Wis. lawmaker exaggerated court records site claim
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A state lawmaker exaggerated when he claimed he received hundreds of letters from innocent people who said their lives had been hurt by an online court database.
Rep. Marlin Schneider, D-Wisconsin Rapids, admitted to The Associated Press on Friday that he overstated his case when he said in a public hearing and a memo to lawmakers that he's received hundreds of letters of complaint about an online court database. The site provides information free to the public about civil and criminal cases filed in Wisconsin circuit courts.
The AP requested copies of all the contacts Schneider had received. His office turned over e-mails and letters from just 59 people dating back to 2006.
"Maybe it was hyperbolic," Schneider said Friday. "I know that we had lots and lots of complaints. And I think it's the tip of the iceberg."
Schneider is sponsoring a bill that passed out of committee last week that would only allow the public to see records of cases where there has been a conviction. He's tried for years to restrict access to the database, created in 1999 and popularly known as CCAP, but this is the first time one of his bills has advanced out of committee, putting it in the running for debate before the full Assembly.
Even though it cleared that hurdle, Schneider said he thinks its chances of passage are "slim to none."

Feb 9, 2010 at 4:31 p.m.
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Every time a politician lies he should be fired! OOOPPPSSS where did they all go???
Feb 8, 2010 at 8:53 p.m.
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For those who say it's only in Wisconsin...do you ever use google before posting? http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&s...
CCAP shows Marlin Schneider has 2 records. And plug his name into google, and you find links such as http://thesconz.wordpress.com/2010/01/07...
Methinks he is trying to prevent people finding dirt about family or friends.
Feb 8, 2010 at 8:52 p.m.
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Like I have posted before- If they are going to show the records online they should show the WHOLE record; not some snippet of sometimes misleading information.
Although I believe the the records should be online there is obvious problems when what is on CCAP doesn't at all reflect what is in the record. Half-truths are lies in my view.
Feb 8, 2010 at 4:47 p.m.
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"Hyperbolic"? Okay Baron von Münchhausen, but the rest of us would simply call it "lying" (or, more likely, "politics").
What a surprise--another democrat who can't tell be relied upon to tell the simple truth, and ends up wasting considerable legislative time in dealing with his fabrications!
I wonder if a "misconduct" charge would be in order? We could all read about how it turns out on CCAP!
I've said it before...just one more indication that we don't need a full-time legislature in WI. They have far too much time to invent problems, suggest nonsense legislation, use millions to buy trains without tracks on which to run them, and have illicit affairs (oops--I meant "fall in love") with lobbyists!
Feb 8, 2010 at 4:18 p.m.
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Every time we turn around, the lawmakers are telling more lies. Maybe aught be a law against it.
Feb 8, 2010 at 3:31 p.m.
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Another one that can't tell the truth. You do not have to go to CCap to to find out about some one just us the net
Feb 8, 2010 at 1:46 p.m.
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I like to know the background of public servants that I vote for or against. If they can't manage their own budgets and business, how can I expect them to be trusted at the public trough with public monies? Open records can be a useful decision-making tool.
Feb 8, 2010 at 1:44 p.m.
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The next film made in Wisconsin will likely be 'democrats gone wild'. You have Sheridan failing to disclose expenses, not living in his district and dating lobbyists. And now this. We're on our way to becoming a republican state soon.
Feb 8, 2010 at 12:23 p.m.
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ONLY in Wisconsin, do they have these records shown publicly. I think it's a TRAVESTY. It's punishing people who need to get on with their lives. It's evil.
Feb 8, 2010 at 12:20 p.m.
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I think CCAP should be restricted. Only convictions shown. Everyone from employers to landlords use this site and I personally don't agree with it. I have nothing to hide, but it does contain even tickets for whatever. That is too much information to give to anyone. Your personal life should be just that...personal. They could make it so these individuals on there can create a password and if they want potential employers, landlords, etc. to see it, they can give them their password. That is what the credit organizations do now if you write to each of them. You could be a drug dealer (like crack) with a perfectly clean record (not got caught yet) and someone could hire you or rent to you and then you get busted, this is just an example. Another thing, people change. So what if they had a DUI 20 years ago, what does that mean for them now? No job, no home? I don't understand why this site has always been free to anyone. In Illinois you have to pay to research someone. JMO
Feb 8, 2010 at 12:04 p.m.
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I feel the website to be very beneficial for many uses - especially when dating it becomes a very handy tool to find out about the person. In today's world there are tons of liars out there. Just recently a friend used it and found out that Mr. Wonderful had a list quite long, from battery to money judgements. I vote to keep it! 59 complaints from 2006 is a small margin - I am just wondering what he is hiding?
Feb 8, 2010 at 11:55 a.m.
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"The only way you can truly control how you are seen is being honest all the time." -Tom Hanks
Feb 8, 2010 at 11:36 a.m.
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Nose is as long as a telephone wire!
Feb 8, 2010 at 11:26 a.m.
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Liar, liar ... pants on fire.
Feb 8, 2010 at 11:23 a.m.
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Swisschick- ;)
Feb 8, 2010 at 11:13 a.m.
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He merely exaggerated, overstated his case, and was hyperbolic.
Feb 8, 2010 at 10:52 a.m.
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No. . . . political speak.
Feb 8, 2010 at 10:50 a.m.
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Overstated his case? Is that Madison speak for lying?
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