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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...
Special court status for Foxconn a dangerous precedent
Sept. 6, 2017 - "Joint Finance's action would basically gut one of the basic tenets of democracy: that everyone is equal before the law. This proposal carves out special consideration for Foxconn Technology Group that is fundamentally un-American and a clear violation of the separation of powers." Read more...
June 8, 2017 - "The Supreme Court stood up to the bullies at the Department of Justice who thought they could get away forever with including untrue, damaging information about people in criminal background reports," WJI Executive Director Gretchen Schuldt said. Read more...
March 27, 2017 - State legislators should reject efforts to convene a convention to amend the U.S. Constitution, an extremely dangerous step that could endanger basic American rights. Read more...
Jan. 19, 2017 - Supreme Court Justice Annette Ziegler should return campaign donations she raised in 2016 to avoid the appearance of conflicts of interest and restore public confidence in the Court, Wisconsin Justice Initiative said Thursday. Read more...
Jan. 19, 2017 - Supreme Court Justice Annette Ziegler should return campaign donations she raised in 2016 to avoid the appearance of conflicts of interest and restore public confidence in the Court, Wisconsin Justice Initiative said Thursday. Read more...
Jan. 9, 2017 - It is a clear conflict of interest for judges to ask business groups to support pay raises for judges or even to accept such support, the Wisconsin Justice Initiative said Monday.
"Just when is it ethical for judges to rely on businesses with cases before them to lobby the governor for the judges' own enrichment?" WJI Executive Director Gretchen Schuldt said. ... Read more
"Just when is it ethical for judges to rely on businesses with cases before them to lobby the governor for the judges' own enrichment?" WJI Executive Director Gretchen Schuldt said. ... Read more
Dec. 28, 2016 -- The court's decision is a disaster for open government in general and law enforcement accountability in particular. The majority created an open invitation for police and prosecutors to withhold and hide traditionally accessible records. Read more...
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Nov. 21, 2016 -- Gov. Scott Walker and State Attorney General Brad Schimel abandoned their both their responsibilities and the children abused and misused at the state's juvenile prisons, the Wisconsin Justice Initiative said Friday. Read more...
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Nov. 21, 2016 -- The Wisconsin Justice Initiative said the panel made the right decision.
"We need a fair and impartial political mapmaking process that is not subject to manipulation by any party," WJI Executive Director Gretchen Schuldt said. "We need to know that voters choose the politicians they want, not the other way around. The three judges did their jobs. The courts worked. See the statement...
"We need a fair and impartial political mapmaking process that is not subject to manipulation by any party," WJI Executive Director Gretchen Schuldt said. "We need to know that voters choose the politicians they want, not the other way around. The three judges did their jobs. The courts worked. See the statement...
Nov. 8, 2016 -- The Milwaukee Common Council and County Board have taken important steps to improve municipal court outcomes and the administration of justice for impoverished municipal court defendants, the Wisconsin Justice Initiative said Tuesday. Read more...
Oct. 23, 2016 -- Republican Attorney General Brad Schimel is the wrong person to investigate a conservative film maker's claims that he has video that shows evidence of voter fraud, the Wisconsin Justice Initiative said Monday. Read more...
Supreme Court decision highlights the need for reform
Oct. 3, 2016 -- The U.S. Supreme Court's decision to punt on the John Doe campaign finance case highlights a need to reform state judicial campaign laws, the Wisconsin Justice Initiative said Monday. Read more...
Aug. 22 -- State Attorney General Brad Schimel should return $2,500 in Milwaukee police union campaign contributions or find someone else to lead the investigation of the Milwaukee police shooting of Sylville Smith, the Wisconsin Justice Initiative said Monday. Read more...
July 25 -- The city should review Municipal Court operations before holding any referendum to add police to the city's payroll, the Wisconsin Justice Initiative said Monday. Read more...
July 22, 2016 -- Milwaukee Municipal Court is denying access to audio tapes sought to determine whether the court is meeting its legal obligation to provide attorneys to defendants facing jail time, the Wisconsin Justice Initiative said Friday. Read more
July 5, 2016 -- Voters casting ballots next month for Milwaukee County District attorney will have to decide whether experience matters. Read more...
Schimel, justices had conflicts in residency case
June 28, 2016 -- State Attorney General Brad Schimel, who filed a brief supporting the Milwaukee Police union's successful effort to kill the city's residency rule, received $2,500 in campaign contributions from the union during the two years before the brief was filed. Read more...
WMC 5 should have recused themselves
May 19, 2016 -- Five justices who received financial and political support from Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce should have recused themselves from a case that confirmed the Department of Public Instruction's independence, the Wisconsin Justice Initiative said Thursday. Read more...