For Release: Tuesday - October 10, 2017
Why We Need Effective Judicial Recusal Rules in Wisconsin
Please join our distinguished panel of legal experts and me tomorrow evening, October 11th, from 6:30 to 8pm at our Judicial Recusal Town Hall "Public Hearing" in Milwaukee.
This event is free and open to the public and will take place from 6:30PM to 8:00PM in the Marquette University Law School Appellate Courtroom (Main Level) - 1215 West Michigan Street, Milwaukee, WI.
Wisconsinites would be shocked to know that our state is among the four states with the weakest recusal rules for judges receiving campaign contributions. In fact, our current state recusal "non-standard" essentially states that justices may decide for themselves whether to recuse in a case involving a party who contributed to them. It was written verbatim by a conservative special interest group in 2010!
One of our Wednesday panelists, former Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Michael Skwierawski, explains why this is so problematic:
"Imagine you are a party to a court case and the party on the other side spent thousands of dollars to help elect the judge hearing your case. Would you be confident that you would receive your fair day in court?
"In Wisconsin, this is not just a hypothetical."
With a Wisconsin Supreme Court election coming up in early 2018 to replace retiring anti-recusal 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.
For more on precisely why stronger recusal rules for judges are urgently needed in Wisconsin, read this excellent analysis by Mary Bottari of the Center for Media and Democracy.
The Capital Times published this editorial last week on the importance of these events as well.
Please join us tomorrow night at this free event, where you will learn more about this vital issue, can 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 the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, the League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County 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 11th!
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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