State Ex Rel. Stedman v. Rohner

This case is before the court on certification from the court of appeals, pursuant to sec. (Rule) 809.61, Stats. Two issues are presented. The first issue is whether the initiation of an action by a family court commissioner for remedial contempt to enforce child support obligations contravenes Wisconsin law. The second issue is whether the initiation of an action by a family court commissioner for remedial contempt to enforce child support obligations gives the appearance of impropriety. We hold that a family court commissioner is expressly authorized under Wisconsin law to initiate actions…