State Panel Investigate Allegations of Judicial Misconduct Against New Supreme Court Judge Dismisses Complaints

Wednesday, September 6th, 2023 -- 2:00 PM

(Jessie Opoien, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) The state panel that investigates allegations of judicial misconduct dismissed several complaints filed against new Supreme Court Justice Janet Protasiewicz involving comments she made on the campaign trail.

According to Jessie Opoien with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the former Milwaukee County judge on Tuesday released a letter sent by the Wisconsin Judicial Commission on May 31 noting that the complaints had been dismissed and the matter was closed.

The news was first reported by the Associated Press. The complaints, which alleged Protasiewicz had violated the state's Code of Judicial Conduct, referenced statements she made during a candidate forum, in interviews, on Twitter and in campaign ads.

Protasiewicz's decision to release the otherwise-confidential letter comes as she faces calls to remove herself from a redistricting lawsuit and amid judicial infighting on the state's high court.

The letter, signed by Judicial Commission executive director Jeremiah C. Van Hecke, does not contain details about the complaints or the panel's deliberations. It notes that commissioners considered a number of factors including the comments in question, the state's Code of Judicial Conduct and several previous court rulings.

Those cases included findings that restricting a judicial candidate's speech during a campaign violates the First Amendment and that sharing one's personal views does not necessarily constitute a promise, pledge or commitment to rule a certain way.

The nine-member Judicial Commission is an independent agency tasked with investigating and prosecuting "allegations of judicial misconduct or disability on the part of Wisconsin judges and court commissioners."

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