The steering committee started its work by reviewing the wealth of national and local research concerning issues of public trust and confidence. Using this research and the committee members' personal experience with Wisconsin's justice system, the committee devised a list of issues that create barriers to public trust and confidence. Focus group feedback. Based on citizen input, the committee added two issues to its action plan - the dissatisfaction with the juvenile justice system and the lack of empathy in the justice system. We have solid improvements to make in educating people about their system of justice.
Committee presents an action plan.
The committee issued an action plan to help shape existing efforts of the State Bar, the courts, law enforcement agencies, and community groups, and to offer strategies to improve the justice system and promote public trust. The committee recommends convening a leadership forum in 2001 to bring together leaders of the judiciary, the legal profession, law enforcement, local government, and community groups to discuss the plan's implementation. This process also has enabled us to learn of many effective initiatives already underway that deserve our strong support. The responsibility for increasing trust and confidence in the judicial system rests most squarely with those of us who work in the system. The committee hopes that its work will serve to educate and challenge our colleagues to be leaders in the effort to ensure that the citizens we serve trust their legal system to operate fairly, efficiently, and free from bias.