Gretchen Schuldt

Contribution to Bob Peterson of $500

Judge Goes Easy on Violent Cop

Milwaukee police officer kicked subdued suspect in the face, gets fine, 14 days in jail.

Appeals Court Revives Girls Prison Lawsuit

Teen girls put in isolation for months, attempted suicide, at state’s Copper Lake facility.

42 Days in Jail for Rolling His Eyes

Judge puts defendant in jail for alleged bad attitude. Appeals court overturns decision.

Public Defender Pushes $70 Rate for Appointed Counsel

State hourly rate of $40 lowest in nation, indigent defendants often have no attorney.

Court Reverses $6.7 Million Rape Verdict

Federal appeals court rules county not liable for employee raping county jail inmate.

18-Year-Old Hangs Himself, Lacked Lawyer

Case spotlights state’s constitutional crisis, inadequate funding for appointed counsel.

Pot Referendums on November Ballot

15 counties, two cities have referendums on legalizing medical or all marijuana use.

Experts Question Schimel’s School Safety Grants

Sending mental health professionals to training designed for security officers?

16 Court Reforms of Police Department

ACLU stop-and-frisk settlement requires many changes by Milwaukee Police Department.

Bail Jumping Charges Soar in Some Counties

Iowa, Chippewa and Eau Claire counties the worst, but Milwaukee has many, too.

The Plague of Bail Jumping Charges

134% increase in such charges in state since 2000 may force innocent people to plead guilty.

Judge Overrules Traffic Stop Arrest

Milwaukee police officers had no grounds for interrogating driver, appeals judge rules.

County Board Okays Pot Referendum

Hope is that advisory referendum will push state legislators to act.

Offense At Age Nine a Felony?

State high court approves adult felony charge though offender then said to be eight or nine.

Just 13% of City’s Pot Cases Involve Whites

Blacks and Hispanics make up 57% of city population but 86% of pot cases in 2017.

36 Judges Call for Defense Lawyer Pay Hikes

Circuit judges from 18 counties cite difficulties finding lawyers for indigent defendants.

Committee Okays Referendum on Legalizing Pot

Unanimous vote in favor of November referendum asking to legalize and tax marijuana.

State Incarcerations Surpass National Average

Wisconsin now imprisons a higher percent of people than national average and neighboring states.

Public Defenders Group Backs Higher Lawyer Fees

List of attorneys in state willing to defend indigent clients declines 16% in last five years.

State Has Lowest Appointed Lawyer Fee

50th in nation for pay to court appointed defense lawyers. Eau Claire judge calls for change.

Whites Just 9% of County Pot Arrests

Blacks are 25% of county residents but were 86% of all marijuana arrests in last two years.

Attorney Fees Challenge Ashland County

Most lawyers won’t work for $40 per hour, some came from La Crosse, 250 miles away.

State Bar Backs Pay Hike for Appointed Lawyers

Hourly fee for court appointed lawyers so low they can lose money on cases.

Low Lawyer Fees a “Constitutional Crisis”?

Judge says defendants wait in jail because attorneys won’t work for state pay of $40 hour.

Will Robert Lee Stinson Get Justice?

DNA exonerated him of murder after 24 years in jail, appeals court okays wrongful conviction suit.

Dallet Won 313 of 322 City Wards

Screnock won just nine wards, and 25% of Milwaukee’s total vote.

Dallet Won in Trumpland

She even won Sauk County, home base of Michael Screnock.

MPD Traffic Citations Hit Minorities Heavily

Whites issued just 13% of traffic citations by Milwaukee Police in 2017.

Public Defender Pay At Issue

For decades they’ve earned $40 hour in Wisconsin; federal public defenders get $140 hour.

The Judge That Robin Vos Hates

Who is Judge Josann Reynolds, the Walker appointee who ruled he must hold special elections?

Vukmir’s Prison Bill Dies in State Senate

Would have jailed 1,800 more people per year at annual cost of $57 million.

