This article was sent to us by Ron Schroeder.
Probation & Parole agents have good reason to believe they have more power than a court – a chief judge said so.
Judge Jennifer R. Dorow is the chief judge of the 3rd Judicial Administrative District (Waukesha, Washington, Ozaukee, Jefferson, and Dodge Counties). She also chairs a criminal justice council. In open court, she said the Department of Corrections has “trump” power over the courts.
This is particularly troublesome, coming from a chief judge. The separation of powers doctrine prohibits a court from “giving” power to an administrative agency over a sentence. Judge Dorow is either unaware of basic legal principles or is legislating from the bench.
You may write to the judge and express concern over her alarming comment. If you do, please note case 2007CF496 and the 7/16/20 hearing on your correspondence for reference. Without citizen input, she may continue to “urge” the junior judges in her district to delegate the court’s authority to the DOC.
You may express your concern to her at:
Honorable Jennifer Dorow
Courthouse
515 W. Moreland Blvd.
Waukesha, WI 53188
In solidarity,
Ron