HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-07-2022 Criminal Justice Subcommittee Minutes
MEETING MINUTES
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMUNITY JUSTICE
COLLABORATING COUNCIL
February 7, 2022 12:00 PM
St. Croix County Government Center -Room 1281
1101 Carmichael Road, Hudson, Wisconsin
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
Attendee OrganizationTitleStatusArrived
Name
Kristi SeversonSt. Croix Clerk of Circuit CourtPresent
County
Gordon YoungSt. Croix Chief, River Falls Police Dept.Absent
County
Cathy St. Croix SCCSO Chief DeputyAbsent
BorgschatzCounty
Bob FeidlerSt. Croix Supervisor, Chair of PP&JAbsent
County
Karl AndersonSt. Croix District AttorneyAbsent
County
Kris AndersonSt. Croix SCCSO Jail CaptainAbsent
County
Sharlene St. Croix Behavioral Health AdminstratorPresent
LopezCounty
Travis SatoriusSt. Croix Attorney Manager, State Public Present
CountyDefense
Craig J. St. Croix Supervisor, Division of Present
HooymanCountyCommunity Corrections
Mike St. Croix Judge Br. IV, ChairPresent
WatermanCounty
Also in attendance, Susan Capparelli, Ali Bolstad, Shelby Hilden, Tina Sitz, Ashley Barthol,
Kelli Sosnowski, Judge Nordstrand, Judge Needham, Rebecca Schultz.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
1. Criminal Justice Subcommittee of the Community Justice Collaborating Council
Regular Meeting December 6, 2021 12:00 PM
Accepted and approved as written.
RESULT: ACCEPTED
PUBLIC COMMENT
None
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. "Warrant Day" Recap
Judge Waterman opens the topic with request for input on Warrant Day. Travis Satorius
comments that there were approximately five participants involved. Going forward, we
will look at various ideas as this was our first attempt; schedule during the middle of the
week versus the end of the week and how we get the word out. We could post notice in
the jail, court house, or any place there is a bulletin. Most of the warrants that came in
were for child support. Kristi Severson comments that we had the same first outcomes as
many as other surrounding counties. Judge Nordstrand feels that it was a decent "first
try." Another date is scheduled for April, with promotion alterations to be determined. Is
there a way to directly let people know if they have an outstanding warrant? Who would
be able to accomplish locating current address/contact information? Judge Needham
questions if the Clerk of Court office is able to isolate those we are attempting to target
and send notices to those individuals. All in agreement that this topic shall remain an
agenda item and ongoing work.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
2. Interpreter Required Cases
Judge Waterman- We are looking to an agreed upon day to have the interpreter here in
Court, instead of having these needed appearances spread out. A day of the first
Wednesday of the month has been slated, to occur directly after Intake. We will start by
addressing misdemeanor traffic violations; no felonies at this time. First scheduled
Wednesday is, April 6th from 2:30pm-4:30pm. The Judicial Assistants have notice as well
as Kristi Severson's staff. The Intake Judge on the respective date will be responsible for
fulfilling these cases. Judge Needham would like to know if there is a way to search or
isolate cases that need Interpreters and what language. Kristi Severson states she is
able to search open cases and notices will be sent and Judges will reset to the next
monthly date. Judge Waterman notes that one Interpreter will be in the court room,
the other will be outside the Courtroom to assist with meeting with Lawyers and the
Client.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
First Wednesday of every month 2:30PM to 4:30PM with Intake Judge
Judge Handles Initial Appearances, Pretrials, Pleas, etc.
Juvenile Intake Calendar Conflict - Commissioner to take Juvenile Cases
Contested Motion and Trials - Assigned Judge
3. Justice Support Services - Pretrial Services Program - Group Input on Next Steps
Judge Waterman begins with an overview of the Public Safety Assessment (PSA). The
PSA is an actuarial assessment which uses nine factors to generate scores that predict
three outcomes: failure to appear in court pretrial, new criminal offense while on pretrial
release, and new violent criminal arrest while on pretrial release. Decision-makers in
Court use the PSA scores along with a Release Conditions Matrix (RCM) to inform pretrial
release decisions. The RCM and its other components must be carefully worked through
and accepted by decision-makers within each of the criminal justice points, prior to
implementation of the PSA. Judge Waterman leads the group through an array of
questions related to the data that is produced from the PSA. How will we as a County
system work together to agree upon and use this information? Looking at the Matrix,
when the Defendant is assessed by Justice Services Pretrial Case Managers, what does it
mean at each level and how much monitoring will each level determine? What do we do
when there is a violation or (conversely), when someone is meeting all expectations and
could receive incentives or alterations to conditions? How is this communicated back to
the Judge, attorneys, etc. Justice Services has provided documents that have been in
place using another actuarial assessment, the COMPAS Pretrial II set in place to allow
time to organize a Pretrial Services Program, and we are now ready to move forward with
advancing St. Croix County in the use of the PSA. There will need to be stakeholder input
and agreement. Discussion was had. Judge Waterman notes that this is deeper work than
can be established within a subcommittee and suggests a dedicated work-group to
determine how to answer these questions and bring back to the subcommittee and
further, to the CJCC and County Board. Discussion. A work-group will be formed of
primary decision-makers from the Judiciary, DA's Office, Public Defense, Probation, and
Justice Services to include, Shelby Hilden who has historical knowledge of the days of the
Day Report Center (Sheriff's Office) and now Justice Support Center - Pretrial Program.
Susan will set dates up in the coming weeks for the work-group to meet.
RESULT: DISCUSSED
Who Will Be Served Pretrial - Program Capacity and Focus
Out of County and State - Pretrial Monitoring
Matrix and Full Use of the PSA - Case Management
Violation and Compliance Reporting - eFile Practice
Jail Release and Direct Connect to JSC
Costs and Fees - Pretrial Best Practice
REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
Continued Warrant Day Work
PSA Implementation Work-Group
ANNOUNCEMENTS & CORRESPONDENCE
Sharlene Lopez: Shared a summary of the HHS ARPA funded positions. To date, they have hired
four Case Manager. Shar shares that it has been difficult to fill all seven positions. Reviewed
each position and individuals hired. Kristin Deprey has been able modify the SOR-2 Grant to
secure funds to have a Peer Support trainer to come here versus sending new hires to them.
Rebecca Schultz from the DOC- has two positions to fill, she reports one that is hired and
does not need the training, one that is currently in the program.
Kristi Severson Court Clerk's Office has five positions open - these are posted and ongoing.
Susan Capparelli Justice Services will have an open position of a Pretrial Case Manager and
Job posting coming soon.
ADJOURN
Judge Waterman adjourned the meeting at 12:50PM.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING - TBD