Recent Articles from Anthony Cotton
ON THE DEFENSIVE: Should juries really be searching for the ‘truth?’
Jury instructions are a central part of any criminal trial.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: The case for ‘good time’ on extended supervision
For more than 15 years, Wisconsin courts have operated under the “truth in sentencing” model.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: Wisconsin has enough prosecutors
Attorney General Brad Schimel has announced his plan to ask the Legislature for millions more dollars to hire more prosecutors throughout the state.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: Netflix documentary shows making of a good defense attorney
The Netflix series “Making a Murderer” has garnered national attention. The episodes are compelling, largely because Steven Avery was wrongly convicted of rape, having served 18 years in prison for that crime.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: With pay progression, prosecutors and defenders should come before judges
In her State of the Judiciary Address, Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Pat Roggensack promised that she will fight for higher judicial salaries when the Legislature begins work on the state’s next budget.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: She was just 17… and shouldn’t be tried as an adult
Under Wisconsin law, a 17-year-old is considered an “adult” for the purpose of criminal prosecution.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: The expanding Fourth Amendment
In recent years, some of the biggest cases before the United States Supreme Court have dealt with how Fourth Amendment protections should apply in modern circumstances.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: Citations shouldn’t be cash cow for municipalities
Americans are over-legislated, a fact that partly explains why we incarcerate more people than any other country on the planet.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: Doubling down on a failed approach
America has 5 percent of the world’s population, but 25 percent of its prisoners. As a society, we should have the courage to recognize that doubling down on a failed system is not a means of making our communities safer.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: The veteran’s dilemma
Of the 1.6 million military members who are now veterans, about 670,000 have been deemed to have a disability that is connected to their military service.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: Wisconsin’s disastrous probation revocation system
By state law, probation must be the first consideration at sentencing. Because of this, and because many everyday crimes do not warrant incarceration, thousands of defendants are placed on probation every year in Wisconsin.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: Planted evidence yields only harm for justice system
There is nothing that harms the integrity of the criminal justice system more than a rogue officer planting evidence.
Legal News
- 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
- Republicans file lawsuit challenging Evers’s partial vetoes to literacy bill
- More human remains believed those of missing woman wash up on Milwaukee Co. beach
- Vice President Harris returning to Wisconsin for third visit this year
- Wisconsin joins Feds, dozens of states to hold airlines accountable for bad behavior
WLJ People
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Russell Nicolet
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Benjamin Nicolet
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Dustin T. Woehl
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Katherine Metzger
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Joseph Ryan
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – James M. Ryan
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Dana Wachs
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Mark L. Thomsen
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Matthew Lein
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Jeffrey A. Pitman
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – William Pemberton
- Power 30 Personal Injury Attorneys – Howard S. Sicula