vogt, 356 Wis. 2d 343, ¶20 (quoting Mendenhall, 446 U.S. at 554 ).

33
United States v. Mendenhallgreen
scotus · 1980 · cited in 4 Wisconsin opinions naming this issue, 2006–2024
2 sentences

2024See State v. Dearborn, 2010 WI 84 , ¶14 & nn.6-7, 327 Wis. 2d 252 , 786 N.W.2d 97 (both Fourth Amendment and Wisconsin Constitution protect the “right to be secure against unreasonable … seizures,” and Wisconsin courts typically interpret these constitutional “protections in this area identically”). 10 Nos. 2022AP702 2023AP1346-CR citizen, or the use of language or tone of voice indicating that compliance with the officer’s request might be compelled.’” Id., ¶¶23, 53 (quoting Mendenhall, 446 U.S. at 554 ). ¶23 We now turn to Vogt because it illustrates the application of the Mendenhall test to

2024See State v. Dearborn, 2010 WI 84 , ¶14 & nn.6-7, 327 Wis. 2d 252 , 786 N.W.2d 97 (both Fourth Amendment and Wisconsin Constitution protect the “right to be secure against unreasonable … seizures,” and Wisconsin courts typically interpret these constitutional “protections in this area identically”). 10 Nos. 2022AP702 2023AP1346-CR citizen, or the use of language or tone of voice indicating that compliance with the officer’s request might be compelled.’” Id., ¶¶23, 53 (quoting Mendenhall, 446 U.S. at 554 ). ¶23 We now turn to Vogt because it illustrates the application of the Mendenhall test to

24
California v. Hodari D.green
scotus · 1991 · cited in 2 Wisconsin opinions naming this issue, 2006–2023
2 sentences

2023See State v. Kelsey C.R., 2001 WI 54, ¶¶30-33 , 243 Wis. 2d 422 , 626 N.W.2d 777 (discussing California v. Hodari D., 499 U.S. 621, 622-23, 635-26, 629 (1991)). ¶14 Notably for the scenario here, the Mendenhall test “is an objective one” that turns entirely on “whether a reasonable person [in the position of the defendant], under all the circumstances, would have felt free to leave.” Williams, 255 Wis. 2d 1, ¶23 .

2023See State v. Kelsey C.R., 2001 WI 54, ¶¶30-33 , 243 Wis. 2d 422 , 626 N.W.2d 777 (discussing California v. Hodari D., 499 U.S. 621, 622-23, 635-26, 629 (1991)). ¶14 Notably for the scenario here, the Mendenhall test “is an objective one” that turns entirely on “whether a reasonable person [in the position of the defendant], under all the circumstances, would have felt free to leave.” Williams, 255 Wis. 2d 1, ¶23 .

22
State v. Williamsgreen
wis · 2002 · cited in 2 Wisconsin opinions naming this issue, 2006–2023
2 sentences

2023See State v. Kelsey C.R., 2001 WI 54, ¶¶30-33 , 243 Wis. 2d 422 , 626 N.W.2d 777 (discussing California v. Hodari D., 499 U.S. 621, 622-23, 635-26, 629 (1991)). ¶14 Notably for the scenario here, the Mendenhall test “is an objective one” that turns entirely on “whether a reasonable person [in the position of the defendant], under all the circumstances, would have felt free to leave.” Williams, 255 Wis. 2d 1, ¶23 .

2023See State v. Kelsey C.R., 2001 WI 54, ¶¶30-33 , 243 Wis. 2d 422 , 626 N.W.2d 777 (discussing California v. Hodari D., 499 U.S. 621, 622-23, 635-26, 629 (1991)). ¶14 Notably for the scenario here, the Mendenhall test “is an objective one” that turns entirely on “whether a reasonable person [in the position of the defendant], under all the circumstances, would have felt free to leave.” Williams, 255 Wis. 2d 1, ¶23 .

12
Immigration & Naturalization Service v. Delgadogreen
scotus · 1984 · cited in 2 Wisconsin opinions naming this issue, 2002–2006
2 sentences

2006As this court noted in Williams , "most citizens will respond to a police request," and "the fact that people do so, and do so without being told they are free not to respond, hardly eliminates the consensual nature of the response." Williams, 255 Wis.2d 1, ¶ 23 , 646 N.W.2d 834 (quoting Delgado, 466 U.S. at 216 , 104 S.Ct. 1758 ). ¶ 38 Hodari D., which was foreshadowed by Justice Kennedy's concurrence in Chesternut, supplements the Mendenhall test to address situations where a person flees in response to a police show of authority.

