Three attorneys vie for judge's seat in primary

There are three Kewaunee County attorneys running for the seat of Circuit Court Judge Dennis Mleziva, who has served since 1992,  and will retire this year.

With Tuesday's primary election, the number of candidates will be reduced to two.

In addition, Town of Franklin residents who are in the School District of Denmark will also be asked to vote for two of the six candidates running for school board. They are:  Julie Lemmens, Timothy G. Stedl, Daniel J. Ullman, Tammy Sommer, Derek Rosek and Kevin Shefchik.

Voters will also decide who will move to the general election in the race for Justice of the Supreme Court. The three candidates are Rebecca G. Bradley, Joanne F. Kloppenburg and Joe Donald.

To better inform voters about the three candidates for the Kewaunee County Circuit Court judge position, the Kewaunee County Star-News asked each of the candidates to answer three questions. Their answers are below:

KEITH A. MEHN

1. What makes you uniquely qualified to serve as the judge for our area?

Since graduating from the University of Wisconsin law school in 1985, I have practiced law for over 30 years in Kewaunee County and was appointed by Judge Mleziva as a Circuit Court Commissioner in 1992. For many years, I have been the on-call Court Commissioner who fills in for the Judge in court to conduct court hearings when the Judge is unavailable. I also conduct hearings as an Assistant Family Court Commissioner in family court matters and provide legal assistance to the City of Kewaunee, including prosecuting ordinance violations as a City Attorney. Our county has just one judge who must hear all types of matters. Handling cases in many different areas of the law is exactly the experience needed by our next judge. The experience, knowledge and wisdom I have gained over the past 30 years as a long-time private practice attorney, plus service to municipalities and as a Circuit Court Commissioner, making court decisions, makes me uniquely qualified to be our next judge.

2. What are the most difficult issues facing judges in Northeast Wisconsin today?

The judges in Northeast Wisconsin face many of the same challenges faced by all judges in Wisconsin. Inadequate funding for the court system (less than one penny of each tax dollar is spent on the court system) has been an issue for many years. Also, recent newspaper articles have given a lot of attention to judicial sentencing guidelines. While I believe in sentencing guidelines, I do not believe in mandatory sentencing because our judge in Kewaunee County is in the best position to understand and apply sentences that meet the needs of our community. In addition, judges face increased casework linked to substance abuse, family court matters and individuals without representation requesting help from already burdened court personnel. These are just a few of the challenges judges must face with limited resources and staffing.

In Kewaunee County, as a one-judge county, our judge must be prepared to lead the way on these and many other issues.

3. How will your service to Kewaunee County residents in this role improve the way justice is administered in the county?

While there is always room for improvement in our court system, our county has been in good hands for many years. As judge, I will use the experience, knowledge and wisdom I have gained over the past 30 years to provide the justice the citizens of Kewaunee County deserve. As much as possible, I intend to make use of the drug court and veterans court, being administered in Brown County, which are intended to help defendants break the cycle of behavior which keeps them in the court system. I will interpret the law and will not legislate from the bench. I will be tough, but fair and never forget the victims. I will use my extensive background in the legal profession to make proper decisions regarding the vast variety of matters that come before the court. Being the only judge in our county is not an easy position, but I have prepared myself to do the job.

ANDREW NAZE

1. What makes you uniquely qualified to serve as the judge for our area?

I was fortunate to observe firsthand what it takes to be a Circuit Court Judge.  My father, Hon. Peter Naze, demonstrated during his judicial career that a judge must possess legal scholarship, apply the principles of law fairly, and be prepared to make difficult and sometimes unpopular decisions when applying the law. I observed those same qualities in Judge Dennis Mleziva, whom I had the privilege to appear in front of on an almost daily basis during my career as your District Attorney.  I believe that I am the only candidate who understands those requirements of the judiciary. Being your District Attorney for 12 years has afforded me the opportunity to spend more time in the courtroom than either of the other candidates. Those experiences can't be learned overnight.   Knowing rules of evidence; court procedures; and, handling caseloads are all important parts of being a judge. They don’t happen by putting on the judge’s robe.  Because of my experience, I believe that I am the most uniquely qualified candidate to serve as the next judge.

