NEWS
Student Judiciary meets at Capitol
Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.
Also by Allie Tempus:
- Bringing Pulitzer prizes home (April 25, 2008)
- Partnership aims to aid African HIV patients (April 14, 2008)
- Crime-fighting 'Badger' (March 26, 2008)
- May the force be with you...always (March 5, 2008)
- Parenthood 101 (February 22, 2008)
Related Stories:
- Students pick Grosskopf as 'chief' (May 8, 2007)
- Legislators hear justice plea for campaign finance changes (December 12, 2007)
- State courts need more money, judges say (April 19, 2007)
- Students call for new rules (January 30, 2007)
- Committee upholds public hearing (March 6, 2007)
Share This:
by Allie Tempus
Monday, October 15, 2007
The Student Judiciary branch of Associated Students of Madison held its weekly meeting in the Supreme Court Hearing Room in the Capitol building Friday. Afterward, they received a private audience with Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
SJ Chief Justice Sol Grosskopf arranged the meeting.
"It will not only add to our educational experience of this office, but also to the wealth of knowledge that we accumulate by serving in this position," Grosskopf said.
Student Judiciary interprets the ASM constitution and bylaws if problems arise within committees and organizations. It operates with six associate justices, one vice chief justice and one chief justice.
Grosskopf, SJ Vice Chief Justice Shaun Hernandez, and Associate Justices Trenell Darby, Christine Harbin, Jeremy Jewett and Leah Moe conducted the meeting seated around a large mahogany lawyer's table that is original to the building.
New business at the meeting included the possible establishment of a public defender-type position that would serve as a consult for student organizations that are not represented by lawyers.
Chief Justice Abrahamson arrived at the meeting after the discussion of new business. She proceeded with an informal question-and-answer session with the SJ justices about the structure and procedures of Wisconsin law, the inner workings of Student Judiciary and her own experiences as a judge.
Abrahamson also spoke of the Supreme Court Hearing Room itself, commenting on the furniture and the historical events depicted in the four large murals adorning the room's walls.
"But the grandeur of the room does not affect your decision-making," Abrahamson said. "You should have the same decision-making whether you're sitting here or in a warehouse."
SJ Associate Justice Jewett asked Abrahamson, a Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice since 1976, how she balances the need to learn and grow on the job with staying consistent in judgments.
"The statutes keep changing, the Constitution amendments keep changing. There are never two cases that are precisely the same," Abrahamson said. "Buildings are built to sway in the wind. Otherwise what happens? They'll crack. And so, the law, too, allows for some degree of flexibility."
Grosskopf said he would like to see this meeting become a tradition for student judiciary members and hopes it provides student justices with new perspectives on their jobs.
Anonymous (October 15, 2007 @ 1:45am):
wow, way to not understand that the SJ is a complete farce for future Republicans to pad their resumes.
Anonymous (October 15, 2007 @ 12:48pm):
What's the matter with Memorial Union?
- Germain E. Stemme
Add a comment
We welcome your thoughts, but please keep your feedback thoughtful, on-topic and respectful. Offensive language, personal attacks, or irrelevant comments may be deleted.
Login...
Not registered? Sign up now.
It's quick, free, and the email address you provide will not be sold or solicited.
