Shawano-Menominee Counties Circuit Court judges William Kussel Jr. and Katherine Sloma could eventually have some company on the bench.
On Feb. 19, Wisconsin Assembly representatives passed Assembly Bill 514, known as the Justice for All Act. Among the issues it seeks to address is a third circuit court judgeship for Shawano and Menominee counties.
“It was not expected to come out of the Assembly this legislative session,” Ethan Schmidt, Shawano County clerk of courts, told the county’s public safety committee March 4. “The last day they met, they decided that they were going to vote on it, and they approved that.”
The bill assigns more prosecutors and public defenders statewide, as well as one judgeship each in Shawano and Kenosha counties, and two in Brown County.
The bill will now go to the state Senate for approval later this month.
“It passed out of their judicial committee on a 6-2 vote,” Schmidt said. “Everyone I’ve talked to at the state level now is optimistic that that’s going to pass yet this March.”
Circuit court judges are elected for six-year terms in nonpartisan elections in the spring.
“They’re looking at having the judgeship begin Aug. 1, 2028,” Schmidt said. “The election would be in the spring of 2028.”
While the number of legal proceedings won’t increase due to a third judge, the clerk of courts staff would then have to juggle the schedules of three courts instead of two.
“In some ways, it’ll be easier,” Schmidt said. “Some days it will be a challenge, but I’m up for it.”
The salary for the judge is paid for by the state, and counties get other funds to help pay for court operations. Additional staff and other costs must be covered by the county.
“We’ll need at least another judicial assistant for the judge and possibly more staff in the clerk of courts office — and space,” Schmidt said.
County Board Chairman Tom Kautza told supervisors Feb. 25 they need to consider the third judgeship when they vote on whether to authorize borrowing funds to build a new courthouse. Those plans include a third courtroom.
“The Assembly voted and, in the vote, passed a third judge,” Kautza said. “It passed by a pretty good margin. So the only steps left with that would be it goes to the Senate next, possibly in March for their vote, and then it gets to the governor’s office. That’ll tell us, too, what we’ll have to get ready for space needs in the future.”
The bill was authored by state Rep. David Steffen, R-Howard, and state Sen. Eric Wimberger, R-Gillett.
The legislation adds 68.5 assistant district attorneys, 18 state public defenders, 35 public defender support staff and five circuit court judge positions over the next biennium.
The effort comes as the state faces a felony backlog of over 12,000 cases.
“Staffing issues in our justice system are creating a disservice to victims, the accused and property taxpayers,” Wimberger said. “Addressing this serves to benefit public safety, justice and local financial security.”
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
