For Release: Wednesday - September 27, 2017
Why We Need Effective Judicial Recusal Rules in Wisconsin
On Monday evening, October 2nd, Common Cause in Wisconsin is holding a town hall public hearing entitled "Access to Justice" from 6:30PM to 8:00PM at the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay in the University Union (Christie Theater) - 2420 Nicolet Drive, Green Bay, WI.
Similar public hearings will be held later in October in Milwaukee and in Madison.
You should attend this event because Wisconsin is considered among the four worst states in the nation in terms of the strength of our recusal standards for judges receiving campaign contributions.
Wisconsin's current state recusal “non-standard” was written by ultra-conservative special interest group, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, in 2010. It essentially states that judges may decide for themselves whether to recuse in a case involving a donor or special interest group who contributed to them!
This past April, the Wisconsin Supreme Court discussed in “open conference" a petition by 54 retired Wisconsin judges to establish reasonable thresholds for recusal of judges at all levels when they receive campaign contributions from a defendant or plaintiff – or if they benefited from spending by an “outside” special interest group involved in a case before their court.
Incredibly, the State Supreme Court voted 5 to 2 to reject this petition, and the Court did so without any input from the public.
With a Wisconsin Supreme Court election coming up in early 2018 to replace retiring Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman, it is imperative that Wisconsinites fully understand and raise their voices about this issue – which will be prominent in that election.
Please join me and my fellow panelists: former State Supreme Court Justice Janine Geske and former Manitowoc County Circuit Court Judge Patrick Willis at this free event to learn more about this vital issue. Ask questions, share your thoughts – and above all, make your voice heard.
We hope you can attend, and bring a friend or two with you! Click here for more information and to RSVP.
Co-sponsoring this event with CC/WI are the UW - Green Bay Political Science Department, the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, the League of Women Voters of Greater Green Bay and the American Association of University Women-Wisconsin.
If you have any questions, please call the CC/WI office at 608/256-2686 or email me at ccwisjwh@itis.com. I look forward to seeing you in person on October 2nd!
CONTACT:
Jay Heck
608/256-2686 (office)
608/512-9363 (cell)
Common Cause in Wisconsin
152 W. Johnson St., Suite 212
Madison, WI 53703
608/256-2686
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Join Common Cause in Wisconsin!
www.CommonCauseWisconsin.org
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