The coronavirus pandemic is a big factor in a major backlog of criminal court cases in Milwaukee County.
The District Attorney’s Office reports more than 3,000 suspects are awaiting criminal charges.
D-A John Chisholm says it’s a crisis that has been caused by COVID-19 at the same time the county is seeing crime rates at historic levels.
Criminal trials were shut down for four months last year between March and late July.
Since that time, only four of the 11 designated courtrooms have been opened to maintain social distancing.
The backlog means victims and defendants could be waiting 18-to-24 months longer than usual for justice – or a resolution of their cases.
