Pressroom
Oct. 8, 2019 – The Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission will not investigate the Wisconsin Justice Initiative's complaint about derogatory comments a police officer made because the complaint came from a third party and not someone directly affected.
The officer's comments, made during a Federal Court deposition, targeted North Side and central city drivers. A transcript of the officer's deposition is on file in Federal Court and is a public record.
The commission's decision "is ridiculous and surprising," WJI Executive Director Gretchen Schuldt said.
WJI filed the complaint in August, after reading the transcript of a deposition of Milwaukee Police Officer – now Detective – Froilan Santiago. The transcript is part of the public Federal Court record. Read more...
The officer's comments, made during a Federal Court deposition, targeted North Side and central city drivers. A transcript of the officer's deposition is on file in Federal Court and is a public record.
The commission's decision "is ridiculous and surprising," WJI Executive Director Gretchen Schuldt said.
WJI filed the complaint in August, after reading the transcript of a deposition of Milwaukee Police Officer – now Detective – Froilan Santiago. The transcript is part of the public Federal Court record. Read more...
Aug. 22, 2019 – The Wisconsin Justice Initiative has filed a complaint against Milwaukee Police Officer Froilan Santiago with the Fire and Police Commission, alleging that comments Santiago made in a deposition "are irresponsible, unprofessional, an insult to the residents of Milwaukee and an embarrassment to the Milwaukee Police Department."
The complaint referred to Santiago's statement during a Federal Court deposition that drivers in traffic stops in the central city or on the North Side were likely to run.
"He might have drugs or guns, based on where I've worked at. District 7 or District 5," Santiago said.
In District 1 Downtown, however, "where it's more of people as far as the -- more able to communicate and more different lifestyle," he said. Read more....
The complaint referred to Santiago's statement during a Federal Court deposition that drivers in traffic stops in the central city or on the North Side were likely to run.
"He might have drugs or guns, based on where I've worked at. District 7 or District 5," Santiago said.
In District 1 Downtown, however, "where it's more of people as far as the -- more able to communicate and more different lifestyle," he said. Read more....
May 29, 2019 – The Joint Finance Committee's recommendation to increase the pay of private lawyers representing indigent clients is a good first step but more needs to be done, the Wisconsin Justice Initiative said Wednesday.
"The $70 per hour recommended by Joint Finance is much better than the $40 the private lawyers are getting now, but it's still not enough," WJI Executive Director Gretchen Schuldt said. "The amount, at minimum, should be indexed to inflation."
The $40 rate is the lowest in the nation, and is not enough to cover the average lawyer's overhead. Read more...
"The $70 per hour recommended by Joint Finance is much better than the $40 the private lawyers are getting now, but it's still not enough," WJI Executive Director Gretchen Schuldt said. "The amount, at minimum, should be indexed to inflation."
The $40 rate is the lowest in the nation, and is not enough to cover the average lawyer's overhead. Read more...
Feb. 18, 2019 – Wisconsin Justice Initiative Executive Director Gretchen Schuldt responded Monday to Gov. Tony Evers' proposal to decriminalize some marijuana use and to establish a medical marijuana program.
"This is a good positive step," Schuldt said, noting that WJI is awaiting details. "Wisconsin's refusal so far to adopt a medical marijuana program is hurting the state's residents and its economy. Why would any individual or business established in a medical marijuana state want to move to Wisconsin, where legitimate treatments are suddenly felonies?" Read more...
"This is a good positive step," Schuldt said, noting that WJI is awaiting details. "Wisconsin's refusal so far to adopt a medical marijuana program is hurting the state's residents and its economy. Why would any individual or business established in a medical marijuana state want to move to Wisconsin, where legitimate treatments are suddenly felonies?" Read more...
Jan. 30, 2019 – Wisconsin Justice Initiative Executive Director Gretchen Schuldt made the following statement in support of a bipartisan bill that would reform Wisconsin's criminal record expunction process.
“This is a good first step in criminal justice reform in Wisconsin. It is much-needed and positive legislation. We hope that bipartisan cooperation continues when it comes to other measures that will reduce mass incarceration and the burdensome collateral consequences of criminal convictions."
“This is a good first step in criminal justice reform in Wisconsin. It is much-needed and positive legislation. We hope that bipartisan cooperation continues when it comes to other measures that will reduce mass incarceration and the burdensome collateral consequences of criminal convictions."
Dec. 3, 2018 – The State Legislature's extraordinary session Tuesday includes measures that will damage Wisconsin's justice system if approved, the Wisconsin Justice Initiative said Monday.
"Unfortunately, Republican legislative leaders value their own powers over governmental integrity and fairness for Wisconsin residents," WJI Executive Director Gretchen Schuldt said. Read more...
"Unfortunately, Republican legislative leaders value their own powers over governmental integrity and fairness for Wisconsin residents," WJI Executive Director Gretchen Schuldt said. Read more...
April 19, 2018 – Judges should step up and submit comments about the petition pending before the State Supreme Court that would increase compensation for lawyers who agree to represent defendants who can't afford lawyers, the Wisconsin Justice Initiative said Thursday.
Thus far, only two judges – Ashland County Circuit Judge Robert E. Eaton and Bayfield County Circuit Judge John P. Anderson – have submitted comments on the proposal. Read more...
Thus far, only two judges – Ashland County Circuit Judge Robert E. Eaton and Bayfield County Circuit Judge John P. Anderson – have submitted comments on the proposal. Read more...
March 29. 2018 – The Republicans’ failed attempt to strip residents of two legislative districts of their right to representation shows the importance of an independent judiciary.
“The judges provided a strong defense of the rule of law,” Schuldt said. “Dane County Circuit Judge Josann Reynolds especially deserves a shout-out as a Walker appointee who stood up to the governor and his friends and endured undeserved personal attacks as a result.” Read more...
“The judges provided a strong defense of the rule of law,” Schuldt said. “Dane County Circuit Judge Josann Reynolds especially deserves a shout-out as a Walker appointee who stood up to the governor and his friends and endured undeserved personal attacks as a result.” Read more...
Feb. 13, 2018 – The Wisconsin Justice Initiative supports the proposed reforms as a good first step to correcting the unacceptable abuses that occurred at Lincoln Hills.
WJI thanks State Rep. Evan Goyke (D – Milwaukee) for his leadership on this issue.
We remain extremely troubled by the failure of Atty. Gen. Brad Schimel and Gov. Scott Walker to take the mess at Lincoln Hills seriously. Schimel's failure to investigate fully and Walker’s failure to act sooner to stop the mistreatment of children in state custody is an earned blight on Wisconsin’s reputation. Read more...
WJI thanks State Rep. Evan Goyke (D – Milwaukee) for his leadership on this issue.
We remain extremely troubled by the failure of Atty. Gen. Brad Schimel and Gov. Scott Walker to take the mess at Lincoln Hills seriously. Schimel's failure to investigate fully and Walker’s failure to act sooner to stop the mistreatment of children in state custody is an earned blight on Wisconsin’s reputation. Read more...