MONROE - Thomas Vale was sworn in as the first Green County Circuit Court Branch 2 Judge, Monday.
"This is an historic day for Green County. This is the first day of Branch 2," former Green County Circuit Court Judge and Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge David Deininger said. "It's fitting that it takes place in this historic courthouse."
Vale was elected to the six-year position in April.
He began with an informal swearing-in ceremony in the morning, and wasted little time before beginning to hear cases at 9 a.m.
Attorney Robert Duxstad, who practiced law with Vale for more than 25 years, told Vale it will be his sense of balance that will make the people who come before the bench feel that they're been treated fairly and with respect.
"Your clients have trusted your common sense, your judgment and your wisdom," Duxstad said to Vale.
Green County attorneys packed the courtroom to see Vale take the oath of office, which was administered by Green County Circuit Court Branch 1 Judge James Beer.
Deininger, who will provide advice to Vale for the next couple of weeks, told him to remember that he won't be able to please everyone who comes before the court. The goal of a judge is to show courtesy and respect for the people in the courtroom.
He also told Vale that sometimes it can be difficult to be a judge.
"The time will come when you will have to evict someone or send someone to prison," Deininger told him. "The law can be harsh at times."
The most important thing to remember, he said, was to keep his duties in perspective.
"Balance your duties as judge with your responsibilities as a husband and father," he said.
Vale will hear cases for the next two weeks and then attend a judicial college for one week in Sturgeon Bay.
"I pledge to do my best to impart justice fairly," Vale said. "You can still respect the system even if the case doesn't come out as you expected or wanted."
"This is an historic day for Green County. This is the first day of Branch 2," former Green County Circuit Court Judge and Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge David Deininger said. "It's fitting that it takes place in this historic courthouse."
Vale was elected to the six-year position in April.
He began with an informal swearing-in ceremony in the morning, and wasted little time before beginning to hear cases at 9 a.m.
Attorney Robert Duxstad, who practiced law with Vale for more than 25 years, told Vale it will be his sense of balance that will make the people who come before the bench feel that they're been treated fairly and with respect.
"Your clients have trusted your common sense, your judgment and your wisdom," Duxstad said to Vale.
Green County attorneys packed the courtroom to see Vale take the oath of office, which was administered by Green County Circuit Court Branch 1 Judge James Beer.
Deininger, who will provide advice to Vale for the next couple of weeks, told him to remember that he won't be able to please everyone who comes before the court. The goal of a judge is to show courtesy and respect for the people in the courtroom.
He also told Vale that sometimes it can be difficult to be a judge.
"The time will come when you will have to evict someone or send someone to prison," Deininger told him. "The law can be harsh at times."
The most important thing to remember, he said, was to keep his duties in perspective.
"Balance your duties as judge with your responsibilities as a husband and father," he said.
Vale will hear cases for the next two weeks and then attend a judicial college for one week in Sturgeon Bay.
"I pledge to do my best to impart justice fairly," Vale said. "You can still respect the system even if the case doesn't come out as you expected or wanted."