MONROE - Respect makes a court function, attorneys Dan Gartzke and Tom Vale told county employees Wednesday during a candidate forum at the Pleasant View Complex.
The two candidates face off April 7 for the new Second Branch judgeship position of Green County Circuit Court.
The candidates said there needs to be respect in the court toward court staff, lawyers and witnesses. Neither specifically said there is a lack of respect in Green County Circuit Court now, but said they agreed the court needs to be a place where people feel justice was served.
One of the dozen people who attended the forum asked the candidates how they would manage the courtroom.
Gartzke said he would be professional and formal. "I don't think humor should come from the bench," he said.
Vale said a judge needs to remember that it's a serious event for someone who is in court.
"It might not be the most important case, but to the person sitting there it is," he said. "I hope I'd be seen as fair, impartial and as someone who commands respect."
Gartzke cited his experience and the fact he's practiced in courtrooms across the state.
"I have a wide range of experience dealing with lawyers from across the state. I've seen many different styles of judges," he said.
Vale said his contact with the court system has primarily been in Green County, but he also has practiced in Rock, Dane and Lafayette counties.
Since both candidates have worked with lawyers in Green County in the past, one person asked if it would be difficult to work with local attorneys as judge.
Vale said a judge must decide a case on facts, regardless of whether he knows the defense attorney, the prosecutor or witnesses.
Gartzke agreed the role of a judge is to be impartial.
"You don't judge someone's case by who they hired as an attorney," he said.
In 2007, the Legislature approved a second judge for the county based on an increased caseload handled by Green County Circuit Court Judge James Beer.
Green County Circuit Court Judge James Beer is running unopposed in the April election.
The two candidates face off April 7 for the new Second Branch judgeship position of Green County Circuit Court.
The candidates said there needs to be respect in the court toward court staff, lawyers and witnesses. Neither specifically said there is a lack of respect in Green County Circuit Court now, but said they agreed the court needs to be a place where people feel justice was served.
One of the dozen people who attended the forum asked the candidates how they would manage the courtroom.
Gartzke said he would be professional and formal. "I don't think humor should come from the bench," he said.
Vale said a judge needs to remember that it's a serious event for someone who is in court.
"It might not be the most important case, but to the person sitting there it is," he said. "I hope I'd be seen as fair, impartial and as someone who commands respect."
Gartzke cited his experience and the fact he's practiced in courtrooms across the state.
"I have a wide range of experience dealing with lawyers from across the state. I've seen many different styles of judges," he said.
Vale said his contact with the court system has primarily been in Green County, but he also has practiced in Rock, Dane and Lafayette counties.
Since both candidates have worked with lawyers in Green County in the past, one person asked if it would be difficult to work with local attorneys as judge.
Vale said a judge must decide a case on facts, regardless of whether he knows the defense attorney, the prosecutor or witnesses.
Gartzke agreed the role of a judge is to be impartial.
"You don't judge someone's case by who they hired as an attorney," he said.
In 2007, the Legislature approved a second judge for the county based on an increased caseload handled by Green County Circuit Court Judge James Beer.
Green County Circuit Court Judge James Beer is running unopposed in the April election.