Criminal Justice Coalition calls for needed funding to address system-wide concerns in staffing, resources

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A coalition of groups from the state's criminal justice system is urging the governor and state legislators to consider their proposal for budget priorities for the next two years.

The coalition consists of the State Public Defender's Office (SPD), Wisconsin District Attorney's Association (WDAA), Association of State Prosecutors, Department of Justice and Director of State Court's Office.

"These are the things that we believe are necessary and will make a difference," Fond du Lac County District Attorney and WDAA President Eric Toney told CBS 58.

Toney said a high turnover rate in recent years and stagnant pay has led to a shortage in assistant district attorneys, staff and other resources. That has left prosecutors with an overwhelming workload impacting cases.

To alleviate this issue, the WDAA is proposing increased funding to help with salaries, including boosting starting wages for assistant district attorneys from $27.24 an hour to $35 an hour.

"We hope will allow us to attract great candidates and retain great prosecutors as well, because we're struggling across Wisconsin," Toney said. "Many district attorneys are struggling to even find applicants for vacant positions right now."

Another issue plaguing the court system is a shortage in public defenders.

"If there aren't enough resources in the court system to move the case forward, the case just stalls," SPD Legislative Liaison Adam Plotkin said in an interview. "Which isn't good for obviously our client, but there are families, there are victims who are waiting for their day in court, and ultimately it does negatively impact public safety."

The SPD is also asking for increased pay for public defenders, as well as private ones who take on public defender cases.

The proposals presented by the coalition do not represent the full scope of what each office is asking for, but rather is part of a joint effort to increase investment in the state criminal justice system. Another area the system is suffering from is the shortage of court reporters, which also stalls the process for cases.

In a recent interview, Governor Tony Evers noted the issue and said he will consider addressing it in his upcoming budget.

"There's a shortage of prosecutors, there's a shortage of defense folks, there's a shortage of people working in violence prevention, there's a shortage of judges across the state," Evers told CBS 58's Emilee Fannon in a one-on-one interview this month. "So yes, there will have to be some major investments."

In the previous two budget cycles, Evers has met most of the coalition's needs in his proposed budget, but those were further reduced by Republicans who control the Legislature and the budget process.

Evers will present his budget proposal on Feb. 15.