Panel Asks For A Reprimand Of Newest Supreme Court Justice
Ziegler Was Elected Last Year
Updated: 6:01 pm CST January 3, 2008
MADISON, Wis. -- A special panel of appeals court judges is asking the Wisconsin Supreme Court to reprimand one of its own.The three-judge panel said that Justice Annette Ziegler committed misconduct while she was a Washington County judge by hearing cases that involved a bank where her husband was a director. She is accused of mishandling 11 cases involving the bank.The panel is asking the Supreme Court to issue a public reprimand of Ziegler, which is the same punishment recommended by Ziegler's lawyer and the state Judicial Commission, which initially investigated the charges.The group rejected arguments from some outside groups that want Ziegler suspended or removed from the bench. The panel said that a reprimand is appropriate because Ziegler has taken steps to avoid similar mistakes and didn't benefit from her actions.Ziegler was elected to the court last year after an expensive and bitter campaign. She will serve a 10-year term on the court.The panel's recommendation now goes to Ziegler's colleagues on the high court. If they do, it will mark the first time the court has disciplined a sitting justice.
Previous Stories:
- November 28, 2007: Ziegler To Hear Case Funded By Election Supporter
- November 19, 2007: Supreme Court Hears Ziegler Case On Monday
- September 14, 2007: Judge Who Donated To Ziegler Withdraws From Hearing Case
- September 6, 2007: Commission Asks Supreme Court To Reprimand Ziegler
- May 16, 2007: Ziegler Strikes Deal With State Ethics Board
- May 7, 2007: Ethics Board: Ziegler Complaint Is OK
- April 30, 2007: Supreme Court Gives State One Week To Respond In Ziegler Case
- April 18, 2007: Ethics Board Says Zeigler Should Be Fined
- March 30, 2007: Candidates To Meet In Final Debate In Supreme Court Race
- March 20, 2007: Reality Check: Attack Ads In Supreme Court Race
- March 19, 2007: Democracy Campaign Asks For Investigation Into Ziegler
- March 12, 2007: Report: Ziegler Owns Stock In Companies Whose Cases She Heard
Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.







