Wisconsin

New policy authorizes University of Wisconsin to expel students for repeatedly disrupting speakers

A new policy adopted last week allows the University of Wisconsin to discipline and even expel students who repeatedly disrupt the free expression of others. The policy adopted by the Board of Regents authorizes a one-semester suspension the second time a student materially and substantially disrupts the free expression of…

Oct 12, 2017 3:58 PM CDT

In oral arguments, swing voter Kennedy appears skeptical of partisan gerrymandering

Justice Anthony M. Kennedy appeared skeptical on Tuesday when he questioned lawyers defending a Wisconsin electoral map in a challenge contending the redrawn lines amounted to unconstitutional partisan gerrymandering.

Oct 4, 2017 7:00 AM CDT

Sexually assaulted woman files civil rights action against city of Houston over rape kit backlog

Houston officials have known about a rape kit testing backlog for years but did not address the problem, according to a federal civil rights lawsuit filed this week. Current and former mayors and police chiefs from Houston are named as defendants, the Houston Chronicle reports. The action (PDF) is seeking…

Sep 27, 2017 5:30 PM CDT

Gundersen to replace Moeser as leader of National Conference of Bar Examiners

Judith A. Gundersen, director of test operations at the National Conference of Bar Examiners, has been tapped to serve as the organization’s president and chief operating officer. Gundersen replaces Erica Moeser, who retired in August. An ABA Journal Legal Rebel, Moeser has been a strong advocate of the uniform bar…

Aug 29, 2017 8:00 AM CDT

Supreme Court allows Wisconsin to enforce fetal protection law pending appeal

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday allowed the state of Wisconsin to enforce a fetal protection law that resulted in a pregnant woman being sent to jail. The Supreme Court order (PDF) lifted an injunction by U.S. District Judge James Peterson of Madison that had halted enforcement of the so-called…

Jul 7, 2017 11:18 AM CDT

7th Circuit upholds injunction allowing transgender teen to use the boys’ restroom

A transgender high school senior in Wisconsin, who wanted to use the boys’ restroom, has demonstrated a likelihood of success that the Kenosha Unified School District violated the teen’s constitutional rights and federal education law, a federal appeals court has ruled. In a decision on Tuesday, the Chicago-based 7th U.S.…

May 30, 2017 2:57 PM CDT

Wisconsin Supreme Court rejects petition to create recusal standards over campaign donations

The Wisconsin Supreme Court’s conservative majority has rejected a petition from a group of retired judges seeking rules requiring judges and justices to recuse themselves from cases involving significant donors to their campaigns, the Wisconsin State Journal reports. The justices voted 5-2 along party lines against the recommendation to develop…

Apr 20, 2017 2:15 PM CDT

Jailers neglected pregnant inmate, and unborn child died, planned lawsuit alleges

A woman has filed notice that she intends to sue the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office for improper medical care leading to the loss of her unborn child, the Washington Post and the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported. Jennifer Jawson was in Milwaukee County Jail for a week in 2016 on a probation…

Apr 17, 2017 7:00 AM CDT

Lawyer is among four killed in shootings at Wisconsin law office and bank

A Wisconsin lawyer was among four people killed Thursday in a series of shootings that allegedly started as a domestic incident.

Mar 24, 2017 7:58 AM CDT

Exoneree makes his first appearance in court as a defense lawyer

Ten years to the month after Jarrett Adams was released from prison for a rape he didn’t commit, the newly minted lawyer was in court this week representing another prisoner in similar straits. Adams was featured in the ABA Journal along with two other exonorees who went to law school…

Feb 17, 2017 4:00 PM CST

In late-night ruling, federal judge orders hand recount in Michigan

In a decision issued on Monday just after midnight, a federal judge has ordered a hand recount of presidential ballots in Michigan beginning at noon. U.S. District Judge Mark Goldsmith ruled after a three-hour hearing on Sunday, report the Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press. State law requires a…

Dec 5, 2016 9:52 AM CST

Trump supporters file legal challenges to vote recounts in three states

Corrected: Donald Trump supporters are seeking to halt vote recounts in the presidential election in the states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan. Among those seeking to block the recounts is Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, report Reuters, Politico, the Detroit Free Press and the New York Times. The recount requests…

Dec 2, 2016 1:15 PM CST

Wisconsin law firm will close after most of its remaining lawyers join another firm

Milwaukee law firm Weiss Berzowski has operated for more than 50 years, but it will no longer exist on Wednesday when most of its remaining lawyers join von Briesen & Roper. Fourteen lawyers are making the move to the new firm, report the Milwaukee Business Journal, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel…

Nov 30, 2016 8:30 AM CST

Disruptive plane passenger is arrested with help of onboard sheriff

A disruptive plane passenger was arrested on Saturday after allegedly harassing passengers and directing his ire at the Milwaukee County sheriff, who was also on board. Police charged Preston Bluntson, 36, with intoxication and disruptive behavior after the flight landed in Charlotte, North Carolina, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. Milwaukee…

Sep 26, 2016 12:50 PM CDT

Dehydration was cause of death for man who died in Milwaukee jail awaiting psych exam

“Profound dehydration” was the cause of death for a Milwaukee man who died in custody while awaiting a court-ordered psychiatric examination. Terrill Thomas’ April 24 death has been ruled a homicide by the county medical examiner’s office, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. Inmates say they heard Thomas, whom the medical…

Sep 19, 2016 8:00 AM CDT