The Third Branch
The Third Branch is a quarterly publication of the Director of State Courts Office, providing news of interest to the Wisconsin Court System. Comments and suggestions may be directed to Tom Sheehan.
Current issue - Fall 2011
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Featured stories
Supreme Court hears arguments in Columbia County
On Oct. 5, the Wisconsin Supreme Court's 22nd "Justice on Wheels" trip took the justices to Portage, where they heard oral argument in three cases. The Court brought in standing-room-only crowds for all three oral arguments at the Columbia County Administration Building and presided at a well-attended luncheon with local officials and the Columbia County Bar Association.
Reserve judges step up to help deal with vacancies
Reserve judges throughout Wisconsin are being recognized for their efforts in helping fill temporary vacancies created by a recent spate of judicial retirements. During the last two years, more than 30 state judges have retired, leaving an unusually high number of judicial vacancies across the state. As a result, reserve judges have been called on more often, and have responded accordingly, to help get work done.
Appointments bring ten new judges to the bench
Gov. Scott Walker has announced the appointment of one new Court of Appeals judge and nine new circuit court judges in Wisconsin. The circuit court judges' appointments last until July 31, 2012.
Director's column: Looking for solutions
Director of State Courts A. John Voelker recently joined Chief Judge Scott R. Needham, Deputy Chief Judge Molly E. GaleWyrick and District Court Administrator Scott Johnson on part of their District Ten county-by-county tour. The visits offer an opportunity for court administrators to meet or reconnect with judges and court staff, and to find out what's happening in each county.
District 10 tour highlights local issues
The Tenth Judicial District leadership team recently conducted a comprehensive tour of all 13 counties in the District. Conducted once every two years, the tours include listening sessions with judges, court reporters, circuit court commissioners, clerks of court and staff, local attorneys, district attorneys, public defenders, county corporation counsels, county administrators, county board members, the sheriff, criminal justice coordinating councils and others.
Awards:
Judge honored for community service
Court staff member recognized as unsung hero
Portal recognizes advocate employer
Milwaukee County Guardian Assistance Project helps families
The need for legal guardianship of an adult often comes as a shock to parents who have children with profound disabilities. Because their young adult is unable to understand information and make choices related to their health and finances, or to sign releases, parents assume that they will continue to make those decisions. A partnership of justice system stakeholders in Milwaukee has been working together to improve the transition.
Judge plays key role in encouraging Milwaukee County Guardianship Assistance Project
Judge Michael J. Dwyer explains how he was able, as a judge, to help bring stakeholders together to develop the Milwaukee County Guardianship Assistance Project.
Dane County judges, attorneys learn about drug-sniffing dogs
Eau Claire County drug court celebrates 50th graduate
The Eau Claire County Drug Court Program celebrated its 50th graduate during a ceremony Aug. 24 in the courtroom of Circuit Court Judge Lisa K. Stark. The ceremony was attended by Wisconsin Supreme Court Justices Ann Walsh Bradley and Patience Drake Roggensack.
Brown County announces veterans court available to serve northeastern Wisconsin
The Northeast Wisconsin Veterans Treatment Court (NEWVTC) was officially announced in Brown County on Nov. 11, Veterans Day. The new court offers eligible veterans in the seven counties that comprise Judicial District Eight a supervised and coordinated program of treatment, services, and mentoring designed to help.
Court reporters recognized for service
Super Bowl ring connects Judge Zuidmulder to Packers, past
Chief Judge Donald R. Zuidmulder, Brown County Circuit Court, has a piece of jewelry so impressive it would put most hip-hop stars to shame. He is the proud owner of a Green Bay Packers Super Bowl championship ring, which he acquired because he serves on the teams' board of directors.
Judge Bissonnette uses kayak to help land salmon
Dodge County Circuit Court Judge Andrew P. Bissonnette recounts reeling in a king salmon from aboard a kayak at night. "I have been a fisherman all my life, but never owned a boat of any kind until acquiring a fishing kayak about 5 years ago," Bissonnette explains, as he tells the story in his own words.
Children's Court Improvement Program update
Juror Appreciation Month celebrated statewide
Barron County officials train in fire and surrender protocols
First District hosts pretrial release and detention training
Chief Justice visits First Judicial District
Planning and Policy Advisory Committee update
Four Wisconsin circuit courts to benefit from federal grants
The Bureau of Justice Assistance awarded grants for various court-related projects to Waukesha, Milwaukee, Ashland and Outagamie counties.
Chief Justice puts together "tool kit" of court outreach programs
Courts Connecting with Communities is a project of the Office of the Chief Justice designed to gather and share information about successful local outreach programs that can be replicated across Wisconsin. Abrahamson has visited several counties to promote the project, which includes a "toolkit" of 17 programs designed to help communicate the importance and value of the work of the judicial branch.
Judge C. William Foust selected 'Chief of Chiefs'
Portage County joins CCAP
Portage County joined the Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP) electronic case-management system on Dec. 5, completing statewide implementation in each of Wisconsin's 72 counties. The rollout of CCAP began in 1991, when Marathon and Iowa counties first joined what was then known as the "Circuit Court Automation Project." The voluntary program was undertaken to help all circuit courts, regardless of size or local resources use technology to automate what had been labor intensive, paper-based processes in the circuit courts.
State court system Web site redesigned
With a renewed focus on Web site users, the Wisconsin Court System unveiled a redesigned www.wicourts.gov in mid-September. The goal of the redesign was to take advantage of new design techniques that make navigating the site and finding information about the court system easier and more intuitive.
State Tribal Justice Forum sponsor joint conference with Michigan counterparts
Featured photos:
Justice Crooks honored by staff for U.S. Army service
Supreme Court Hearing Room posted as off limits to weapons
Shanghai judges visit Madison
Chief Justice, Director of State Courts deliver annual messages
Law Library wraps up 175th anniversary celebration
In every issue:
People
Retirements
Obituaries