AB 589

Current law requires a supreme court justice and a judge in the court of appeals,

in circuit court, and in municipal court (judge) to disqualify himself or herself from

a civil or criminal action or proceeding (action) under certain circumstances,

including when a judge is related to any party or counsel to the action, when a judge

is a party or a material witness in the action, when a judge has a significant financial

or personal interest in the outcome of the action, and when a judge determines that

he or she cannot, or it appears he or she cannot, act in an impartial manner. This

bill provides that, if a Wisconsin Supreme Court justice denies a motion to disqualify

himself or herself from an action, the supreme court may review that decision to deny

the motion, and may either affirm or reverse the justice's decision.