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ELLSWORTH -- A primary election will be held Tuesday, Feb. 16, to eliminate one candidate for the Pierce County judge position now held by Robert Wing.
The three candidates for the six-year term are attorneys Joe Boles of River Falls, Bob Loberg of Ellsworth and John O'Boyle of River Falls, the current Pierce County District Attorney.
The two who survive the primary will face off in the general election Tuesday, April 6.
Questionnaires were sent to the candidates, asking them to provide basic background information and to answer three questions. Their responses appear following the biographical profiles of each.
Joe Boles, 57, resides in rural River Falls. He and his wife, Della, have two sons: Luke and his wife, Emily, and Tyler and his wife, Robin; three grandchildren. He is a member of the River Falls American Legion, Post 121; Kinnic Falls Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services, board president; UW-River Falls Foundation, board chair; Pierce/St. Croix Free Clinic, board member; member of River Falls Rotary, St. Bridget Catholic Church and Westside Rotary Readers; volunteer for the Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP).
Bob Loberg, also 57, resides in Ellsworth. In addition to his private law practice, he serves as Pierce County family court commissioner. He and his wife, Spring Ailport, have three children: Lars, Hanna and Jens. Loberg's civic involvement includes: Eagle Scout; Boy Scout counselor and troop leader; St. Francis CCD teacher; Ellsworth Rod and Gun member, Lions Club, Knights of Columbus and president of the Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce; volunteers legal services to Kinnic River Land Trust; River Falls, Prescott and Spring Valley Chamber member; and St. Croix Valley Restorative Justice volunteer.
John M. O'Boyle, 47, resides in rural River Falls. He has served as Pierce County district attorney for past 17 years. He has two children, Jack, 11, and Madeline, 8. His civic involvement includes: current chair of the Board of Directors for Turningpoint; a founding board member of St. Croix Valley Restorative Justice Program; a founding board member and first board chair for St. Croix Valley Sexual Assault Response Team (SART); past president of River Falls Lions; and past board member of Kinnickinnic River Land Trust.
What qualifies you to be Pierce County judge?
Boles:
Our judicial system must have fair and impartial judges who know and apply the law. My broad experience in both criminal and civil cases gives me the necessary knowledge of the law.
As a city prosecutor for nine years, I use innovative ways to deal with people appearing before the court. In my 29-year legal practice, I have handled a broad range of cases. My trial experience includes both felony and misdemeanors, complex personal injury and insurance issues, probate and many other civil cases. I was recently awarded the designation of Wisconsin Super Lawyer in real estate.
I have the ability to patiently listen to all sides, really hear what is being said and decide considering the relevant facts and the law. I will not pre-judge or rush to judgment. I will treat all people who come into contact with the court with dignity and respect.
Loberg:
Nine years ago, Judge Wing appointed me family court commissioner. I have participated in hundreds of cases involving families and issued court orders upon careful reflection of the interests of children, parents and grandparents. As chairperson of our Western Wisconsin Lawyer Regulation Committee, I help "judge" lawyer conduct.
My legal practice has involved great variety, not one year experienced 34 times. I bring qualities every good judge should have: compassion, respect and fairness for all. This includes children, victims of crime and those who have done wrong but want to change.
I will be tough on serious crime. Recently, I read a man was sentenced to only 19 months in prison for stabbing a woman 11 times. How often are we shocked when dangerous criminals are lightly sentenced or receive early release! I will stand up for people and our shared values. Common sense. Integrity. I have both.
O'Boyle:
As Pierce County district attorney for the last 17 years, I am the only candidate whose job has been to protect the public and to seek justice. This has given me the ability to craft out individual solutions that are compatible with a goal of fairness and justice. It has also given me the ability to make decisions in the context of people's lives and the needs of the community. I worked a variety of jobs in order to put myself through college and law school, from washing dishes to working on a produce farm and in the retail industry. As a father who has gone through a divorce, I understand firsthand the impact decisions in family law cases have on children. These life experiences, combined with my civic involvement, have given me the insight to understand what is at stake for people who appear before the court.
