Vol 10 No 4 H I G H L I G H T S Fall 2 Monroe County receives grant to start 10 PPAC tracks significant increase in courthouse security 2002 drug court initiatives 3 Chief justice speaks of enduring values 11 District One mentors judges on domestic violence issues 5 Retirements 12 Volunteers in the Courts 8 People

More Wisconsin New deputy director and DCA appointed children finding permanent homes Radloff named deputy director Brummond appointed to La Crosse Director of State Courts J. Denis DCA post cross Wisconsin – and especially in Moran appointed the courts’ longtime Director of State Courts J. Denis Moran appointed Deputy Director for Milwaukee – adoptions of children fiscal officer, Pamela J. Radloff, as A deputy director for management services Court Operations Patrick G. Brummond as with special needs have increased dra- effective October 14. Radloff had served District Seven court administrator effec- matically in the last year. Driven in part as acting deputy since last March. tive December 2. Brummond will replace by requirements of the federal Adoption In her 10 years as fiscal officer, Steven R. Steadman, who stepped down and Safe Families Act (ASFA) and in Radloff automated the court system’s in October to pursue an opportunity in a publication of the Wisconsin Judiciary a publication of the Wisconsin part by streamlined processes, the trend accounting and financial reporting Colorado (see separate story, page 14). is welcome news for the courts. systems while managing Brummond served as dis- In 1997, there were 611 special- fiscal, and more recently, trict court administrator in the needs adoptions in Wisconsin. In 2001, payroll operations. Radloff Third Judicial District, based that number jumped to 730, and in the has been involved in struc- in Waukesha, prior to becom- first nine months of 2002, there were turing the circuit court ing Moran’s deputy four years 735. “Our goal this year was 1,000 support and guardian ad ago. He will oversee the adoptions, and it looks as if we’re on litem payment programs, administration of the courts in track,” said Dale Langer, the state’s the interpreter services western Wisconsin including adoption and consultation manager. reimbursement program, Buffalo, Crawford, Grant, This fall, Langer said, the state and the court improvement Iowa, Jackson, La Crosse, Department of Health and Family program. Monroe, Pepin, Pierce, Services (DHFS) will put the finishing In her role as chair of Richland, Trempealeau, and touches on a year-long project to devel- the Web Site Oversight Vernon counties. Pamela J. Radloff op a concurrent planning timeline that Committee, she partici- The director’s office plans defines who takes care of what, and pated in revamping the courts’ Web site to fill the remaining open district court when. “The objective is to bring people and creating a plan to keep its many administrator slot – in District Nine, head- quartered in Wausau – by January 2003. in earlier in the process,” Langer said, pages up-to-date. The Web site, which went live in March 1998, has become a “These positions are critical to the effec- “so that when we get to the TPR [termi- key communications tool for the courts tive administration of the trial courts and nation of parental rights proceeding] and receives about 37,000 hits per day. must be filled,” Chief Justice Shirley S. we’re all set.” DHFS soon will begin Radloff also worked to create CourtNet, Abrahamson told justices, judges, clerks, meeting with judges, corporation coun- the Intranet site that provides court and court staff in an October 3 memo. sels, district attorneys, guardians ad employees with quick access to informa- “This recruitment is possible because of litem, child protective services special- tion on payroll and benefits, travel, and cost saving measures taken in the direc- ists, and others across the state to current events. tor’s office. The decision to move forward explain the plan and ask for comment. A certified public accountant, Radloff with these recruitments is in keeping with In spite of the improvement, much holds a master’s degree in accounting continuing our commitment to the cost work remains. ASFA requires that 30 from the University of Wisconsin- cutting measures in place since September percent of all adoptions happen within Whitewater. Prior to joining the courts, 2001.” ! she worked for seven years in the see Adopt on page 17 Legislative Audit Bureau.

Effect of Capitol changes on courts is uncertain by Sheryl Gervasi, legislative liaison The November elections resulted in a Democratic tem and Sen. governor for the first time in 16 years and a Republican Dave Zien, R-

The Third Branch Legislature. Eau Claire, will Sen. Mary Panzer, R-West Bend, will be the Senate be assistant majority leader and Rep. John Gard, R-Peshtigo, will be majority leader. the speaker of the Assembly when the 2004 Legislature In the Assembly, convenes in January. Rep. Steven M. Sen. Mary Panzer Rep. John Gard Sen. Alan Lasee, R-DePere, will be Senate president; Foti, R-Oconomowoc, was re-elected as majority leader; Sen. Robert Welch, R-Redgranite, will be president pro Rep. Jean L. Hundertmark, R-Clintonville, was elected see Capitol on page 2 www.courts.state.wi.us Judge ElsaC.Lamelas Judge PatrickJ.Fiedler 2 2002 Fall

THE THIRD BRANCH last sessionwhen thedeficitwasless under thesamescrutiny thattheywere tions, includingthecourts,willbe nium, itisclearthatallstateopera- deficit projectionforthenextbien- time. Giventhe$3billionbudget judicial branchisuncertainatthis bership willbedecidedatalaterdate. speaker Steven J.Freese,R-Dodgeville,willbe assistant majorityleader;andRep. Capitol and thepublicregardingsentencingguidelinescostsof sentencing guidelinesforjudges,andprovidinginformationtostategovernment toring andcompilingdataonsentencingpracticesinthestate,adoptingadvisory in latesummer. The commissionwillperformavarietyofduties,includingmoni- voting andthreenon-votingmembers)whenitenactedthebudgetadjustmentbill Circuit Court,tothenewlycreated Wisconsin SentencingCommission. of thevotingmembersandalsowilldesignatechaircommission. General’s Office, andtheSenate Assembly. The governorwillappointseven government entitiesincludingtheState PublicDefender’s Office, the Attorney T Commission for Lamelastapped Sentencing Fiedler, Standing andjointcommitteemem- The Legislaturecreatedthe21-personSentencingCommission(with18 Other appointmentstotheSentencingCommissionwillbemadebyvarious What thischangewillmeanfor the prison andcommunitycorrectionsneeds.” one countytothenext.Furthermore,itcouldbedifficult topredictfuture County CircuitCourt,andJudgeElsaC.Lamelas,Milwaukee he Wisconsin SupremeCourthasappointedJudgePatrickJ.Fiedler, Dane sentences mightbedisproportionatefromoneoffender tothenext,or Sentencing] andnosentencingguidelinesforjudges,newdeterminate [W]ith noparoleboard[parolewaseliminatedunder Truth-in- lies, lawenforcement,prosecutors,defenseattorneys,andthepublic…. day, listeningtovictims andtheirfamilies,defendantsfami- Commission: Barland, whochairedthecommittee,explainedneedforSentencing to takingthebench. Lamelas spentnineyearsasaprosecutorintheU.S. Attorney’s Office prior a judge,FiedlerwassecretaryofthestateDepartmentCorrections. Guidelines Subcommittee. members oftheCPSC,andLamelasservedaschairSentencing commission developsotherguidelines).BothFiedlerandLamelaswere ing guidelinesforjudges(whichwillbeinusefromFeb.1,2003untilthe code toaccommodate Truth-in-Sentencing andpreparedtemporarysentenc- Sentencing Commissionin1999. The CPSCrewrote Wisconsin's criminal practices. Italsowillstudywhetherraceisabasisforimposingsentences. pro tem In hisintroductiontotheCPSCfinalreport,ReserveJudge Thomas H. The CriminalPenaltiesStudy Committee(CPSC)designedthe Both judgeshaveservedonthebenchfornineyears.Priortobecoming “Judges areonthefrontlinesofcriminaljusticesystemevery continued fromfrontpage . interest inthistrade-off. some legislators havealsoexpressed Wisconsin Counties Association and state takeoverofthecircuitcourts. The County's sharedrevenueintrade fora proportionate shareofMilwaukee Executive Scott Walker hasoffered a discussion. MilwaukeeCounty system fundingcouldariseunderthat issue anditisanticipatedthatcourt fill thegaptemporarily. and tobaccomoneywasavailableto Shared revenueiscertaintobean ! ! sion ofJudgeJohn J.Perlich,iscur- Crosse DrugCourt,underthesupervi- County beganoneinJanuary. The La for severalyearsandLaCrosse ment court;DaneCountyhashad one will be Wisconsin’s thirddrugtreat- success. monitoring arecriticaltothecourts’ rehabilitation servicesandongoing coupled withintensivetreatmentand ment providedbythedrugcourtjudge, that closesupervisionandencourage- ous justiceorganizations haveshown drug court.Drugcourtsurveysbyvari- County for10years,willoverseethe has beenonthebenchinMonroe aftercare services. incentives, mandatorydrugtesting,and sive judicialsupervision,sanctionsand and theoffenders willbegiven inten- dication ordeferredprosecutioncases felonies. They willbeeither post-adju- charged withbothmisdemeanorsand non-violent drugabuserswhoare provided totheapproximately100 another andmonitortheservicesbeing the processtostayconnectedwithone tion. This willenablethoseinvolved in view andenterappropriateinforma- that willalloweachteammemberto Organizers aredevelopinga database begin handlingcasesinspring2003. for thecourt,whichisexpectedto underway is currently of life. ty’s quality communi- improve the serves, and the peopleit ciency of self-suffi- improve the population, will reducerecidivism,shrinkthejail Sparta. Plannershopethatthecourt implement anadultdrugcourtin the U.S.DepartmentofJusticeto M court drug start receives $500,000to County Monroe The MonroeCountyDrugCourt Judge MichaelJ.McAlpine,who Planning half-million-dollar grantfrom onroe Countyhasreceiveda see McAlpine Judge MichaelJ. Drug Court on page 16 3

Chief justice speaks of changing times, enduring values Fall 2002 n her annual State of the future work of the courts?” offices with questions. She also IJudiciary address, Chief Abrahamson asked, noting touched on several of the other initia- THE THIRD BRANCH Justice Shirley S. that genetic engineering, tives that are underway in the court Abrahamson called upon the cloning, and cyberterrorism system, including a program to state’s judges to work to might be just the start. improve courthouse safety that recently maintain the core values of Abrahamson pointed out won a national award and a program to the courts in these tough that the number of non- train court interpreters. times, and committed English speaking people in “Over the last 150 years,” she said, herself to doing the same. the courts has increased dra- “much had changed. But the core “I am counting on you,” she Chief Justice Shirley S. matically, reflecting values of the legal system remain the said, “and you can count on Abrahamson Wisconsin’s changing demo- same. Our judicial system provided me.” graphic, and also noted that more and then, as it provides now, a forum for Abrahamson discussed the effect of more people are choosing to represent the resolution of disputes in a fair, effi- the economy and changes in society on themselves in court rather than hire an cient manner according to the laws of the work of the courts, and noted that attorney. “[J]ust as our caseload the state. Enduring values in changing 2003 marks the 150th anniversary of changes to reflect society’s current times.” ! the Wisconsin Supreme Court (the state issues, so must our kept its territorial appellate court way of doing busi- system for five years after statehood). ness adapt to meet Abrahamson said that Wisconsin’s the needs of self- 19th century boom in logging and represented milling filled court dockets with con- persons,” she said. tract disputes and cases centering on She noted that damage to property. In the 20th century, the Supreme Court the introduction of automobiles brought recently adopted a new cases involving personal injury rule giving guide- and property damage. “What will the lines to the clerks of 21st century hold in store? What are the court for helping ethical and philosophical questions, the the many self-repre- social and scientific issues that might sented people who Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson addresses the state's confront us as a society and drive the come to their judges at the annual Judicial Conference in Madison.

