Wisconsin Justice Initiative
@wisconsinjustice.bsky.social
Educating the public about Wisconsin's justice system and advocating for system change to achieve more just outcomes. We envision a legal system that is fair, accessible, and impartial, where every life is valued and no person is overlooked or counted out.
Here' our latest blog post, pointing out a bill introduced in response to the suspension-with-pay of Judge Hannah Dugan. www.wjiinc.org/blog/bill-to...
Bill to stop pay of suspended judges passes out of Assembly committee, responds to status of Judge Hannah Dugan
By Alexandria Staubach Legislation in response to the temporary suspension of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan quietly made its way through public hearing and voting in the...
www.wjiinc.org
October 7, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Here' our latest blog post, pointing out a bill introduced in response to the suspension-with-pay of Judge Hannah Dugan. www.wjiinc.org/blog/bill-to...
Sponsors call their bill to censor flags flown over government buildings "nonpartisan," but the vote proceeds along party lines. PS, Juneteenth flags, commemorating the freedom of slaves and their joining the free population, would be banned as too divisive. www.wjiinc.org/blog/non-par...
"Nonpartisan" bill about flags proceeds along party lines
By Alexandria Staubach The Wisconsin Assembly this week spent its time voting on AB 58 , which generally prohibits the display of any flag other than the U.S. flag or State of Wisconsin flag from...
www.wjiinc.org
October 2, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Sponsors call their bill to censor flags flown over government buildings "nonpartisan," but the vote proceeds along party lines. PS, Juneteenth flags, commemorating the freedom of slaves and their joining the free population, would be banned as too divisive. www.wjiinc.org/blog/non-par...
WJI runs a series of blog posts on new state judicial appointees, so voters during the next spring election season have valuable information on the candidates. Here's our latest post on recent appointee Stephanie Hilton in Dane County, Wisconsin. www.wjiinc.org/blog/evers-j...
Evers' judges: Stephanie R. Hilton
"Evers' judges" is our effort to present information about Gov. Tony Evers' appointees to the bench. The information is taken from the appointees' own judgeship applications. Italics indicate...
www.wjiinc.org
October 2, 2025 at 8:06 PM
WJI runs a series of blog posts on new state judicial appointees, so voters during the next spring election season have valuable information on the candidates. Here's our latest post on recent appointee Stephanie Hilton in Dane County, Wisconsin. www.wjiinc.org/blog/evers-j...
The Milwaukee Fire & Police Commission didn't have police vehicle chases on the agenda at a recent meeting, but the open mic commenters had a lot to say. They criticized the police department's current chase policies and pointed out the harm to innocent bystanders. www.wjiinc.org/blog/milwauk...
Milwaukee FPC wants to talk about talking, but community members instead demand action on vehicle pursuit deaths
By Alexandria Staubach Almost three dozen members of the public turned up at a Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission meeting last week to discuss an item nowhere on the agenda. The FPC wanted to...
www.wjiinc.org
October 2, 2025 at 8:02 PM
The Milwaukee Fire & Police Commission didn't have police vehicle chases on the agenda at a recent meeting, but the open mic commenters had a lot to say. They criticized the police department's current chase policies and pointed out the harm to innocent bystanders. www.wjiinc.org/blog/milwauk...
As the Wisconsin Legislature goes back in session, we round up the new and noteworthy bills that may move forward. www.wjiinc.org/blog/justice...
justice system and civics bills: the new and the noteworthy
By Alexandria Staubach With the Wisconsin Legislature roughly halfway through its 2025-2026 session, it’s time for a roundup of pending legislation that could impact civil rights, the criminal...
www.wjiinc.org
October 2, 2025 at 7:56 PM
As the Wisconsin Legislature goes back in session, we round up the new and noteworthy bills that may move forward. www.wjiinc.org/blog/justice...
We summarize a recent Wisconsin appeals court decision holding that when one is released after being found not guilty due to mental disease or defect, he can't be returned to custody for a rule violation. A finding of dangerousness is required. Read about the case. www.wjiinc.org/blog/revocat...