2. What are the most difficult issues facing judges in Northeast Wisconsin today?

1. In Kewaunee County, there is just one judge, who must handle all types of cases (family, civil, small claims, criminal, etc.).  Prior to my years as District Attorney, I handled those cases in private practice.  A judge has to be efficient and ready to handle every type of case, starting from day one.   It will be necessary to continually be aware that cases will have to be decided in a timely manner.   I am prepared to meet that obligation.

2. Mandatory minimum sentences for persons convicted of crimes serve the worthwhile purpose of putting criminals on notice that there is a consequence to your unlawful conduct that must be imposed.   However, not all crimes require mandatory minimum sentences.  A judge must weigh the character of the defendant; the nature of the crime and the need to protect the public.  Mandatory minimum sentencing limits the judge's discretion at sentencing.  Bad people who do bad things should be punished accordingly.  Good people who do a bad thing shouldn't have to be punished the same.

3. How will your service to Kewaunee County residents in this role improve the way justice is administered in the county?

Let me say at the outset that I do not believe that the administration of justice in Kewaunee County is lacking. It is through my daily exposure to the administration of justice as your District Attorney that I have come to appreciate what my role will be as your judge.  I understand also from that experience as District Attorney that I have seen the cause and effects of the criminal justice system.  Twelve years has allowed me to see the environments that tend to lead someone down a criminal path. It has shown me the pain that victims endured when their lives have been damaged by another’s criminal behavior.  And, perhaps most importantly, 12 years has given me the time to see what different sentences (community service/diversion programs/jail/probation) work to achieve the goals of rehabilitation, punishment, and deterrence in order to better protect the citizens of Kewaunee County.  Because of my experiences through 12 years of service to Kewaunee County as your District Attorney I am ready to carry on the proud tradition of fair and efficient, administration of justice to best serve the interests of all residents of Kewaunee County!

JEFFREY R. WISNICKY

1. What makes you uniquely qualified to serve as judge of our area?

I want to be your next judge to continue in the strong tradition of Judge Mleziva by administering justice thoughtfully and impartially to reach a fair and just result in every case. My extensive and broad based experience uniquely qualifies me to hit the ground running on day one.

My deep family roots in Kewaunee County will allow me to administer justice with a full understanding and appreciation of the sensibilities, character, and rich traditions of our community. I was born and raised on a farm in the Town of Carlton to Ronald and Diane Wisnicky. I credit my childhood on the farm for instilling the importance of hard work, helping your neighbor, and doing the job right the first time. I turn to these important principles each day knowing that if I work hard and strive mightily to reach the right result the first time that I will achieve success.

I am a graduate of Kewaunee High School, UW-Stevens Point and NIU College of Law. I started my legal career with the Blazkovec and Blazkovec firm in Algoma.  From Algoma I worked as the Assistant Corporation Counsel for Door County. Finally, in 2007, I became the Corporation Counsel and Assistant District Attorney for Kewaunee County.

My broad range of legal work has uniquely prepared me to handle all the essential proceedings handled by the Kewaunee County Circuit Court Judge. I prosecute the full range of cases for Kewaunee County including serious sexual assault cases, reckless homicide cases, and child abuse cases. My primary caseload for the District Attorney’s office is prosecuting drug related offenses and cases involving children.  I am intimately familiar with carefully analyzing complex medical and scientific reports including autopsy reports, psychological examinations, and crime laboratory reports. I have extensive experience questioning and cross-examining witnesses, drafting legal pleadings, drafting search warrants, and drafting legal briefs. I handle all the special proceedings related to abused children, persons with mental illness, and persons with alcohol or drug addiction in my role as Corporation Counsel. I also litigate civil and family matters on behalf of the County. I routinely attend cutting-edge legal training regarding these areas so that I can properly advise law enforcement and the county officials I serve.

I know and understand the substantive law and procedures required to serve as your next judge. What I have gained from my broad based experience are all the intangibles necessary to be an effective judge. I have heard the heartfelt pain of crime victims, I have heard children communicate that they love mom and dad but they want to be safe, I have heard from families struggling to care for a loved one battling mental health or addiction. I have witnessed good people at their worst. I will always do what is required under the law but I pledge to treat every person appearing in court with dignity and respect.