Clerks elect new officers t their fall meeting in Eau Claire, the Clerks of Circuit county’s Family Court Self-Help Web site, which is ACourt Association elected new officers. They are as designed to help pro se litigants navigate family court. The follows: Web site was unveiled last spring and provides litigants with – among other things – forms they can download for free President Diane Fremgen, Winnebago County (replacing and a roster of local lawyers, searchable by area of practice. Judith Coleman, Dane County) The lawyer list also gives fee structures and biographical Vice President Jeff Schmidt, Ozaukee County (replacing information. Taraesa Wheary, Racine County) Clerk of Circuit Court Judy Coleman, Dane County, gave Secretary Jane Putsky, Waushara County (replacing a presentation on the work of the Ad Hoc Collections Sally Ayers, Vilas County) Committee, which is looking for ways to improve the col- lection of fines and forfeitures. The committee’s member- Treasurer Kristine Deiss, Washington County (replacing ship includes clerks from large, medium, and small counties Cindy Joosten, Wood County) and staff from the Office of Court Operations. The commit- tee began its work in December 2001 and recently published The meeting’s educational component included a presen- a reference manual for clerks of court and their collections tation from Reserve Judge Thomas H. Barland on Truth-in- staff. Coleman distributed the new manual, called the Court Sentencing. Clerk of Circuit Court Nancy Robillard, Door Collections Handbook, at the conference. The committee County, said the session was very popular. “[It] was fantas- anticipates meeting about every six months, Coleman said. tic,” she said. "I think we all learned a lot from him." The clerks will meet next at the Clerk of Circuit Court The conference also gave participants an opportunity to Institute set for Feb. 20-21, 2003, in Madison. ! learn from one another. Clerk of Circuit Court Carolyn Evenson, Waukesha County, conducted a virtual tour of the 4

Fall Does first-offense OWI have to be criminal? 2002 by Carol Karsten Wisconsin Department of Transportation THE THIRD BRANCH t a May 2001 presentation that I gave in La Crosse, a 0.08 BAC per se laws. While Congress intended to encour- Aquestion arose about whether first-offense operating age all states to enact and enforce effective 0.08 BAC laws, while intoxicated (OWI) in Wisconsin has to be criminal. it also intended to provide states with sufficient flexibility to This fall, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s develop laws that suit their particular conditions. Bureau of Transportation Safety received a response from an Accordingly, if the same penalties that are currently imposed assistant chief counsel at the National Highway Traffic for Wisconsin’s standard 0.10 BAC OWI offense were to be Safety Administration that indicates Wisconsin would not applied to a new 0.08 BAC offense, the agency expects that have to criminalize first offense OWI to be in compliance it would determine that the application of these penalties to with the 0.08 requirements of federal law. the new offense would meet the requirements of Section 163 In part it states: Although Section 163 requires that the and the agency’s implementing regulations. ! 0.08 BAC [blood-alcohol concentration] legal limit must be applied to a state's criminal code, it does not specify the Karsten is available to answer further questions at penalties that must be imposed on offenders who violate (608) 266-0550 or [email protected].

NEW FACES

Gableman appointed Milliken in Superior. Before that, he spent a year and a half in Burnett County following law school graduation as an associate attorney with Michael, Best & Friedrich in Milwaukee. Judge Michael J. Gableman Glonek is a lifelong resident of Superior and earned his took the bench in Burnett County bachelor’s and law degrees from Marquette University. He on September 3, replacing Judge and his wife, Nicole, are expecting their fourth child in James Taylor, who retired last January. ! spring after 12 years on the bench (see The Third Branch, spring 2002). Gableman will seek elec- Connecting at the College Judge Michael J. tion to the post in April 2003. Gableman Prior to being appointed to the Burnett County Circuit Court, Gableman lived in Appleton and served briefly as an admin- istrative law judge for the Department of Workforce Development. From 1999-2002, he was Ashland County’s district attorney; prior to this, he was an assistant prosecutor in Marathon County for one year and in Langlade County for two years. Gableman is a graduate of Ripon College and Hamline University School of Law.

Glonek fills Douglas County judgeship

Judge George L. Glonek, who Every August, Wisconsin's new judges (and some served as Douglas County’s judi- long-serving judges) gather for four days of learning cial court commissioner for five- the art and science of judging. The 2002 Judicial and-a-half years, was appointed to College, developed by the Office of Judicial Education, the circuit court bench in mid was held in Green Lake with a reception hosted by October. Glonek replaces Judge Chief Judge Gerald Ptacek, Racine County Circuit Court, at his parents' nearby home. Here, new Judge Joseph McDonald, who died Faye M. Flancher, Racine County Circuit Court (left), August 7 after a long illness (see Judge George L. Glonek and her Racine County colleague, Judge Allan "Pat" The Third Branch, summer 2002). Torhorst (far right), talk with Judges Dennis P. Glonek will seek election to the post in April 2003. Moroney, Milwaukee County Circuit Court, and Prior to being appointed as court commissioner, Glonek Barbara A. Kluka, Kenosha County Circuit Court. practiced for six years with Marcovich, Cochrane & 5

RETIREMENTS Fall 2002 Wisconsin bids farewell to four clerks of circuit court THE THIRD BRANCH Four clerks of circuit court will retire in the next few that court automation has made but stays focused on the months, taking a wealth of experience and institutional human side of the job. “You have to have a sense of memory with them. Voters in Clark, Dodge, Fond du Lac, and empathy,” he said, “and you have to take the time to be of Vilas counties elected their replacements on November 5. service to people. I have always appreciated the opportunity to help a litigant and to be a calm and neutral voice of Sally Ayers reason.” Vilas County In retirement, Hemersbach hopes to travel to New Sally Ayers became clerk for the Vilas County Circuit England, one of his favorite places, and work with friends Court in January 1981 after serving as deputy clerk for five who restore antique furniture. He also wants to build a car- years. Her last day on the job will be December 31. riage house, for which he has been collecting timber and a Replacing her is Jean Numrich, who has served as Ayers’s stone wall, and to “plant flowers as far as the eye can see.” He chief deputy clerk for about 10 years and has worked in the intends to learn the violin and donate his time and expertise to office for 26 years. Numrich ran unopposed on the Habitat for Humanity and the Innocence Project. Republican ticket. Prior to joining the court system, Ayers did secretarial and Carol Marx accounting work at a hospital, a construction firm, and a local Fond du Lac County bank. Carol Marx became the clerk of circuit court for Fond du One of Ayers’s earliest challenges on the job was adapting Lac County in 1999 after 25 years in the office. Prior to her to the changes ushered in by the 1978 court reorganization election as clerk, she worked in small claims, handled that eliminated the county courts and created the Court of accounting, and served as chief deputy clerk. Her last day in Appeals. The advent of court automation fundamentally the office will be Jan. 3, 2003. changed the work of clerks' offices, bringing technological Replacing Marx is Mary Karst, who has worked in the solutions to records management problems and requiring new office for 26 years handling mainly small claims and civil skills of personnel. matters. Karst ran in the Republican primary against another “Along with the challenges come the rewards of seeing the employee of the clerk’s office but did not have an opponent in court system improve, seeing the CCAP [Consolidated Court the general election. Automation Programs] system develop and reaping the bene- Marx said the biggest challenges in the job have been per- fits of this system, improved collections and means of collect- sonnel issues and tracking numerous changes in the law. But ing, and meeting and working with many wonderful people,” most days, the job has been fulfilling. “I have always felt it a Ayers said. privilege to work for Fond du Lac County and especially as In retirement, she hopes to spend more time with her the clerk of courts,” she said. family, especially the grandchildren, to travel and camp with Marx’s immediate plans for retirement include “just her husband, Jim, to play more golf, ride her snowmobile, enjoy[ing] the time off.” She looks forward to traveling with cross-country ski, and do more volunteer work in the commu- her husband, taking piano lessons, and exploring some of nity. “I will enjoy,” she said, “having the opportunity to do Wisconsin’s many bike trails. each day whatever suits me.” Dick Thieme Steven W. Hemersbach Dodge County Clark County Circuit Court Dick Thieme became Dodge County’s clerk of circuit Steven W. Hemersbach is retiring after 26 years as Clark court in January 1993. Prior to his election as clerk, Thieme County’s clerk of circuit court. His last day on the job will be worked for the Dodge County Sheriff's Department for more Jan. 3, 2003. than 22 years. His last day on the job will be Jan. 3, 2003. Replacing him is Gail Walker, a lifelong resident of Clark Replacing Thieme is Lynn Hron, who won the Republican County who has been a legal secretary in the Clark County primary and did not face a challenger in the general election. District Attorney’s Office for more than 15 years. Walker won Hron has been employed in the office for the past 21 years, the Democratic primary and did not face an opponent in the most recently as a deputy clerk. general election. Prior to joining the courts, she worked in Thieme said one of the more interesting challenges of the banking for 10 years. Walker was also the secretary for the job was managing the move to the new Dodge County Justice Neillsville Gun Club for more than 15 years. Facility in December 2000. “Nobody got lost and the courts Hemersbach, who grew up on a farm in central Clark had minimal interruption,” he said. Thieme said the people County, lost in his first try for the clerkship when he took on a have made the job especially fulfilling. “Working with the longtime incumbent. He then spent two years on the staff of courthouse staff and meeting thousands of jurors helped make the Assembly Chief Clerk’s Office in Madison before return- the position very interesting and rewarding,” he said. ing to Neillsville and winning the seat. In retirement, Thieme plans to take a family trip to Glacier When he became clerk, Hemersbach recalled, the office National Park, plant a vegetable garden again, visit the other had one electric typewriter and one adding machine with a 71 courthouses in Wisconsin, “and take time to visit friends handle to pull. He has appreciated the enormous difference and laugh often.” see Retirements on page 6 Judge JamesC.Eaton 6 2002 Fall

