Lawmakers considering bill to protect public defenders
Lawmakers are considering a proposal that would subject anyone who beats up or threatens a public defender to the same penalties as someone who does the same to a judge.
Smetana committed to improving the system
Dana Smetana has built a reputation as an assistant public defender who does not just see opportunities to improve the criminal justice system.
Vishny keeps active pace with mix of work, teaching
Deja Vishny, Wisconsin State Public Defenders Office Law degree received from: University of Wisconsin Law School, 1980 Deja Vishny does not shy away from hard work. In her first year as a Racine public defender in 1980, Vishny tried about a dozen cases. “It was a small office, only seven attorneys,” she said. “But it […]
Oliveto stays on the defense in decades-long career
Rose Oliveto requires no frills in working to improve the legal community and justice system. The organization she helps run, Southwestern Wisconsin Women Lawyers, is “not a group you’ll find in any book,” she said, but a basic networking and support group for female attorneys in a five-county area. They eschew splashy galas in favor of person-to-person connections.
State budget cuts clog criminal justice system
Prosecutors are forced to ignore misdemeanor violations to pursue more serious crimes. Judges are delaying trials to cope with layoffs and strained staffing levels. And in some cases, those charged with violent crimes, even murder, are set free because caseloads are too heavy to ensure they receive a speedy trial.
Man denied public defender in clinic plot
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Marshfield man accused of plotting an attack on abortion providers in Madison will not qualify for a public defender. Ralph W. Lang faces state and federal charges after he told investigators he planned to kill abortion providers at Planned Parenthood last month. The 63-year-old is charged in state court with […]
THE DARK SIDE: Thompson a solid pick for new public defender
Congratulations to Kelli Thompson on being named the state’s new public defender.
Thompson named state’s public defender
Kelli Thompson has been named as the next Wisconsin State Public Defender. The agency’s board chose Thompson, a 12-year SPD veteran, to succeed Nick Chiarkas, who retired earlier this year after 22 years as head of the agency. Thompson has served as the Deputy State Public Defender for the past seven years and as the […]
Fee hikes an option for SPD
One of the longstanding barriers to giving private bar attorneys a raise for taking State Public Defender appointments has been cost.
Legal News
- Gov. Evers seeks applicants for Dane County Circuit Court
- Milwaukee man charged in dismemberment death pleads not guilty
- Democratic-led states lead ban on the book ban
- UW Madison Professor: America’s child care crisis is holding back moms without college degrees
- History made in Trump New York trial opening statements
- Prosecutor won’t bring charges against Wisconsin lawmaker over fundraising scheme
- Republican Wisconsin Senate candidate says he doesn’t oppose elderly people voting
- Vice President Harris to reveal final rules mandating minimum standards for nursing home staffing
- Election workers fear threats to their safety as November nears
- Former law enforcement praise state’s response brief in Steven Avery case
- Eric Toney announces re-election bid for Fond du Lac County District Attorney
- Former Wisconsin Democratic Rep. Peter Barca announces new bid for Congress
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