Vol 19 No 2 H I G H L I G H T S Spring

2011 3 Supreme Court recount continues 7 Judges take center stage at community events

3 Six new judges elected 10 Evaluating a drug court program

6 Key staff members stepping down 14 Leadership: Racine judge connects with students h

Many longtime judges stepping down

ong-serving judges from across Wisconsin are retiring Like some of his Court of Appeals colleagues, Anderson Lthis spring and summer. In this article, six retiring judges brought to the appellate court a wealth of experience on the are featured. They are: Daniel P. Anderson, Darryl W. Deets, trial bench. When he was just five years out of law school, isconsin Judiciary Harold V. Froehlich, Thomas G. Grover, Robert A. Hawley he was appointed as a county court judge in Sheboygan

and William M. McMonigal. In the summer and fall editions, County. He later became a circuit court judge and served

more retirees will be featured. The current list includes until his 1990 election to District II, headquartered in

Judges Edward E. Leineweber, Richland County; and Donald Waukesha.

A. Poppy, Calumet County. “I have always thought being a judge on the Court of anc Appeals was the best kept secret in the state,” he said. “You

get to work with personable and intelligent people … and Judge Daniel P. Anderson

a publication of the W they pay you to think seriously about the law.” Wisconsin Court of Appeals, District II Anderson found a great deal of satisfaction in writing Judge Daniel P. Anderson, one of the state’s longest- opinions. He is particularly proud of his decision in State v. serving judges, will retire in late June, two years before his Arvid Dean, which established that when a defendant is term expires. He plans to mark the occasion by sailing to indigent but does not qualify for representation by the State England on the Queen Mary 2 and taking part in a D-Day

history program. see Retirements on page 4

Governor submits biennial budget to Legislature

By Deborah Brescoll, Budget and Policy Officer d Br ov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget, now working its County Assess, Inform and Measure (AIM) and Treatment Gway through the Legislature, contains 14 key provisions Alternatives and Diversion (TAD) programs. that will affect the courts. They are as follows: lAuthorize a county board to direct its clerk of circuit court

lReduce court appropriations to reflect estimated saving to operate a courthouse self-help center and to impose fees

associated with higher employee retirement and health for services. Specify in statute specific services to be

premium payments. provided at the self-help center, and prohibit anyone who

lReduce court appropriations by 10 percent, excluding works for, or volunteers at, the center from providing legal

salaries and fringe benefits, to balance the budget. advice at the center.

l l

hir Require the secretary of the Department of Administration Separate Part B of the crime victim and witness assistance

(DOA) to lapse to the General Fund $638,200 annually surcharge into Parts B and C to ease the proper distribution

from court program revenue (non-tax funded) of funds.

appropriations.

lRemove CCAP’s direct receipt of certain justice The court system’s response

information systems surcharge (JISS) revenues. Instead, Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson appeared before the T

provide that CCAP funding from JISS revenues would Joint Committee on Finance March 29 to raise several court

come from a new receipts appropriation under DOA. system concerns with the budget bills relating to the

lMake a project auditor position permanent to help independence of the judicial branch, including:

standardize county reporting of court costs and revenues. lThat the long-term stability and court control of CCAP

lProvide additional funding, from JISS revenues, for funding are threatened with the transfer of JISS revenues

reimbursements to counties for court interpreter services. from CCAP to DOA.

lProvide one-time funding for the Wisconsin State Law lThat the lapses from court program revenue appropriations

Library to purchase West’s National Reporter System on would be determined by DOA, not under the Supreme

DVD, funded with discretionary legal settlement funds Court’s authority. he collected by the Department of Justice. lThat state mandates relating to self-help centers would

lRepeal a variety of sentencing provisions created under establish and impose fees for center services.

2009 Act 28, including risk reduction sentences, positive lThat judicial compensation currently is proposed by an

adjustment time, and the Department of Corrections’ agency under DOA. The Supreme Court proposed a

authority for early release and discharge from extended judicial compensation commission.

T supervision and probation. The Director of State Courts Office and the Chief Justice

lModify statutory provisions concerning Supreme Court will be working over the coming weeks in an effort to get

campaign financing. these concerns addressed through budget amendments.

lEliminate funding (currently provided by JISS revenues)

for indigent civil legal services. The budget process

lEliminate earmarked grant funding for Court-Appointed Walker’s budget was introduced in two identical bills

Special Advocate (CASA) programs. called Senate Bill 27 and Assembly Bill 40 (SB 27/AB 40)

lEliminate earmarked grant funding for the Milwaukee

see Budget on page 13 www.wicourts.gov 2

Spring Director’s column: CCAP keeps court system running

2011 THIRD BRANCH smoothly behind the scenes THE By A. John Voelker, Director of State Courts

ver the years, I have had countless discussions with Other justice system partners and state agencies also rely Olegislators, reporters, state agency representatives, other heavily on the accurate and timely information provided state court administrators, and members of the public about through electronic interfaces, including the Department of

the Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP). Gov. Revenue, Crime Information Bureau, Department of

Scott Walker’s biennial budget proposal will require Transportation, district attorneys, law enforcement, state

additional discussions in the public defenders and the Department of Workforce

coming weeks. Development.

No matter to whom I am It isn’t unusual to read about large information technology

talking, I always find myself (IT) projects that are significantly over budget or fail

explaining all the different altogether. This happens both in the public and private

functions that CCAP supports. sector. Some of the information technology literature puts

The reaction usually is one of the failure rates of IT projects as high as 70 percent. We are

surprise because most people fortunate in the court system that we have overcome the

think CCAP is just a Web site odds.

that allows access to court I was reading an article recently that hit home with me

records. While this application, because I think it describes why CCAP has been successful.

known as Wisconsin Circuit The article noted that it is necessary to have effective

Court Access, or WCCA, project management in place, but in the end a successful IT A. John Voelker receives between two and three project has three characteristics.

million requests a day, it’s just one of the many services First, it delivers value to the organization. There is no

CCAP provides. debate about the value CCAP provides to judges, clerk of

In 2012, CCAP will mark its 25th anniversary. By this court staff, and attorneys in ensuring the effective delivery

time, Portage County will be the 72nd and final county to of court services. This includes core functions such as

fully implement CCAP, making it truly a statewide system. managing the case events for the 1,014,235 filings the

Since 2003 we have had 71 counties participating. The fact courts receive on an annual basis, processing and

that we will have this level of voluntary participation speaks accounting for the nearly 18,000 financial transactions that

volumes. occur on a daily basis, and ensuring the effective use of the

Why would counties voluntarily participate? Let’s look at 68,000 people that report to our courthouses each year for

some potential reasons: jury duty (of that number, about 20,000 actually served on a

lCCAP provides tremendous jury in 2010). In addition,

customer support and service CCAP provides for

lCCAP provides consistent innovations such as eFiling

case management for judges, and public kiosks.

clerks of circuit and court Second, collaboration is

staff in each county essential. CCAP has worked

lPrograms are custom built to with court and county

meet the specific needs of personnel in 72 different

the Wisconsin court system counties. In addition, CCAP

and its record-keeping has developed effective

requirements working relationships with a

lThe system is automated and variety of executive branch

updated essentially in real agencies to ensure that both

time, with entries made by the courts and state

clerks of circuit court government as a whole CCAP managers reviewing changes to the Judicial

throughout the state Dashboard statistics. From left to right: Tim Duggan, Andrea operate efficiently by

lThe system provides the Olson, Jean Bousquet and Ken McKelvey electronically sharing

appropriate interface and information.

level of access for various users, including the public, Third, successful projects find ways to engage the users.

justice system partners and state agencies The CCAP Steering Committee members and the numerous

lUsers can share innovation and ideas that can be individuals who have served on design committees have all

implemented statewide provided invaluable user perspectives that have driven

CCAP doesn’t stop with the circuit courts. CCAP development. Currently, CCAP’s staff supports

In 2001, CCAP expanded its role to providing information approximately 2800 users in more than 80 locations.

system support to the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and It might be hard to implement a significant IT project

the administrative offices. This includes developing a successfully, but almost 25 years after its inception, it is

system to manage the cases of the Court of Appeals and even harder to imagine the Wisconsin courts efficiently and

Supreme Court, as well as systems that support the Office of effectively serving court users and the public without CCAP.

Lawyer Regulation and the Board of Bar Examiners. To say I am anxious to see how technology can assist us in