THE THIRD BRANCH is presentlyacolonelintheU.S. Army Reserve. dants incivilactions,namedhim Trial Judgeofthe Year. Wisconsin totakethedeputydirectorposition. he joinedalawfirminNew York City. Hereturnedto the OLR. When PierceresignedfromtheOLRearlythisyear, Racine. After spendingfouryearsinthatposition,hejoined began hiscareerinlawasanassistantstatepublicdefender BAPR intotheOLR. Court revampedthelawyerregulationsystemandturned position thattranslatedintodeputydirectorwhentheSupreme Responsibility (BAPR)in1987asdeputyadministrator-a Danner. an investigatorfrom1997untilearlyin2002,replaces September 30. Timothy J.Pierce,whoworkedfortheOLRas the Office ofLawyerRegulation(OLR),retiredeffective Danner leaves OLRafter15years RETIREMENTS He alsohasservedmorethan30yearsinthemilitaryand irei 92gaut fteU LawSchoolwho Pierce isa1992graduateoftheUW Danner joinedtheBoardof Attorneys Professional Jeananne Danner, theMilwaukee-baseddeputydirectorof community. and contributingtointerracialharmony inthe selves inpromotingracialjustice honored fordistinguishingthem- said White andMcCannwere director oftheNehemiahProject, at theItalianCommunityCenter. on November13ataceremony Nehemiah ProjectofMilwaukee The Rights Awardfrom McCann receivedtheCivil District Attorney E.Michael judge, districtattorney Nehemiah Projectpresents civilrights awardto andhonors Awards The Rev. EdRuen,executive Judge Maxine A. White andMilwaukeeCounty lawyers whorepresentbothplaintiffs anddefen- American Boardof Trial Advocates, agroupof the lawyerswhoappearedbeforehim.In1996, thoroughly preparedandexpectedthesamefrom tation asano-nonsensejudgewhowasalways nor willappointareplacement. Eaton’s termrunsthrough August 2004,thegover- that hewillretireeffective Jan. 20,2003.Because bench inBarronCountysince1980,hasannounced Eaton to retire inJanuary Eaton toretire In hisyearsonthebench,Eatonearnedarepu- Judge JamesC.Eaton,whohasservedonthe continued Judge Maxine A. White Skwierawski Chief JudgeMichaelJ. 11 yearshasprovidedtheSupremeCourt’s openingline Jan. 1,2003. human resourcesofficer isexpectedtobe on boardby agency work,”hesaid.“That’s whereI’mmostcomfortable.” before joiningtheDirectorofState Courts Office. “Ienjoy Financial Institutions. post ashumanresourcesdirectorwiththeDepartmentof court systemforabout18months,hasreturnedtohisprevious Isaacson moves back toDFI busy retirement planning marshal Court Supreme County, spokeatthedinner. in October. Milwaukee CountyCircuitCourt,withseparateawards J. SkwierawskiandJudgeDanielL.Konkol,both Polish-American judgesreceiveawards full-time tothebench. avid weightlifterandrunner, herecoveredwellandreturned bench forseveralweeksrecuperatingfrombypasssurgery. An modity thathe’s wasting–histimeonearth.” seems he’s neverstoppedtothinkaboutthepreciouscom- through lifefromonebitofwitlessnesstoanother. And it young man’s life,itappearshehasjustbeencareening gift,” Eatonsaidatthetime.“Lookingoverhistoryof universal messagethathasstoodthetestoftime,lifeisa play term byreading Thornton Wilder’s PulitzerPrize-winning offered theyoungmanachancetocut30daysfromhisjail year-old manwhostolemoney from hisgrandparents,Eaton made headlinesacrossthestate.In2000,insentencinga19- Recruitment forthepositionclosedinmid-October;anew Isaacson spentmuchofhiscareerintheexecutivebranch Human ResourcesOfficer LeeIsaacson,with the Wisconsin Supreme CourtMarshalJamesL.Jerney, whofornearly Skwierawski’s grandparents onbothsideswere Skwierawski wasnamedPolish-Americanofthe Polish heritagegroupshonoredChiefJudgeMichael Eaton’s sentencesincriminalcaseshaveoccasionally Eaton suffered aheartattacklastspringandwasoff the Our Town and writingareportonit.“Theplaysends district attorneyinMilwaukee daughter, Audrey, anassistant monies andSkwierawski’s Court, actedasmasterofcere- Milwaukee CountyCircuit Francis T.Judge Wasielewski, Day banquetonOctober11. at thegroup’s annualPulaski of thePolishNational Alliance Year bytheMilwaukeeSociety see see Retirements Awards on page 10 on page 14 7

THE NATION CONNECTS TO WISCONSIN Fall 2002 Innocence conference will produce Department Captain Cheri Maples; and Senator Gary action plan for Wisconsin George, D-Milwaukee. THE THIRD BRANCH The Wisconsin team will assemble in Alexandria, VA, in Atty. Peter Neufeld, who helped to found the original January 2003 for A National Conference on Preventing the Innocence Project at New York’s Benjamin N. Cardozo Conviction of Innocent Persons along with teams from School of Law in 1992, Arizona; San Diego County; Colorado; Georgia; describes his work thus: “We Massachusetts; Minnesota; North Carolina; Oregon; Travis started out with a very simple County, Texas; and Seattle. Participants will consider causes goal, and that is to walk inno- of wrongful convictions and evaluate a number of targeted cent people out of prison. And responses such as increased training and resources for law what it has evolved into is noth- enforcement, prosecution and indigent defense; eyewitness ing less than a new civil rights identification procedures; videotaping of confessions; crime movement in this country.” lab changes; and innocence review commissions. Each team Powering the movement are an is expected to leave the conference with an action plan tai- estimated three dozen inno- lored to the state’s individual needs, circumstances, and cence projects that have sprung political realities. Prof. Keith Findley up around the nation in the last The American Judicature Society is organizing the con- decade, providing representa- ference with funding from the Open Society Institute. tion and investigative help to inmates maintaining their inno- Judge shares legal expertise with cence. nursing profession The University of Wisconsin Law School is one of a handful Like many of her colleagues, Judge Jean W. of law schools around the DiMotto brings to her work all the lessons and experi- nation that have built innocence ences she has taken from other jobs. Patience, com- projects into the curriculum. passion, the ability to listen and question, to be objec- The Wisconsin Innocence tive, and to communicate effectively all join her in the Project began in 1998 at the courtroom, products of her years as a nurse, a teacher, Dane County District Atty. school’s Frank J. Remington and a mother. Brian Blanchard Law Center and enrolls about What may separate DiMotto from other judges is 20 students each semester; the students have 20 to 30 cases her continuing commitment to her former professions. – mostly from Wisconsin – open at any given time. She speaks to nurses and nursing faculty around the This winter, a founder of the Wisconsin Innocence country, sharing her wisdom on the courts and the law Project, UW Law School Prof. Keith Findley, will lend his with groups that range in size from 30 to 600 people. Judge Jean W. DiMotto expertise to a new effort, one that might help put him out of When she talks to faculty, DiMotto connects with business. He has been selected to join a team that will the audience by drawing upon her eight years on the faculty develop an action plan for preventing wrongful convictions at the Marquette University College of Nursing. She said in Wisconsin, one of 11 states nationwide that has expressed that nursing educators are often very concerned about liti- interest in targeting this issue. Other team members are: gious students and need plain-English information on court Dane County District Atty. Brian Blanchard; Portage County procedure. Circuit Court Judge Frederic W. Fleishauer; Madison Police In meeting with practicing nurses, DiMotto explains how see Nation on page 15

THE WORLD CONNECTS TO WISCONSIN

DCA working in West Bank forms, and uniform registers and indices to ensure efficient District Court Administrator Kerry Connelly, District and uniform practices. Two, left Wisconsin for the Middle East on October 25 to Connelly expected his assist with the modernization of the Palestinian justice work to focus on training staff system by working in pilot courts in Ramallah, Jenin, and in the model courts on a new Gaza City. automated case management The Palestinian project focuses on improving public system. He was told that his service, developing the policy framework for judicial stay could last as long as three reform, improving legal education and expanding the use of weeks. ! alternative dispute resolution. The project has included District Court Administrator developing operations manuals, benchbooks, standardized Kerry Connelly 8 2002 Fall

