Anyone interested in learning more about the volume and types of cases moving through Wisconsin’s circuit courts now has a new and more powerful tool to help view and sort statistics in a user-friendly format.
The Office of Court Operation’s Court Statistics Project Team has released the first in a series of statistical updates built on a more robust data architecture and presentation platform.
Annual circuit court statistics will now display in an interactive “dashboard” that is publicly available for free via the Wisconsin court system’s website. The dashboard replaces a pdf-based statistical reporting system. Past reports will remain available on the website, and a number of new reports are being added.
“This is a significant advancement in the presentation of information that otherwise can be difficult and time-consuming to gather, process and evaluate. Court leaders and staff, policy makers, and justice system partners will all benefit, along with the public,” said Director of State Courts Hon. Randy R. Koschnick. I want to recognize the work of the Office of Court Operations in making this complex project succeed.”
The COVID-19 pandemic increased public use of interactive dashboards and data visualizations to view trends and statistics, which has fueled public demand for greater and easier access to information. This coincided with ongoing work in Court Operations to redevelop circuit court statistical reports using a modern platform that better meets the needs of users.
This culminated in the development of the dashboard interface, which displays key indicators and summary information, such as incoming and outgoing cases. Dashboard users are able to filter calendar-year data to specific geographic areas and case types, as well as view statewide statistics.
This first installment of revitalized court statistics also includes a redesign of 11 standard statistical reports and the introduction of three new reports (Family Disposition Report, Restraining Order Disposition Report, and Delinquency Disposition Report). The new reports provide greater insight into circuit court caseload information and allow Court Operations to answer commonly asked questions. For example, the Restraining Order Disposition Report shows how often restraining order injunctions are granted.
Under the direction of Deputy Director for Court Operations Diane Fremgen, the Court Statistics Project team includes: Tyler Brandt, Shaily Barjatya, Steve Rosenblum and Ann Olson.
Third Branch eNews is an online monthly newsletter of the Director of State Courts Office. If you are interested in contributing an article about your department’s programs or accomplishments, contact your department head. Information about judicial retirements and judicial obituaries may be submitted to: Sara.Foster@wicourts.gov