MILWAUKEE – Clerk of Circuit Court George Christenson announced today that the Clerk of Circuit  is scheduled to receive approximately $1.2 million as part of Governor Evers statewide $50 million Safety Investment Plan.  The plan will provide federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to law enforcement and judicial agencies across the State. The $1.2 million award is part of $14 million allocated to the county’s justice system to extend hours and expand staffing to help resolve the outstanding backlog of cases.

“I have made the elimination of backlogged cases one of my top priorities as Clerk of Circuit Court. These funds will be used to provide the necessary administrative support to help the courts do that,” stated Christenson. “I commend Governor Evers on his leadership and commitment to improving our judicial system here in Milwaukee County and across the State of Wisconsin.”

Milwaukee County currently faces a backlog of approximately 2,600 misdemeanors, 1,700 felonies, and 925 criminal traffic cases. Without additional resources, Milwaukee County anticipates it will take between two to three years to clear the identified backlog and resume resolving cases within the State and National standard. Funding will be used by the courts to add judges to the felony division, misdemeanor, and domestic violence courts. The funds allocated to the Clerk of Circuit Court office will be used to fund 7 Deputy Court Clerk, 4 Clerical Specialist and 1 Sr. Clerical Specialist positions.

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