What would be your biggest challenge in replacing a judge with Judge Wing's experience and reputation?
Boles:
I plan to run the courtroom with the fairness and efficiency that Judge Wing has. I know what it is like to work in a busy court from observing Judge Wing and my experience as a law clerk for a Ramsey County (Minn.) trial judge. I will make decisions promptly.
Judge Wing's Drug Court will continue. I hope to expand this program to include certain repeat drunk driving defendants.
I will work with other county agencies to determine where we can use alternative sentencing options such as home detention and still provide adequate punishment while easing the burden on our jail. I will expand our use of pretrial diversion programs for appropriate offenders and will continue to use restorative justice in sentencing and diversions where appropriate. I will consider ordering mediation in foreclosure cases.
I hope to enhance the reputation of the judicial system.
Loberg:
Judges, clients and friends know me as a hard worker who gives sound legal and personal advice.
During my 34 years as a lawyer, I have been in our courtroom innumerable times. I also have nine years experience as family court commissioner, sorting through contradictory stories, making tough decisions and entering orders. I will retain the efficiency of our current Pierce County court system. There can be improvement. My 12-point plan at www.electlobergjudge.com speaks to this.
I will address frustrations people have with courts: disrespect of their time, jobs and families. Victims of crime are often neglected and not compensated. I recognize the sacrifices asked of jurors and witnesses. Their time is not to be treated lightly. I will move cases along swiftly.
I will respect those in the courtroom and will never forget I am a public servant elected to serve the people, not the other way around.
O'Boyle:
I have appeared in front of Judge Wing on a regular basis for 17 years. I have experienced firsthand how efficiently he makes use of the court's time, as well as how he runs a courtroom and makes decisions.
My goal is to run a courtroom as efficiently as possible in order to manage the heavy caseload before the court. I will have a learning curve on some of the civil cases that come before the court, given that most of my practice has been in the areas of criminal and juvenile law.
But I believe my biggest challenge will be to develop my own style of managing the court cases and the courtroom, while at the same time maintaining the common sense approach utilized by Judge Wing.
Given your recent legal career, how many cases or what types of cases would you anticipate having to recuse yourself from the first few years on the bench?
Boles:
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has established strict rules on recusal of judges, and I will follow those rules.
I will have to recuse myself from cases that came into my law office before I start my term as judge, as will all of the candidates.
The recusal rules require a judge to recuse himself or herself where a party or a lawyer in the case is a close relative.
A judge must be fair and impartial in every case. If a case comes into court, and I do not believe I can be fair to all parties, I will recuse myself.
I do not anticipate that I will have to recuse myself from any particular type of case. Having not pre-judged a case, I will be able to evaluate the facts and follow the law. Therefore, I expect that I will have to recuse myself from very few cases.
Loberg:
We elect well-known, experienced, resident attorneys as judges. A repeat offender I prosecuted may request another judge; as may anyone in every case. I was a solo practitioner for most of my 34 years. I will not have the additional issue of law partners that would result in parties requesting a different judge. I have only one associate--my son Lars--who will not practice before me.
Fifteen fulltime attorneys staff Pierce County law offices. Two are running for judge. Seven are in the firm of my worthy opponent. If he were judge and I represented you in a case handled by one of his former associates, you would ask for another judge. That is common sense. But the system is designed to handle this. I am often asked, "Is this a problem?" I reply, "No."
Judges are state employees assigned, where needed, at no cost to the county.
O'Boyle:
There are specific Wisconsin Supreme Court rules that dictate when a judge must recuse himself from a case. I would follow those rules and recuse myself from pending criminal cases I am personally prosecuting. The Supreme Court rules would not require me to recuse myself from all cases the District Attorney's Office was prosecuting. Recusal in civil cases would only be required if a degree of personal connection to any of the parties or issues would significantly affect my impartiality.
I would not have either of my children practicing in front of me. I also do not have any partners or former clients who could be appearing in front of me. Of the three candidates, I have the least amount of potential conflicts of interest that would affect my impartiality.
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