Revocation in NGI cases requires finding of dangerousness, appeals court rules
By Alexandria Staubach The Wisconsin Court of Appeals last week invalidated part of a law that permitted individuals, institutionalized as "not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect”...
www.wjiinc.org
October 2, 2025 at 7:55 PM
We summarize a recent Wisconsin appeals court decision holding that when one is released after being found not guilty due to mental disease or defect, he can't be returned to custody for a rule violation. A finding of dangerousness is required. Read about the case. www.wjiinc.org/blog/revocat...
Milwaukee's Equal Rights Commission formally opposes law enforcement acquiring licenses for facial recognition technology. www.wjiinc.org/blog/milwauk...
Milwaukee Equal Rights Commission stands against facial recognition technology
The Milwaukee Equal Rights Commission approved a resolution opposing the implementation of facial recognition technology by the Milwaukee Police Department. The vote occurred at the commission's...
www.wjiinc.org
July 31, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Milwaukee's Equal Rights Commission formally opposes law enforcement acquiring licenses for facial recognition technology. www.wjiinc.org/blog/milwauk...
Have you ever had a municipal ticket in Wisconsin? If so, you've paid several bucks to fund government expenses that likely had nothing to do with your ticket. Read about all the add-ons in Wisconsin Justice Initiative's blog post. www.wjiinc.org/blog/nickels...
Nickels and dimes are now tens and twenties: The added fees for your municipal ticket
By Margo Kirchner Though many who pay municipal tickets do not realize it, they are funding myriad government operations that may have little to do with their conduct. Municipal tickets for...
www.wjiinc.org
July 31, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Have you ever had a municipal ticket in Wisconsin? If so, you've paid several bucks to fund government expenses that likely had nothing to do with your ticket. Read about all the add-ons in Wisconsin Justice Initiative's blog post. www.wjiinc.org/blog/nickels...
For those in the Milwaukee area, don't miss this thought-provoking talk by Nicole Porter from The Sentencing Project. At Turner Hall, May 14 at 5pm. Cocktail hour before the talk. Appetizers included, cash/credit bar. Register at secure.qgiv.com/for/wjii/eve.... Free parking for first 50 cars.
May 6, 2025 at 4:26 PM
For those in the Milwaukee area, don't miss this thought-provoking talk by Nicole Porter from The Sentencing Project. At Turner Hall, May 14 at 5pm. Cocktail hour before the talk. Appetizers included, cash/credit bar. Register at secure.qgiv.com/for/wjii/eve.... Free parking for first 50 cars.
Wisconsin voters! The candidates for the Wisconsin Supreme Court appeared at separate Marquette University Law School events to answer questions from Hon. Derek Mosley and audience members. WJI sums up Susan Crawford's talk here. www.wjiinc.org/blog/susan-c... #wisconsinvotes #wisconsinjudicialrace
Susan Crawford, pragmatist
By Alexandria Staubach Dane County Circuit Court Judge Susan Crawford would not hint at what her position on pending cases would be if elected to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, but she wasn’t shy...
www.wjiinc.org
March 31, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Wisconsin voters! The candidates for the Wisconsin Supreme Court appeared at separate Marquette University Law School events to answer questions from Hon. Derek Mosley and audience members. WJI sums up Susan Crawford's talk here. www.wjiinc.org/blog/susan-c... #wisconsinvotes #wisconsinjudicialrace
Wisconsin voters! The candidates for the Wisconsin Supreme Court appeared at separate Marquette University Law School events to answer questions from Hon. Derek Mosley and audience members. WJI sums up the Brad Schimel talk here. www.wjiinc.org/blog/brad-sc... #wisconsinvotes #wisconsinjudicialrace
Brad Schimel, originalist
By Margo Kirchner Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel told a crowd straight out that he’s an originalist and that the “judicial branch was always intended to be the weakest.” In...