the clientele of CCAP is diverse is an understatement. providing service in the next 25 years. n benc Spring electionbringssixne from UW M. “Mike”McMonigal’ 7 on thebenchatendofhisterm ( Slate. McMonigalwillberetiring aftermorethan19years he workedinprivate practicewithhisfather which hegraduated in1999. City ofJanesville beforeattendingUW Slate winsinGreenLake Justice as aninternforSen.HerbKohlandattendedlecturesby American Universityin the incumbentlostherseat. a privatepractitioner V Here aretheresults: Milwaukee andSheboygancounties)survivedchallenges. W T W Judge-elect ). SlatedefeatedfellowMarkesan oigt isnewjudgeinPort V Slate receivedhisbachelor V Atty aukesha and . oters decidedGreenLakeCountyCircuitCourtJudge oigt andhiswifehavetwochildren. Andrew V bench inColumbia,GreenLake,Marathon,Polk, he . April electionbroughtnewjudgestothecircuitcourt Antonin Scalia. W Supr -Oshkosh andworkedasapatrol of . Justice DavidT Andrew h; oigt W innebago counties.Inthe V W eme Cour , intheraceforColumbiaCounty oigt defeated s successorwillbe W auk . Prosser ashington, D.C,whereheworked in asemesterprogramatthe Ripon College, Third Branch School in2000. his lawdegreefromUW from RiponCollegein1997and received hisbachelor in privatepracticesince1999.He since 2002.Hehasalsoworked attorney forthecityofPortage Judge JamesO.Miller( was createdbytheretirementof mar Branch 2seatbyanarrow T ’ After receivinghis lawdegree, V wo otherincumbents(in s degreeinpoliticalscience oigt hasservedascity gin. Atty esha incumbentlosessea The Branch2vacancy Atty see . . JonR. T Law School,from Prosser Jr T done byhandinanumberof then requestedarecount,whichwillbe final resultswerecertified.Kloppenbur 7,300 votesaheadofKloppenbur JoAnne Kloppenbur recount isexpectedtotakeseveralweeks. municipalities. Ifitgoessmoothly Retirements , fall2010 age imothy C.Henney V W Atty While attending oigt participated , BillSlate. the racebetweenJusticeDavid he statecontinuestoawaitfinalwordon ficer forthe aukesha race, t electioninr . Mark W ’ s degree . and ilsnack. ). see Law on page T The Assistant . W , . g. Prosserwasabout Moran winsinW Markesan withaGoldenRetrievernamedJustice. the S Association. Healsohasservedonseveralcommitteesof secretary/treasurer oftheGreenLakeCountyBar end ofhisterm J. BradyontheBranch5bench.willberetiringat Public DefenderMichaelMoranwillsucceedJudgePatrick Public Defender out there,theold-fashioned important campaigntool. found agoodpairofshoestobe an interpreter trainer Committee, aswellacourt Marathon CountyJustice Advisory Committeeandthe Marathon CountyJuvenileJustice years. Heisamemberofthe Commissioner SandraJ.Marcus. defeated opponentMarathonCountyCircuitCourt Mark T Judge-elect Atty After winning54percentofthevote, Slate andhiswife “W Moran hasworkedintheS . General tate Barof ith allthesocialmediathatis W . Slate isconsin g whenthe , the T . see w judg g (see W ’ s Of . Moransaidhe Election n isconsin. ecount Anja havethreechildren. The fice for20 Third Branch Advisory JoAnne Kloppenburg ausau on p president, vice-president,and oldest lawyerinthecounty that mattered,we’djustelectthe experience wastheonlything judge,” Slatetoldthepaper mean you’regoingtobeabetter experience [asalawyer]doesn’ the job. in thelawmadehimqualifiedfor believed hisvariousexperiences Slate toldthe as anattorneythanhisopponent, Slate hasservedasapast tate “Just becauseyouhavemore Despite havinglessexperience age 8 es tothe , winter2011) Michael Moran Judge-elect Assistant S Ripon Press t They livein tate . Moran that he .” . “If t

THE THIRD BRANCH 2011 Spring 3 4

Spring RETIREMENTS continued from front page

2011 THIRD BRANCH Public Defender, s/he is still entitled to an attorney paid by Administrator Jerry Lang.

THE the county. Also memorable for Anderson was his dissent in As a chief judge, Deets has collaborated with Chief Judge

Angela M.W. v. William Kruzicki, a high-profile case from Jeffrey Kremers in raising awareness among circuit court

the 1990s involving a pregnant judges of local budgetary pressures on the court system.

drug abuser. After a Waukesha “This was originally viewed by many as an isolated local

County Circuit Court issued a issue but now has become a statewide concern,” Deets said.

protective custody order to Closer to home, Deets has been very involved in initiating

protect the fetus, Angela M.W. the mentoring program and the Court Appointed Special

was detained. The Court of Advocate (CASA) program in Manitowoc County. He also

Appeals affirmed the circuit worked on the committee that set up the combined

court’s decision to treat the viable Manitowoc, Sheboygan and Calumet County victim impact

fetus as a child under the CHIPS panel.

statute. Anderson dissented, and “I continue to regularly speak at these panel meetings,”

the state Supreme Court Deets said. “The victims and offenders who speak at the

ultimately adopted his dissent. panels put a human face on the injuries and deaths

Anderson also has enjoyed occurring on Wisconsin highways as a result of intoxicated Judge Daniel P. teaching. He has been on the driving.” Anderson faculty of the Wisconsin Judicial In his tenure on the bench, Deets has opened his

College and the National Judicial College for more than a courtroom to local high school students who are interested

decade, teaching courses on evidence, conducting jury trials, in learning about the law. In addition to hosting classes, he

sexual abuse, computer skills and more. allows individuals to work as interns in his office.

The one thing he won’t miss about job? Deciphering “I have had a number of high school students interested in

briefs filed by pro se litigants. a legal career, paralegal students and law students serve as

Anderson advises his successor (to be appointed by Gov. interns,” he said. “It has been a positive experience for the

Scott Walker) “To leave the ego at home and respect his or interns and me to discuss the law and different perspectives.

her colleagues. For the court to work there has to be a true Many of them have gone on to rewarding legal careers.”

collegiality.” Deets said he would miss the people with whom he has

In retirement, Anderson is looking forward to spending worked over the years.

time with his three grandchildren in Cudahy. He also plans “I have had the good fortune to work with excellent

on golfing, reading, traveling, and working on his judges during my tenure, Judge Allan J. Deehr, Judge Fred

photography, and taking the opportunity to “decompress for H. Hazlewood and currently Judge Patrick L. Willis and

a year before looking at the law again.” Judge Jerome L. Fox,” Deets said. “I have also worked with

two exceptional court reporters, Leland Guetschow and

currently Heather Zimmerman and two outstanding judicial Chief Judge Darryl W. Deets assistants, Linda Van Koevering and currently Nicole Manitowoc County Circuit Court Essert.” Chief Judge Darryl W. Deets has served on the bench in Deets also will miss “well-tried civil cases where both Manitowoc County for 23 years. He was appointed in 1988 sides are represented by able counsel, along with adoptions by then-Gov. Tommy G. Thompson and subsequently and some of the weddings.” On the not-miss list? Intake elected and re-elected four times. He is stepping down Mondays that sometimes mean 100 cases in one day. effective June 24, and said he has enjoyed just about every In retirement, Deets plans to stay involved in the law in facet of the job. some capacity, perhaps as a reserve judge and mediator. He “It’s intellectually stimulating also hopes to do some pro bono work and spend more time and, at times, very difficult,” he with his wife, Blair, and their grandchildren in Colorado. said. “The most difficult part of “I plan on taking six months off and using that time to the job has been balancing the decide what I want to do with the need to keep in touch with the rest of my life,” he said. “As a human side of every case with first step, I am looking forward deciding the case fairly and to playing Cole Porter on the impartially based on the evidence piano or James Taylor on the and the law. After 23 years, I guitar whenever I want.” continue to believe that a life

dedicated to public service and Judge Harold V. the law is one of the highest

callings in our society.” Chief Judge Froehlich

Deets became chief judge of Darryl W. Deets Outagamie County the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court Administrative District four years ago by appointment of the Judge Harold V. Froehlich, Judge Harold V. Supreme Court. Prior to that, he served as deputy chief whose background is among the Froehlich judge for six years under then-Chief Judge L. Edward

Stengel. In both capacities, he said he appreciated the

opportunity to work closely with longtime District Court see Retirements on page 5 Judge ThomasG and modernizethe When hebecameacircuitjudge,workedtostrengthen legislative branchbyfirmingupserviceagencies. other significantaccomplishmentswithinthejudiciaryhave work forthejudiciarywillberememberedlongaftermany assistant in longtime friendwhoservedasFroehlich’ initiatives, includingrestorationoftheMenominee arrived inthenation’ W interpreter fees. term. the U.S.HouseofRepresentatives,whereheservedone decade. Heleftthe consumed withthe But asamemberoftheHouseJudiciaryCommittee,hewas regrets, however getting re-elected,”hewasquotedassaying.“Ihaveno but thathehadnoregrets. Times instead resignedin that PresidentRichardM.Nixonbeimpeached(Nixon was oneofonlyahandfulRepublicanstorecommend state judiciary him wellonthebench,andhavebeenaboontoentire W system forreimbursingcountiesguardian issues suchasjudicialcompensationandimprovingthe including fouryearsas School. Heservedinanumberofleadershippositions, 1963, justoneyearaftergraduatingfromtheUW – especiallytheimportanceofanindependentjudiciary broker) andakeenunderstandingofpoliticsgovernment numbers (heisacertifiedpublicaccountantandrealestate Judge ofthe In 2008,FroehlichwasnamedtheS Sherman Dreyfus,Froehlichwonfivesubsequentelections. 30 yearsonthebenchinOutagamieCounty most diverseinthe “Harold Froehlichhashadanenormousimpacton Froehlich’ Froehlich’ “I didn’ In aninterviewmanyyearslaterwiththe He waselectedasaRepublicantotheS Froehlich broughttothebenchahighaptitudefor Appointed tothebenchin1981bythen-Gov isconsin government,”saidJusticeDavid isconsin RETIREMENTS , Froehlichsaidhisvotelikelycosthimre-election, t dwellonitthen,butwascertainlyaproblemin T W s timein s independence,integrityandleadershipserved rial Judges Y ashington. “Asalegislator . ear As achiefjudge,andaspresidentofthe , becauseIbasedmyvoteontheevidence.” . Grover . Hiscurrenttermexpiresin2012. W August 1974). Assembly in1973afterbeingelectedto W W s capitalwithalaundrylistof isconsin judiciary W ater isconsin judiciary Assembly speaker ashington wastumultuous.He Association, heworkedhardon gate scandal.Ultimately two yearsleftin histerm. Grover willretire onJune24with Circuit CourtJudge Menominee/Shawano County Circuit Court County Menominee/Shawano Grover Judge ThomasG been for “The bestthing about myjob After 35yearsonthebench, continued fromp gotten.” tate Barof . Histrulyhistoric , retired , hestrengthenedthe s administrative , overthenext tate Los Angeles . T . Prosser ad litem Assembly in . Lee Thomas G W April 8after age 4 , Froehlich isconsin Law T ribe. . , a and . . circuit courtworkswiththeMenomineeReservation reservation statuswasterminated,Groversaid.Nowthe only courtinMenomineeCountybecausethe Shawano. appointment, heworkedinprivatepracticeHudsonand elections in1983,1989,1995,2001and2007.Priortohis said. “Ihaveenjoyedtheirsupportovertheyears.” has beenservingthepeopleofShawanoCounty Posse establisheditselfincentral generally doesnotrecognizetheauthorityofcourts. vigilante groupthatopposesallformsofgovernmentand legal challenges. Court. both inandoutsideofthecourtsystem. has hadanopportunitytoserveinavarietyofcapacities ago. law instructorforNortheast has servedontheBailS Marquette UniversityandLawSchool,Grover the wayforathree-way primaryinFebruary Schmidt, whoretired. appointed himinfall2010tosucceed JudgeBruceK. serve full-timein county regionuntil2010,when he decidedwantedto 2006. Heassumedreservestatus, hearingcasesinaneight- before heoptedtostepdownin Hawley wasre-electedthreetimes at once. W 25 yearsonthebenchin Circuit Court W Hawley Judge Robert list forhisnew-foundfreetime. wife hasalsobeenkindenoughtoprovidehimwithato-do his grandchildren,aswellwoodworkingandhunting.His retire. among hisstaf “They areahardworkingteam.” would missthecourtstaf Club BoardofDirectorsandShawanoRotaryClub. Arts Council,andasamemberoftheShawanoOptimist Board ofGovernors,vicepresidenttheShawanoCounty W He hasalsoservedaspresidentoftheShawano There wasaperiodoftimewhenthecircuitcourt Grover wasappointedtothebenchin1976,andwon “I survivedthePosseComitatus,”hesaid,referringtoa Throughout hiscareer “It’ S Hawley optedtostepdownafter ayearinof Initially electedin1982, Judge Robert In hisretirement,Groversaidheplanstospendtimewith “I reallylikedthepeopleincourthouse,”Groversaid. He planstoremainactiveinhiscommunity ay BoardofDirectors,presidenttheMielke innebago County–butnotall innebago County till, onbalance,thejobhasbeenapleasure,andGrover s agoodworkingrelationship,”Groversaid. f, whosaidtheyhavedecidedthathecannot A. Hawleyserved W innebago County A. , Groverhasfacedsomeunusual tudy Committeeandasabusiness f. W isconsin see And thefeelingismutual W Judge Robert Retirement isconsin severaldecades . Gov T A echnical College. . JimDoyle graduate of . , andsaidhe fice, clearing s ,” Grover Area United Theater on p A. Hawley T age 12 ribal The

