Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson Visits the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

By: David Siemers, Department of Political Science, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh

On Monday October 26^th, 250 students, faculty, and community members crowded into the Reeve Union Ballroom at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh to listen to Wisconsin Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson.  Abrahamson is one of the longest tenured Chief Justices in American history and she has been a leader in protecting access to justice in this state.

There were three main themes to Abrahamson’s talk.  First, she demystifyied adjudication.  The courts, she pointed out, are the least understood branch of government.  The Chief Justice then explained that she and all other judges are under the obligation to decide cases based on their understanding of the Constitution and the law, rather than upon what they think personally, or what would be popular.   The good judge is to be like a referee or umpire, not an advocate.  These are principles which guarantee justice and the rule of law for all in the long run.

Second, Abrahamson discussed a relatively new development in the courts:  an emphasis on “operational administration.”  The state Supreme Court helps to administer the courts under Wisconsin law.  In the last 20 years this responsibility has grown from formulaic oversight to an incredibly dynamic part of the job.  There are a burgeoning set of structures to administer, including new “problem solving courts,” informal mediations, “alcohol and drug courts,” and mental health courts.  In these times, when the dollars states devote to justice have been static or have fallen, innovative procedures have developed to deal with offenses against the law.  Guidelines and oversight are needed for each of these new structures and Chief Justice Abrahamson is at the forefront of designing them.

Third, Abrahamson encouraged members of the audience to get involved with the courts.  She lamented that in the Spring election which reelected her to a new ten year term only 19% of Wisconsinites voted.  But she went beyond that, to encourage audience members to explore their justice system.  “Visit a court in session,” she said, “like I did when I was in college.”  To Abrahamson this was a life-changing experience.  She also spelled out a myriad of volunteer opportunities for people interested in securing justice.  She encouraged participation as a court appointed advocate for children or adult victims or indigent offenders.  And she encouraged students to write papers on the courts.

In Shirley Abrahamson’s work, she aims to achieve the motto “Justice for All.”  She is constantly searching for “what we can do to make justice possible,” and the Oshkosh community benefited from that perspective Monday night.

What we’re viewing: Press release about event.