News

For the first time in its history, the Wisconsin Supreme Court will sit in Monroe, hearing two cases on Monday, November 5, 2012, in the Branch II courtroom of the Green County Justice Center 2841 6th St., Monroe. 

Seats to watch the Court's oral arguments are free and open to the public, but reservations are suggested to secure a spot. Reservations may be made by calling the Court at (608) 266-1298 or e-mailing sara.foster@wicourts.gov. There are two cases to choose from. Each proceeding will last about one hour (see brief summaries).

Prior to hearing the cases, the Court will open its visit with a welcome ceremony attended by local elected officials and other community leaders, and will hold an awards presentation to honor local fifth graders who are participating in the Supreme Court Essay Contest. In the afternoon, the justices will attend a luncheon at Turner Hall hosted by the Green County Bar Association and also will speak at the Behring Senior Center.  

This is the Supreme Court's 23rd Justice on Wheels trip. The Court launched the program in 1993 as a public outreach initiative. Each term, the Chief Justice selects one or two locations to visit. Since 1993, the justices have conducted proceedings in the following counties, listed in order of the visits:  Brown, Eau Claire, Marathon, Milwaukee, La Crosse, Douglas, Rock, Kenosha, Sauk, Dodge, Oneida, Outagamie, Portage, Racine, Fond du Lac, Walworth, Waushara, St. Croix, Winnebago, Iowa, Washington and Columbia.

The Supreme Court's schedule on Monday, Nov. 5, 2012 will be as follows:

8:45 a.m. - Welcome Ceremony, Branch II
Local judges and other elected officials and community leaders will greet the Justices. Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson will make brief remarks and introduce the other members of the Court: Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, Justice N. Patrick Crooks, Justice David Prosser Jr., Justice Patience Drake Roggensack, Justice Annette K. Ziegler and Justice Michael J. Gableman. The Justices will take questions for a brief time during this appearance.

9:00 a.m. - Essay Contest, Branch II
The Supreme Court sponsors an essay contest for fifth graders as part of each Justice on Wheels trip. The top three essayists will receive plaques signed by all seven Justices, and the first-place winner will read his/her essay aloud for the Court and the assembled group in the gallery.

9:20 a.m. - Warm-up presentation on Case #1 - Green County District Atty. Gary Luhman

9:30 a.m. - Case #1 State v. Beamon

10:50 a.m. - Warm-up presentation on Case #2 - Atty. Robert Duxstad

11:00 a.m. - Case #2 Office of the State Public Defender v. Court of Appeals, District IV

12:30 p.m. - Green County Bar Association luncheon (Turner Hall)

2:30 p.m. - Program at Behring Senior Center

3:45 p.m. - Private conference

5:00 p.m. - Court returns to Madison                               

Note to electronic media and still photographers:
Camera requests must be made to cover the Supreme Court's oral arguments. Call Media Coordinator Rick Blum at (608) 277-5133 or e-mail rblum@wisctv.com. Notice is not required for the welcome ceremony and essay contest.

Contact:
Amanda Todd
Court Information Officer
(608) 264-6256