While at Marquette University Law School, Kelli Thompson said she didn't envision herself practicing law. She wasn't sure what she wanted to do, but knew a law degree would lead to other paths.

Wisconsin public defenders are on pace to receive pay parity with state prosecutors. The state Senate on Tuesday passed an amended version of Senate Bill 468 to provide a pay-progression plan for assistant state public defenders.

Attorneys who take public-defender cases in rural Wisconsin could receive as much as $20,000 a year in student-loan repayments under a proposed bill.

A group of defendants from northern Wisconsin is suing over what they're calling a lack of adequate staff and funding in the state Public Defender's Office, arguing the rights of indigent defendants in Wisconsin to competent attorneys and speedy trials have been violated.

The state’s criminal defense bar is calling out a Milwaukee trial court judge for his behavior at a hearing last week.

A Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge on Friday had a defense attorney handcuffed and chained during a hearing on Friday for contempt of court.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court won’t increase pay for court-appointed attorneys until January 2020.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court’s final public hearing of the term will look at something that has long been a matter of concern: the low rate of compensation private attorneys receive when they are appointed to defend indigent criminal defendants.

A budget-writing committee has given its endorsement to providing raises to the state’s judges, prosecutors and public defenders.

Amanda Riek enjoys rooting for the underdog.

Among the proposals likely to be up for inclusion in the state's next budget are pay increases for judges, government lawyers and private attorneys who serve as public defender.

Faun Moses is driven to help those who need it.

After working for the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s office for more than 20 years, DeeDee Watson hears the same two questions time and time again: How is she able to defend her indigent criminal clients, and how can she do it for so long?

Maura McMahon wants to know every client’s story. Throughout the past 12 years in the State Public Defender’s Waukesha office, she has advocated for women, children and the mentally ill, but the often-troubling details of those cases have done little to dim her bright outlook.

A consolidated case before the Wisconsin Supreme Court could affect how preliminary hearings are conducted in state.

An Assembly bill that gives individuals who call 911 to report a heroin overdose immunity from prosecution for certain crimes unanimously passed out of committee Thursday.

Dana Smetana has built a reputation as an assistant public defender who does not just see opportunities to improve the criminal justice system.

It’s a rare breed of lawyer that can successfully handle cases at trial and on appeal, but not specialize in either.

John Daniels Jr., of Quarles & Brady LLP, Milwaukee, and his wife, Irma, were named 2012 Parents of the Year by COA Youth and Family Centers.

Every few months, Katie Holtz gets a phone update from a teen she represented during a rough time in his life.

Wisconsin spent nearly $90 million in 2008 on defense attorneys for poor people, according to a new study from the American Bar Association.

The Wisconsin State Public Defenders Office doesn’t expect a mass exodus of attorneys and staff if legislation passes that would effectively eliminate collective bargaining rights for government employees. But SPD Chair Daniel M. Berkos acknowledged that some losses are likely as a result of the proposed changes that seek to increase employee contributions to pensions and health care costs. “There ...

The criminal justice system isn’t perfect, but attorney Robin E. Dorman is trying to get it a little closer.

As someone who depends on appointments from the State Public Defender's Office to sustain her practice, Dianne M. Erickson is not looking forward to February.