THE THIRD BRANCH from theMilwaukee BarFoundation. office staff, abudgetwascreated,and agrantwassecured participating. Broadcastexperts came informeetingswith Marquette Universityandfound thatbothwereinterestedin College ofCommunicationand the LawSchoolat brochure mightconvey. provide moreinformationthaneitherastaff memberora expect tovisit. Through theuseofvisuals,videocould courthouse locationsthatasmallclaimslitigantmight videotape thatexplainstheprocessandshowsvarious W. Sanfilippohadanidea:developashort,plain-English service withoutaddingstaff. Then ChiefDeputyClerkJon Courts Office, whichwantedtoprovidebettercustomer out lawyers. are smallclaimsmatters–mostlyhandledbylitigantswith- 150,000 caseseachyear. Morethan37,000ofthosecases T guidessmall-claimsVideo litigants story intheNovember12editionof prisons,” Foleysaid. to pastorsinchurchesservinglarge numbersof African- Milwaukee CountyChildren’s Court,madeanurgent appeal Judge EdwardZappenJr. Foley Judge ChristopherR. PEOPLE LEADERSHIP The Marquettecrew stagedfiveshootsatthecourthouse To move theprojectoff paper, Sanfilippocontactedthe The numbersseemedstackedagainsttheClerkofCircuit “Dismissed: Time runsoutinbigamy case”headlineda Judge and 20full-timecourtcommissioners,processesabout he MilwaukeeCountyCircuitCourt,withits47judges hitpe R.Foley Christopher quent behaviorandendupin foster care.Healsowantsto open theirhomestochildrenin are goingtoengageindelin- ance, anddiscipline,thenthey love, nurturing,support,guid- the childrendon'tgetfamily, spokesmen forthecause.“If Bucks starRay Allen tobe Ulice PayneJr., andMilwaukee Milwaukee BrewersPresident Archbishop TimothyDolan, such asMilwaukeeCatholic encourage high-profilefigures African-American familiesto about helpingtorecruit pastors tospeakwiththem reported, heldameetingwith Milwaukee JournalSentinel foster care.Foley, the number ofblackchildrenin resented bytheincreasing more sermonstothecrisisrep- Americans tostartdevoting , presidingjudgein Wisconsin Rapids Litigant Claims Proceduresforthe ty 10-minutevideotape– After monthsofwork,ahigh-quali- staff volunteeredtoparticipate. and manymembersofthecourt Sanfilippo maybe reachedat(414)278-5044. in smallclaimscourt. ter understandingofthevarious outcomes theymightexpect who haveviewedthevideo,Barrett said,seemtohaveabet- better understandingoftheprocess. Inaddition,thelitigants asked fewerquestionsandthatthe questionsaskedreflecta of CircuitCourtJohnBarrettsaidthatfront-counterstaff is libraries throughoutthecounty. the Legal Aid Society, andpublic at theMilwaukeeBar Association, County Courthouseandisavailable Research CenterattheMilwaukee wants themtofeelnervous,uncomfortable,andashamed. said thatwhenteensadmittheircrimestovictims,he sense ofpersonalresponsibilityintheoffenders. Ramirez hopes theprogramwillbuildempathyforvictimsanda sides injuvenilecourt,saidhe Ralph M.Ramirez arrange theconferences.Judge Director Correctional ServicesProgram the floodgates,”said Wisconsin impact panel.“We’re opening hear fromothervictimsatan directly withhis/hervictimor nile delinquenttoeithermeet program willrequireeveryjuve- Journal Sentinel victims orattendavictimimpactpanel,the 200 teenoffenders ayearwillmeetface-to-facewiththeir of thesecondmarriagecontract. counsel, whoargued thatthestatutebegantorunondate have divorcepetitionspending),ZappenagreedwithBoss’s believed tobemarriedbothwomenstill,although does notrunaslongthereisanongoingoffense (Bossis expired. While thedistrictattorneyargued thatthestatute that thesix-yearstatuteoflimitationsoncrimehad Wood County. Zappenmade therulingafterdetermining per calledthefirstpersonevertobecharged withbigamyin bigamy charge against Daily Tribune The countyissoldonthevalueofvideotape.Clerk The videoisshownintheLegal Under anewprogramin Waukesha County, morethan – wascompleted. Holly Patzer . Judge reported. The , whopre- Edward ZappenJr. ! , whowill Howard N.Boss Small Pro Se Judge RalphM.Ramirez Jon W. Sanfilippo Chief DeputyClerk see , whomthenewspa- dismissed a People Milwaukee on page 9 9

PEOPLE continued from page 8 Fall 2002 “Those are good things,” said Ramirez. “Those are the Milwaukee Common Council chose Mosley over several things that will keep them from re-offending.” other candidates on an 11-5 vote, the Milwaukee Journal THE THIRD BRANCH When Rep. Samantha Starzyk, R-Powers Lake, partici- Sentinel reported. Prior to taking the bench, Mosley was a pated in the Judicial Ride-Along Program with Judge member of the Community Prosecution Unit, where he part- Barbara A. Kluka in Kenosha County Circuit Court, she nered with law enforcement, public and private agencies, got more than just a bird’s eye view of the court system. and the community in order to proactively fight crime Starzyk, who spent a half-day on the bench next to Kluka to and help solve quality-of-life crime problems. He also learn more about the operation of the courts in the district, recently served as a member of a 10-person commit- caught the eye of Atty. Chad G. Kerkman, who was han- tee that studied issues related to public trust and con- dling some matters involving juvenile offenders in Kluka’s fidence in the justice system. court. After the “ride,” “Skip court, forfeit bond, judges say” was the Kerkman called Starzyk, whom headline in the Wausau Daily Herald when Marathon he had met briefly at a softball County’s judges announced that they would get tournament in 2000, and invited tougher with defendants who miss court appearances her to lunch. The couple will or otherwise violate the conditions of their bond. The marry this month in Hawaii. story, which also ran in the Marshfield News-Herald, Judge Robert P. The Kenosha News reported on said a new computer records system in the district VanDeHey the match, focusing on the attorney’s office revealed that missed appearances Republican-marries-Democrat have become much more prevalent. Now, rather than issue angle. warrants, reschedule hearings, and set a new bond, the In a separate story, the judges are holding forfeiture hearings right away. Circuit Judge Louis B. Butler Jr. Kenosha News featured Court Judges Gregory E. Grau and Patrick M. Kerkman’s unusual law prac- Brady have already started holding these hearings. tice. In a twist on the father-son routine, Kerkman has a John Fiorenza, who served in Milwaukee County partnership with his mother, Mary J. Kerkman, who went Circuit Court from 1966 to 1972, has been appointed back to school and, at age 50, joined her son’s practice. as an outside investigator to review how the Mary Kerkman had been a dairy farmer until the experience Milwaukee Roman Catholic Archdiocese has handled of being involved in a lawsuit convinced her to go to law sexual abuse cases. The Green Bay Press-Gazette school. reported that Fiorenza would review cases that prose- “Tribal police, FBI walk delicate line” headlined a story cutors have returned to the archdiocese. in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in October about the rela- When new wooden benches arrived in Judge tionship between the Menominee Tribal Police and the feds. Robert P. VanDeHey’s Grant County courtroom to The Menominee is the only tribe in Wisconsin that handles replace the grouping of mismatched chairs in the Judge Donald A. Poppy misdemeanors in tribal court and sends felonies to federal gallery, it was immediately clear that something was court. While the arrangement means valuable FBI assistance not right. The Grant County Herald Independent reported for the Tribal Police, it also means some cases fall through that they were the wrong color, had bubbles in the varnish, the cracks. Menominee Tribal Court Chief Justice Joseph uneven ends, and mismatched seams. The judge, a wood- Martin expressed concern in the article that some drunk worker in his own right (he built an oak podium for the driving, drug dealing, and domestic violence cases are not courtroom), brought the contractor back to fix the problems being handled effectively. “There are things up here that are with help from two jail inmates on work release. The Grant disorderly conduct, where anywhere else it would be felo- County Board had contracted for the furniture, at a cost of nious assault,” Martin said. He said the new federal court in $3,500, to provide adequate seating for people called for Green Bay presents an opportu- jury service. nity to address these anomalies The Post-Crescent (Appleton) reported in closer to home. September on Calumet County’s first try at videocon- Judge Louis B. Butler Jr., ferencing a court appearance. A prisoner at Kettle elected to the Milwaukee Moraine Correctional Institution in Sheboygan County Circuit Court last County appeared via videoconference in a courtroom spring, recently accepted an in Chilton seeking sentencing relief on a drug convic- appointment to the Wisconsin tion. “The setup worked flawlessly,” Circuit Judge Criminal Benchbook Donald A. Poppy said. “It was installed one day and Committee, which edits the we were using it two days later. It allows us to hook desktop reference guide for up with prisons and mental hospitals and with anyone Judge Jeffrey A. Wagner Judge Patrick M. Brady judges. else who has videoconferencing equipment, not just Assistant District Atty. here, but anywhere in the country.” Derek C. Mosley, Milwaukee County, was selected to Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke asked court- replace Butler on the Milwaukee Municipal Court. The house security screeners to use common sense in determin- see People on page 13 10

PPAC tracks significant increase in courthouse security initiatives Fall by Dan Wassink, senior policy analyst 2002

f you entered most courthouses in College, and the U.S. Marshal Service defendants in felony cases THE THIRD BRANCH Ithe state, walked around, talked to of Western Wisconsin. ❒ Metal detectors and X-ray screening staff, and observed operations, you Some of the courthouse security ini- machines would likely discover a security initia- tiatives begun in the first half of 2002 tive that didn’t exist at the start of the include: The two most recent PPAC court year. That’s one of the findings of the security and facilities surveys also latest court security and facilities sur- ❒ Videoconferencing in the courtroom revealed that seven counties have com- vey conducted semi-annually by the ❒ Security needs assessments/surveys pleted construction or major renovation Planning and Policy Advisory conducted by county courthouse of their courthouses within the past Committee (PPAC). security committees year. Twelve other counties are plan- Approximately 60 percent of coun- ❒ Training for officers responding to ning to begin courthouse construction ties responding to the latest survey violent incidents or major renovations before the end of reported that a new security measure(s) ❒ Measures to control public access to 2002. or training had been implemented dur- courthouses via access card readers Counties also use the semi-annual ing the first six months of 2002. Some or limiting the general public to one survey to report various types of securi- of those initiatives may have been entrance ty incidents that have occurred at their planned for years; others may be due ❒ Security training for all courthouse courthouses. Most of the incidents dur- to the heightened focus on security staff as a follow-up to the statewide ing the first six months of this year matters in general since the terrorist training program were relatively minor in nature. The attacks of Sept.11, 2001. Many are like- ❒ Removal of office titles from the exception was Milwaukee County, ly the outgrowth of the Wisconsin parking spots of family court com- where a sheriff’s deputy killed a defen- Courthouse Security Training Program missioners dant who had grabbed another deputy’s that wrapped up this year after present- ❒ Security wands for screening indi- gun and charged into the jury box. ing training sessions in each of the viduals at all jury trials Milwaukee County also continues to state’s 10 judicial administrative dis- ❒ Comprehensive courthouse emer- report several hundred arrests each year tricts. Funded by Wisconsin’s Office of gency plans in its courthouse and other justice facil- Justice Assistance, the program was a ❒ Revised security incident reporting ities, as well as thousands of recovered partnership among the courts, the policy (one county) contraband items detected by screening Wisconsin Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs ❒ Silent alarm systems devices at the courthouse entrance. ! Association, Fox Valley Technical ❒ Modified procedures for restraint of

