Pay Hike Plan for State Public Defenders and Assistant District Attorneys from Republican Budget Writers

Wednesday, May 17th, 2023 -- 12:00 PM

(Bob Hague, WRN) A pay increase is on the way for those in the front lines of Wisconsin’s court system.

Addressing a critical pay gap, starting salaries for Wisconsin public defenders and assistant district attorneys would get a bump under a Republican-authored budget provision passed unanimously Tuesday by the Legislature's Joint Finance Committee.

State Public Defender Kelli Thompson joined lawmakers at the Capitol, “Ultimately, ensuring that the justice system is properly resourced is a direct investment in individual liberties due process and public safety to our communities around Wisconsin.”

Fond du Lac County DA Eric Toney joined Republican lawmakers at the Capitol on Tuesday, “There's no doubt in my mind this is going to be a transformational budget for prosecutors, to help us retain and recruit amazing prosecutors to help keep our community safe working hand in hand with law enforcement.”

Starting pay for public defenders and assistant DAs would increase to $36 an hour, or about $75,000 a year. That’s more than what was sought by Democratic Governor Tony Evers in his two year state budget.

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