Kelli Thompson

Will Senate Act on Assembly-Passed Bills?

160 bills passed by Assembly haven’t gotten consideration by state Senate.

Legislators May Hike Public Defenders Pay

Plan would more closely align state public defenders’ pay with that of state prosecutors.

Bill Would Increase Public Defender Pay

Bipartisan legislation funds merit based pay increases for public defenders.

Gov. Evers Signs Executive Order #41 Recreating the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council

AG Kaul Advocates for Crime Labs; Invites Legislators to Tour

"Failing to adequately fund the crime labs can result in backlogs and delay justice."

GOP Legislators Back Pay Hike for Lawyers

Hourly fee for private attorneys taking public defender cases would rise from $40 to $70.

Courts Jail the Poor, Rich Go Free

Judges question constitutionality of system jailing poor defendants for inability to pay bail.

Evers Embraces Expertise

Hiring talented people, appointing expert advisors, who knew you could govern that way?

Evers Has Many Advisers

And they are being asked to take on a huge agenda of possible reforms.

Governor-elect Tony Evers and Lt. Governor-elect Mandela Barnes Announce Public Safety and Criminal Justice Reform Policy Advisory Council

"We have to start prioritizing people, not prisons."

Public Defenders Group Backs Higher Lawyer Fees

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

Judge Paul Rifelj gains endorsement of more Milwaukee judges and dozens of attorneys

As the first public defender appointed to the bench in many years, Rifelj is earning support from across the legal and political spectrum.