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