Wisconsin Chief Justice Jill Karofsky said the judiciary is “resilient” amid continued concerns about safety for judges and court officers.

In her 2026 State of the Judiciary Wednesday, the liberal justice said court security is the top priority in the court system’s 2027-29 budget request. The budget request includes $3 million for court security, which includes $1.5 million for a court security improvement grant program that would help county courthouses. 

The request also includes permanent funding for four statewide positions in the Wisconsin State Capitol Police Court Protection Unit. The unit provides protection to the justices and security assessments to judicial personnel statewide. 

“These requests are modest. They are responsible and they are vital, and they must be funded. Full stop. Safety is also about independence. A judge who is afraid cannot decide a case without fear or favor. No threat from anyone can be allowed to decide a case,” Karofsky said during the address.

Throughout 2025 circuit court judges reported 129 security threats, which Karofsky said is “inexcusable” and “unacceptable.” Since being appointed to the chief justice in July 2025 Karofsky has continually brought up concerns over violence and threats made toward judges.

“People have every right to criticize our decisions, but threats and intimidation, or a suggestion that courts’ orders are optionals, weaken the rule of law and public trust in every courtroom in this state,” Karofsky said.

The court system is also asking for $1.9 million over the biennium to establish eight new circuit court branches. The new branches would include two in Brown County, one in the Shawano/Menominee circuit and one in each of La Crosse, Trempeleau, Pierce, Kenosha and Washington counties. 

Karofsky applauded the statewide launch of the online restraining order portal and the adoption of the uniform bar exam. She also called on attendees of the address to talk with their respective legislators about supporting the system’s budget request.

“Safety in our courts is not a partisan issue. Fully functioning courts is not a partisan issue. I look forward to working with the incoming governor and legislature to fund our judicial system so it works for all Wisconsinites,” Karofsky said.

Watch the address here.