Vol. 76, No. 2, February 2003

• Court's history display begins 12-month journey, reenactment of State Bar founding kicks off year of historical events
• Supreme court history exhibit schedule
• Web site translates simple documents in seven languages
• Mandatory court form updates include general and juvenile forms
• Felony sentencing guidelines

Court's history display begins 12-month journey, reenactment of State Bar founding kicks off year of historical events

Early this month, an exhibit depicting the Wisconsin Supreme Court's history began a statewide 12-month journey. The exhibit, which highlights famous cases on slavery, women's rights, industry, and religious freedom, was developed by a multidisciplinary Legal History Committee to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

The exhibit was on display at the Capitol on Jan. 9 during the State Bar's 125th anniversary reenactment of the creation of the State Bar Association, which took place in the old Capitol in Madison on the same date in 1878.

"The idea of a reenactment occurred to me after I read the minutes of the first State Bar Association meeting," says former State Bar President Steve Sorenson. "As a history buff, I was excited about discovering the underlying reasons for the formation of our association. As a frustrated actor, I was more excited about the idea of actually bringing these people to life and telling their story. After months of research and writing I was extremely pleased to have five past State Bar presidents participate and seven in the audience."

"The new year will be full of opportunities to share information about the rich history of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which reflects the history of our state," said Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson, who serves as Legal History Committee chair.

Wisconsin's legal community will remember its legal history at the 2003 Annual Convention on May 7 - 9 at the Midwest Airlines Center in Milwaukee, which will include a Spotlight CLE program focusing on famous cases and legal giants shaping Wisconsin yesterday and today. The supreme court's display will be at the convention, and the State Bar will have a display showcasing historical documents and memorabilia.

For more information about up-coming events, contact the State Bar at (800) 728-7788, (608) 257-3838, or www.wisbar.org.

Mandatory court form updates include general and juvenile forms

As of Dec. 10, 2002, the Wisconsin Records Management Committee (RMC), an advisory committee to the Director of State Courts Office, which develops and distributes mandated forms, released the following general and juvenile forms. New (N) / Revised (R).

General

GF-105 (R) Order to Garnishee/Release of Garnishee
GF-160 (R) Order Appointing Supplemental Court Commissioner
GF-171 (R) Judgment for Unpaid Fines, Forfeitures and Other Financial (Previously CR-225)

Juvenile

JC-1630 (R) Petition for Termination of Parental Rights
JC-1692 (R) Injunction (Child Abuse)
JD-1710 (R) Temporary Physical Custody Request
JD-1712 (R) Waiver of Participation in Physical Custody Hearing
JD-1792 (N) Order for Change of Placement (Out of Home to In Home).

Forms, form summaries, background, and information on using standard court forms are available online in PDF or MS Word format at http://www.courts.state.wi.us/circuit/search_forms.html or visit wisbar.org/forms. A list of forms released by the RMC in 2002 through October was published in the December 2002 Wisconsin Lawyer.

For more information, contact Judy Mahlkuch or call (608) 266-7143.

Felony sentencing guidelines effective Feb. 1

Worksheets and notes supporting the temporary advisory felony sentencing guidelines, which became effective on Feb. 1, are available online at the State Bar and the Wisconsin Supreme Court Web sites. For certain crimes, the use of the guidelines is required by 2001 Wis. Act 109 and will remain in effect until such time as the Sentencing Commission modifies or replaces them.

The new Wisconsin Sentencing Guidelines comprise notes and worksheets. The guidelines apply to:

• Robbery, Wis. Stat. § 940.225(2)
• Armed Robbery, Wis. Stat. § 943.32(2)
• Burglary, Wis. Stat. § 943.10(1)
• Theft (>$10,000), Wis. Stat. § 943.20
• Forgery/Uttering, Wis. Stat. § 943.38(1) and (2)
• Possession with Intent to Deliver Cocaine (1g or less), Wis. Stat. § 961.41(1)(cm)
• Possession with Intent to Deliver THC (200g-1000g), Wis. Stat. § 961.41(1m)(h)
• First Degree Sexual Assault, Wis. Stat. § 940.225(1)
• Second Degree Sexual Assault, Wis. Stat. § 940.225(2)
• First Degree Sexual Assault of a Child, Wis. Stat. § 948.02(1)
• Second Degree Sexual Assault of a Child, Wis. Stat. § 948.02(2)

The guidelines and worksheets are the work product of the Criminal Penalties Study Committee (CPSC), which was created with the passage of 1997 Wis. Act 283. The committee was charged with preparing temporary sentencing guidelines, building the framework for a sentencing commission, and reclassifying Wisconsin's criminal laws.

A feature article, "Fully Implementing Truth-in-Sentencing," by Michael B. Brennan, Thomas J. Hammer, and Donald V. Latorraca, was published in the November 2002 Wisconsin Lawyer and is available at www.wisbar.org/wislawmag. The article provides an in-depth look at the work of the CPSC and the resulting substantial changes in Wisconsin sentencing laws.

For more information, including downloadable forms and worksheets, or to read the committee's final report, visit www.wisbar.org.

Wisconsin Lawyer