Awards continued from page 6 Polish immigrants. Skwierawski was born in Milwaukee and Commerce of Wisconsin’s monthly luncheon meeting in remained there until he moved to the East Coast to go to law Milwaukee. “Ana’s commitment to the Latina youth in the school at Georgetown. He returned to Milwaukee after gradu- community helped her gain the upper hand in the selection ation and practiced law for 11 years before becoming a judge process,” said association President David A. Murguia. in 1978. The Supreme Court appointed him chief judge for District One, which encompasses Milwaukee Justice on Wheels selected as national County, in 1998. model On October 20, Konkol received the Polish- The American Bar Association has chosen American Heritage Appreciation Award from the Wisconsin’s Justice on Wheels program as one of Woodrow Wilson Post #11 of the Polish Legion of four initiatives from around the country to be American Veterans. The award was given at a din- highlighted in a chapter called “Taking Legal ner presentation in Milwaukee. Education to the People” in a 2003 publication, Konkol became a judge 10 years ago after serv- Community Legal Education Guidebook. ing for seven years as an assistant family court Justice on Wheels gives people around the commissioner in Milwaukee. Prior to this, he spent Judge Daniel L. Konkol state an opportunity to see an oral argument of the eight years as an assistant district attorney in Racine County. Wisconsin Supreme Court by bringing the Court to various county courthouses. Since 1993, the program has brought the Latino association honors court commissioner Court to Green Bay, Eau Claire, Wausau, Milwaukee, La The Latino Peace Officers Association Wisconsin Chapter Crosse, Superior, Janesville, Kenosha, Baraboo, Rhinelander, named Assistant Family Court Commissioner Ana Berrios, Juneau, and Appleton. A total of more than 6,800 people have Milwaukee County, 2002 Latina of the Year. An award pres- participated. ! entation was made August 14 at the Hispanic Chamber of 11

Fall Interpreter orientation sessions are a success First District mentors 2002 ecently in La Crosse, Judge John J. able. Participants also have been pleased judges on domestic Perlich indefinitely delayed a pre- with the written information available violence issues THE THIRD BRANCH R liminary hearing in a drug smuggling through the workshops, including a by Beth Bishop Perrigo, deputy district case. The reason? Failure to communi- binder of interpreting advice, practice court administrator, Distict One cate. The native tongue of the two materials, and legal background infor- defendants, one from Milwaukee and mation. “Two participants have gotten cross Wisconsin, courts and com- the other from Minneapolis, is Swahili. so much out of the program they have Amunities are working together on A national translating service that was paid to attend twice,” Vandercook said. efforts to keep victims of domestic linked via telephone to the courtroom The orientations emphasize the new violence and sexual assault safe while had trouble interpreting even the oath Wisconsin Code of Ethics for Court holding perpetrators accountable. The used to swear in witnesses. Perlich soon Interpreters. The code mandates that an First Judicial District, which encom- called an end to the hearing, vowing to interpreter serve the court as a neutral passes Milwaukee County, recently postpone it until a live court interpreter language expert without other involve- launched a Judicial Mentoring Project for Swahili could be brought to court. ment in the case and requires inter- to share the details of its successful Situations like this are increasingly preters to provide an accurate rendition initiative for addressing domestic vio- common and the influx into the trial of everything said in court without omis- lence with judges and court officials courts of people who do not speak fluent sions, additions, or explanations. from around the state. English is one of the more urgent prob- Participants also learn protocols for The project is a joint effort of the lems facing the justice system. Census proper interpreting; court terminology; Judicial Oversight Initiative (JOI) – figures show that procedures in criminal and civil cases; Milwaukee’s program for combating Wisconsin’s and how to meet the business needs of domestic violence – and the Wisconsin Asian and the court. Four hours is spent in small Violence Against Women Office. The Hispanic popula- groups practicing basic interpreting tions doubled skills. project is designed to provide judges between 1990 Alee Robbins, a certified Spanish and other elected officials with an and 2000, and interpreter from Oregon, and Kazoua opportunity to talk with peers, observe other immigrant Yang, a certified Hmong interpreter the court process, and review JOI populations con- from Minnesota, led the first orientation results. tinue to grow at a in Milwaukee where 19 Wisconsin inter- Attendees at the first session, which rapid rate. preters were trained to lead small-group featured a two-day site visit, included: Ying Lee Xiong, a Hmong court Milwaukee County Circuit Court exercises and guide discussions of the Chief Judge L. Edward Stengel, interpreter in Judge Elsa C. Lamelas, who served as code of ethics. “The program now has a Sheboygan County Circuit Court; and Wausau, leads a chair of the Committee to Improve core of local interpreters with strong Judges Dorothy L. Bain, Marathon Hmong group in Interpreting and Translation in the skills who are willing to serve as inter- County; Andrew P. Bissonnette, Dodge practice while Wisconsin Courts, recently told the preter trainers and mentors for other County; C. William Foust, Dane Mike Moran, head Supreme Court that she has had to find court interpreters,” Vandercook said. of the Wausau County; and Annette K. Ziegler, interpreters for proceedings in her court- During fall, orientations were office of the State Washington County; and Clerk of Public Defender room who can speak not only Spanish planned for Eau Claire, Wausau, Circuit Court Donna Seidel, Marathon lectures on crimi- and Hmong, but also Russian, Laotian, Appleton, Madison, and Milwaukee, County. nal law and termi- Vietnamese, Punjabi, Hindi, Arabic, serving a total of 230 people. At press Milwaukee began the JOI in 1999 nology during an Somali, Polish, and more. time, all but the Madison program had with a $2 million grant through the interpreter ses- The effort by the Director of State been presented and the make-up of the Violence Against Women Act. It is one sion. Courts Office to address this issue has audiences was about half Spanish inter- of three demonstration projects in the produced a successful series of two-day preters, 20 percent Hmong, and 9 per- nation (the others are in Ann Arbor, interpreter orientations this fall. The pro- cent American Sign Language. The rest Mich., and Boston). On September 30, grams, offered around the state for court spoke a variety of languages, including interpreters and people interested in Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian, Albanian, 2002, the Milwaukee grant was learning about becoming court inter- Ukranian, Polish, Russian, Somali, refunded at $3.6 million for an addi- preters, feature local guest lecturers Arabic, Laotian, Vietnamese, Mandarin, tional two years. including judges, court commissioners, and Cantonese. ! A key component of the JOI is pro- assistant state public defenders, clerks of viding additional judicial supervision circuit courts, and district court adminis- The orientation to be held in Madison is of batterers. Milwaukee County has an trators. The program is funded with a full; however, a course description is intake court for JOI cases, three courts federal grant through the Department of available at dedicated to domestic violence cases Workforce Development Office of http://www.courts.state.wi.us/circuit/CourtI and the District Attorney’s Office has Refugee Services. nterpreterOrientationTrainings.htm. The bolstered its charging unit. At the same Marcia Vandercook of the Office of grant is likely to be renewed for 2003 so time, JOI’s community partners have Court Operations is organizing the train- that more orientations can be offered. expanded victims’ services and refined ing program and said the quality of the Contact Vandercook at (608) 267-7335 or batterers’ programs to meet the diverse consultants, the local speakers, and e-mail her at small group leaders has been remark- [email protected]. see Mentors on page 17 guidelines forimposingrestorativesen- determining consequences. They follow three andquestiontheoffender priorto future. The teenjudgessitin apanelof required toserveinthecourt offenders whoparticipatewill be through atrainingprograminOctober; The firstteenstooperatethecourtwent to bailiffs tocourtclerksand attorneys. uses teensinalltheroles,fromjudges school system. Milwaukee MunicipalCourtorthe mended forthecourteitherby rounding neighborhoodswillberecom- offenses onschoolgroundsorinsur- School. Teens whohavecommitted School andJohnBurroughsMiddle operate asapilotinMadisonHigh schools. Initially, theprogramwill court onNovember7intwolocalhigh launched Milwaukee Teen Tribunal is zens avoiceinthesystem. resources ofthecourtsandgiveciti- and innovativewaytostretchthe grams areprovingtobeaneffective lately. The buzzisthatvolunteerpro- Sentinel page ofthe disputes, wasfeaturedonthefront teers tohelplocalresidentssolvetheir S support findingsuccess, Volunteer programs T recognized Successful mediation program Zettelmeier, toldthenewspaper. owner, Tracy can imagine,”the pigs’ there intoevery little pettythingyou a pot-belliedpig.“Itescalatedfrom Mukwonago neighborsandafeud over ficult caseinvolving Town of ings suchaslibraries. ter’s office andatotherpublicbuild- duct confidentialmediationsatthecen- social workers,andmore–whocon- istrators, doctors,lawyers,teachers, teer mediators–formerschooladmin- OUTESI H COURTS THE IN VOLUNTEERS The CityofMilwaukeebeganateen Unlike manyteencourts,thisone The newspaperhighlightedone dif- The centerusesateamof35volun- grams havemadetheheadlines everal successfulvolunteerpro- County, whichusestrainedvolun- he MediationCenterof Waukesha on October14. Milwaukee Journal Schools toimplementthenewcourt. Department, andMilwaukeePublic SDC, theMilwaukeePolice Civil LibertiesUnion(ACLU),the Gramling workedwiththe American Gramling Jr. steeredtheeffort. Milwaukee MunicipalJudgeJames A. Tribunal, beganthreeyearsago,and his/her contract. monitor eachoffender’s fulfillmentof of thepartnersinprogram,will Development Commission(SDC),one that allinvolvedmustsign. The Social tences, whicharewrittenintoacontract bors tothecenter. increasingly referring feudingneigh- note ofthesuccessrateandare newspaper thatthepolicehavetaken Director Cathy Warmington toldthe walk outwithanagreement.Center seek helpfromthecenter’s volunteers about 70percentofthepeoplewho were abletoarriveatanagreement. unteer mediators,sheandtheneighbor minutes andwiththehelpoftwovol- prised, shesaid,wheninlessthan90 it wouldneverwork.Soshewassur- ordered mediation,Zettelmeierthought injunction. Zettelmeier andsoughtaharassment Eventually, theneighborsued Planning fortheproject,called Teen The When thecourtcommissioner Journal Sentinel ! reported that