www.wjiinc.org
March 31, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Wisconsin voters! The candidates for the Wisconsin Supreme Court appeared at separate Marquette University Law School events to answer questions from Hon. Derek Mosley and audience members. WJI sums up the Brad Schimel talk here. www.wjiinc.org/blog/brad-sc... #wisconsinvotes #wisconsinjudicialrace
Waukesha County, Wisconsin, voters! Here are your candidates for Branch 6 of the circuit court. You'll see this contested race on your ballot tomorrow. www.wjiinc.org/blog/meet-th... #wisconsinvotes #wisconsinjudicialraces
March 31, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Waukesha County, Wisconsin, voters! Here are your candidates for Branch 6 of the circuit court. You'll see this contested race on your ballot tomorrow. www.wjiinc.org/blog/meet-th... #wisconsinvotes #wisconsinjudicialraces
Marinette County, Wisconsin, voters—here's info on your candidates for circuit court. Read up on them before going to vote tomorrow. www.wjiinc.org/blog/meet-th... #wisconsinvotes #wisconsinjudicialraces
Meet the candidates for Marinette County Circuit Court
In Marinette County, incumbent Peggy L. Miller is challenged by DeShea D. Morrow. The election is April 1. Miller was appointed Marinette County Circuit Court judge by Gov. Tony Evers in 2024. She...
www.wjiinc.org
March 31, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Marinette County, Wisconsin, voters—here's info on your candidates for circuit court. Read up on them before going to vote tomorrow. www.wjiinc.org/blog/meet-th... #wisconsinvotes #wisconsinjudicialraces
Waukesha County, Wisconsin, voters: Meet the candidates for circuit court, Branch 4. Be prepared when you go in to vote tomorrow. www.wjiinc.org/blog/meet-th... #wisconsinvotes #wisconsinjudicialraces
Meet the candidates for Waukesha County Circuit Court Branch 4
In Waukesha County, David Maas challenges incumbent Bridget Schoenborn in Branch 4. The election is April 1. Maas is a prosecutor in the Fond du Lac County District Attorney's Office and before that.....
www.wjiinc.org
March 31, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Waukesha County, Wisconsin, voters: Meet the candidates for circuit court, Branch 4. Be prepared when you go in to vote tomorrow. www.wjiinc.org/blog/meet-th... #wisconsinvotes #wisconsinjudicialraces
Voters in Racine County, Wisconsin, you have a contested judicial race on tomorrow's ballot. Read up here so you can make an informed choice.
www.wjiinc.org/blog/meet-th... #wisconsinvotes #wisconsinjudicialraces
www.wjiinc.org/blog/meet-th... #wisconsinvotes #wisconsinjudicialraces
Meet the candidates for Racine County Circuit Court
In Racine County, Jamie M. McClendon challenges incumbent Jon Fredrickson in Branch 7. The election is April 1. McClendon is an attorney practicing at McClendon Law, LLC, and previously was a staff...
www.wjiinc.org
March 31, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Voters in Racine County, Wisconsin, you have a contested judicial race on tomorrow's ballot. Read up here so you can make an informed choice.
www.wjiinc.org/blog/meet-th... #wisconsinvotes #wisconsinjudicialraces
www.wjiinc.org/blog/meet-th... #wisconsinvotes #wisconsinjudicialraces
Voters in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, do you need info on your contested judicial race? We've got you covered. Both candidates answered our questionnaire. Read their answers here. www.wjiinc.org/blog/meet-th... #wisconsinvotes #wisconsinjudicialraces
March 31, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Voters in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, do you need info on your contested judicial race? We've got you covered. Both candidates answered our questionnaire. Read their answers here. www.wjiinc.org/blog/meet-th... #wisconsinvotes #wisconsinjudicialraces
Some info on Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel, as he didn't answer WJI's questionnaire. www.wjiinc.org/blog/walkers... #wisconsinvotes #wisconsinjudicialrace
Walker's judges: Brad D. Schimel
"Walker's judges" is an effort to present information about former Gov. Scott Walker's appointees to the bench. Since the election of Gov. Tony Evers, WJI has focused on "Evers' judges." However,...
www.wjiinc.org
March 31, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Some info on Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel, as he didn't answer WJI's questionnaire. www.wjiinc.org/blog/walkers... #wisconsinvotes #wisconsinjudicialrace
Meet the candidates for Wisconsin Supreme Court. www.wjiinc.org/blog/meet-th... #wisconsinvotes #wisconsinjudicialrace
Meet the candidates for Wisconsin Supreme Court
Susan Crawford and Brad Schimel vie for the open seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court created by Justice Ann Walsh Bradley's retirement. The election is April 1. Crawford is a trial judge on the Dane.....