2006As this court noted in Williams , "most citizens will respond to a police request," and "the fact that people do so, and do so without being told they are free not to respond, hardly eliminates the consensual nature of the response." Williams, 255 Wis.2d 1, ¶ 23 , 646 N.W.2d 834 (quoting Delgado, 466 U.S. at 216 , 104 S.Ct. 1758 ). ¶ 38 Hodari D., which was foreshadowed by Justice Kennedy's concurrence in Chesternut, supplements the Mendenhall test to address situations where a person flees in response to a police show of authority.

12
State v. Dearborngreen
wis · 2010 · cited in 1 Wisconsin opinions naming this issue, 2024–2024
2 sentences

2024See State v. Dearborn, 2010 WI 84 , ¶14 & nn.6-7, 327 Wis. 2d 252 , 786 N.W.2d 97 (both Fourth Amendment and Wisconsin Constitution protect the “right to be secure against unreasonable … seizures,” and Wisconsin courts typically interpret these constitutional “protections in this area identically”). 10 Nos. 2022AP702 2023AP1346-CR citizen, or the use of language or tone of voice indicating that compliance with the officer’s request might be compelled.’” Id., ¶¶23, 53 (quoting Mendenhall, 446 U.S. at 554 ). ¶23 We now turn to Vogt because it illustrates the application of the Mendenhall test to

2024See State v. Dearborn, 2010 WI 84 , ¶14 & nn.6-7, 327 Wis. 2d 252 , 786 N.W.2d 97 (both Fourth Amendment and Wisconsin Constitution protect the “right to be secure against unreasonable … seizures,” and Wisconsin courts typically interpret these constitutional “protections in this area identically”). 10 Nos. 2022AP702 2023AP1346-CR citizen, or the use of language or tone of voice indicating that compliance with the officer’s request might be compelled.’” Id., ¶¶23, 53 (quoting Mendenhall, 446 U.S. at 554 ). ¶23 We now turn to Vogt because it illustrates the application of the Mendenhall test to

11
Brendlin v. Californiagreen
scotus · 2007 · cited in 1 Wisconsin opinions naming this issue, 2023–2023
2 sentences

2023See id.; Brendlin v. California, 551 U.S. 249, 260 (2007) (collecting cases showing that the U.S. Supreme Court has “repeatedly rejected attempts to introduce” an element of subjectivity into the Mendenhall test).

2023See id.; Brendlin v. California, 551 U.S. 249, 260 (2007) (collecting cases showing that the U.S. Supreme Court has “repeatedly rejected attempts to introduce” an element of subjectivity into the Mendenhall test).

11
State v. Kelsey C.R.green
wis · 2001 · cited in 1 Wisconsin opinions naming this issue, 2023–2023
2 sentences

2023See State v. Kelsey C.R., 2001 WI 54, ¶¶30-33 , 243 Wis. 2d 422 , 626 N.W.2d 777 (discussing California v. Hodari D., 499 U.S. 621, 622-23, 635-26, 629 (1991)). ¶14 Notably for the scenario here, the Mendenhall test “is an objective one” that turns entirely on “whether a reasonable person [in the position of the defendant], under all the circumstances, would have felt free to leave.” Williams, 255 Wis. 2d 1, ¶23 .

2023See State v. Kelsey C.R., 2001 WI 54, ¶¶30-33 , 243 Wis. 2d 422 , 626 N.W.2d 777 (discussing California v. Hodari D., 499 U.S. 621, 622-23, 635-26, 629 (1991)). ¶14 Notably for the scenario here, the Mendenhall test “is an objective one” that turns entirely on “whether a reasonable person [in the position of the defendant], under all the circumstances, would have felt free to leave.” Williams, 255 Wis. 2d 1, ¶23 .

11
United States v. Martinez-Fuertegreen
scotus · 1976 · cited in 1 Wisconsin opinions naming this issue, 2014–2014
2 sentences

2014The Court then adopted the Mendenhall standard and stated that there is no seizure "[u]nless the circumstances of the encounter are so intimidating as to demonstrate that a reasonable person would have believed he was not free to leave." Id. ¶25 The rule that a seizure occurs only when law enforcement restrains a person's liberty by show of authority advances the goals of the Fourth Amendment: The purpose of the Fourth Amendment is not to eliminate all contact between the police and the citizenry, but "to prevent arbitrary and oppressive interference by enforcement officials with the privacy a

2014The Court then adopted the Mendenhall standard and stated that there is no seizure "[u]nless the circumstances of the encounter are so intimidating as to demonstrate that a reasonable person would have believed he was not free to leave." Id. ¶25 The rule that a seizure occurs only when law enforcement restrains a person's liberty by show of authority advances the goals of the Fourth Amendment: The purpose of the Fourth Amendment is not to eliminate all contact between the police and the citizenry, but "to prevent arbitrary and oppressive interference by enforcement officials with the privacy a

11
Kaupp v. Texasgreen
scotus · 2003 · cited in 1 Wisconsin opinions naming this issue, 2006–2006
2 sentences

2006Kaupp, 538 U.S. at 629 (emphasis added; internal quotations omitted). ¶ 121.