City Seeks Dismissal of Stop & Frisk Suit

Says Chief Flynn retired and practice ended.

County’s Felony Traffic Cases Up 21%

2017 increase probably driven by tougher drunk driving laws.

Felony Drug Cases Rose 14% In 2017

Opioid use may drive the numbers. Drunk driving felony cases also rose.

Can Juveniles Get Life Without Parole?

Appeals Court asks State Supreme Court to decide if that’s constitutional.

Prison Bill’s True Cost Much Higher

Vukmir proposal to toughen revocation rules could cost $201 million per year.

Muni Court Traffic Cases Up 30% in 2017

Numbers reflect change in pursuit policy Chief Flynn agreed to adopt.

County Jails Handle State Prison Overflow

But they’re “bordeline inhumane,” worse than state prisons, some say.

Voter’s Choice, Burns vs. Dallet

Two Supreme Court candidates answer questions, but Screnock declines.

Ellsworth Prison at 213% of Capacity

U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that no more than 137% is acceptable.

Green Bay Prison To Be Replaced?

Century-old Green Bay and the Oshkosh prison both horribly overcrowded. Part 5 of series.

Bill Hikes Pay For Private Bar Lawyers

If bill passes, attorneys representing indigent defendants in criminal cases would get pay increase.

Federal Judge Slams Lawyers in Jail Suit

Suit over baby’s death in county jail has sparring lawyers acting “like fourth graders.”

Bill Suppresses Victim’s Mental Health Records

Defendant couldn’t request, jury couldn’t see records unless victim allows it.

Columbia Prison at 153% of Capacity

Inmates sleep on the floor because there are not enough beds. Part 4 in a series.

Why John Doe Probe Saved Emails

And why Schimel report complaining about investigators could be wrong.

Council Okays Lawyers for Muni Court

Will help defendants who can be jailed when they can’t afford to pay fines.

Common Council approves Municipal Court legal representation for indigent residents

The proposed ordinance passed unanimously, allocating up to $45,000 to the non-profit Legal Action of Wisconsin.

A Primer on Overcrowded Prisons, Part II

Percent of old inmates with costly medical problems keeps rising.

A Primer On Crowded State Prisons

The worst could be Fox Lake prison, at 137% of capacity.

Vukmir Bill Will Cause Prison Bed Shortage

State prisons already overcrowded; bill would add 1,800 inmates, cost $57 million per year.

Bill Keeps Accused Cops on the Job

State bill would also let cops union grab power on Fire & Police Commission.

State Won’t Meet Prison Rape Guidelines

Walker commission rejects improvements, kicks issue to long-range study.

Police Suddenly Giving More Traffic Tickets

Tickets up in August, September, after declining for years.

Will City Reform Municipal Court?

Too many judges, indigent defendants treated badly, reform needed.

County Must Pay $6.7 Million Verdict

Judge rules insurer not liable for sexual assault of County Jail inmate.

Any Whites Nabbed for Pot Possession?

Research of Milwaukee County cases show whites rarely arrested.

Council Supports Restricting Asset Forfeiture

Would only be allowed for convicted criminals. Milwaukee police opposed change.

Reduce Penalties for Pot Possession

Second offense possession still a felony in Wisconsin.

Predatory Loan King Backs Schimel

Rod Aycox, partner of reputed mob figure, gives $2,500 to Attorney General Brad Schimel.

5-Year Drop in County’s Felony Cases

Serious crime cases down by 9%, but statewide felony cases rose 18% from 2011-2016.

Pictures of Youths in Prison

ACLU’s suit documents questionable treatment at Lincoln Hills, Copper Lake.

Appeals Court Clarifies Police Custody

State claims a handcuffed man not in “custody.”

2,030 Strip Searches at Youth Prisons

Just 32 of searches in one year at Lincoln Hills and Copper Lake found contraband.

Municipal Court Gets Creative

Court holds "Warrant Withdrawal Wednesday” at church on northwest side.