THE THIRD BRANCH 2002 Fall 12 13

Fall PEOPLE continued from page 9 2002 ing when to order people to remove their shoes for inspec- some thoughts on being a judge. THE THIRD BRANCH tion. Clarke’s plea came after Judge Jeffrey A. Wagner was “The nicest thing we do as ordered to take his shoes off before being allowed to judges is to do adoptions,” he proceed to his chambers. “I mean, you’ve got to be said. Schmidt is proud that he kidding,” Clarke said. For his part, Wagner reported that he was able to help pass legislation responded to the order with full compliance and general that makes adoption procedures good humor. easier. Town of Menasha Municipal Court Judge Len The circuit court judges in Kachinsky, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, Rock County have been busy was ordered to active duty for three weeks in September at with record pace mortgage fore- the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate in Fort Gillem, GA. closures and are expecting more Judge James E. Welker Kachinsky was assigned to work on legal issues related to than 500 by the year’s end. Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom. Judge James E. Welker told the Beloit Daily News that it As a result of her election as first vice president takes about a year to process a mortgage foreclosure from of the National Conference of Chief Justices, Chief the first action to eviction. “The foreclosures come through Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson will sit as a member on a regular basis.” Welker said. “Usually there is no dispute of the Board of Directors of the National Center for and nobody shows up in court. Most of these cases are State Courts. handled by Milwaukee law firms that have computers crank The Wausau Daily Herald reported that Lincoln out the paperwork. Ninety-nine percent of the mortgage County received good news when the Lincoln foreclosures go through that County Board approved a remodeling and renova- way.” Welker and Judge John tions project for their courthouse. The courtroom will W. Roethe have required help Judge Glenn Hartley move to the second floor at a cost of $66,000 for the from Judge Daniel T. Dillon to remodeling. Other renovations will be funded by a handle the workload. Roethe $280,000 federal grant for which the county provides match- said he processes three to six ing funds. Circuit Court Judge Glenn Hartley said he is foreclosures each day. looking forward to the renovations. Racine County’s judicial Chief Judge Michael J. Skwierawski, District One, was rotation – which involves, unlike voted “Chief of the Chiefs” (aka chair of the Committee of in some other counties, a physi- Chief Judges) by his fellow chief judges. cal move for each judge – Kevin W. Murphy, brother of District Court caught the eye of The Journal Judge John W. Roethe Administrator Kathleen M. Murphy, District Eight, was in Times recently. “We do not have Madison in late September to sign copies of his new book at a central court office,” said Chief Judge Gerald P. Ptacek. University Bookstore. The book was the subject of a column “Files are distributed where the courts are. If we didn’t in the Wisconsin State Journal. Kevin, who created and move judges, we would have to move files.” The newspaper starred in the TV hit, Mystery Science Theater 3000, has just reported that the staff in each court stays put and is able to published A Year at the Movies, the true story of a year in offer their experience to the new judge coming in. Judge which he saw a movie – “from the sublime to the unspeak- Faye M. Flancher is the only judge not moving at this time. able” – every day. The book has its own Web site: She was appointed in March to replace retired Judge Dennis www.ayearatthemovies.com. Flynn. She will remain in family/probate court. Racine County has a new Citizen’s Jail Task Recently retired Judge Robert W. Radcliffe was pictured Force that is seeking ways to improve the function- in the Banner Journal (Black River Falls) recently when the ing of the system. Sheriff William L. McReynolds Ho-Chunk Nation honored him for his 18 years on the bench organized the panel, which brings people from differ- in Jackson County. Myrtle ent parts of the system together, opens communica- Long, Sid Lewis, Ian tion, and lets them learn from each other, reported Littlejohn, and Stuart Taylor The Journal Times. Chief Judge Gerald P. Ptacek presented Radcliffe with a chairs the committee; he said there already has been blanket and other gifts from the progress in the form of a plan to reduce the amount nation on his last day on the Sheriff William L. McReynolds of time that people stay in jail waiting for a hearing bench. on the revocation of probation or parole. Increased filing fees have Judge Earl W. Schmidt, Menominee-Shawano County been in the news. In Eau Claire Circuit Court, was presented a portrait of himself on behalf County, Clerk of Circuit Court of the Shawano-Menominee County Bar Association when Diana J. Miller said court users he retired in July, reported the Shawano Leader. The portrait have not been shy about com- Judge Robert W. will be displayed in the Branch I courtroom in the Shawano plaining. “People are not pleased Radcliffe County Courthouse. Schmidt took the opportunity to share see People on page 17 continue tobeinvolvedwiththeForms Subcommittee. intends toworkasareservejudge andamediatorhopesto travel andenjoytheircabininMarinette County. He also U.S. MarineCorps. school teacherfor11 years.Healso spentthreeyearsinthe education, bothonthestateandnationallevel. and doingcommitteework,Murphyhasbeenactiveinjudicial and reelectiontotheseat.Inadditionhandlinghiscaseload Governor Tommy Thompson. Heranunopposedforelection effective managementofcourtrecords. ciency, andhelpedtoestablishstandardsguidelinesfor forms, reviewednewandexistingformsfortheirlegalsuffi- Subcommittee, Murphyoversawthedevelopmentofnew ing torecordsmanagement. As chairoftheForms court recordsandnecessarychangestorulesorstatutesrelat- Committee, whichrecommendsguidelinesfortheretentionof tion. Candidates seekingthepostwillrunin April 2003elec- since 1990,willretireattheendofhistermonJuly31,2003. granddaughters. around thehouse,andspendtimewiththeirdaughters to followexactorders–theresultofalifelongmilitarycareer. as atransplantrecipient,whichdoctorsattributetohisability woman. Jerneyhashadanunusuallytrouble-freeexperience chocolate, leadinghimtobelievethatthelungdonorwasa Judge Murphy tostepdownJudge inJuly Murphy tion. Hebestedatoughcompetitorfortheposition;other U.S. Army inFebruary1992whenhetookthemarshalposi- Jan. 2,2003. pencils,andmuchmore,willretire ened thejustices’ the Court,timedoralarguments, distributedbriefs,sharp- session. Your silenceiscommanded”),monitoredsecurityfor (“Hear ye,heartheSupremeCourtof Wisconsin isnowin James L.Jerney Supreme CourtMarshal RETIREMENTS In retirement,Murphyandhiswife, Elizabeth,planto Before hewenttolawschool,Murphyworkedasahigh Murphy tookthebenchin1990asanappointeeofthen- Murphy isalongtimememberoftheRecordsManagement Judge JohnB.Murphy, onthe benchinSheboyganCounty In retirement,theJerneyshopetotravel,workonprojects Jerney, alieutenantcolonel,wasnewlyretiredfromthe continued frompage6 oxygen tankuntilreceivinga emphysema andwasonan threatening battlewith Court, Jerneyfacedalife- winter. and isalsoretiringthis Regulation andLicensing with thestateDepartmentof who subsequentlytookajob finalist washiswife, Angi, developed anewtastefor After thetransplant,he lung transplantinJuly1999. During hisyearswiththe ling firearms,and securityequipmentwasalsodeveloped. security, staff andoffice security, contingencyplans, control- trainingguidecoveringgeneral courts andthecommunity. A teamwork, involvement,andcommunication betweenthe how totraincourtstaff andemphasizingtheimportance of each ofthestate’s 10judicialdistricts,teachingparticipants associations, Steadman and Voelker broughttheprogram to College inSeptember2001. Together withlawenforcement the nationwhenitdebutedat Appleton’s Fox Valley Technical Assistance inMadison,theprogramwasfirstofitskind Innovations Award. a regionalsemifinalistfortheCouncilofState Governments’ from theNational Association forCourtManagementandwas program wasawardedthe2002Justice Achievement Award procedural improvementsin Wisconsin’s courthouses. The blueprint forincreasingsecurityawarenessandencouraging implement the Wisconsin Courthouse SecurityProgram,a utive assistanttothechiefjustice,designand in permanenthomes. for childrenandtospeedtheplacementof number anddurationofout-of-homeplacements communication hasbeenfoundtoreducethe ticipate intheprocess.Improvedcoordinationand able tocoordinatetheirefforts andthefamiliespar- and serviceplansforvariousfamilymembersare an individualfamily. Agencies designingtreatment when onejudgehandlesallofthecasesinvolving comes canbeachievedforchildrenandfamilies May 2001. The keyprinciple isthatbetterout- to servetroubledfamiliesandbecamepermanentin project waspilotedin1998asjudgessearchedforbetterways the courtshandlemultiplecasesinvolvingonefamily. The Unified FamilyCourtProject,whichimprovedthewaythat improve courthousesafetyandsecurity.” processing ofchildabuseandneglectcases,efforts to for havingtheopportunitytoworkimprovejuryservice, superb courtstaff,” Steadman said.“Iamparticularlythankful justices inourcourtsystemaswelltheelectedclerksand counties. Monroe, Pepin,Pierce,Richland, Trempealeau, and Vernon include Buffalo, Crawford,Grant,Iowa,Jackson,LaCrosse, courts for23years. The districtcountiesinwestern Wisconsin vacancy ( Director forCourtOperationsPatrickBrummondtofillthe operate. of governmentaroundthenationtotryimprovehowthey Denver. Hewillbeworkingwithcourtsystemsandotherunits on October18foraconsultingjobwithPolicyStudies, Inc.in for hisdrywitandplaintalk,leftthecourts– Wisconsin – Steadman headswest Among hisaccomplishmentsistheLaCrosseCounty Supported bya$167,000grantfromtheOffice ofJustice Steadman alsoworked withJohn Voelker, exec- “I greatlyappreciatedworkingwithallofthejudgesand Steadman oversawtheadministrationofDistrictSeven Director ofState CourtsJ.DenisMoranappointedDeputy District Court Administrator Steven R.Steadman, known see separatestory, front page ). Steven R.Steadman District Court Administrator !

