Gov. Scott Walker has appointed two long-time prosecutors to vacancies on the Milwaukee County Bench.
Read More »Tag Archives: John DiMotto
Love for public service fuels DiMotto’s decades-long career
Before starting law school, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge John DiMotto thought his legal career would mostly entail practicing law from behind a desk.
Read More »Judge John DiMotto to retire in February
Long-time Milwaukee County judge John DiMotto plans to retire in February, court officials announced Thursday.
Read More »High court: Milwaukee trial judge’s appointment of special master violates constitution
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has found that a Milwaukee trial judge improperly appointed a special master to preside over a case and reversed all challenged discovery decisions made by that special master.
Read More »Milwaukee judge’s appointment of special master raises questions for justices
The Wisconsin Supreme Court justices on Tuesday appeared concerned that Milwaukee County judge may have granted too much power to a special master the judge appointed to handle a business dispute between two parties.
Read More »High court to hear oral arguments Tuesday
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is set to hear three cases on Tuesday.
Read More »Officers settle lawsuit against gun shop
Two Milwaukee police officers have settled their lawsuit against a gun shop they allege negligently sold a weapon that a suspect used to shoot them.
Read More »Jury selection to restart in officers’ case against gun shop
A Milwaukee County judge has dismissed prospective jurors in a civil case brought by two police officers against a gun shop.
Read More »Jail a rarity for civil contempt
Attorney David Pliner knew his request for jail time was “extreme,” but he felt he had to try.
Read More »Insanity defenses face long odds
Despite a few recent cases in which a mental defense was raised, local judges, attorneys and court observers say there has been a decline in the frequency of the defense.
BLAWG LOG: A quick survey of blogs written by judges
Senior U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Kopf made national news this week when he wrote on his blog, Hercules and the Umpire, about the frequent irrelevancy of the Supreme Court. “A lot of what the Supreme Court does is simply irrelevant to what federal trial judges do on a daily basis,” wrote Judge Kopf, who presides and blogs from Lincoln, Neb.
Read More »BLAWG LOG: DiMotto on the state’s Good Samaritan Law
Section 895.48(1) of the Wisconsin statutes is commonly referred to as a "Good Samaritan Law." The intent of this law is to encourage people, particularly people with medical training and experience, to take action in an emergency situation to provide needed medical attention by providing them with immunity from civil, legal action.
Read More »BLAWG LOG: Judge John DiMotto on the 5/6 verdict rule
When a civil case is tried to a jury the "5/6 verdict rule" applies.
Read More »BLAWG LOG: Judge DiMotto on judicial checklists, outlines; Swimmer on hot coffee
It is the responsibility of every judge to make a good record of every judicial proceeding in order to obtain a just outcome.
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