2. What are the most difficult issues facing judges in Northeast Wisconsin today?

Keeping the public safe and the prompt administration of justice are the most important and difficult issues facing judges across Northeast Wisconsin.

I take seriously the role of the judge in keeping the public safe. Public safety is strongest when the judge is committed to holding offenders accountable for the crimes they commit. When faced with a serious offense or a repeat offender it is vital to send a message to the offender and the public that we are not going to tolerate criminal behavior in our community. In the ongoing effort to keep the public safe we must always remain vigilant and realize  that there will always be new challenges and threats posed by the criminal element. Though there are many challenges in our ongoing public safety mission, the two challenges that standout are: 1) the wide-spread use of opiates/heroin and 2) high-tech crime through the use of technology.

Drug abuse is not a victimless crime. Opiate and heroin addiction are a real public safety threat in Kewaunee County and Northeast Wisconsin. In my role as Corporation Counsel and Assistant District Attorney I work on this public health crisis at every level. I prosecute drug dealers and drug users not only for the expected drug offenses, but also the financial and property crimes related to the drug trade. I handle cases of abused and neglected children cases involving drug addicts. I have tragically worked on cases involving newborns addicted to opiates. The solution to the opiate/heroin problem is difficult and it will require an understanding of the many facets of the problem and a steadfast commitment to hold drug dealers accountable, explore every avenue to treat the addicted, and to educate the public that prescription based opiates and heroin are a real danger.

High-tech crime through the use of technology has revolutionized the practice of criminal law. It is vital that every person involved in the criminal justice system, including the judge, understand how technology works and how our established legal principles apply to new and different forms of technology. Nearly every single case filing in Circuit Court has some aspect or some evidence derived from a mobile device or PC. I have extensive experience assisting law enforcement in gathering essential evidence from mobile devices, cell carriers and websites to build criminal cases.

Promptly hearing and deciding cases is vitally important to litigants, crime victims and the integrity of the court. The buck stops at the judge to solve the difficultly of promptly administering justice. As judge I will hold myself accountable to complete my work and not contribute to any case delays. Next, the court must engage the parties at the earliest opportunity to establish reasonable expectations for all parties involved and then hold everyone to those expectations. Finally, the court needs to speak with a clear and decisive voice so that the parties can have the finality in their cases and controversies.

3. How will your service to Kewaunee County residents in this role improve the way justice is administered in the county?

I understand service as judge is a great honor that comes with great responsibility. It is my intention to honor the history of our court and our county by upholding the high standards set by Judge Mleziva, Judge Pies and those who served before them. I will serve with great enthusiasm, diligence and above all, with the highest ethical standards.

I am a family man and can relate to the many struggles families face today. My wife, Blair, and our four children, Grace, Jackson, Scarlett and Harper live in the City of Kewaunee. Blair is a first-grade teacher for the Kewaunee School District. Our family belongs to the Holy Rosary Parish in Kewaunee, and I am a man grounded in faith.

My roots run deep in Kewaunee County, and I take a great deal of pride in the amazing things we accomplish in our small community. I made service to this community a commitment from day one of my professional career. I have served and will continue to serve community organizations as long as I am able. If you support my candidacy you are supporting a candidate that is truly committed to this community.

I am committed to adhere to the rule of law. I will not legislate from the bench and I will apply the law as written equally to all parties. I believe the public gains confidence in our institutions when each institution does their part to the best of their ability.

I am engaged in the legal community. I am a Governor on the State Bar of Wisconsin Board of Governors. I have served as President of the Kewaunee Bar Association and the Door/Kewaunee Bar Association. These commitments allow me to keep Kewaunee County current on developing legal trends and legislation coming out of Madison.

I have earned my successes through effort and determination; nothing has been handed to me.  I am inherently curious and will always be a student of the law to better serve you. I pledge to listen to you, be responsive, and be accountable. I will work hard to bring your cases to finality and I will do so with integrity and strict adherence to the rule of law. I will treat every party equally, with dignity and with respect. I will conduct myself with the utmost respect for the institution of our Court. I will speak decisively and I will not avoid making a hard decision.

It will be my privilege to serve you as the next Circuit Court Judge of Kewaunee County.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press Gazette: Three attorneys vie for judge's seat in primary