Statement of State Bar of Wisconsin President Francis W. Deisinger on today’s filing of the petition to the Wisconsin Supreme Court to raise the private bar rate:

 “For decades the State Bar of Wisconsin has supported raising the inadequate rate paid to court appointed attorneys for indigent criminal defendants.  This is an issue of fundamental justice and constitutional importance that is central to preserving the dignity and integrity of the rule of law.  Without good counsel on both sides of criminal matters, the system cannot work.  We hope the justices will consider this petition favorably and take a leadership role in addressing this challenge.”

Francis W. Deisinger, President of the State Bar of Wisconsin