Dec. 10, 2013 – In this video, Madison Magazine: The TV Show host Deana Wright interviews State Bar of Wisconsin President Patrick J. Fiedler about the Second Chance Bill, a proposal that would return nonviolent, first-time 17-year-old offenders to juvenile court jurisdiction.

The episode aired on WISC News 3 and was prompted by a recent report showing an uptick in racial disparity – particularly as it relates to juvenile arrests – in Dane County.

Fiedler pointed out that returning a select group of 17-year-olds to juvenile court is a matter of fairness.

“It’s illegal to discriminate,” Fiedler said. “How does that factor in if a landlord is choosing between two potential tenants, one that has a record, the other doesn’t? It’s the same thing with a potential employer. I would argue to you very strongly that the kid who has no record at all has got a leg up.”

For more information about the Second Chance Bill (AB 387/SB 308), click here.