Information from restraining order focus groups being compiled

By Danielle Basil Long, Policy Analyst, Director of State Courts Office

Court Operations staff members are compiling recommendations of two separate focus groups, which met last year to assess current restraining order practices in Wisconsin.

The focus groups were funded by a grant through the Wisconsin Office of Justice Assistance under a project to assess needs and problem areas and identify potential corrective actions concerning domestic abuse restraining orders.

The first focus group was conducted in June 2007 with eleven clerks of court or their designees. Participants and their respective counties: Jim Smith, Milwaukee, Vicki Gilbertson, Dane; Sheila Reiff, Walworth; Diane Fremgen, Winnebago; Lora Walters, Marathon; Lisa Wilson, Brown; Pam Radtke, LaCrosse; Roselle Urness, Buffalo; Cindy Kimmons and Dawn Dunbar from Lincoln; and Jane Putskey, Waushara. 

The second focus group was conducted in October 2007 with nine judges and court commissioners. Participants and their respective county or municipality: Judge Michael J.Rosborough, Vernon County; Judge Faye M. Flancher, Racine; Judge Douglas T. Fox, Price; Judge Scott R. Needham, St. Croix; Commissioner David Reddy, Walworth; Commissioner Marjorie Schuett, Madison; Commissioner Sandy Grady, Milwaukee; Commissioner Dolores Bomrad, Washington; and Commissioner Dan Bissett, Winnebago. Both focus groups were facilitated by Mary Crave from the University of Wisconsin - Extension.

Also in attendance: District II Court Administrator Kerry Connelly and Danielle Long, Sara Ward and Erin Slattengren from the Office of Court Operations.

Overall, focus group results demonstrate that current practices and access to restraining orders in Wisconsin are quite good.  While there is certainly room for improvement, respondents were mostly positive about the status quo. Promising practices were shared among participants and they were charged with making recommendations for improvements. Although practices vary significantly across counties, participants agreed on many areas where system improvements could be made statewide.

Some of the clerk recommendations include:

• using a decision or filing tree to help petitioners (at the time of filing a TRO) determine the most appropriate remedy for their situation,
• sharing ideas and best practices statewide,
• providing training for all parties (clerks, judges, sheriffs, court commissioners) on both the processing of TROs and domestic abuse sensitivity. 

Judge and commissioner recommendations include:

• having a consistent agency or person (preferably an advocate or volunteer lawyer) onsite at every courthouse to assist petitioners with the process
• having someone within the system (preferably the clerk) verify proof of service of the temporary restraining order rather than relying on the petitioner to do so, and create a best practices protocol to be used statewide.

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