In honor of those who lost their lives on March 22, 2017, we would like to share the following message from Robyn J. De Vos, Legal/legislative Chair, Wausau Metro Strong:
On March 22, 2017 Sara Quirt-Sann was killed. The sole motive for her murder was that she was the attorney representing the killer’s estranged spouse. The gunman also killed two of his estranged wife’s co-workers, Dianne Look and Karen Barclay and a Police Detective, Jason Weiland. It was a tragic event that left the Wausau region’s community devastated.
The reality is that it took this unspeakable tragedy to bring to light something that has become all too common – the legal actors in family law cases (attorneys, judges, guardian ad litems, corporation counsel) are routinely being threatened, and even harmed, as a direct result of their professional roles in family law cases. This was not an isolated incident in the legal community.
In response to this tragedy, local leaders came together to form a community group known as Wausau Metro Strong, in an attempt to build “A Safe Community for All.” Due in large part to the efforts of Sara’s husband, Scott Sann, the Legal/Legislative Action subcommittee was formed, and one of the first goals was to pass legislation to increase the criminal penalty for threats to harm, or battery to, the legal actors in proceedings affecting the family, including actions under the children’s and juvenile codes, restraining orders, guardianships and protective placements.
The Bill has been officially introduced, thanks to the support from Senator Jerry Petrowski and Representative Pat Snyder. There is a hearing scheduled for Tuesday, January 30th at 10:00a.m. in front of the Assembly Committee on Family Law.
The Legal/Legislative subcommittee of Wausau Metro Strong is asking for your support of this legislation that would extend the specialized legal protections currently afforded to other professions, to attorneys, guardian ad litems and corporation counsel in family law related matters. (Judges have separate protections). We believe this bill, which is attached, would serve as a strong deterrent to those who seek to control the family law legal system through threats of violence and harm.
Ways you can help:
1. Email a statement of support to the Chair of the Assembly Committee on Family Law, Rep. Rodriguez. We also ask that you copy Rep. Pat Snyder’s office, both emails are included below. You can write your own message of support or copy and paste the following:
Dear Representative Rodriguez:
I fully support 2017 Senate Bill 694 to create Wis. Stat. §940.203(3) which makes it a Class H felony to intentionally cause bodily harm or threaten to cause bodily harm to the person or family member of a guardian ad litem, corporation counsel or attorney, when they are acting in their official capacity in proceedings affecting the family, including actions under the children’s and juvenile codes, restraining orders, guardianships and protective placements. I believe this is necessary to deter those who seek to control the family law legal system through threats of violence and harm.
Sincerely,
(Your name)
(Your address- City/State minimum. This information is important to ensure your comments are recorded as coming from an official constituent of the state, if applicable)
2. Attend the press conference: currently scheduled for Monday, January 29, 2018 at 12:00p.m. at the Marathon County Courthouse in the lobby area around the Sara Quirt-Sann Memorial Courtroom.
3. Attend the hearing in Madison: along with Attorney Jessica Tlusty and Scott Sann, in front of the Assembly Committee on Family Law. If you are interested in attending, please let me know and I can provide you with further details. The hearing is scheduled at the Capital in Madison for Tuesday, January 30th at 10:00a.m.
Sincerely,
Robyn J. De Vos
Legal/legislative Chair, Wausau Metro Strong
