Seven Wisconsin counties would each get an additional circuit judge, under a bill that’s going through the state Legislature.
The proposal would add court branches in Wood, Dunn, Polk, Jackson, Vilas, Calumet, and Marathon counties. State Representative Dave Heaton (R-Wausau), the sponsor of the bill, says all seven of those are in the top ten counties in the state for heaviest caseloads per judge. He told a legislative committee Thursday that local officials have told him the excessive numbers of cases are squeezing the courts’ ability to handle them.
The Assembly Judiciary Committee is currently considering the bill.
Contributed by Larry Lee, WSAU