The Third Branch
Tenth District tour promotes interaction, understanding of local court issues
By Scott Johnson, District Court Administrator, Tenth Judicial District
Once every two years, the Tenth Judicial District leadership team conducts a comprehensive tour of all 13 counties in the District.
Each tour lasts five days (this year, Sept. 26-30) and includes 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.
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The District Ten tour included a meeting in Rusk County with, from left to right, Court Reporter Shannon Golat, Court Commissioner Terry Nussberger, County Board Chair Randy Tatur, Assistant District Atty. Andrea Amidon-Nodolf, District Atty. Mark Kellaher, Corporation Counsel Richard Sommerfield, Deputy Chief Judge Molly GaleWyrick, Director of State Courts A. John Voelker, Chief Judge Scott R. Needham and Rusk County Circuit Court Judge Steven P. Anderson. |
The primary focus of the tour is to meet or reconnect with as many staff and justice system partners as possible and to develop a comprehensive understanding of issues facing the justice system.
This year, Chief Judge Scott R. Needham, St. Croix County Circuit Court, Deputy Chief Judge Molly E. GaleWyrick, Polk County Circuit Court, and I made the tour, accompanied during the first two days by Director of State Courts A. John Voelker. (See director's column).
During the visits, judges and administrators ask counties to discuss strategies and processes that work well, as well as areas of concern. Members of the leadership team answered questions and facilitated discussions on both immediate and long-term issues – from practical matters such as budgets and case-flow management to recent legislation such as the implications of the recently approved Concealed Carry Law. Discussions also involved criminal justice collaboration and the impact of treatment courts and evidence-based decision making on the courts.
The visits helped improve understanding of the issues affecting the courts at the local level, said Needham, who made the tour for the first time in his capacity as chief judge.
"The Tenth District is an extremely large district comprising 24 percent of the geography of Wisconsin. As we are somewhat distant geographically, it is essential that I and my leadership team spend time directly with our judges and staff, as well as other critical justice system partners in their counties."
The tour includes an extensive agenda and rigorous timetable, and administrators come back with much more information than they brought to the discussion, Needham said.
"I have conducted the tour both as a deputy chief judge and now as a chief judge and am so very impressed with the creativity, dedication, and determination to positively impact the delivery of justice through all 13 counties in the District," Needham said.
GaleWyrick said "the scope and size of the district, the extensive knowledge of judges, staff and justice system partners is impressive." She said she looks forward to working on the priorities, issues and concerns noted during the tour.
Judge William M. Gabler, Eau Claire County Circuit Court, said district circuit court judges benefitted from the visit by Needham, GaleWyrick and Johnson.
"They wanted to know what we thought. They volunteered to be a resource for any challenges we face. They took two weeks out of their busy calendars to help us and other court system employees do a better job of serving the public," Gabler said.
Judge Steven P. Anderson, Rusk County Circuit Court, agreed: "We found it gratifying to know that the judges, DCA and director of state courts came and talked with all of the interested justice system partners. We are pleased that (as a group) they are interested in the pressing issues within Rusk County and were happy to be included."
Judge Howard W. Cameron, St. Croix County Circuit Court said he appreciated having the opportunity to share concerns about issues facing judges in the district and being informed about issues faced by other judges.