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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 - Winter 2008
Use the links below to navigate the current issue or view the PDF version  (printable version)
Featured stories
Court system awarded JEHT grant
The New York City-based JEHT Foundation has awarded the Wisconsin Court System a $573,000 grant over the next two and a half years to support research and development of the most promising strategies for improving the effectiveness of the state's criminal justice system. The grant will help fund the project Enhancing Public Safety: Effective Justice Strategies, which is intended to build on local, evidence-based practices that deliver effective outcomes for communities, victims and defendants.
Courts welcome four new judges
Four new judges have been appointed to fill the terms of retiring judges, including one to the Court of Appeals and three to circuit court branches – one each in Dane, Rock and Taylor counties.
Director's column: Along for the ride with Chief Justice Abrahamson
John Voelker takes to the road with Chief Justice Abrahamson on four stops of her 72-county tour. Tag along on Voelker’s first-person account of adventures in snow and cold.
Tribal clerks train in Madison
Tribal court clerks from the Stockbridge Munsee, Lac Courte Oreilles, Forest County Potawatomi, and Oneida Indian Tribes in the state of Wisconsin gathered in Madison on November 9, 2007 to receive training on CCAP, WCCA, and providing assistance to self-represented litigants.
CCI findings compiled from reviews in 30 counties
The Children's Court Initiative (CCI) Summary Report, which compiles the data, findings, and best practices from the CCI on-site reviews conducted in 30 counties, was issued in January 2008.
Public library initiative gaining national attention
On March 6 and April 8, workshops designed to further assist people who are representing themselves in court proceedings will be held in Waukesha and Horicon, respectively. Wisconsin’s "Public Library Initiative" is gaining national attention and was featured on LibraryJournal.com in October.
Milwaukee Community Justice Council unveiled
Milwaukee's Community Justice Council, composed of members from all levels of government and a variety of agencies, held its first public meeting on January 23, 2008. The mission of the Council is "to efficiently and collaboratively coordinate services and to effectively allocate financial resources to ensure crime reduction, victim support, offender accountability and restorative community-based programs."
Milwaukee Legal Resource center staff lifts spirits
The Milwaukee Legal Resource Center staff, along with other courthouse employees, attorneys, family and friends, assembled gift bags for oncology patients at Colmbia St. Mary's Hospital during the holidays.
Wisconsin connects
Restraining order practices examined
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.
Wisconsin to enter Wildlife Violator Compact
On April 1, 2008, Wisconsin will become the 28th state to join the Wildlife Violator Compact (the Compact). The Legislature authorized Wisconsin to join the Compact in 2005 Wisconsin Act 282; the provisions of the Compact can be found at s. 29.03, Wis. Stats. All the states surrounding Wisconsin are already members of the Compact.
Awards:
Jurist Awards
Director’s awards announced
Leadership: Jefferson County launches case-assignment system
Last year, the Jefferson County Circuit Court launched a new system for case assignments. At the six-month mark, the new system had moved the county up significantly in statewide rankings in the median age at disposition measurement in case processing, according to Jefferson County Circuit Court Presiding Judge Randy R. Koschnick.
First District unification effort makes headway
The First Judicial District has launched a unification initiative to improve the resolution of cases involving children and families. The mission of the Family and Children's Unification Project is to provide children and families with a more accessible way of resolving Family and Children's Court matters through the combined and coordinated efforts of Children's Court, Family Court and other adjunct agencies that provide services to children and families.
Calumet County creates Domestic Violence Court
Calumet County launched a new domestic violence court in January. The new program is under the direction of Calumet County Circuit Court Judge Donald A. Poppy, with the assistance of Calumet County District Attorney Ken Kratz, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and Harbor House Domestic Abuse Programs, headquartered in Appleton.
Waukesha County Family Court expands self-help program
The Waukesha County Family Court Self-Help program has expanded its offerings to include a Family Legal Clinic. Thirteen attorneys have volunteered for the clinics and provide free family court related legal advice.
Regular features
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