THE THIRD BRANCH 2011 Spring 5 6

Spring Courts will lose a number of key

2011 THIRD BRANCH

THE managers and staff

ix key managers and staff members announced plans to particularly in the ice and snow,” she said. “Some days it’s Sresign or retire this spring. More are expected. In this really dicey.” issue, we highlight the following individuals: State Law Colwin and her husband, Tom (a retired professor of

Librarian Jane Colwin, Deputy Director for Court theater at UW-Whitewater) are hoping to celebrate her

Operations Sheryl A. Gervasi, Supreme Court Commissioner retirement with a trip to Hawaii. They also dream of visiting

Coleen Kennedy, Effective Justice Strategies Manager Erin Tahiti. And closer to home, Colwin hopes to work as a

Slattengren and Pro Se Coordinator Ann Zimmerman. In volunteer to help the Jefferson County Circuit Court launch

upcoming issues, we'll write about Court of Appeals Chief a program that will serve self-represented litigants.

“The need is there, and it’s not going away,” she said. Staff Atty. Peg Carlson and others. “I’m looking forward to taking part in some worthwhile

projects near home, on my own schedule.” State law librarian ready for

new chapter Deputy director is a quitter Jane Colwin’s three-decade Deputy Director of State Courts Sheryl A. Gervasi, who career at the Wisconsin State Law worked for the Wisconsin court system for 39 years, Library might never have announced in March that she would retire – joining the happened if a flier tacked to a “quitters” she often lovingly mocked. Gervasi’s official bulletin board hadn’t caught her retirement date is in June. eye in graduate school. Gervasi’s announcement triggered an avalanche of “I had moved here from Tulsa responses from court staff, judges, legislators, clerks of [her hometown] and was just circuit court, attorneys and others who recognize that her finishing up my master’s at UW- experience and knowledge will be irreplaceable. At the same Madison when I glanced at this time, colleagues from across the state quickly began bulletin board and happened to gathering material in gleeful anticipation of a world-class see a posting about a job at the roast that was held May 12 in Madison. Wisconsin State Law Library,” “For the better part of four decades, Sheryl has treated Jane Colwin she recalled. “I read the job retirees with unfettered derision, description and I said to myself, mocking and taunting them as ‘That’s my job!’ and luckily, Marcia [Koslov, then-state law ‘quitters’ and ‘miserable human librarian] agreed.” beings’ who are simply afraid of a Colwin ultimately succeeded Koslov as state law librarian little hard work,” longtime Dane in 2003. She has spent 27 years at the state’s first public County Circuit Court Judge library, which this year celebrates its 175th anniversary. In Daniel Moeser observed. “Now that time, Colwin has found a great deal of satisfaction in the shoe’s on the other foot. It’s designing legal research courses for the judiciary. payback time, and we’ll be “I will miss my judges,” she said. “I have been fortunate ready.” to have been able to build a program that allows me to go Gervasi started with the out and meet with the judges, to learn about their needs and Administrative Director of the to teach them about online resources. That’s been a lot of Courts Office – as it was then fun, and very satisfying as well.” known – in 1972. She worked in Sheryl A. Gervasi Colwin also has worked hard to help the public – and in a clerical position for several particular pro se litigants – to navigate the legal system. years before her promotion to legislative assistant. That job Through the library’s main location just off the Capitol eventually became the legislative liaison post, which Gervasi Square and two Legal Resource Centers at the courthouses held until Director of State Courts A. John Voelker in Dane and Milwaukee counties, in addition to the Internet, appointed her as deputy director for court operations in the Wisconsin State Law Library responds to thousands of 2003. inquiries every month. As head of the Office of Court Operations, Gervasi Four years ago, with state Pro Se Coordinator Ann managed a group of central-office staff as well as the district Zimmerman, Colwin launched a new program to educate court administrators, working to provide judges and clerks public librarians across the state about providing law-related of circuit court with technical assistance and management information to the public. help. This included disseminating relevant legislative “I am proud of the fact that this library is a full partner in information, offering guidance as to the practical effects of the Wisconsin court system’s effort to provide access to new legislation, and setting policies and procedures for court justice to the people of Wisconsin,” Colwin said. management. The office also provides statistical data on Although she will miss the work and the people – circuit court caseload, manages the interpreter program and especially her “great staff” – there are things that Colwin the Children’s Court Improvement Program, and provides will be happy to leave behind. To wit: her twice daily 50- staff for the Planning and Policy Advisory Committee. minute commute to and from Fort Atkinson. Gervasi’s institutional history and people skills (which “I look forward to not having to drive so much,

see Staff on page 9 and countybudgetchallenges. issues facingthecriminaljusticesystemasaresultofstate Sherif southeastern comprised ofcivicleadersthatfocusesonissuesaf hosted bythePublicPolicyForum,anon-partisangroup Jef March, MilwaukeeCountyCircuitCourtChiefJudge By BethBishopPerrigo,DeputyDistrictCourt in atimeoftightbudget Milwaukee meetingfocusesonjustice Both eventsdrewhundredsofparticipants. understanding ofthecriticalissuesfacingjusticesystem. T filling upourjail.” were willingtodo that,theyweregoingtohave tokeep Tribune Management Councilgottogetherwiththe the courts,LaCrosseCountyCriminalJustice and court La Crossetownhallmeetingoncrime in localcriminaljusticesystems. collaborative, evidence-baseddecisionmakingandpractices through finaldispositionanddischar implementation ofthesystem-wideframework(arrest throughout thesystem.Itisanticipatedthat Corrections toexploretheuseofevidence-basedpractices technical assistancegrantfromtheNationalInstituteof justice systemandongoingopportunitiesprovidedbythe universal screeningofallpersonsenteringthecriminal the audiencewasveryinterestedinouref works onhowtodomorewithlessadailybasis.Ithink our CommunityJusticeCouncil,wehaveacoregroupthat budgetary challengesweface,”Kremerssaid.“Through keen interestinhowwehaveandwillrespondtothe attended theevent. Board ChairS we weren’ address recidivism. too small,whichledtoincreased interestinprogramsto overcrowding andsecurityissues. Butitsoonprovedtobe as wellproblem-solvingcourtprogramsinthecounty community tolearnmoreaboutthecriminaljusticesystem alternatives toincarceration,andallowedmembersofthe Tribune a one-hourtownhallmeeting. J The presentation,calleda At asold-outeventatMilwaukee’ In anef Kremers andChisholmdiscussedtheirsupporttomove “It wasaverybroadaudiencewhoseemtohavetaken Local leadersineducation,governmentandbusiness “All ofthejudgeseventuallycame totheconclusionthat In 1997,LaCrosseCountybuilt anewjailtoaddress The meetingfollowedafive-partseriesofstoriesinthe frey Kremers,District udg community eventsdesignedtoimprovepublic his spring,MilwaukeeandLaCrossebothstaged f DavidClarke and on thecounty’ fort toimprovepublicunderstandingofjusticeand t givingthemenoughoptions,”La CrosseCounty es tak WXOW W teve Doyletold the s isbroadcastlive isconsin. -TV gave theirperspectivesoncritical s criminaljusticesystemand , thelocal Attorney JohnChisholmand V e centersta iewpoint Luncheon,was Tribune ABC af s PfisterHotelin ge) willresultinmore s forts.” . “Anduntilwe filiate, todevelop La Crosse Administrator fecting . g e a monitoring. in parttocommunityprogramsincludingelectronic has beenreducedfrom199in2006to1732010,thanks County CircuitCourtJudgeScott problem over the community “So weconsiderthegravityof behavior doesn’ County CircuitCourtJudgeJohnJ.Perlich. Drug Courtwaslaunchedin2001byformerLaCrosse “W operation. OWI court’ According tothe model ofsupervision,treatment,andthethreatjailtime. the drugcourt’ good thing.” commit crimes,that’ so they’renotaslikelyto to changemyapproach information] requiresme we can.If[additional knowledge andjudgment bear alltheinformation, “W sentencing,” Pasellsaid. important than do asjudgesismore drug court.“Nothingwe who nowpresidesinthe Judge Dale was summedupby meeting andtothemedia message atthetownhall policy forumluncheoninMarch.T about Milwaukee’ District OneChiefJudgeJeffrey Milwaukee CountySheriffDavidClarke. According tothenewspaper “W Drug treatmentcourtshavealsoprovidedananswertothe “What we’velearnedisthatpunishingpeopleforbad Ultimately In 2006,LaCrosseCountybegananOWIcourtbasedon e’ve gottobedoingsomethingbetter e needtobring e can’ t comm t puteveryoneinjailorprison,”LaCrosse s graduatesreof T , thejudges’ n . Pasell, s success. .” t changethebehavior Tribune -populated jails. s criminaljusticesystemduringapublic s a The OWIcourtusesthesame , fewerthanfourpercentofthe hall meeting. about thejustice systematatown Judge DaleT La CrosseCountyCircuitCourt fended inthefirstthreeyearsof unity e , theaveragejailpopulation A. Kremersmakesapoint W o thelef The LaCrosseCounty . Hornetoldthepaper fense andtheriskto ,” hetoldthe . Pasellspeaks .” t ofKremersis v ents Tribune

