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COURTROOMS

The existing two courtrooms are heavily used. Including the courts in this project will provide two criminal (juried courtrooms) and one family/small claims courts. We will gain flexibility and efficiencies, as well as better functionality for us and our visiting judges. Other benefits include:

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  • Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 68.06 standard states court facilities should have a secure access area. Though not currently mandated, this is an opportunity to follow the standard and provide a secure corridor. Benefits of a secure corridor include:

    • Inmates will no longer be escorted through public corridor​s

    • Increased safety for inmates

    • Decreased risk for inmate escape

    • Victims and their families will not be exposed to the inmate (which can be very hard on them) while waiting for trial

    • Reduction in passing of contraband (drugs, guns, knives, etc.)

  • Upgraded courthouse security​

  • It would provide room for a possible future second judge

    • Trempealeau County currently has one judge. However, the court systems also utilizes a part-time Family Court Commissioner to conduct certain hearings. The court system has a number of visiting judges who preside over cases where the judge has a conflict or is substituted

    • Both courtrooms are currently used by the Judge, visiting judges, and the Family Court Commissioner

    • In the proposed building project the county is looking to meet the court system needs for the next 30-50 years

    • Case load studies (which look at three-year averages) indicate Trempealeau County may likely need a second judge in the next 10 years (see District Court Administrator Letter below)

    • Building a second courtroom now better positions the County to accommodate a second judge when needed and the space can be utilized for other purposes in the meantime

    • If the court were to have two judges in the future, the Family Court Commissioner and visiting judges would not have any place to conduct court proceedings in the existing facility

  • Improved ability to meet inmates legal rights to be in courtroom in front of judge​

  • The plan provides extra space for jury selection and staging which is especially important in meeting public health recommendations related to COVID-19, or any future pandemic where social distancing is required

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For more information regarding the judicial workload and facilities needs of Trempealeau County, please see letter from Seventh Judicial District Court Administrator, Patrick G. Brummond.

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