Third Branch eNews

District 7 judges convened September 5 in Wisconsin Dells for their fall business meeting, a half-day session that featured presentations on probate, competency restoration, data use in case management, and search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment. Attendance reached nearly 90 percent of the district’s current and reserve judges, a strong showing that reflected both their interest in continued education and their engagement with new challenges in the courts.

The program opened with remarks from Chief Judge Scott Horne and District Court Administrator Anya Crossland before moving into a series of training presentations. Judge Jennifer Moeller of Door County Circuit Court led the first session, offering insights on probate matters. That was followed by a presentation on Wisconsin’s Competency Restoration Program, delivered by Sarah Blackburn and Katie Martinez of the Department of Health Services.

Later sessions examined practical tools and legal updates. Tyler Brandt of Court Operations spoke about using data in case management, while Judge Radcliffe provided an in-depth look at Fourth Amendment search and seizure. His presentation highlighted the growing intersection between constitutional protections and artificial intelligence, including the use of AI-driven facial recognition technology, evolving expectations of privacy, and how courts may evaluate AI-generated evidence.

The meeting concluded with rapid-fire updates on statewide judicial initiatives, including the Chief Judges Committee, the #Fairness Challenge pilot project, the Wisconsin State Court/Tribal Court Forum, the Interpreter Committee, and approaches to case resolution.