Attorney's Speak Out on Violence and the Judicial
System
David A. Saichek
The [commission's] main objective was not to cover ground that
had previously been covered on the causes of violence and civil unrest,
but to study how the increase in violence has affected the judicial
branch of government.
Judge
Gerald Nichol
In the legal system, we focus on precedent. We do things because
we've always done them that way. We have to start looking at the
processes and the outcomes [to curb the effects of violence in the
justice system]. We can't do business as usual.
David Lerman
I see [restorative justice] as restoring a community's sense of
wholeness in itself. We talk about the social fabric being torn asunder;
this is a reversal.
Gregg Herman
It's more likely to be Joe Neighbor, whose wife is filing for
divorce [who is violent in the courthouse]. He decides if he's going to
lose his wife, his children and his home, he's just going to end it -
and take her out with him.
Tess Meuer
Whether we [commission members] were talking to people in family,
juvenile, criminal or civil court, all the folks kept telling us that
where they see issues arising stems from the problem of family
violence.
Wisconsin Lawyer