Photo credit: La Crosse Tribune . . Photo credit: Phil Slaske Photography

THE THIRD BRANCH 2011 Spring 7 8

Spring Election continued from page 3

2011 THIRD BRANCH campaigning is the best,” Moran told the Wausau Daily He lives in Dresser with his wife, Dessy, and two young

Herald. “Going out and talking to the people is the best sons. THE

way.”

A graduate of UW Law School, Moran lives with his Sutkiewicz wins full term in Sheboygan wife, Suella, and a daughter and son in Wausau. Director of Judge Angela W. Sutkiewicz won her first full term to the State Courts A. John Voelker requested that Gov. Scott Sheboygan County Circuit Court with just over 50 percent Walker appoint Moran prior to the Aug. 1 start of the term. of the votes. The final tally gave Sutkiewicz an edge of only

about 130 votes, and a recount Colón defeats challenger in Milwaukee confirmed her as the winner. Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Pedro Colón Sutkiewicz faced challenger defeated challenger Christopher R. Lipscomb, a Glendale Catherine Q. Delahunt, a municipal judge and private municipal court judge and practice attorney, to win his first private practice attorney. full six-year term on the Branch Eliminated in the primary was 18 bench. another challenger, Assistant Colón was appointed by District Atty. Jim Haasch. former Gov. Jim Doyle in Sept. Sutkiewicz was appointed by 2010 after the retirement of then-Gov. Jim Doyle in 2010 to Judge Patricia D. McMahon (see replace retiring Judge Gary J. The Third Branch, fall 2010). Langhoff. Previously, she had Prior to his appointment, he served as an assistant district Judge Angela W. served six years in the eighth attorney in Walworth County and Sutkiewicz Assembly District and worked in worked in private practice. She private practice. He is a graduated from Barnard College at Columbia University Judge Pedro Colón graduate of Marquette and Marquette Law School. University and UW Law School. “I think people really want a judge they can trust and one Colón lives in Milwaukee with his wife and two they feel is credible and fair, and I’m glad they feel that way daughters. about me,” Sutkiewicz told the Sheboygan Press.

Sutkiewicz lives in Sheboygan with her husband, Fred,

Anderson will take seat in Polk County and three daughters.

The vacant Polk County Branch 2 seat will be filled by

Atty. Jeffery L. Anderson. The vacancy was created by the Carter beats incumbent Stilling retirement of Judge Robert H. Rasmussen last November. in Waukesha Because of the long vacancy, Director of State Courts A. Judge Kathleen Stilling, appointed by then-Gov. Jim John Voelker asked Gov. Scott Walker to appoint Anderson Doyle in 2010, lost her bid for election to Waukesha so that he could start hearing County’s Branch 4 seat. The judge-elect is Assistant District cases prior to Aug. 1. Atty. Lloyd V. Carter. Carter beat Stilling by a wide margin, Anderson defeated Polk County pulling in 67 percent of the vote. District Atty. Daniel P. Steffen in Stilling is a former criminal defense attorney who a race that involved some succeeded Judge Paul F. Reilly after Reilly was elected to controversy over a campaign ad. the Court of Appeals. According to the Osceola Sun, Carter has worked in the Steffen ran a newspaper ad Waukesha County District comparing his experience with Attorney’s Office for more than that of his opponent, and 20 years. A graduate of Anderson charged that some of Marquette Law School, Carter has Steffen’s claims were false. The also worked in private practice in ad claimed Anderson had never Brookfield and as an assistant Judge-elect tried a case before a jury in Polk Jeffery L. Anderson district attorney in Manitowoc County and had no management County. experience. Anderson provided the Sun with documentation Carter has served as the legal showing he did, in fact have trial experience in the county, director for the Waukesha County and he also refuted the no-management-experience claim. Metropolitan Drug Enforcement “I have managed my own practice in Polk County for the group, and on the board of past seven years. Anyone in business knows that is, indeed, Judge-elect directors for Family Services of management,” Anderson told the paper. Lloyd V. Carter Waukesha. He also has taught Anderson earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from classes at Waukesha County Technical College. Hamline University and graduated from Oklahoma City Carter lives with his wife, Connie, and two stepchildren in University School of Law in 1998. He also earned a New Berlin. master’s of law, with honors, at Case Western Reserve

University in Cleveland. see Election on page 14 Supreme Courtcommissionerwillretire the SupremeCourtamongherclosefriends. many ofthestate’ anyone) servedherwellinthecourtsystem.Shecounts include aremarkableabilitytosayjustaboutanything safety encourage criminaljusticestrategies thatenhancepublic Ef from appellate work.KennedycametotheCourtinJune2005 top-notch academiccredentialsandoftenabackgroundin Supreme CourtRules. closely withthejusticesonproposedamendmentsto work onattorneyandjudicialdisciplinematters W Slattengren leavesforMinnesot had workedingeneralpracticebetween1978and1985. work shedidwithJudgeCarl between thestateandtribalcourts. videoconferencing inthecourtsand(2)transferofcases County anddevelopSupremeCourtRulesgoverning(1) and proceduresindomesticviolencecasesMilwaukee Advisory Committee)planningprocess,improvepractices committees torevampthePP with anumberofjudgesand in CourtOperations,sheworked system in2005.Inhersixyears Slattengren said. W hard toleaveMadisonandthe closer tofamilybutitwillbe Minneapolis/S to herhometownof her husband,toddlerandbaby) down inlateMaytoreturn(with S system’ Coleen Kennedy S trategies program,stepped Attorneys chosenasSupremeCourtcommissionershave But themostsatisfyingwork,Slattengren said,wasthe Slattengren joinedthecourt isconsin Courtof isconsin courtsystem,” t fective JusticeS aff Erin Slattengren,whomanagesthe “W W , reducerecidivismandaddress criminal andaddictive s Ef ausau, wheresheworkedasastaf e areveryexcitedtobe continued fromp fective Justice t. Paul. s judges,thechiefjustice,andmembersof trategies Subcommitteetoidentify and Appeals, DistrictIIIsince1985,and age 6 accept forreview which casestheCourtshould and makerecommendationson analyze filings,conductresearch, rulemaking. petitions forreviewand variety ofmattersrelatedto Runke) advisestheCourtona Kopp, Julie (along withcolleaguesNancy the job. down inJuneaftersixyearson Court commisioner As acommissioner Coleen Kennedy AC (PlanningandPolicy Ashley andthePP Erin Slattengren A. RichandDavid The commissioners W f attorneyatthe isconsin court . They also , aSupreme , willstep , Kennedy AC a A. themselves. variety ofef pro se court, publiclawlibrariansandothers onhowtoworkwith developed trainingprogramsforjudges,clerksofcircuit the first-everstatewideconferenceonselfrepresentation, forms foruseinfamilyandsmallclaimsmatters,or court system.Sheworkedondevelopingsimplified is trulyinspiring.” issues relatedtothechallengesofself-representedlitigation said. “Theirtalent,commitmentandwillingnesstoworkon will missallofmycolleaguesatthecourt,”Zimmerman an importantprogramandworkinginacademicsetting,I court systemandMarquetteLawSchool,amongothers. work withthe She hopesto legal services. access tocivil improve partnerships to develop enhance and will workto Zimmerman programming, of Institute. Justice the Economic program in a ef oversee an School to the UW has movedto Abrahamson, Shirley S. Chief Justice assistant to programs forthe inform-measure). criminal justicecoordinatingcouncilsand behaviors. Justice’ Slattengren said,“includingtheformationofChief on somanyoftheef and mentalhealthissues. on of UW program Pro se pro bono fort tobuild Zimmerman accomplishedmuchinherfiveyearswiththe “While I’mdelightedattheprospectofhelpingtobuild As director “I alsohavereallyenjoyedworkingwiththeChiefJustice Atty pro bono fenders tohelpimprovetheresponsedrug,alcohol . litigants, andhelpedindividualjudicial districtsona Ann M.Zimmerman,whocoordinated s MentalHealth Law These strategiesincludeproblem-solvingcourts, coordinator toleadnew forts toimproveservicespeople representing n Atty Litigant recent T recognizing herservicetothest Abrahamson, waspresentedwithaplaque executive assist st W AIM givesjudgesadditionalinformation atewide proseproject isconsin courtsystemasexecutive . fective justicestrategiesprojects,” Ann Zimmerman,whocoordinated s Committeemeeting. T enth DistrictSelf-Represented ask Force.” ant toChiefJusticeShirleyS. s inherroleas AIM (assess- pro se ate duringa ganized

