Four candidates outline judicial philosophy, diversion and bail views at New Richmond forum

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 candidates said judges must interpret statutes and apply facts presented at trial.

James Johnson described his approach as focused on the statutory text, saying he would “apply the law as it was written” and only consult legislative intent where language is ambiguous. Heather Amos said she considers herself a textualist in her current work for the county and reiterated that judicial decisions should be nonpartisan and based on law and facts.

Candidates addressed pretrial release and cash bail, noting recent state changes that give judges expanded discretion. “You have to take every case on its merit,” Johnson said, describing a “totality of the circumstances” approach that considers prior convictions, flight risk and danger to the community. Amos and other candidates said the 2023 statutory revisions allowing judges to consider public‑safety factors in setting bail have been useful; Smithstead, who handles intake court daily, said cash bail remains an important tool when defendants have a history of failing to appear.

All three candidates supported diversion and treatment programs as alternatives that reduce recidivism and save taxpayer dollars. Johnson praised the county’s treatment court and urged expanded use of diversion for low‑risk defendants. Amos and Smithstead described limits on available local mental‑health beds: candidates and local practitioners noted that Chapter 51 emergency commitments often require transports to distant facilities such as Madison or Winnebago, removing officers from patrol duty and complicating hearings.

Several candidates proposed or supported new local options. Smithstead said a Hazelden alcohol‑treatment facility opening near Hudson could help, and Johnson said he would pursue family treatment court if offered the bench and permitted by fellow judges. Candidates also described county efforts to fund a behavioral health specialist in the jail with opioid settlement funds.

On courtroom management, candidates stressed clear expectations and fairness. “My expectations for the courtroom would be that anybody in the courtroom needs to be respectful,” Amos said, listing typical decorum rules such as silencing phones and removing hats. Johnson and Smithstead discussed security measures — including metal detectors and court services officers — and agreed judges must enforce order quickly to avoid escalation.

The forum closed with three‑minute statements from each candidate. Amos urged voters to consider her 22 years in county government and experience with mental‑health commitments; Johnson highlighted decades of legal practice, school board service and volunteer mediation work; and Smithstead cited his combined experience in private practice, as a public defender and as a prosecutor as preparation for the bench.

The candidates repeatedly asserted that trial judges must remain nonpartisan and impartial. The forum did not include any formal endorsements or votes and did not present specific policy proposals beyond expansion of diversion programs and local mental‑health resources.

Practical details: The candidates encouraged voters to participate in the election; Amos asked voters to support her on February 18 and, if needed, on April 1. The forum was sponsored by Friday Memorial Library with logistical support from the League of Women Voters, the City of New Richmond, the Hudson Star Observer and River Channel.

Votes at a glance: No formal votes or endorsements were taken during the forum.