Wisconsin Supreme Court on the road in RC

RICHLAND CENTER, Wis. (WRCO / WRCE) – The Justice on Wheels program takes the Wisconsin Supreme Court on the road and gives people outside Madison a chance to observe the Court in action during an oral argument.

Since 1993, the program has brought the Court to 31 locations. On Monday, the Wisconsin Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two cases at the Richland County Courthouse in Richland Center as part of the Court’s Justice on Wheels outreach and education program. More than 10,000 people have witnessed or participated in Justice on Wheels. The proceedings attract a standing-room-only crowd.

Before each argument, local attorneys provide the audience, including students and teachers, with an explanation of the case to be heard and a short civics lesson. Richland County Circuit Court Judge, Lisa McDougal, stated that even in a small town, “bold ideas can leave a lasting mark.” The day began by honoring retired Chief Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, who actually began her path down law in the Richland County Courtroom.

Justice on Wheels gives students, teachers, and the general public an opportunity to observe the state Supreme Court at work without having to travel. As part of the program, the justices recognized local students who participated in its essay contest.

Avah Fargen, a fifth grader at Ithaca Schools, received a plaque for her first-place entry. Sawyer Perkins and Lydia Hall, both students from the Kickapoo School District, were also recognized as runners up.

The justices then heard arguments on two cases. The first, Savannah Wren vs. Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital Milwaukee, Inc., concerning the granting of immunity to health care providers for allegedly negligent actions at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as an unconstitutional violation of an individual’s right to a jury trial. Wren’s child was stillborn in May 2020.

The second case was State vs K.R.C., which addresses Miranda rights when a student is questioned by a School Resource Officer with police in the resource office. K.R.C. is a 12-year-old student who was called to the Resource Officers office for questioning with a police officer.

Those in attendance saw how the state Supreme Court actually works. There are no shortcuts in the Justice on Wheels Program according to Ann Walsh Bradley.

While no conclusions were drawn, a decision on the cases will be made.

In the state’s argument over Miranda Rights in Schools, it was mentioned that with more schools hiring Resource Officers, guidance may be needed in what Miranda looks like in schools.

After serving 30 years on the Supreme Court, I was able to ask the former justice what it felt like to be on the other side as a spectator.

That is former Chief Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, a Richland Center native, at Monday’s Justice on Wheels at the Richland County Courthouse.

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