Photo credit: Mark Gunderman,

The Chippewa Herald

THE THIRD BRANCH 2011 Spring 9 10

Spring Evaluating a drug court program

2011 THIRD BRANCH By Judge Lisa K. Stark, Eau Claire County Circuit Court

THE ow effective are the processes used by the Eau Claire court and its referral agencies have the capability to deliver HCounty Drug Court Program? How closely does this evidence-based interventions and services for participants. drug court meet known principles of effective intervention? There are three main domains in the capacity area:

These issues and others were assessed by a team of experts Quality Assurance

from the University of Cincinnati (UC) headed by Edward Program monitoring activities

J. Latessa, Ph.D. The Eau Claire County Drug Court Reassessment of offenders

Program was chosen to be evaluated in January 2011 along Evaluation

with 29 Department of Corrections programs to determine

the extent to which they use evidence-based practices. Staff Characteristics

Education of the staff

Evaluation principles Experience of the staff

The success of a treatment court is often evaluated based Assessment and training of the staff

only upon outcomes, with particular emphasis on reduction

of recidivism and cost savings. Instead, the UC evaluation Leadership and Development

concentrated on the processes used by the Eau Claire Drug Involvement and qualifications of program director

Court to determine the court’s effectiveness. To analyze the Implementation and design of the program

program, the UC team used the Evidence-Based Support for the program

Correctional Program Checklist (CPC), a tool specifically

developed and validated for evaluating the effectiveness of Development of the Eau Claire Drug Court Program

drug court programs and other correctional programs. The The Eau Claire County Drug Court Program was planned

CPC-DC consists of for over a year and

two instruments: accepted its first

one for evaluating participant in

the drug court, and October of 2004.

the other for The drug court

evaluating the team received a

major agencies federal grant and

involved in attended training at

providing treatment three different sites

and service to drug around the country

court clients. Each over a period of

of these tools is three weeks in

divided into two 2004 and 2005.

basic component Team members

areas: content and have also received

capacity. training through the

The content area National

focuses on the The action planning team, (left to right): Tom Wirth, Eau Claire Deptartment of Association of

extent to which the Human Services; Carrie Sullivan, University of Cincinnati; Tiana Glenna, CJCC Drug Court

drug court and its coordinator for Eau Claire County; Pat Isenberger, Eau Claire County Drug Professionals on

referral agencies Court coordinator; Brian Lovins, UC; Judge Lisa K. Stark, Eau Claire County several occasions, Circuit Court, who serves as presiding judge for the drug court; Dana Smetana, meet the principles and the National supervisor for the State Public Defender; Michael Felton, supervisor for of risk, need, Rural Institute of Community Corrections in the state Department of Corrections (DOC); Deborah responsivity and Drug and Alcohol Koetzle Schaffer; and Eugene Olson, DOC. Also, attending the action planning, treatment. This area Abuse. The drug but not pictured, were Ted Hakala and Steven McCarthy, LSS management, and

focuses on the Laurie Lessard, LSS supervisor. court has grown

substantive aspects from fifteen to thirty

of the drug court and its referral agencies. There are two participants. It has enjoyed great support from Eau Claire

domains in the content area: County and significant collaboration from justice system

Participant assessment partners. Its retention and recidivism rates are well within

Selection of participants acceptable levels according to national statistics and

Assessment of participants research. The court can also demonstrate substantial cost

Case management savings over traditional sentencing methods in Eau Claire

County and the State of Wisconsin.

Treatment characteristics However, the Eau Claire County Drug Court had never

Targeting of criminogenic needs had the opportunity to have the effectiveness of its program

Type of interventions used evaluated by an independent, third party. Despite what the

How treatment is delivered treatment team believed was fidelity to the ten key

Provision of aftercare components of a drug court, the team increasingly felt that

The capacity area is designed to measure whether the drug see Drug court on page 11 Drug court ef discussed abovewasscoredandratedaseither“highly “scored” theDrugCourtProgram.Eachdomainarea summary ofwhattheyhadaccomplishedandtheirfindings. conclusion ofthesitevisitevaluatorsgaveaverbal materials, curricula,andsamplecasefiles. policy andproceduremanuals,schedules,treatment services. Surveyswereconducted,aswellreviewsof of groups,thedrugcourtandtreatmentteammeeting, participants. Informationwasobtainedthroughobservation conducted withselectedprogramstaf Community Corrections.S analyst withtheDepartmentofCorrections/Division for CriminalJusticeResearch,andEugeneOlson,apolicy research associateswiththeUniversityofCincinnatiCenter 4 to6inEauClairebyCarrieSullivanandBethEllefson, The evaluationpr opportunity tobeassessedbytheUCteam. and outcomes. 54 percent);or“inef percent to64percent);“needsimprovement”(46 very fewcourtsreceivehighlyef referral agencies. used fortheoverallassessmentscorescourtandits scores inalldomainsweretotaledandthesamescalewas drug courtparticipantsandmeasurethecourt’ changes wereneededtomoreef County DrugCourtteamandreferralagencyrepresentatives Follow-up andplanfor be forwardedtotheCourtshortly the Court’ missed. the draftreport,notinganyinformationthatwasincorrector March. report wasreceivedbytheEauClaireDrugCourtinmid recommendations foreachofthedomainareas. the strengths,areasthatneedimprovement,and March toprioritizeobjectiveson eachofthe PP and createanopportunitytocollect feedbackaboutwhere work withPP Dells. court system’ Conference, whichwillbeheldNov T Group isor PP By ShellyCern,PP fective” (65percentto100percent);“ef The UCteamanalyzedtheinformationgatheredand Information fortheevaluationwascollectedfromJanuary After receiptofthedraftCPCreportEauClaire After scoring,areportwasgeneratedwhichhighlighted The PlanningSubcommitteemet withPP The workgroupplanstobringinanationalspeaker AC shouldbegoingandhowit can getthere. Committee (PP he SupremeCourtPlanningandPolicy A The drugcourthad30daystorespondinwriting The evaluationteamisintheprocessofconsidering s feedbackandwillcompileafinalreportthat C planningf ganizing aplenarysessionforthisyear s fourcriticalissuesfor2010-12. AC andthejudiciarytodiscuss current trends Therefore, thetreatmentteamwelcomed continued fromp The EauClaireCourtwasadvisedthat ocess AC Policy AC) JudicialConferencePlanning fective” (lessthan45percent). impr tructured interviewswere Analyst ovement fectively assessandtreat fective oref . age 10 . 2-4inthe f andprogram fective” (55 or J AC attheendof At the Advisory fective ratings. W s ef The critical isconsin W A fectiveness isconsin ’ s Judicial draft The udicial Conf W ork http://wicourts.gov/about/committees/ppac.htm 8861 [email protected] Shelly CernintheOf about PP initiatives canbefoundat: Further informationaboutPP state courtsforfurtheraction. collated andwillbepresentedtoPP related of represented litigants,courtfundingandalcoholdrug issues are:sentencingreformsandalternatives,self- T from LutheranSocialServicesparticipatedin systematically addressthoseneeds. prioritizing needareasanddevelopmentofactionplansto evaluation intopractice,withassistanceprovidedin Madison. ItwasdesignedtotranslatetheresultsofCPC treatment courtsin discussion abouthowthisprocesscanbeusedbyall and theCourt’ CPC evaluationreportfortheEauClaireCountyDrugCourt issue of Program in W action planbeingdevelopedfortheDrugCourtat Claire CountyDrugCourtProgram,itsoutcomes,andthe outcomes. treatment, whichareproventotranslatebetterparticipant improve programef Brian LovinsfromUC,andDeborahKoetzle-Schaf sessions werefacilitatedeachdayforthedrugcourtteamby about eachofthedomainareasCPC.Breakout training providedtheteamwithmoredetailedinformation can becompletedquickly programs, aswellbenchmarking. through ascoringprocess. enables researcherstoquantifythequalityofaprogram meeting evidence-basedstandards.Second,theprocess with measuringthedegreetowhichprogramsare beyond descriptiveindicatorsandwillassistresearchers court anditsreferralagencies. allows researcherstogetinsidethe“blackbox“ofadrug thoughtful way roadmap toaddressingitsareasofneedinasystematicand prepared tocreateanactionplanthatwillserveasa planning theEauClaireCountyDrugCourtteamwas resource. Bytheendoffourthdayaction on drugcourtsacrossthecountryandwasaninvaluable Las Ph.D., anassistantprofessorattheUniversityofNevada- raining. Lovins andIdiscussedtheCPCevaluationofEau There areseveraladvantagestotheCPCprocess.First,it isconsin V egas. Koetzle-Schaf The AC anditssubcommitteesmaybe addressedto fenses. Resultsfromthisexercisearebeing This trainingtookplacefromMarch28-31in Association of April in Third Branch. s proposedactionplantogetherwitha . W fectiveness andtheintegrityof W fice ofCourtOperations,(608)266- er isconsin willbeprovidedinthenext isconsin Rapids. . Finally fer hasconductedmeta-analyses T ence reatment CourtProfessionals n This allowscomparisonsacross AC, itssubcommitteesand This knowledgewillextend , thistoolisdesignedto AC andthedirectorof T . Third, theevaluation echnical assistance n A summary ofthe Action Plan . Questions fer ,

THE THIRD BRANCH 2011 Spring 11 12

Spring Waukesha County Day Report Center marks

2011 THIRD BRANCH

THE fourth anniversar y

n 2007, Waukesha working relationship with WCS, ICounty faced a difficult which is a local non-profit that is decision. The sheriff preparing to celebrate its 100th

informed justice partners anniversary. It operates more than

that crowding and staff 40 programs in southeastern

shortages in the Huber Wisconsin.

facility would force 50 of WCS’s Division of Court Services

about 250 inmates out on and Community Alternatives,

electronic monitoring administered by Waukesha based

(EM). Waukesha had executive Sara Carpenter, worked

never before had more closely with the sheriff, the judiciary,

than one or two inmates on and the county Human Services

EM. Law enforcement, Department to get the DRC up and

judges and others in the running. A site visit to the Outagamie

justice system knew they County DRC, along with other

needed to act fast to deal Denise Rawski, an on-site supervisor with Wisconsin research, helped the CJCC to refine

effectively with this huge Community Services, meets with a client. the concept. Convenient unused

shift. office space was found and

Enter the county’s Criminal Justice Coordinating Council remodeled within the Huber facility, and another remodel is

(CJCC), one of the state’s first and best-established now underway. A 2011 capacity expansion has led to a

collaborative justice system teams. The CJCC, which will program capacity of about 70 clients. Davis said the DRC

celebrate its 10th anniversary next year, is chaired by Chief regularly operates at, or close to, capacity.