County Tougher on Misdemeanors

Judges give sentences twice as long with more jailing than other counties.

Dallet May Run for Supreme Court

Judge Rebecca Dallet could oppose Justice Michael Gableman.

County May Settle With Beaten Inmate

County lawyer backs $18,000 payment on County Jail inmate's suit.

County Hikes Jailing Fee for City

Milwaukee, suburbs face big hikes for municipal offenders jailed.

Abele Blasts State on Juvenile Prisons

State wants 21% hike in fees and more inmates at failing prisons.

ACLU Seeks Lincoln Hills Injunction

Wants court to temporarily ban solitary confinement at juvenile prisons.

Drunk Driving Bill Costs $15 Million Per Year

Department of Corrections estimates minimum cost of get-tough bill.

Wales v. Yang, Closing Arguments

They’re getting nasty, dueling over alleged dirty campaigning.

Drunk Driving Law’s Annual Cost $20 Million?

Walker, Corrections won’t estimate cost of longer prison time for offenders.

Bail Jumping Charges Need Reform?

7,034 felony charges in 2016 for violating conditions of bond. Goyke seeks reform.

Another Suit Against Clarke, County Jail

It’s the second suit alleging jail workers shackled pregnant woman inmate.

Man Charged for Childhood Crime

State Appeals Court okays adult felony charge for act committed at age nine.

Why Gorsuch’s Wrong for Supreme Court

He favors corporations over people and holds radical views.

Yang vs. Wales; Should Judges Recuse?

Wales says yes if parties to case gave $1,000 donation, Yang undecided.

Wales and Yang on Judicial Pay

Two candidates for circuit court consider: should they be paid more?

Clarke Could Face Constitutional Claim

Oregon court decision suggests Sheriff is wrongly detaining immigrants.

Clarke Can’t Delay Class Action Suit

Pregnant women shackled in county jail, could be as many as 300 in suit.

Clarke Clueless On Department Violations?

In court testimony, Sheriff can’t say how many employees faced criminal charges.

Shocking Charges in Lincoln Hills Suit

Youth suffer excruciating pain, shackling, solitary confinement, ACLU suit charges.

Municipal Court Cases Drop By 54%

Court handles 75,000 fewer cases than 5 years ago. Are fewer judges needed?

Big Donors Like Justice Ziegler

Unopposed Supreme Court Justice raised $373,106 in campaign donations in 2016.

Most Reversed Judge Of The Year

Judge William Gabler had four cases overturned by higher courts in 2016.

Four Candidates For Muni Court Judge

Incumbent Judge Valarie Hill faces three challengers and many questions.

Justice Ziegler, 37 Judges Unopposed

Just 11 of 48 Circuit Court judges face opponents in April Election

Supreme Court Rules Against Open Records

Conservative majority exempts Schimel’s training videos from disclosure.

Muni Court “Warrant Withdrawal” Draws Thousands

Special one-day clemency program a success, but treatment of indigent questioned.

Sheriff’s History Of Inmate Mistreatment

Problems at county jail just the latest incidents of mistreatment under Sheriff Clarke.

Judge Valarie Hill Faces Challenger

Legal Aid Society attorney Brian Michel will run for Municipal Court, arguing it needs reforms.

Four Key Judge Races Coming

Supreme Court Justice Ziegler and three Appeals Court judges running in spring election.

Blacks Slammed by Municipal Court Fines

73% of municipal court fines hit city’s African Americans, totals $23 million over four years.

Prison for Profit?

Department of Corrections seeks shortcut for new prison industries, to make money faster.

Decriminalize Pot?

State Public Defender's office recommends decriminalizing marijuana possession.

Sylville Smith Probe Looks Suspicious

AG Brad Schimel’s links to Milwaukee Police raise questions about his investigation.

Walker Appointee Says God Decides Law

State Supreme Court nominee Daniel Kelly says scriptures trump legal precedent.

95% of Wisconsin State Judges Are White

State trails 43 states in judicial diversity, study shows, while near the top in black incarceration.