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
- Evers signs measure decriminalizing use of xylazine testing strips
- Wisconsin district attorney asks attorney general compel WisDems to return donations allegedly tied to Epstein
- Women rainmakers under attack for their ambition: combatting Tall Poppy Syndrome
- Gov. Evers announces DOR Secretary Barca leaving Evers Administration
- Trump backers try again to recall Wisconsin GOP Assembly speaker as first effort stalls
- Wis. Department of Justice Office of School Safety (OSS) funding bill signed into law
- Bryan Steil teams up with election denier Jim Jordan
- Milwaukee Bar Association releases 2024 Judicial Poll results
- Hilton Doubletree Lawsuit: 8-year-old died after being sucked into swimming pool pipe
- Gov. Evers signs measure allowing tactical emergency medical services to bear arms
- Evers signs anti-human trafficking bills
- Evers signs bills addressing threats against judges
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