Waukesha Courthouse Renovation Needs to Happen

My interest was piqued recently when it was reported that Waukesha County Director of Public Works Allison Bussler was discussing the potential for renovating the Waukesha County Courthouse. A recent study concluded that the courthouse needs to be renovated at a projected cost of $91.1 million by 2019 when the project would begin. The project would be conducted in several phases, beginning with demolishing the jail (built in 1959) and constructing an eight-courtroom building. It would also include a new 50,000 square-foot Waukesha City Hall.

As this matter is being considered, it’s important to realize that the courthouse is more than just courts.  Obviously, the building houses many different departments but I will only speak to the areas in which I work, mainly the courtrooms themselves.

On whole, we have a very nice courthouse and I don’t think many people would disagree with that.  But the main issue would be whether the courthouse is up to snuff with respect to the latest technology and in dealing with security issues. Recently, there were changes made in regard to security by strengthening security at the front doors and, secondly, changing the way the Sheriff’s Department transports individuals that are in custody.

I think both of those areas have been handled very, very well. While I don’t generally talk with deputies about this on a regular basis, I understand that more could be done to have more secured prisoner transports.

As the planners consider upgrades in technology they’ll have to determine whether it’s more cost effective to upgrade existing court facilities to get where we need to be technology-wise.  For example, would it save more taxpayer dollars by having certain defendants make their appearances via video conferencing? While some of that has been done, I would imagine in the big picture this will have to become part of the larger renovation debate. 

There are other practical, mechanical issues to consider as well. I can tell you from personal experience that there are certain times of year where you know it’s going to be hotter than blazes or really cold in the courtrooms because controlling the temperature in individual courtrooms is not quite as simple as flipping a switch to engage the heat or air conditioning. From that perspective, I believe those kinds of upgrades are needed as well.

Personally, I would be in favor of some type of upgrade in the areas I’ve mentioned. Certainly, as any renovation project is undertaken there will be some difficult transition periods that everyone who uses the courthouse will experience until all of the work is completed. It will be especially difficult for those of us who work there every day to accomplish our tasks as efficiently as we would like.  It’s hard to concentrate when you have to listen to a jackhammer and I’d hate to be one of those folks who must be there all the time.

However, in the big picture, I believe it’s important that Waukesha County’s facilities are on par with other counties in the state.  In the long run, having a modern, advanced courthouse in Waukesha County will serve everyone’s needs much better.

About Attorney Mark Powers
Attorney Mark Powers is a partner at the criminal defense law firm of Huppertz & Powers, S.C. in Waukesha. Previously, Powers served as an Assistant District Attorney with the Waukesha County District Attorney's office and is currently serving as a municipal judge in North Prairie. He focuses in the area of criminal defense, and has handled many cases involving operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, domestic disputes, and drug offenses.

Powers attended Valparaiso University School of Law, where he received his Juris Doctorate. Prior to law school, Mark attended the University of Wisconsin, Lacrosse where he received his bachelor of science in Political Science.

For more information, please call 262.549.5979 or visit www.waukeshacriminalattorneys.com.