Judge Mac Davis. It quickly began working with the county

executive and county board on a solution, and within The process

months the new Day Report Center (DRC) was open for DRC staff conducts a lengthy screening interview of

business. Huber inmates for the sheriff in order to recommend either

Waukesha County contracted with Wisconsin Community EM or DRC. Inmates accepted into the DRC develop a

Services (WCS) to operate the DRC. Waukesha’s other adult close relationship with their caseworkers. Each inmate visits

and juvenile justice program contracts have led to a close see Anniversary on page 13

RETIREMENTS continued from page 5

Winnebago County Court Commissioner Daniel J. Bissett then-Gov. Tommy Thompson, McMonigal was elected in

was the top vote-getter in the primary, and he went on to 1993, 1999 and 2005. In 1996, he was honored as Wisconsin

win the general election on April 5. Bissett beat Atty. Child Support Enforcement Association Judge of the Year.

Edmund J. Jelinski with 58 percent of the vote (see separate Prior to his appointment, McMonigal worked in private

story, page 14). practice in Berlin with his father, the late J.L. McMonigal,

and as a Green Lake County judicial and family court

commissioner. He is a graduate of the Marquette University Judge William M. McMonigal College of Business Administration and Marquette Law Green Lake County Circuit Court School. Judge W.M. “Mike” McMonigal has handled nearly During his time on the bench, McMonigal said he has 100,000 cases in his 19 years on the bench in Green Lake noticed a significant increase in the volume, complexity and County. Add in his previous severity of criminal cases. As co-chair of the Planning and service as a court commissioner, Policy Advisory Committee (PPAC), he began speaking in and he has served four 2004 about judicial stress caused by the increase in generations of people. caseload. The following year, PPAC established the “I have been able to see all Subcommittee on Court Effectiveness to examine ways to parts of a family in different provide assistance for judges. contexts,” McMonigal said. “As As PPAC’s vice chair, McMonigal also became involved a judge, I can take all those parts in work related to videoconferencing in the courts, making and create a solution, instead of the record and more. another problem.” McMonigal said he would miss interacting with people in McMonigal announced that he court. “I liked that part,” he said. “I did not like the will be retiring at the end of his administrative part.” current term. Atty. Mark T. Slate He does not plan on giving up work completely. He hopes was elected to replace him (see Judge W.M. “Mike” to work as a reserve judge and to volunteer wherever his McMonigal separate story, page 3). skills may be of use. He also plans to spend some time in First appointed in 1992 by Palm Springs, Calif. n expenditures fromJuly1,201 Committee onFinance. on March1andreferredtotheLegislature’ The governorsigned thebillas201 deliberations isthe uncertainstatusofthebudget repairbill. sessions tomakemodifications thebudget. hearings theCommitteewillbegin aseriesofexecutive public hearingsthroughoutthestate. Followingthepublic April. Democraticlegislatorsalso heldaseriesof March, followedbyfourpublic hearings completedinmid- state agencybudgetbriefingsessionsbeginninginlate Budget Summit onChildr than 400 $143,326 infiscalyear201 county taxpayersandsomeclientfees,alltotaling support fortheDRCremainsstrong.Itisfundedby served bythecenterhasbeenupanddown.S 10,493 jaildays.Overtime,thenumberofpeople monitored 230of W for 30to120daysasasentencecondition. have beendirectlyreferredbytheirsentencingjudge directly totheDRC.NowmajorityofDRCclients when appropriate. alcohol monitoringbracelets(SCRAM)areused alcohol testingareconductedonsite,andcontinuous troubles, mentalhealthconcernsandmore.Drug address the DRCbetweenoneandfivetimesperweekto M The bottomline centered helpandmonitoringsystem. and rehabilitativebenefitsofthiscase-manager pioneer forchildreninfostercare. children acrossthecountry majority ofhislegalcareerrepresentingimpoverished went ongraduatefromHarvardLawSchool.Hespentthe spent 1 provided theclosingpresentationatSummit.Bridge Dells onMay1 statewide conference. Families SecretaryEloise Shirley S. in the wayabusedandneglectedchildren’ courts, tribesandsocialserviceagenciesonimproving Permanency Children andFamilies:EngagingFamiliesto Anniversary T A Over time,thejudgesalsobegansendingof In itsfirstfouryears,the Andrew Bridge,authorof The eventfocusedonfosteringcollaborationamong aukesha’ W o beginitsreviewofthebudget,JointFinancefirstheld potential dif isconsin. social workersandadvocatesgatheredin ore than400tribalandcircuitcourtjudges,attorneys, 1 yearsinLos AODA Abrahamson andDepartmentofChildren s judgeshaveembracedthepublicsafety continued fromfrontp . W 1 and12forthe201 issues, employmentneeds,family ficulty facingtheCommitteein its budget isconsin SupremeCourtChiefJustice fenders andsavedanestimated continued fromp Angeles Countyfostercaresystemand The biennialbudgetcoversstate Anderson helpedkickof , andisadevotedadvocate 1. W Hope’ 1 throughJune30,2013. aukesha DRChas n age s Boy: 1 1 Act 10,butprior to age 12 W s casesarehandled isconsin Summiton A s Joint Memoir Achieve till, fenders en andF - W isconsin f the ficial , Coordinating Council,regularlymeet Chief JudgeMacDavis,whochairstheW Services andCommunity administrator oftheW and courtstaf V act. order wasissuedthatenjoinsfurtherimplementationofthe publication bythesecretaryofstate,atemporaryrestraining retirement andhealthpremiumpayments. estimated savingsassociatedwith higheremployee state agencies,theLegislatureand thecourtstoreflect been enacted.Forexample,thebudget billscutfundsfrom provisions, alongwiththeirsignificantfiscalef Department ofHealthandHumanServices. replaced the201 built uponthefirstSummit,whichwasheldin2008,and W Health andHumanServices,Children’ Program, afederalgrantawardedbytheU.S.Departmentof made possiblebytheChildren’ Maurer Gonzalez, LaCrosseCountyCircuitCourt,andDonald Indian Child W foster youthwhosharedtheirpersonalexperiencesinthe Milwaukee CountyCircuitCourt,ledapanelofformer Family ProgramsandJudgeChristopherR.Foley psychology behindchange.CindyHamiltonfromCasey mental healthissuesarepresentandunderstandingthe to drugandalcoholaddiction,engagementstrategieswhen oelker willcontinuetokeepjudges, clerksofcircuitcourt The biennialbudgetassumes As theprocessunfolds,Director ofS T Chairing the2001SummitwereJudgeRamona isconsin DepartmentofChildrenandFamilies. isconsin childwelfaresystem. opics addressedattheSummitincluded amilies dr , deputydirectorofthe f apprisedofdevelopments. W isconsin CommunityServicesDivisionofCourt elfare 1 JuvenileLawSeminar Alternatives. Act, evidence-basedpracticerelating s withSaraCarpenter Act 10’ W s CourtImprovement aukesha CriminalJustice a aukesha County ws mor s statutory tate Courts s Bureau,andthe . n The Summitwas The 201 fects, have W , , A. John isconsin A. 1 event e

THE THIRD BRANCH 2011 Spring 13 14

Spring LEADERSHIP

2011 THIRD BRANCH

THE Racine judge uses math to help students

learn about the courts

n innovative 2. A team of Apartnership in approximately 12 Racine is helping students is selected to

middle school solve the problem.

students to sharpen The student team does

their math skills while its investigation at the

learning more about site of the host

how the courts work. organization (i.e. the

The Racine County courthouse).

Circuit Court has

completed its third 3. The student team

year participating in presents its solution to

the educational the problem to the

partnership between entire class back at the

the Racine Unified school with the career

School District, the representative present.

Racine Rotary Clubs, Over the last three

and local businesses Judge Dennis J. Barry, who has been on the bench in Racine County for 31 years, Barry has years, works annually with local middle school students to sharpen their and organizations. participated in CDS at problem-solving skills. Barry brings the students to the courthouse and visits The program, Career Racine’s McKinley their classroom. Judge Faye M. Flancher also participates. Discovery Solutions Middle School (his

(CDS), helps middle school students in the Racine alma mater). The program has been so successful that it has

community explore areas of potential career interest. expanded to two other Racine middle schools. Barry also

Seventh and eighth grade students learn about different participated at Jerstad-Agerholm Middle School and Racine

careers by working with professionals and fellow students to County Judge Faye M. Flancher participated at Mitchell

solve realistic problems. Racine County Circuit Court Judge Middle School. Some other professions participating in the

Dennis J. Barry has participated in the program since its CDS partnership include hospital/health care, architecture,

inception in 2008. He creates problems that force students to the bakery business and international shipping.

use their math skills. They calculate child support, Barry, who is also a Rotarian, recently was recognized by

compensation in negligence cases, penalties in criminal the Rotary Clubs for his extensive participation in CDS.

matters and more. David Easley, chair of the Rotary CDS Coordinating

“Kids are amazed to see that what they learn in the Committee said, “Judge Barry has generously given his time

classroom really does have application in the courtroom,” on numerous occasions. In designing real world problems

Barry said. he has given the students a practical education in how the

The CDS project consists of the following three phases legal system works.”

