First female state public defender leads staff of 620
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.
Senate passes amended public defender pay parity bill
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.
Bill proposes $20,000 in student-loan repayments for rural 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.
Wisconsin defendants sue over lack of public defenders
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.
Criminal defense bar wants judge to apologize, vacate contempt finding
The state’s criminal defense bar is calling out a Milwaukee trial court judge for his behavior at a hearing last week.
Defense attorney cuffed, chained at hearing
A Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge on Friday had a defense attorney handcuffed and chained during a hearing on Friday for contempt of court.
High court delays pay increase for court-appointed attorneys
The Wisconsin Supreme Court won’t increase pay for court-appointed attorneys until January 2020.
Lawyers line up to testify at public hearing on appointed counsel proposal
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.
Panel creates prosecutor board, approves raises for judges (UPDATE)
A budget-writing committee has given its endorsement to providing raises to the state’s judges, prosecutors and public defenders.
Riek puts the ‘public’ in ‘public defender’
Amanda Riek enjoys rooting for the underdog.
Budget requests likely to include increases for judicial salaries, private rate for public-defender appointments
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.
Legal News
- Wisconsin lawyers file University of Wisconsin public records request seeking answers to protests
- Wisconsin Supreme Court issues orders amending Supreme Court rules and Wis. Stats.
- EXCLUSIVE: Former Milwaukee ‘big law’ partner attacks news media for bias against Trump
- Former Milwaukee election official fined for obtaining fake absentee ballots
- Contract dispute prevents airing of 15 regional sports networks, impacts Brewers
- Wis. middle school focuses on recovery as authorities investigate shooting
- Gov. Evers seeks applicants for Sheboygan and Green County Sheriffs
- North Carolina man who harbored Nazi memorabilia and attacked Black and Latino men sentenced to 41 months
- Nation grieves with families of officers killed in NC
- Amended complaint filed in federal court against State Bar of Wisconsin seeks punitive damages
- United Healthcare suit against cancer drug distributor time-barred
- Trump’s Wisconsin visit warns of jail time if he violates a trial gag order
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