A public hearing on proposed changes to Wisconsin’s judicial recusal rules drew attorneys, judges, and members of the public to the Supreme Court Hearing Room on June 4.
The hearing centered on Rule Petition 26-01, filed by retired Dane County Circuit Court Judge Richard G. Niess on behalf of a group of retired circuit court judges. The petition proposed changes to Supreme Court Rules related to when a judge or justice should step aside from a case based on campaign-related support or spending.
Following the hearing and an open administrative conference, the Court voted to form a committee to study judicial recusal rules further.
The hearing was part of the Court’s rule petition process, which allows written comments and public testimony before the Court acts on proposed changes to court rules.
A recording of the hearing is available here. Additional information about Rule Petition 26-01 is available on the Court’s pending rules page: https://www.wicourts.gov/scrules/pending/2601.htm.
Third Branch eNews is an online monthly newsletter of the Director of State Courts Office. If you are interested in contributing an article about your department’s programs or accomplishments, contact your department head. Information about judicial retirements and judicial obituaries may be submitted to: Sara.Foster@wicourts.gov