Vol. 70, No. 8, August
1997
Quotes from Judiciary as a Co-equal Branch
of Government Commission Members
David Saichek
I believe the people will be better served by three branches of government
that understand each other's functions and communicate with each other in
a friendly, cooperative way.
Justice Jon Wilcox![](/SiteCollectionImages/WisconsinLawyer/1997/08/wilcox.gif)
This commission study also was an opportunity to look
inward at the operations of the judiciary, its relations with the other
branches and how well it is serving the public.
Mary Lynne Donohue![](/SiteCollectionImages/WisconsinLawyer/1997/08/donohue.gif)
Public awareness of the judicial branch through court-community
collaboration is vital to an accurate public view of the judiciary and to
the courts truly serving their 'customers,' the citizens. Lawyers are a
critical part of this process.
Patricia Heim![](/SiteCollectionImages/WisconsinLawyer/1997/08/heim.gif)
I think there's potential merit when the court needs
to go to the Legislature for additional monies for facilities, judges, personnel
and so on, to be able to say, 'We have objective measurements and here's
why we need such-and-such.'
Linda Clifford![](/SiteCollectionImages/WisconsinLawyer/1997/08/clifford.gif)
We'd like to give the Legislature more opportunity to
think through [how new laws impact the judicial system]. Whether they choose
to address that remains up to them.
Regina Frank-Reece![](/SiteCollectionImages/WisconsinLawyer/1997/08/reece.gif)
If we can establish formal and informal relationships
over time and not just during the biennial budget process, ... there will
be better understanding of the judicial branch's needs and perspective.
Walter Kelly![](/SiteCollectionImages/WisconsinLawyer/1997/08/kelley.gif)
Sometimes the court will choose, even in an area where
it has considerable power, to defer to either the legislative or the executive
branch or both. I would call that a form of interbranch diplomacy. The trick
is to have that kind of diplomacy without surrendering ultimate bottom-line
power. |