During her annual State of the Judiciary address in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Jill Karofsky called on the state Legislature to fund eight additional judges across the Badger State. The request targets the most overburdened courts, with two new circuit judges slated for Brown County and one each for the Shawano and Menominee counties.
Judicial workload study drives the request
A recent study of judicial workload concluded that Wisconsin needs roughly 30 more judges and court commissioners to keep case processing times reasonable. Brown County showed the greatest shortfall, indicating a need for five additional judicial positions. Currently the county operates with eight circuit judges and four commissioners, a staffing level that the study says cannot sustain the volume of filings and hearings.
Budget proposal includes security funding
The court’s 2027‑2029 budget request pairs the eight new judgeships with a $3 million allocation for enhanced courthouse security. The figure reflects 129 documented security threats recorded in 2025, prompting the Chief Justice to propose a state grant program for security upgrades and additional security personnel to protect judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and court staff.
Legislature to consider the proposal in spring
The Wisconsin Legislature will review the judiciary’s budget request during its spring session. The next full state budget cycle begins on July 1, 2027, giving lawmakers several months to weigh the staffing and security needs presented by the Supreme Court.
Chief Justice emphasizes non‑partisan nature of courts
Karofsky stressed that the need for more judges and better security is a matter of efficient justice, not partisan politics. “Cases take more of a judge’s time than they used to. Filing counts don’t begin to capture the hours spent reviewing submissions, holding hearings, and making hard decisions,” she said. “Fully functioning courts are not a partisan issue.”
Additional pay raises sought
Beyond staffing and security, the Chief Justice also advocated for pay raises for judges, district attorneys, defense attorneys, and court support staff. The request aims to attract and retain qualified legal professionals in a competitive job market.
Local officials and legal groups have expressed support for the proposal, noting that understaffed courts can delay justice for families and businesses alike. Critics, primarily from fiscal‑conservative think tanks, have raised concerns about the budget impact, but the judiciary’s data on case backlogs and security incidents provides a clear rationale for the requested funding.
The upcoming legislative debate will determine whether Wisconsin can expand its judicial capacity and improve safety for court personnel, a step that many see as essential for preserving the rule of law and protecting community values across the state.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
