Milwaukee’s chief judge makes videoconference call

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While $300,000 of a requested $426 million federal stimulus plan to aid Milwaukee County may seem like a drop in the bucket, District 1 Chief Judge Jeffrey A. Kremers said that the opportunity to request funding to increase efficiency was too good to pass up.

“If they are going to turn on the spigot in Washington, why not put a pail under it,” said Kremers, paraphrasing the sentiment voiced by local business group leader, Tim Sheehy.

Joking aside, the requested money would be used to purchase videoconferencing equipment for the courts. Kremers estimated that there are about 30 criminal and juvenile courtrooms in the county that could benefit from videoconferencing. Units cost between $10,000 and $15,000 each.

Kremers said currently the system has four units, which are moved from court to court, but he hopes to make videoconferencing the “default” option for tasks like initial appearances in criminal proceedings.

The result would be a savings in time and money, as well as increased public safety, according to Kremers, who could not speculate on what the savings might be a this point.

“It’s a thing where we get into a rhythm and if lawyers don’t ask, judges don’t think about it,” Kremers said. “One of the greatest uses and the most common are doing an initial appearance from jail.”

The closure of the Community Correctional Center (CCC) on Jan. 2 has also increased the value of videoconferencing, said Kremers.

The majority of the 330 inmates at the CCC were either transferred to the Community Justice Facility’s Huber dorms, or moved to the House of Correction in Franklin, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

While the majority of the CCC transfers to Franklin were post-adjudication, according to the department, there is still the possibility that those on Huber may have additional court appearances that can be handled through videoconferencing
“If we institute the use of videoconferencing, whether it’s in the use of more preliminary proceedings or even if it’s in the county jail where they project the image into intake court instead of moving them, it’s going to save time and money,” Kremers said.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Kent L. Lovern said prosecutors try and utilize the technology as much as possible now, but additional resources could provide more flexibility in scheduling cases.

He said inmates are often transported from northern prisons or mental health facilities for brief court appearances and those appearances may have to fit into the schedule of the court and attorneys involved in the case.

“It takes longer to schedule a matter out if you have to consider individuals are only brought from up north on certain days,” Lovern said. “The ability [to videoconference] almost guarantees court dates will go forward as scheduled.”

Kremers said necessary wiring in both the courthouse and House of Correction is near completion, so the groundwork for videoconferencing is being laid.

But he admitted that there would be “bugs” to work out even if the equipment is part of the federal stimulus package being developed by President Obama.

Milwaukee County Board Chairman Lee Holloway submitted a $426 million stimulus package for the county to Gov. Jim Doyle, who is in the process of soliciting requests from around the state.

“Every time we bring an in-custody defendant into court, there is a cost for that and a risk factor for everyone involved,” Kremers said.