​Mission

​To advocate for progressive change in the Wisconsin justice system by educating the public about its real-life impacts and partnering with other organizations to achieve more just outcomes.

Our Priorities

WJI has set priorities for its work to improve the justice system in Wisconsin. Short descriptions of those priorities are below. You can read more detailed descriptions here.

Municipal Courts: WJI is working to improve municipal courts in Milwaukee County to prevent or minimize the incarceration of defendants who fail to pay monetary forfeitures. Unfortunately, until recently, a fair number of defendants wound up locked up essentially because they were poor. Although municipal court judges are required by law to warn defendants of the possibility of incarceration and to explain to them potential options if they cannot afford to pay their forfeitures, some judges fail to do so.  
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Fix the Forty! WJI is working to convince the State Legislature to increase Wisconsin’s lowest-in-the-nation $40-per-hour rate paid to lawyers appointed by the State Public Defender's Office to represent indigent defendants. ​
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​Felony marijuana possession: WJI is also working to repeal a state law making second offense possession of marijuana a felony. In Milwaukee County, this law is used overwhelmingly against African-American men.
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