The Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended Dane County Judge Ellen Berz, WKOW reports. An 11-page decision by the state’s high court found she violated ethical codes that require judges to observe a high standard, perform judicial duties without bias or prejudice and treat people with patience, dignity and courtesy.
The findings stemmed from two incidents, the first in 2019 and the second in 2021. In the first incident, Berz agreed to reschedule a trial date per the request of a defense team in State v. Richard Harrison Jr., but she expressed her frustrations about the rescheduling in a reportedly sarcastic and patronizing manner and accused the defendant of playing games.
In the second incident, pertaining to State v. Noah Hodges, a defendant did not appear at trial because he was in the hospital, and Berz, upon learning this information, requested that the courtroom bailiff go to the hospital and arrest the defendant. When she was told the bailiff could not leave, Berz began driving to the hospital herself and was joined by the defense attorney, who warned her against the decision, and Berz turned around before arriving at the hospital. When she returned to the Dane County Courthouse, she ordered a warrant for the defendant’s arrest.
As a result of the state Supreme Court’s decision, Berz will be suspended from judicial duties for a week without pay beginning June 26.