2006Kaupp, 538 U.S. at 629 (emphasis added; internal quotations omitted). ¶ 121.

11
United States v. Draytongreen
scotus · 2002 · cited in 1 Wisconsin opinions naming this issue, 2006–2006
2 sentences

2006United States v. Drayton confirms this. 12 Drayton, 536 U.S. 194, 201-02 (2002).

2006United States v. Drayton confirms this. 12 Drayton, 536 U.S. 194, 201-02 (2002).

11
State v. Younggreen
wisctapp · 2004 · cited in 1 Wisconsin opinions naming this issue, 2006–2006
2 sentences

2006See Young, 277 Wis. 2d 715, ¶¶ 20-26 .

2006See Young, 277 Wis.2d 715, ¶¶ 20-26 , 690 N.W.2d 866 .

11

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

CaseNegativeCited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Wisconsin. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (2)

CaseCitedYears
Schneckloth v. Bustamonte green
scotus · 1973
2 sentences

2014The Court then adopted the Mendenhall standard and stated that there is no seizure "[u]nless the circumstances of the encounter are so intimidating as to demonstrate that a reasonable person would have believed he was not free to leave." Id. ¶25 The rule that a seizure occurs only when law enforcement restrains a person's liberty by show of authority advances the goals of the Fourth Amendment: The purpose of the Fourth Amendment is not to eliminate all contact between the police and the citizenry, but "to prevent arbitrary and oppressive interference by enforcement officials with the privacy a

2014The Court then adopted the Mendenhall standard and stated that there is no seizure "[u]nless the circumstances of the encounter are so intimidating as to demonstrate that a reasonable person would have believed he was not free to leave." Id. ¶25 The rule that a seizure occurs only when law enforcement restrains a person's liberty by show of authority advances the goals of the Fourth Amendment: The purpose of the Fourth Amendment is not to eliminate all contact between the police and the citizenry, but "to prevent arbitrary and oppressive interference by enforcement officials with the privacy a

12014–2014
Michigan v. Chesternut green
scotus · 1988
2 sentences

2002The Mendenhall test for determining whether a particular police contact constitutes a seizure for purposes of the Fourth Amendment was adopted by the United States Supreme Court in INS v. Delgado, 466 U.S. 210, 215 (1984), and Michigan v. Chesternut, 486 U.S. 567, 573 (1988), and derives from Justice Stewart's lead opinion in the Mendenhall case: We conclude that a person has been "seized" within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment only if, in view of all of the circumstances surrounding the incident, a reasonable person would have believed that he was not free to leave.

2002The Mendenhall test for determining whether a particular police contact constitutes a seizure for purposes of the Fourth Amendment was adopted by the United States Supreme Court in INS v. Delgado, 466 U.S. 210, 215 (1984), and Michigan v. Chesternut, 486 U.S. 567, 573 (1988), and derives from Justice Stewart's lead opinion in the Mendenhall case: We conclude that a person has been "seized" within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment only if, in view of all of the circumstances surrounding the incident, a reasonable person would have believed that he was not free to leave.

12002–2002

Statutes the citing opinions construe

WI § Wis. Stat. § 346.63 (3) WI § Wis. Stat. § 808.10 (3)

Counted by distinct opinions that both name this issue and are annotated to the section; sections every opinion cites regardless of issue are not filtered here, so read the counts against the total above.

Where else courts name it

IL 77 (1988–2023) WA 12 (1997–2019) PA 12 (1992–2018) TX 10 (1993–2022) CA 8 (1983–2021) OH 8 (1989–2025) VA 8 (1992–2012) WI 7 (2002–2024) MT 7 (1894–2024) TN 5 (1999–2019) NC 5 (1995–2018) MA 5 (2001–2015) NM 4 (2009–2015) FL 4 (2009–2012) LA 4 (1989–2009) MD 4 (1991–2019) NH 3 (1988–2004) MO 3 (1991–2016) DC 2 (1999–2019) HI 2 (1992–2011) NE 2 (1991–1992) CT 2 (1993–2008) KY 2 (2025–2026) WY 2 (1993–1994) ID 2 (1991–1995)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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