Accessibility, understanding key to Municipal Court

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Two years ago, the Milwaukee Municipal Court first organized Warrant Withdrawal Wednesdays, setting three Wednesdays aside for dealing with warrants, driver’s license suspensions and vehicle-registration denials without requiring the immediate payment of fines.

The event, a brainchild of Judge Valarie Hill, was a hit.

The court saw about 2,400 people, 45 percent of whom had never before appeared in front of a judge in their cases.

“It was craziness but there was a great need and a great response to the idea,” said Chief Court Administrator Sheldyn Himle.

The court held a similar event in May 2017, this time inviting employers and taking the event on the road to Milwaukee’s northwest side.

Warrant Withdrawal Wednesdays is just one way the court is striving to promote diversity.

For example, Judge Derek Mosley tries to set a good example by dressing in his judicial robes and visiting schools around the city. Hill regularly takes part in organizations that are dedicated to helping young girls. Judge Phillip Chavez recently earned recognition for spending a decade volunteering with an organization that helps homeless veterans.

In conducting its business, the court strives to make its procedures understandable and open to as many people as possible. For example, the court holds walk-in hours Monday through Friday for defendants who miss their scheduled hearings. For those who cannot leave work during the day, all branches hold pretrial sessions after 5 p.m., allowing defendants to meet with prosecutors and see judges.

Himle noted that judges try to make sure everyone has access to the court. That work can take a variety of forms, such as considering referral options that other courts might view critically.

“Municipal courts in Wisconsin are all non-criminal courts, and I think that particularly in Milwaukee, because of the great diversity of its population and because of the prevalent levels of poverty, the judges are extremely sensitive to disparities that exist in the criminal justice system,” Himle said. “And I think they always have an eye on the best ways to provide access to justice for everybody.”