Sawyer County judge reports recovery court progress; Zoom appearances and local rule updates under way

A Sawyer County circuit court judge told the Public Safety Committee that the county's recovery court is “going really well,” with one participant expected to graduate in July and another possibly by the end of summer.

The judge said staff have had to terminate one participant but that “everybody is progressing through their phases.” The judge also reported the court is working on reestablishing a condemnation commission that appears to have been disbanded in 2019 and noted the reconstitution must follow applicable statute.

The judge said work is under way to update the county’s local court rules to add guidance on Zoom appearances and warrant-processing procedures to reduce confusion between the county's two branches. “We're kind of working through that, and it is a process. It's a lengthy process,” the judge said.

On use of virtual appearances, the judge told the committee the courts have broadened Zoom access because of an attorney shortage, saying the practice can save the county money when attorneys and expert witnesses appear remotely. The judge cited a district example in which allowing remote appearances “saved the county over $80,000” for a large trial. The judge and other district judges also discussed Zoom as a security option after a recent email leak.

The judge said district meetings have also discussed offering occasional night or weekend court sessions to make court more accessible to people who cannot appear during standard business hours. The proposal is still under consideration and details — including oversight, schedule and potential pushback — have not been finalized.

Committee members did not take formal action on the court items at the meeting. The judge said the rules-update work will continue and that staff and judicial partners are coordinating the process.