For Immediate Release: February 2, 2012
Contact: Rebekah Sweeney, (608) 266-3790
Rep. Jorgensen Partnering with District Attorney to Protect Courthouse Employees from Violent Threats
MADISON – State Representative Andy Jorgensen (D-Fort Atkinson) Thursday testified before the Assembly Committee on Judiciary and Ethics in support of Assembly Bill 424, legislation he authored in partnership with Jefferson County District Attorney Susan Happ to provide extra protection to those who work in courthouses.
“From the judges to the clerks to the maintenance workers, courthouse employees have chosen to serve our communities. Unfortunately, this service sometimes puts them in close contact with dangerous people, who may seek to harm them,” said Jorgensen. “It’s important we take what action we can to deter criminals from threatening those working in our justice system, and I’m proud to be doing just that.”
Jorgensen notes that current state law allows anyone who intentionally causes or threatens to cause bodily harm to a judge to be charged with a Class H felony, which holds a penalty of up to a $10,000 fine and six years in prison. However, violence or violent threats directed at other courthouse employees cannot be prosecuted in the same way. Assembly Bill 424 seeks to change that, and afford all courthouse employees with a greater measure of safety.
This legislation was sparked by a disturbing incident at the Jefferson County Courthouse that involved an enraged person yelling to workers there that, “If I had dynamite, I would blow you up.” District Attorney Happ contacted Jorgensen after finding her prosecutory options in that case very limited.
“There is nothing in state statutes now that would address the serious nature of the crime that occurred in our courthouse,” said Happ, who also testified in committee Thursday. “I’ve been pleased to partner with Rep. Jorgensen to ensure that if anything like this happens again, the perpetrator will be held accountable.”
Under Jorgensen’s bill, an individual is guilty of a Class I felony if they intentionally cause or threaten to cause bodily harm to a court employee, which includes circuit court clerks and their employees, employees of the supreme court, district attorneys and deputy and assistant district attorneys, and state public defenders. The felony conviction comes with a punishment of up to a $10,000 fine and three-and-a-half years in prison. AB 424 also makes an individual guilty of a Class I felony if they threaten to cause damage to a courthouse, if that damage could result in bodily harm to a judge or court employee.
“If someone really had explosives and detonated them in a courthouse, he or she wouldn’t just hurt judges, but others who work in the building. Similarly, when someone makes threats in a courthouse, they might scare not only judges, but all those working there,” said Jorgensen. “My commonsense bill gives all justice workers protected status, and hopefully, that will give them a greater sense of security, as well.”
Jorgensen is now urging the chair of the Assembly Committee on Judiciary and Ethics to hold an executive session on AB 424, allowing a vote on the bill. After committee passage, the legislation could be considered by the Assembly as a whole.
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