www.wjiinc.org
March 31, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Meet the candidates for Wisconsin Supreme Court. www.wjiinc.org/blog/meet-th... #wisconsinvotes #wisconsinjudicialrace
Justice Rebecca Grassl Bradley not so collegial toward her "colleagues" following Crawford/Schimel debate. www.wjiinc.org/blog/grassl-... #wisconsinvotes #wisconsinjudicialrace
March 31, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Justice Rebecca Grassl Bradley not so collegial toward her "colleagues" following Crawford/Schimel debate. www.wjiinc.org/blog/grassl-... #wisconsinvotes #wisconsinjudicialrace
Jefferson County, Wisconsin, voters: meet the candidates for one of your contested circuit court judicial races. www.wjiinc.org/blog/meet-th... #wisconsinvotes #wisconsinjudicialraces
Meet the candidates for Jefferson County Circuit Court Branch 1
In Jefferson County, Branch 1 incumbent Will Gruber is challenged by attorney John Jack A. Chavez. The election is April 1. Gruber was appointed to Jefferson County Circuit Court by then-Gov. Scott...
www.wjiinc.org
March 31, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Jefferson County, Wisconsin, voters: meet the candidates for one of your contested circuit court judicial races. www.wjiinc.org/blog/meet-th... #wisconsinvotes #wisconsinjudicialraces
District 2 of the court of appeals stuck down a diversity aid grant program. Anyone surprised? www.wjiinc.org/blog/state-a...
State appeals court strikes down Wisconsin diversity aid grant program
By Alexandria Staubach The Wisconsin Court of Appeals recently found that a state statute and corresponding grant program for immigrants and students of color are unconstitutional. The Higher...
www.wjiinc.org
March 31, 2025 at 9:54 PM
District 2 of the court of appeals stuck down a diversity aid grant program. Anyone surprised? www.wjiinc.org/blog/state-a...
Wisconsinites: you need to educate yourself about tomorrow's ballot question BEFORE going to vote. Here's a guide. www.wjiinc.org/blog/info-yo... #wisconsinvotes
Info you need for the voter ID constitutional amendment ballot question—and why you should vote "NO"
By Margo Kirchner The April 1 ballot presents voters with yet another bad proposed constitutional amendment. Here’s what to know about it and why you should vote “no.” First, here’s a...
www.wjiinc.org
March 31, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Wisconsinites: you need to educate yourself about tomorrow's ballot question BEFORE going to vote. Here's a guide. www.wjiinc.org/blog/info-yo... #wisconsinvotes
The Wisconsin Supreme Court recently approved an increase in the attorneys' assessment for funding public interest legal services for civil cases. Now, if the Legislature would actually fund these services that would be something . . . . www.wjiinc.org/blog/wiscons...
Wisconsin Supreme Court approves increase in attorney assessment to fund public interest legal services
By Alexandria Staubach The Supreme Court recently voted 4-3 to increase an annual assessment on Wisconsin attorneys that funds civil legal services for those who cannot pay. A $50 public...
www.wjiinc.org
March 31, 2025 at 9:48 PM
The Wisconsin Supreme Court recently approved an increase in the attorneys' assessment for funding public interest legal services for civil cases. Now, if the Legislature would actually fund these services that would be something . . . . www.wjiinc.org/blog/wiscons...
Wood County voters: here's info on your candidate for judge. The race is uncontested, but voters should still know about him. www.wjiinc.org/blog/evers-j... #wisconsinjudicialraces
Evers' judges: Gregory J. Jerabek
"Evers' judges" is our effort to present information about Gov. Tony Evers' appointees to the bench. The information is taken from the appointees' own judgeship applications. Italics indicate...
www.wjiinc.org
March 31, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Wood County voters: here's info on your candidate for judge. The race is uncontested, but voters should still know about him. www.wjiinc.org/blog/evers-j... #wisconsinjudicialraces
The scant written record of Brad Schimel's appointment as circuit judge. Hint: this image is the extent of it. www.wjiinc.org/blog/the-sca...
The scant written record of Brad Schimel's 2018 application for judicial appointment
By Margo Kirchner As reported by WJI in its "Walker's judges" post on Brad Schimel and by various reporters in late 2018 , no formal written application from Schimel appears to exist regarding...
www.wjiinc.org
March 31, 2025 at 9:44 PM
The scant written record of Brad Schimel's appointment as circuit judge. Hint: this image is the extent of it. www.wjiinc.org/blog/the-sca...