over three days: Bradley Haag, supervisor of Career and Technical

1. A representative of the career speaks to the full Education for the Racine Unified School District noted,

seventh or eighth grade class at the middle school. In “With knowledge gained from these projects, our students

addition to discussing his/her career, the speaker also can make more informed decisions about career choices.

presents a problem to be solved. The work of judges in the CDS program is making a

positive difference in the lives of our students.” n

Election continued from page 8

probate, mental health and elder Bissett wins in Oshkosh law cases. Winnebago County Circuit Court Commissioner Daniel J. A 1988 graduate of UW- Bissett defeated Edmund J. Jelinski, a private practice Oshkosh, Bissett received his law attorney, for the Branch 6 seat being vacated by Judge degree from the University of Robert A. Hawley (see Retirements on page 5). Bissett Dayton School Of Law in 1992. received 58 percent of the votes. Bissett has served on the board “I’d like to thank all the voters for their support and of the Winnebago County confidence in me,” Bissett told the The Post Crescent. “I’ll Conflict Resolution Center and work hard to represent all the citizens of Winnebago the Drunk Driving Victim Impact County.” Panel. Bissett has served as court commissioner since 1998. He He and his wife, Colleen, have had previously worked in private practice handling abuse a daughter and a son. n and neglect cases as well as criminal, juvenile, family, civil, Judge-elect

Daniel J. Bissett David Dane CountyCircuitCourtJudge of childreninDaneCounty April 14forimprovingthelives A Dane CountyJuvenileCourt school wererecognizedatthe of aMadison-areaelementary Juvenile Court Eight honoredbyDaneCounty Peter honorees areasfollows: began thisef when JudgeRobertPekowsky presented annuallysince1998, Justice ShirleyS. W Southern W Ervin Bruner that benefityouth. in manyotheractivities committees andtakespart also coaches,serveson the juvenilesystem.He with delinquentyouthin agency andhasmorethan25years’ Defender and advocateforyouthinhisprofessionalrolethePublic W Dane CountyDepartment ofHumanServices. career to thejuvenilejusticesystemover thecourseofhis/her substantial contributions person whohasmade This awardisgiventoa children andfamilies. programs tosupport community-based to createnumerous system andledtheef of youthinthejustice standard forthetreatment judges. Brunersetahigh first JuvenileCourt one ofDaneCounty’ for JudgeErvinBruner Dane Countyjuvenile justicesystem,Bluehasbeen aleader than 33years’ at-risk youthandfamilies. above andbeyondhis/herprofessionalrolereachoutto honors apersonwhodemonstratescommitmenttogo wards dinnerinMadisonon Speaking atthedinnerwere Seven individualsandthestaf The awardshavebeen This awardisnamedforPeterRubin,along-timeattorney S This awardisnamed Jay Kieferisprogramdirectorat isconsin SupremeCourtChief inner: JayKiefer inner: S A tephen Blue W . Rubin T ARDS . Flanaganand ’ W s Of tephen Blue isconsin. Heoverseesmultipleprogramsatthe fort. A fice andinthelar experience working withat-riskyouthinthe A ward is delinquencyservicesmanager forthe ward The 201 Abrahamson. s fort , 1 good ideas;atap awards ceremony Chief JusticeShirleyS. Courthouse. successful videoconferencinginitiative basedattheDaneCounty connecting familywithjuvenilesinfar ger community f Y Judge DavidT experience working outh Servicesof . Shenotedthatthisgrouphasahistoryofsharing ast ceremony . W This award . Flanagan ith more Abrahamson speakstothecrowdprior , adiscussionofthedifficulty -away institutionsledtoa W George Nor in delinquencyservicesandprogramdevelopment. V supervisor independentlynominatedherandallspokeof Department ofHumanServices.Herstaf Program andadelinquencyunitfortheDaneCounty supports toyouth/familiesinvolvedinthesystem. played asubstantialroleinprovidingneededservicesand have (1)providedauniqueservicetoyouth/familiesor(2) Elementary School resources andsupport. that theschoolhelpedtostabilize byprovidingbasic outstanding workwithanumber offamilies,includingone W Outstanding Service resourceful. continues tovolunteerandisdynamic,ener own creativity residents learnaboutart,musicandpoetrytapintotheir County DetentionHomeforsevenyears.Shehelps youth andfamilies. and foundawaytocontinuegivingimprovethelivesof recognizes apersonwhohasperseveredthroughdif improving communityservicesforthem. for theyouthandfamilieswhoappearedincourt,to Juvenile Court,wherehewascommittedtodoinghisbest battle withcancer 1985 until1997,whenhepassedawayafteranextended who servedasaDaneCountyCircuitCourtjudgefrom iew ElementarySchoolinOregon, This awardisnamedforJudgeGeor Diane PrellwitzsupervisestheNeighborhoodIntervention This awardisgiventoindividualsor Elizabeth HorikawahasbeenavolunteerintheDane inner: ElizabethHorikawa inners: DianePrellwitz,Randy(RJ)Mor thrup . Inspiteofhealthproblems,Horikawa . NorthruppresidedinDaneCounty A ward A The children’ ward humility of patience,humorand an immeasurableamount commitment toyouthand an extraordinary him assomeonewhohas His co-workersdescribe through theprogram. Dane Countyyouth therapy forhundredsof providing behavioral health challenges, behavioral andmental clients whohave program. Heserves Success daytreatment technician attheS a mentalhealth commitment. knowledge and dedication, workethic, professionalism, s attendanceand see The staf W Randy (RJ)Mor ge is., isrecognizedfor A A. ganizations that f, co-workersand This award wards . getic and gan, Prairie W f atPrairie . Northrup, on p ficulties gan is teps to age 16 V iew

THE THIRD BRANCH 2011 Spring 15 16

Spring PEOPLE

2011 THIRD BRANCH

State and local media have been dominated since Kritzer (formerly of the UW Law School) told the Journal

THE February by news of Governor Scott Walker’s budget Sentinel that this race “…is certainly the most partisan

repair bill and the court cases that have followed. Judge pattern that we have seen (in Wisconsin) at least since

Maryann Sumi, Dane County World War II.” Wisconsin’s judiciary has been elected on a

Circuit Court, was particularly in non-partisan basis since the 1878 election, although the

the spotlight as she issued a practice was not written into the statutes until 1913.

temporary restraining order

blocking the publication of the Judge Scott C. Woldt, who

bill. Sumi found herself featured helped to develop one of

in the New York Times, the Los Wisconsin’s longest-running drug

Angeles Times, the Philadelphia court programs, participated in a

Inquirer and other news outlets Q-and-A about his life and career

across the nation as well as on with the Wisconsin Law Journal

The Colbert Report. in April. Woldt has served in

Winnebago County since 2004,

Vying with the budget for news and spearheaded the effort to Judge Maryann Sumi time this spring was the race for begin a drug court program in

Supreme Court, which the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 2006. He spoke of the importance

called “The most partisan non-partisan Supreme Court race of being smart on crime, saying,

in modern Wisconsin history.”

University of Minnesota Law School Professor Bert see People on page 17 Judge Scott C. Woldt

AWARDS continued from page 15

performance in school have significantly improved. Newsletter was published from 1989-98. Connie Von Der

Outstanding Achievement Award Heide, director of reference and outreach services and editor

Winners: Kristofor Cooks and Mia Rothwell of the e-newsletter, said the publication goes to all

This award is given to youth/young adults who are Wisconsin judges and court staff along with an ever-

working their way through or have successfully worked growing list of requesters.

their way through the juvenile justice system and have “Using Web technology and email communication allows

turned their lives around and are now contributing to for nearly limitless distribution, and it also makes the

improve the lives of others. newsletter a much more informative product,” she said.

Kristofor Cooks had faced a variety of troubles in his life “Every issue includes numerous links that readers can

when he became involved in the Youth-Business Mentoring simply click on to read additional information found on our

Program with Common Wealth Development and began Web site and elsewhere on the internet.”

working at Staples. His work at Staples was exemplary, A key indicator of a newsletter’s success is what people

and he has been honored with awards for his service and say about it.

selected to represent Staples at job fairs. Now a graduate of “Each time we publish a new issue we receive a few

LaFollette High School, Cooks is thriving as a young adult. reader responses, and by far the majority of them are

Mia Rothwell, 13, has taken full advantage of the services positive,” said Von Der Heide. “We also receive frequent

and support systems available to her. She has contributed to inquiries from other newsletter editors seeking permission

the community in many ways and has impressed many to reprint our pieces in their publications.”

adults with her maturity and intelligence. Jane Colwin, State Law Librarian, added, “Whenever one

