MADISON, WI… Gov. Evers today vetoed legislation that would have protected Wisconsin families by establishing specialized ‘problem-solving’ courts in state law, freeing up criminal justice system resources to keep violent offenders off our streets.
“This veto puts at risk specialized courts that reduce recidivism, increase public safety, and relieve pressure on the court system by focusing our criminal justice resources on violent offenders who pose the greatest risk and must be removed from our communities,” said State Sen. André Jacque (R-New Franken), author of the measure with State Representative Ron Tusler (R-Harrison).
Sen. Jacque said the legislation (Assembly Bill 73) would have provided statutory authority for two types of specialty courts that have been operating in Wisconsin for years with no authorization by state rule or statutory authority: treatment courts and business courts. In 2017, the Wisconsin Supreme Court established a pilot project dedicating circuit court judicial dockets for large-claim commercial cases. The Court reauthorized and expanded it twice since in 2020 and 2022.
“The Governor’s veto of this bill – and the leftwing takeover of the Court – leaves the future of these problem-solving courts uncertain,” Sen. Jacque said. “Wisconsin still lacks a more permanent system proven to reduce recidivism, aid the efficient resolution of commercial disputes, and reserve capacity in criminal courts to speed justice to victims of violent crime.”
Sen. Jacque said specialized, problem-solving courts – for drug treatment, OWI offenses, commercial disputes and others – have grown rapidly throughout the justice system. These courts work across multiple disciplines and institutions to use interventions that treat offenders while also holding them accountable for their actions.
“Wisconsin’s commercial courts have improved the quality and predictability of justice in connection with business disputes and freed up criminal courts to do the vital work of locking up violent felons,” Sen. Jacque said. “These specialized courts have achieved their objectives and performed beyond expectations, and I’m very disappointed that the Governor denied them a greater legal stability than can be granted by Supreme Court rule.”