THE THIRD BRANCH 2002 Fall 14 15

Fall Nation continued from page 7 2002 malpractice cases work and discusses recently decided Voelker participated in sessions entitled “Safety and

THE THIRD BRANCH appellate court cases. She shares knowledge gained from Security Policy Issues Facing Court Administrators” and eight years of defending malpractice lawsuits and additional “The Cost of Preparedness: Budget Issues and Funding time spent as a member of the Medical Mediation Panels (by Opportunities,” while Steadman participated in panel discus- law, all medical malpractice claims in Wisconsin must go sions on developing emergency preparedness plans. through mediation before they may proceed to court). Too Members from state, national, and specialty bars were few nurses working too many hours has left many with “a present to discuss the challenges of meeting the legal needs lot of fears about all that they’re delegating” to less-trained of victims and their families after man-made or natural dis- caregivers. In addition, she said, there is more critical care asters. involved in nursing because patients wait longer to be seen – meaning they’re sicker when they do seek medical attention McAlpine tapped for conference on – and they’re sent home sooner (and therefore often sicker) families than in years past. In 2002 alone, DiMotto has spoken in Arizona, Colorado, Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Michael J. Florida, Maine, Missouri, Texas, and Canada – not to men- McAlpine was chosen as the judicial representative to attend tion Wisconsin. She makes her presentations on vacation a November 7-8 conference in Chicago, Improving time and does not expend any state dollars on the trips. The Outcomes for Children and Families. McAlpine’s expenses investment pays dividends, she said, in improved under- were paid by the American Public Human Services standing of the courts and the law. Association; the Wisconsin Supreme Court is continuing its moratorium on reimbursement for out-of-state travel. Voelker, Steadman highlight Wisconsin program at 9-11 summit Butler speaks on judicial activism

Below, from left, Court systems are facing unique security challenges in Judge Louis B. Butler Jr., Milwaukee County Circuit Michael McCann, the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. To assist Court, taught a course on judicial activism and a course on chief of the courts in planning for future emergency situations, the New criminal procedure at a National Judicial College session in Security and York State Unified Court System, along with the National Atlanta in September. He had taught the same courses earli- Safety Service for er in the year on the campus in Reno. the United Center for State Courts, the Center for Court Innovation, and Nations; John Pace University’s Center for Judicial Studies and Center for The class on judicial activism is relatively new, and Voelker, executive Downtown New York hosted a 9-11 Summit to bring togeth- focuses on history, judicial philosophy, and current events. assistant to Chief er judicial leaders, court administrators, members of the bar, Judges are encouraged to think about whether they consider Justice Shirley S. and representatives from the executive and legislative themselves to be more activist or traditional in their Abrahamson; and approach to the issues that come to court, whether their Matthew O'Reilly, branches of government to help identify problems and solu- chief of public tions. actions accomplish the goals they intend, and whether the safety for the John Voelker, executive assistant to the chief justice, and justice system actually provides justice. New York Unified Steven Steadman, District Seven’s former court administra- Court System tor, took part in the three-day event held in New York City. Vergeront teaches at National shared the dais Judicial College during a panel Both participated on panels dealing with preparing for emer- discussion at the gencies and safety issues, and highlighted Wisconsin’s Court Judge Margaret J. Vergeront, 9-11 Summit: Security Training Program which recently won the 2002 Court of Appeals, District IV, Courts in the Justice Achievement Award from the National Association Aftermath of traveled to Reno in early for Court Management. Summit organizers covered their September 11th October to participate in a panel in New York City. travel expenses. discussion on interlocutory appeals at the American Bar Association’s conference for the Council of Appellate Lawyers. The audience was about 120 appellate judges and lawyers who practice in state and federal Judge Margaret J. courts around the nation. The Vergeront experience convinced her, she said, that Wisconsin has an excellent system in place to han- dle these interim appeals. ! Commission recentlyrenewedthegrant Prevention Act funds. The Governor’s Assistance JuvenileDelinquencyand 2002 fromtheOffice ofJustice about 12. range ofeight-17,theaverageclientis cases haveinvolvedaparticipantage delinquency preventionefforts. While bench orders,deferredagreements,and program isbecominganewoptionfor Juvenile CourtIntake;however, the program’s casesarereferralsfrom Director LorenBennesch.Mostofthe seed ofaccountability,” saidProgram intervene asearlypossible,toplanta the firstprogramthatisworkingto criminal offenses like bullying.“We’re the casesinvolvelight,petty, andpre- It istypicalinthesensethatmanyof sinceitbeganoperationin August. RJP Problem solved. the 11-year-old’s needshavebeenmet. old’s restorativeefforts andensuresthat unteer whoreinforcesthenine-year- “accountability mentor,” atrainedvol- Playland. Follow-upishandledbyan for anhouratalocalMcDonald’s boys todinnerandtheyplaytogether gy. The programstaff takesthetwo extended silencestoaneloquentapolo- in whichthenine-year-old movesfrom to theoffice andfacilitatesadiscussion staff bringstheboys decline. The RJP participate but,inthiscase,bothsides program. They alsoinvitetheparentsto ensure thattheyareappropriateforthe staff meetsseparatelywiththeboysto full explanationoftheinitiative Branch, The Third logue –inselectedjuvenilecases( encing –afacilitated,face-to-facedia- program offers victim-offender confer- Justice Program(RJP)forhelp. The calls uponEauClaire’s newRestorative referred toJuvenileCourtIntake,which Volunteer Assistance Project at American Clearinghouse and Technical ing andmonitoringselectedoffenders. cessing ofdrugcasesratherthan treat- but itsfocusisonexpeditingthe pro- Milwaukee Countyhasadrugcourt rently handlingabout15cases. Court Drug The programreceivedagrantin This caseisoneof36referredtothe In January, the DrugCourt continued frompage12 continued frompage2 summer 2002fora ). The see tional 453arebeingplanned. ating aroundthenationandanaddi- reported that785drugcourtsare oper- University’s SchoolofPublic Affairs the enterprisingvolunteerswhowork to kidsintheCityofGreenBay. But court’s federalgrantonlyfundsservices tially hadtoturnthemdown. The Bay Youth Court,the Youth Courtini- Pere wantedtoreferkidstheGreen communities of Ashwaubenon andDe in county Green Bay Youth Courtexpands trial. tion isnotreached,thecasesetfor trained volunteermediator. Ifaresolu- their ownagreementswiththehelpofa $5,000 theopportunitytoworkout with disputesinvolvinglessthan Center, Inc.,theprogramgivespeople the FondduLacConflictResolution cent successratein2001.Operatedby mediated 2,526casesandhada76per- the programhas19volunteersthathave tory forsmallclaimscases.Currently court judgesdecidedtomakeitmanda- Fond duLacCountythatthecircuit Resolution, hasbeensosuccessfulfor ceeding. jury dutyinafuture Teen Courtpro- include arequirementthattheyperform issues creativesentencesthatnormally juryoftheirpeers parent orguardian. A the offense andbeaccompaniedbya court requiresyoungoffenders toadmit started alittleoveryearago. The handled morethan50casessinceitwas sition ofcases. The Teen Courthas reducing caseloadandspeedingdispo- grams thathavebeensuccessfulin Fond duLac Teen courtandsmallclaimsin Court JudgeLisaK.Stark. chaired byEauClaireCountyCircuit multi-disciplinary advisoryboard for fiscal2003.Steering theeffort isa Another program,Conflict When policeintheBrownCounty Fond duLacCountyhastwopro- ! cases. years, handlingmorethan1,100 Brown Countyforfour-and-a-half Teen Court,whichhasoperatedin reach kidswhoaretooyoungforthe priate. participation in Youth Courtisappro- talks withtheparentstomakesurethat gram staff screensthe childrenand have caughtyoungshoplifters. The pro- come directlyfromstoreownerswho Youth Courtbutsometimes referrals decides thesentence. offenders, questionstheoffender and and eighthgradersincludingformer prised ofvolunteerfifth,sixth,seventh, tion) hearstwocases. The jury, com- neys handlethisassignmentonarota- (a groupofabout15volunteerattor- sion. Mostnights,thehearingexaminer change totwonightsgiventheexpan- County Courthouse,althoughthatmay one nightperweekintheBrown about 50casesthisyear. Itconvenes case inOctober2000andwillprocess chord withthebusinesscommunity. offenses suchasshoplifting–strikesa eight and11 whoareinvolvedinpetty sion –toservekidsbetweentheagesof business organizations. The court’s mis- speaking tocommunitygroupsand court volunteersandpoliceofficers are ity oftheexpanded Youth Court,the referrals fromallofBrownCounty. is nowenablingthe Youth Courttotake Rotary Foundation,thecandybarfund a $1,000grantfromtheGreenBay for acountywideprogram. Along with selling 1,500candybarstoraisemoney the needsotheytooktostreets, with the Youth Courtwantedtomeet work to returns Director since 1978. head ofthe Wisconsin courtsystem period. of whichrequiredalengthyrecovery talized severaltimes–thecombination underwent twosurgeries andwashospi- Moran hasreturnedtowork. The Youth Courtisaneffort to The Youth Courthandleditsfirst To ensurethefuturefinancialstabil- Most often,policereferkidstothe He hasservedas theadministrative Director ofState CourtsJ.Denis ! !