of us attends a conference or presents a program and people

spot our nametags or hear that we’re from the Wisconsin State Law Library newsletter wins State Law Library, they say, ‘Oh, I love your newsletter!’” marketing award Many library staff members are involved in producing The Wisconsin State Law Library’s monthly electronic WSLL @ Your Service. The planning committee and regular newsletter, WSLL @ Your Service, has been selected to contributors, besides Von Der Heide and Colwin, are Peter receive the 2011 American Association of Law Libraries Boll, acquisitions librarian; Amy Crowder, director of Web (AALL) Excellence in Marketing Award for Best Use of and bibliographic services; Carol Hassler, Technology. The award will be presented during the AALL webmaster/cataloger; Julie Tessmer, deputy law librarian; annual meeting in Philadelphia in July. and Heidi Yelk, reference and electronic services librarian. The selection committee praised the newsletter for being Occasional contributors include Lynne Gehrke, MLRC well-organized and user friendly, and was impressed by the Librarian and Lisa Winkler, DCLRC Librarian. Carol synchronization of the elements of the newsletter with the Hassler also crafts each issue into an attractive and Web page. functional Web page; Tammy Keller, program assistant, “It is a great example of a relatively low cost effort with a maintains the library’s growing distribution list and sends very positive response,” the committee wrote. out the monthly announcements; and every member of the The State Law Library has published its newsletter staff encourages people to subscribe. n electronically since 2001. A print predecessor, WSLL along withhismother Milwaukee’ The magazinedescribesDonald’ court in2009andwhoservedasitsfirstpresidingjudge. and Judge Magazine quoted assaying.“Ifwecangetthemtoabstainfortwo where hefoundhiscalling. bench inMilwaukeeCounty to dreambig.Hisaspirationseventuallybroughthimthe prominent families–afewofwhomhelpedtoinspirehim worked, DonaldgottoknowsomeofMilwaukee’ dif “Doing thesamethingoverandexpectinga user) andJustice Bradley getting old.” Oshkosh. “Theywerebigbackthen,”hesaid.“IguessIam that hisfirstconcertwasPurePrairieLeagueatUW Abrahamson Shirley S. Chief Justice Supreme Court: members ofthe including four celebrants, along with125 for theevent– Journal turnedout W Journal Wisconsin State from photographers Reporters and April 20. birthday partyon with its175th made headlines S gumball machine. Milwaukee County CircuitCourtJudgeM.Joseph Donaldwithhis tate LawLibrary A “I lovetoseethetransformationinthesepeople,”heis The PEOPLE isconsin Law ferent resultisinsanity seven-page spreadintheMayissueof WMTV W and the , Justice isconsin celebrated Milwaukee’ M. JosephDonald s NorthSide,andhowhefrequentlytagged , the (who gaveremarks),Justice David Patience DrakeRoggensack continued fromp mother W Connie V next toColwin;DirectorofReferenceandOutreachServices celebration on punch attheW , ahousekeeper isconsin S T .” Onalighternote, . Pr , aprofessionalbaker , andthentothedrugcourt, onDerHeide isacrossthet osser , whohelpedtocreatethe t ate LawLibrarianJaneColwin(center)serves s upbringingon s Drug April 20. isconsin S Jr age 16 . . (afrequentlibrary As hismother T reatment Court Acquisitions LibrarianPeterBollis Ann Milwaukee t ate LawLibrary’ W . , custommadethecake. oldt shared W s most alsh - able. V s 175thbirthday onDerHeide’ Photo credit: Adam Ryan Morris V Board ofSupervisorsregarding letter totheMonroeCounty envelopes. and returnaddressonthe Helpfully the judgesandtheirchildren. from The accomplicesenttheletters threatening letterstobothjudges. accomplice $500tosend one inmateof Press banner headlineinthe years –thenwe’reinagoodspottosavethatlife.” Judge a three-yearterm. sentence; theaccomplicereceived inmate afour an Board Chair County Boardmembers.Said also printedresponsesfrom requirements. not meetSupremeCourt courtroom forsixmonthsdoes room thathasservedasa which notedthatthebasement article aboutDyke’ Monitor Herald media tooknotice. Branch IIIcourtroom,the courthouse’ working conditionsinthe “Inmates sentencedforthreateningcountyjudges”wasthe When DistrictSevenChief acknowledged that progresson Akker , the W W aupun, threateningtokill illiam D.Dyke , healsowrotehisname s Wausau DailyHerald see W en -year prison illis gavethefirst s recentlycreated fered an . Rick Ir People Authorities said The newspaper families of lives and threatening the men for sentenced two L. Judge W central across east- newspapers other Reporter Herald Times the T retired) and Langhof Gar Court Judges County Circuit Sheboygan printed an imothy M. isconsin after W s letter The Manitowoc y J. win Sheboygan on p illis Patrick penned a Tomah , who f age 18 and , (now , Judge GaryJ.Langhoff Judge PatrickL.W W Chief Judge V Judge T an illiam D.Dyke Akkeren imothy M. illis

THE THIRD BRANCH 2011 Spring 17 18

Spring PEOPLE continued from page 17

2011 THIRD BRANCH THE

Milwaukee County Circuit Court judges (and special guest Justice Patience Drake Roggensack) braved the elements to

participate in the annual Milwaukee St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

improving the courtroom has been slow, “He’s just asking an online media source, a group of Republican members of

us to do what we committed to….. [This] is a reminder to Congress are seeking to repeal an Executive Order that

those who think we don’t need to do anything.” requires any office that receives federal funding to “develop

and implement” a system to ensure that people with limited

Irish eyes were smiling on Saturday, March 12, as a English can access services. The

contingent of Milwaukee County Circuit Court judges once Order was issued by President

again participated in the Annual Milwaukee St. Patrick’s Bill Clinton and reaffirmed by

Day Parade. Thousands of parade enthusiasts braved the President George W. Bush.

cold and turned out along the parade route to cheer on the Because Wisconsin has a state

Irish dancers, bagpipers and of course the judiciary. A law requiring provision of

buffet of corned beef awaited the judges at the post-parade interpreter services in court, any

party. change is not expected to have a

big impact on state courts. In

Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson addressed the many other states, however, the

Capitol Press Corps at a March gathering to celebrate impact could be substantial.

Sunshine Week. Abrahamson told the group that the

Wisconsin Supreme Court was the first in the nation to hold Deputy State Law Librarian

its administrative conferences in public – a practice that Julie Tessmer traveled to Julie Tessmer began a decade ago to increase transparency and public trust Romania in March to teach

in the system. “It’s not always easy or comfortable,” leadership classes for senior enlisted sailors. Tessmer joined

Abrahamson said, “but it’s the right thing to do – and not the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1995 and is currently assigned to

just because we’re entertaining to watch.” a unit that participates in the Maritime Partnership Program

with countries that surround the Black Sea including

A federal law requiring provision of interpreter services to Bulgaria, Georgia, Turkey and Ukraine. In 2010, she spent

non-English-speakers may be history. According to The Hill, seven months on active duty in Iraq. n

The annual Wisconsin

Juvenile Court Clerks’

Association (WJCCA)

conference was held this year

in Madison from April 27-29.

WJCCA partnered with the

Children’s Court Improvement

Program to host the annual

conference. On April 28,

over 60 Clerks from around

Wisconsin had the unique

opportunity to tour the Capitol

Building and meet with Chief

Justice Shirley S.

Abrahamson. 19

Chief Justice Spring h Shirley S. Abrahamson Many reasons to celebrate 2011 THIRD BRANCH Director of State Courts

A. John Voelker

Law Day on May 1 THE anc Co-Editors isconsin had at least three reasons risk to his legal practice and personal Amanda K. Todd to mark Law Day 2011. safety. He challenged jurors to apply the Tom Sheehan W First, this year marked the 100th law as it was written, not as they wanted Associate Editor anniversary of the nation’s first worker’s it to be, and to not let their personal

d Br Sara Foster compensation law, which was signed on feelings interfere.”

Contributing Writers May 3, 1911, As always, across the state, counties

Deborah Brescoll by Wisconsin designed Law Day celebrations that took hir Shelly Cern Gov. Francis on many flavors. Sara Foster

T E. McGovern, *** Beth Bishop Perrigo a Republican Finally, Law Day marked the death of Nancy Rottier from Elkhart 9-11 mastermind Osama bin Laden. UW Tom Sheehan he Lake. The Law School Prof. Walter Dickey, whose Hon. Lisa K. Stark controversial younger brother Joseph was killed in the Amanda Todd T A. John Voelker act was almost attack on the World Trade Center,

Connie VonDerHeide immediately participated in an interview with the

tested, and in Wisconsin State Journal shortly after bin

a case from Laden’s death was announced. Editorial Committee

Hon. Michael J. Rosborough Milwaukee, “He deserved to be brought to justice

Vernon County Circuit Court Chief Justice the Wisconsin and he was,” Dickey was quoted as

Carolyn Olson John B. Winslow Supreme saying. “It doesn’t bring back any of the

Iowa County Clerk of Circuit Court people who died that day or any of the Court unanimously upheld the new law people who have suffered and died since

[Borgnis and others v. The Falk then.” n Graphic Design/Layout

Sara Foster Company 147 Wis. 327 (1911)]. With Dane County Law Day Chief Justice John B. Winslow of Racine book sale a big success The Third Branch is a writing for the majority, the Court also

quarterly publication of the found that the law covered workers in

Director of State Courts non-hazardous occupations.

Office, providing news of Prior to 1911, other states including

interest to the Wisconsin Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana and

court system. New York had tried and failed to write a

law that would withstand constitutional Send questions, comments, scrutiny. and article ideas to: *** Amanda Todd

Court Information Officer The second reason for celebration was

P.O. Box 1688 a particularly creative Law Day theme, as

Madison, WI 53701-1688 set by the American Bar Association

phone (ABA). The 2011 theme was, “The (608) 264-6256 Legacy of John Adams, from Boston to

e-mail Guantanamo.” Law Librarian Lisa M. Winkler of the Dane [email protected] In a column that was distributed to County Legal Resource Center (DCLRC) fax news outlets across the state, Chief teamed up with the Dane County Bar (608) 267-0980 Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson told the Association (DCLRC) to hold a Law Day

book sale to raise funds for another year’s story of John Adams’ defense of a British subscription to Shepard’s Citation Service, officer and soldiers charged with firing an online legal research tool currently into a crowd and killing five colonists offered for free in the library. The service and injuring six others in Boston in 1770. was in jeopardy of being cut due to “Adams’ performance at the Boston shrinking budgets. Massacre trials resulted in acquittal of Courthouse employees, the UW-Madison

one officer in one trial and all but two Law Library and Madison area law firms

soldiers in a second trial. His work is gave generously, and, with help from

recognized as a prime example of the District Court Administrator Gail Richardson

adherence to the rule of law and defense and Atty. Ruth Westmont, the book sale

of the rights of the accused,” opened with 1,808 gently used books. By day’s end, $715.00 was raised. Abrahamson wrote. All proceeds will be put toward next year’s “It couldn’t have been easy for Adams. subscription to Shepard’s at the DCLRC. He was a leader in the American colonial Leftover books have been donated to the resistance to British parliamentary Juvenile Detention Center, Dane County authority. Yet he agreed to take on the Jail, Parental Stress Center and the Legal cases and defended the British officer Resource Center’s ongoing book sale to

www.wicourts.gov and soldiers at trial, despite criticism and benefit pro se services.