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Four candidates outline judicial philosophy, diversion and bail views at New Richmond forum
Summary
Candidates for Saint Croix County Circuit Court Branch 2 answered questions at a New Richmond forum about judicial philosophy, diversion programs, bail, mental-health services and courtroom management.
NEW RICHMOND, Wis. — Four candidates for Saint Croix County Circuit Court Branch 2 answered questions about judicial philosophy, pretrial release and local diversion programs Tuesday night at a candidate forum hosted by Friday Memorial Library in New Richmond.
The forum featured Heather Amos, Saint Croix County corporation counsel; James “Jamie” Johnson, attorney and former school board president; Brian Smithstead, deputy district attorney; and a moderator, Monica Lavold, director of Friday Memorial Library. The event opened with brief remarks about the library’s new building project and ground rules for the 90‑minute forum.
Why it matters: The winner will fill a county circuit court judgeship with day‑to‑day responsibility for criminal, family and civil cases. Candidates’ views on bail, treatment courts and courtroom management affect how they would exercise discretion if elected.
On judicial philosophy, candidates emphasized applying the law rather than making policy from the bench. “The first and most important thing is the judges should not be changing the law,” said Brian Smithstead, deputy district attorney. He and the other…
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