THE THIRD BRANCH 2002 Fall 16 17 2002 Fall

THE THIRD BRANCH adopted bytheir foster parents. homes forchildren whowillnotbe develop acampaigntofindadoptive system.” and movechildrenoutofthefoster care us toprocessthesecasesmorequickly permanent, adoptivehomeswillallow ing MilwaukeeCountychildreninto “Having acourtroomdedicatedtomov- construction,” Skwierawskisaid. Foundation, wewillbeabletobegin $50,000 fromtheHelenBader Children’s CourtCenter. courtroom attheMilwaukeeCounty will resultintheconstructionofanew “Building Families Through Adoption” oped apublic-privatepartnership. Helen BaderFoundationhavedevel- County BoardofSupervisorsandthe Michael J.Skwierawski,theMilwaukee Executive Scott Walker, ChiefJudge foster care,MilwaukeeCounty tions formorethan1,500childrenin families throughadoption Public-private partnership tobuild close.” home. SaidLanger:“We’re noteven 24 monthsofachild’s removalfromthe Adopt rent MonroeCityHallsoothertrialsweren’t delayed; 30 yearsonthebench.Originally, thecourtwasgoingto told heritwasthelongesttrialhehadpresidedoverinhis Thompson saidthatReserveJudge and mostexpensivetrialGreenCountyhaseverheld. And thentocomeinandseethatthefilingfeeshavegone They’re upsetaboutthecaraccidentthatwasn’t theirfault. get adivorce. They’re nothappyaboutsuingtheirneighbor. to behereinthefirstplace,”shesaid.“Theydon’t wantto H. Barland Reserve JudgeThomas PEOPLE Plans arealsointheearlystages to “Thanks tothegenerousgiftof In amovethatwillexpediteadop- continued fromfrontpage continued frompage13 case wasthelongestrunning Monroe EveningTimes Carol Thompson $21,000. ClerkofCircuitCourt weeks, costingthecountyabout County ranfornearlyseven waivers. higher filingfeescanapplyfor Those whocannotafford the they’re nothappycampers.” the lasttimetheywerehere, even higherthanitwasmaybe ! malpracticetrialinGreen A Thomas H.Barland next fewmonths. toring opportunitieswillbeofferedinthe anticipated thatadditionaljudicialmen- experiences wheneverpossible.Itis committed tosharinginformationand Against WomenActandOJA/VAWAis orities inthereauthorizedViolence and programmingareidentifiedaspri- Act (OJA/VAWA).Judicialeducation Assistance/Violence AgainstWomen to beofferedbytheOfficeofJustice phase ofthejudicialeducationprogram The "peertopeer"exchangeisthefirst pation intheadvisorycommittee. tions arenowinvolvedthroughpartici- ple withdisabilities.Suburbanjurisdic- groups, aswelltheelderlyandpeo- needs ofvariousracialandethnic Mentors .ChiefJusticeRobertG. Siebecker, aSaukCountynative,servedfrom1903-22. 6. ChiefJusticeEdward T. Fairchild, whoservedontheCourtfrom1930-57.HewasadmittedtoNew 5. Twenty days.Justice Theodore G. Lewisservedforjustshyofthreeweeksin1934, dyingofpneumonia 4. Therewerethree:JusticeSamuelCrawford(whoserved1853-55)was borninIrelandandemigratedatage 3. JusticeCharlesH.Crownhart, anativeofRiverFallswhoworkedasDouglasCountydistrictattorney 2. 1. JusticeRobert W. HansendefeatedChiefJusticeGeorge R.Curriein April 1967,makingHansenthefirst Answers toSupremeCourthistoryquizonbackpage told the York Barin1894afterstudyingthelawbutneverreceivedadegree. before everhearingacase.Lewiswasnativeof McFarland. Chief Justice Aad J. Vinje (whoserved1910-29)wasbornin Norwayandemigratedatage12. 20; ChiefJusticeEdwardG. Ryan (whoserved 1874-80)wasborninIrelandandemigratedatage20; before joiningtheCourtin1922.Heserveduntilhisdeath1930. candidate tounseatachiefjustice.Hansen,nativeofMilwaukee,servedontheCourtuntil1978. that the continued frompage11 High Schoolinthesamestairwellasarecentallegedsexual rape case. That assaulttook place in1976atMadison West Simonson’s commentsaboutavictim’s mannerofdressina Simonson ran againstJudge county’s firstwomanjudge.She Circuit Court,becamethe Moria Krueger Daily Press picture wasfeaturedin County CircuitCourt. The Tedlund Lindsey for thelateJudge cate amemorialplaqueandtree outside thecourthousetodedi- a picturewithcrowdof40peoplewhomheaddressed instead, helpingtokeepthetrialunderbudget. downstairs courtroomandabasementconferenceroom however, officials wereabletomoveregularcourtthe Twenty-five yearsago,Judge Bayfield CountyClerk in arecallelectionthatwassparkedby (Ashland). ! , DaneCounty , Bayfield Thomas Archie Clerk ofCourtsOffice,(262)741-4224. Beth SmithattheWalworthCounty For moreinformationaboutPAS,contact “is toempowertheirparents.” dren experiencingdivorce,”Stern said, the mostsuccessfulwaytohelpchil- cation ofBartholomay. “We havefound success ofthePAS programtothededi- classes herself. started, Bartholomaybeganleadingthe components. SoonafterPAS was selors, andteacherstohelpdesignthe mothers, fathers,psychologists,coun- Commissioner JudithStern tocontact experience andteamedupwithCourt Bartholomay drewonherpersonal PAS The Walworth Countyattributesthe Tom Gordon continued frompage12 Judge MoriaKrueger see stopped toposefor People on page18 18

OBITUARY Fall 2002

Ronni G. Jones In 1983, she realized a lifelong dream by entering law THE THIRD BRANCH Office of Judicial Education school. She earned a law degree with high honors and received the Constitutional Law Prize from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1985. While still a law student, Ronni G. Jones, who had worked in the Office of Judicial she developed the draft of Chapter 948 of the Wisconsin Education since 1987, died November 7 after a brief battle Statutes on Crimes Against Children and following gradua- with cancer. She was 61. tion she served on the Legislative Reference Committee that Most recently, Jones was editor of the Wisconsin Judicial drafted the legislation. Benchbooks, the five desktop procedural reference texts for In 1999, following P. Charles Jones’s retirement, the judges. Until July 2001, she was also municipal judge edu- Joneses built their dream home in Spring Green. Ronni cation manager, but she stepped down from that part of the Jones had been looking forward to retiring completely in job in order to work half time. 2003 to travel, garden, read, and spend time with her hus- A New York native, Jones went to college in Madison and then moved to the East Coast for four years before band, daughters, and infant granddaughter. ! returning here with her husband, Judge P. Charles Jones, and adopting two daughters.

PEOPLE continued from page 17 assault that has been assigned to Krueger. “It’s spooky,” The Daily Citizen (Beaver Dam) reported that Municipal Krueger told The Capital Times. “It’s just too coincidental.” Judge Judy Johnsen, Beaver Dam Municipal Court, and Judge Maxine A. White, Milwaukee County Circuit Municipal Judge Laura Reynolds, Horicon Municipal Court, was an invited speaker at a September conference Court, attended the annual Municipal Judge Trial Seminar. sponsored jointly by the American Muslim Alliance and the The Supreme Court’s Office of Judicial Education organized League of Women Voters in Appleton. The theme of the the program, which took place at the Ramada Inn conference was civil liberties Conference Center in Eau post-9/11. White spoke on Claire. racial profiling, reviewing the Another Office of Judicial process embraced by the Education program for munici- Governor’s Task Force on pal judges, the 2002-2003 Racial Profiling, which she Municipal Judge Special Topic chaired. White suggested that Seminar, took place in Neenah Arab and Muslim Americans in September. The Eagle Herald might adapt the task force (Marinette) noted that Municipal approach in responding to the Court Judge Nancy A. circumstances that they now Gustafson, Marinette Municipal Judge John J. DiMotto Judge Jacqueline R. encounter. Other speakers Court, attended; and the Erwin included FBI Special Agent David Mitchell, who directs the Watertown Daily Times reported Milwaukee office; Appleton Atty. John Peterson, who pre- that Municipal Judge Ronald W. Ziwisky, Watertown sented the views of the American Civil Liberties Union; Municipal Court, presented a mock drunk driving arrest and David Mussatt of the Chicago Office of the U.S. mock trial with Judge James A. Gramling Jr., Milwaukee Commission on Civil Rights; and Agha Saeed, Ph.D., of the Municipal Court. University of California-Berkeley. White reported that Language interpreters are in high demand in courts Saeed, as keynote speaker, spoke very passionately about the around the state (see separate story on Wisconsin’s success- increase in the level of disregard for Arab-American and ful interpreter training program, page 11). Attorney Sylvie Muslim rights since the 9/11 attacks. Dahnert, Fort Atkinson, is called upon three to four times a Judge John J. DiMotto, Milwaukee County Circuit week to interpret. “The need has probably quadrupled in the Court, was featured in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel last two years,” Dahnert told the Daily Jefferson County recently for presiding in the felony division of Milwaukee Union. Dahnert also taught an interpreter training session County since August 1999. “I can tell you this: While this recently in Dodge County that focused on court terminology. calendar can be very draining emotionally, a judge here can Judge Jacqueline R. Erwin, Jefferson County Circuit Court, have a real impact on people’s lives,” DiMotto told the has put English-Spanish dictionaries in every courtroom. ! newspaper before moving to family court. SummerChief Justice A bicycle story 2001Shirley S. Abrahamson by Judge Andrew P. Bissonnette Director of State Courts Dodge County Circuit Court J. Denis Moran n July 24, I had a young criminal defendant Beaver Dam, which Editor Amanda K. Todd Oin court who had been picked up on a war- is about 10 miles rant for missing a court date for the second time from the courthouse. Associate Editor on this criminal charge. He appeared in custody (I do that once a C. Colleen Flesher with one of the public defenders. week in season). It Contributing Writers The public defender indicated that this young took me 55 minutes. Judge Andrew P. Bissonette man, about 20, was not well off and did not have Judging from the Sheryl Gervasi Carol Karsten a car. He indicated that his client rides a bike to age of the defendant, Judge Andrew P. Beth Bishop Perrigo work in Horicon, and had again been unable to and the fact that Bissonnette Marcia Vandercook locate a ride to court last time. The public defend- Horicon is only Dan Wassink er then commented that, “I suppose he could try about four miles from Juneau, I stated that his Editorial Committee to ride his bike to the courthouse if that’s what bike ride should only take no more than 25 min- Hon. Michael J. Rosborough the court expected, but it is probably a distance of utes, and yes, that I did expect the defendant to Vernon County Circuit Court The Third Branch four or five miles.” ride his bike if he could not get here otherwise. Gregg T. Moore At that point I had to smile and say that I had I set cash bail at that point. ! District Ten Court Administrator ridden my bike to work that very morning from Carolyn Olson Iowa County Clerk of Circuit Court

Graphic Design/Layout C. Colleen Flesher CELEBRATING THE SESQUICENTENNIAL

The Third Branch is a quar- Supreme Court history book is available terly publication of the Director of State Courts he Wisconsin Supreme Court will celebrate 6. Who was the first Wisconsin-born justice to sit Office, providing news of interest to the Wisconsin Tits 150th anniversary in 2003 with a variety on the Wisconsin Supreme Court? Judiciary. of special events and publications, including an update and reprint of Portraits of Justice, first Portraits of Send questions, comments, published in 1998. Justice is a 104- and article ideas to: Think you know your court history? Try this page paperback Amanda K. Todd short quiz (answers available in the new Portraits book that will be Court Information Officer P.O. Box 1688 of Justice…and on page 17): available in March Madison, WI 53701-1688 2003 from the phone 1. Who was the only justice ever to defeat a chief University of (608) 264-6256 justice in a Wisconsin Supreme Court elec- Wisconsin Press, e-mail tion? distributor for the [email protected] Wisconsin fax 2. Which justice, before joining the Court, man- Historical Society (608) 267-0980 aged Robert M. “Fighting Bob” La Follette’s Press. The price is first campaign for Congress in 1910? $10.95. Order by calling (800) 621- 3. How many Wisconsin 2736, or pick up a Supreme Court justices were copy at the Museum Shop on the Capitol Square immigrants? Hint: this is one at State Street. The Wisconsin Historical Society of them. and State Bar of Wisconsin have also teamed up to offer a half-price membership in the Historical 4. How long was the shortest Society for members of the bar. The membership term ever served on the offer includes a free copy of Portraits as well as a Court? year of the Wisconsin Magazine of History and costs $18.75. Interested bar members should call 5. Before the advent of law schools, becoming a (888) 748-7479 or e-mail lawyer required “reading the law” and serving [email protected] by Jan. 15, 2003, and in apprenticeships. Who was the last justice to mention the “WisBar” promotion. ! serve on the Wisconsin Supreme Court without a formal law degree?

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