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  • March 16, 2011

    State Bar recognizes Judge Carl Ashley for exceptional contributions to the justice system

    March 16, 2011 – Retired Dane County Circuit Court Judge Angela B. Bartell and Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Carl Ashley will receive the State Bar's 2011 Judicial Achievement Awards for their exceptional contributions to Wisconsin's justice system. The awards will be presented by the Bench and Bar Committee during the Member Recognition and Networking Celebration Thursday, June 9, at 6 p.m. at the Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells.

    Judge Ashley receives Judge of the Year Award – justice in Wisconsin is better for his efforts

    Carl Ashley

    March 16, 2011 – Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Carl Ashley will receive the Judge of the Year Award in June. The award recognizes an outstanding circuit court judge who has improved the judicial system during the past year by his or her leadership in advancing the quality of justice, judicial education, or innovative programs. High ideals, personal character, judicial competence, and community involvement are hallmarks of the award recipient.

    Ashley was elected in 1999 and re-elected in 2005. He is the first African-American judge to be elected in Wisconsin without initially being appointed by a governor.

    Evidence-based program improves administration of justice

    As Supreme Court Planning and Policy Advisory Committee (PPAC) vice chair, Ashley led the charge to implement new approaches in criminal court to more accurately predict risk, correctly assess needs of offenders, match them with appropriate resources, and measure outcomes in an effort to improve the administration of justice.

    Ashley pursued evidence-based programs in the trial courts with input from trial judges, court administrators, COC supervisors, police, sheriffs, county executives, and human services leaders.

    His leadership in promoting the statewide model for the AIM (Assess, Inform, and Measure) system has brought many changes to the justice system. The judiciary and those who are involved in the criminal justice system have learned about the benefits of timely assessment of the risks and needs of defendants and the wisdom of providing information to justice system participants about those risks and needs. Thus, sentences and programming that assist and enhance community safety and reduce recidivism are provided.

    As a result of Ashley’s leadership, Gov. Jim Doyle allocated funds for AIM in Milwaukee and several other counties. AIM is a forerunner to the COMPAS assessment tool, which is currently being implemented by the Department of Corrections and will be used statewide in the next few years.

    “It not surprising that he received the 2003 Innovator of the Year Award for vision, creativity and innovative spirit,” – Judge Sarah B. O’Brien, Dane County Circuit Court

    “I look forward to following his career in the coming years … as he continues to look for new ways to improve the Wisconsin court system … he is the epitome of an excellent trial judge.” – Kristine M. Deiss, Former Clerk of Circuit Court (retired) Washington County

    “Judge Ashley merits recognition for going the extra distance to improve justice in Wisconsin.” – Judge Kitty K. Brennan, Wisconsin Court of Appeals

    Judge Ashley’s patience, respect, intellect, and compassion are examples for us all. I am continually impressed by his creativity, boundless energy, and sense of humor. – Lisa K. Stark, Eau Claire Circuit Court Judge

    Domestic violence advisor

    As senior domestic violence judge since 2002, Ashley serves as a national faculty member for the President’s Family Justice Center Initiative and for the National Judicial Institute on Domestic Violence. He has presented at the Criminal Justice Institute in Minnesota on Oversight for Domestic Violence Probationers and the 10th Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act, and also participated in the U.S. Department of Justice Safety and Accountability Audit in Washington D.C.

    Community service

    He is the past president and a member of the Wisconsin Association of Minority Attorneys. Additionally, he has served as a board member for numerous organizations, including the Milwaukee Bar Association, Legal Action of Wisconsin, and the Marquette University Law School Alumni Association.

    Awards and honors

    Ashley was recognized as the Volunteer of the Year for the Metropolitan Fair Housing Council in 1993. He received the Black Excellence Award in 1995; Excellence in Community Service Award from the Career Youth Development in 1995; and was the co-recipient of the State Bar of Wisconsin’s 1999 Educational Lawyer of the Year Award. He received Innovator of the Year Award in recognition of vision, creativity, and innovative spirit in 2003. He also received the Milwaukee Women’s Center Sam Stellman Justice for Women Award in 2006 in recognition of outstanding compassion, commitment, and leadership in promoting justice for women and families affected by domestic violence.

    Judge Ashley will receive the award during the Member Recognition and Networking Celebration on Thursday, June 9, at 6 p.m. at the Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells. Judge Ashley’s friends, family, and colleagues are invited to join in the celebration.


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