Judicial candidates answer survey.

• Date: 31 March 2004
• Author: Anderson, Tony

Byline: Tony Anderson

Hon. Dennis C. Schuh

Age: 48

Community of Residence: Mauston

Professional Experience:

2003-Present, Juneau County Circuit Judge

1991-2003, Juneau County District Attorney

1984-1991, Partner, Thompson & Schuh Law Offices

1982-1984, Associate,

Thompson Law Office

Educational Experience:

2003 Wisconsin Judicial College Participant

1981, California Western School of Law, San Diego

1978, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Other Activities:

Member, Juneau County Economic Development Corp.

Member, New Lisbon Correctional Inst. Community Advisory Board

Member, Knights of Columbus

Member, Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center Community Advisory Board

Member, Juneau County Jail Study Committee

Member, Juneau County Traffic Highway Safety Committee

Member, Western Wisconsin Technical College (Mauston) Facilities Committee

Member, Ducks Unlimited

Member, Outdoors Forever Conservation Club

Member, New Lisbon Sportsmen Club

Member, St. Patrick Catholic Church (Mauston)

Family:

Wife; Diane, married 1986

Three children: Katie, 16; Ethan, 15; Dominic, 12

Response to Questions:

(1) I have a broad-based background in a wide variety of legal areas, with significant civil and criminal litigation experience. As District Attorney I carried a full caseload and the administrative activities of the office. I have significant trial background that includes first degree homicide, Chapter 980 sex offender commitment, and sex assault prosecutions. Civil law litigation included family law matters, contract disputes, and personal injury. I have significant appellate experience including the opportunity to argue a case before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. I have exceptional communication skills and management experience both as a private business owner and as administrator of public office. I possess the patience and courtesy necessary to listen courteously, consider soberly and decide matters impartially.

I have demonstrated an ability to work effectively with others to address the needs of Juneau County including the County Board, the Wisconsin District Attorney's Association, the Governor's office, and state and local law enforcement agencies. My record of community service demonstrates my commitment to continue to serve Juneau County effectively. The Wisconsin District Attorney's Association named me as Honorable Mention District Attorney of the Year 2002. The Juneau County Conservation Warden's named me Outdoorsman of the Year 2002 for my fair enforcement of conservation laws and my volunteer work with local conservation groups.

I have the integrity, knowledge of the law, relevant legal experience and the appropriate judicial temperament to continue as the work I have recently begun as Circuit Judge.

(2) I served as Juneau County District Attorney for over 12 years. That position required versatility and adaptability. Versatility in that the office handled every type of matter from ordinance violations to first degree homicide. Often I had to deal with such variety in the same day. Adaptability was essential, as it was often necessary to deal with administrative issues, issues with equipment failure and significant legal issues all in the space of a few minutes or hours. As the sole circuit judge such versatility and adaptability are also essential characteristics.

(3) Juneau County has an exceptionally high caseload for a single judge county. Concurrent efforts must be made to increase the efficiency of the circuit court by cutting down unnecessary hearings, increasing the use of court commissioners and pursuing legislation to add a judge.

Local court rules can be enacted to assure that hearings are not scheduled until the pleadings reflect the true nature of the controversy requiring presentation of legal authorities in advance. Such rules will increase the ability of the court to rule in a timely fashion. The use of court commissioners can be increased if appropriately funded to expedite small claims matters. I have approached our local representative regarding the introduction of legislation to add a judicial position as soon as state funding appears to be available.

John P. Roemer

(Did Not Respond)

Don Dunphy

Age: 53

Community of Residence: Gleason

Professional Experience:

Assistant Corporation Counsel for Lincoln County, 12 years

Private Practice, five years

Educational Experience:

1986, J.D., Marquette University Law School

1976, B.S., University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Other Activities:

Finance Committee, St. John Baptist Parish in Bloomville

Member, Lincoln County Amvets and of American Legion Post 93 in Tomahawk

Commander, VFW Post 10915 in Gleason

Scout Master, Boy Scout Troop 307 in Gleason

Family:

Married to Ruthann

Three children: Ellen, 17; Jack, 15; Bridget, 12

Response to Questions:

(1) I graduated From Marquette University Law School in the top 10 percent of my class. For the last 12 years I have been the county child support prosecutor. I also handle a variety of other cases for the county including involuntary mental commitments. I am in court on a regular basis and am well versed in courtroom procedure. I also handle all of the appellate work for our office which I think is good training for a judicial candidate as you learn the limits of judicial authority.

(2) As a child support prosecutor I do about 200 civil contempt actions a year. Both of our current judges prefer to use imposed and stayed jail terms when sanctioning contemnors. This practice leaves the decision of when a respondent should be jailed up to the child support agency and me because the judges almost always issue a warrant if we file an affidavit stating violations of the conditions of stay. I believe in incarceration as a tool to modify behavior but I also believe that liberty interests deserve a great deal of respect. Consequently, in deciding whether it is appropriate for a warrant to be issued, I always thoroughly review the circumstances. As judge I will exercise the same degree of care when important rights are under consideration.

(3) There is no way that I can completely answer this question in 250 words. Therefore, I will mention three of the major ideas that I have. I support victims' rights to notification of and participation in criminal proceedings. I am sure that victims are routinely getting the notices to which they are entitled. However, I have noticed that victims often do not appear at sentencing. It seems to me that a victim's right to be heard at sentencing is his or her best opportunity to influence the criminal justice process. I will do everything I can to encourage victims to be present at these proceedings. I am also concerned that child custody agreements, that may be the product of intimidation or manipulation by one side or the other, are sometimes presented to the court for approval. I think that too often judges, guardian ad litems and attorneys are tone deaf to such matters. I intend to scrutinize such agreements to ensure that the best interests of the child are being served. In addition, I favor finality in decision making. I think that when a judge renders a decision he or she should ensure the order is written in a way that ties up all the loose ends thus limiting the potential for future litigation.

Jay R. Tlutsky

Age: 48

Community of Residence: Merrill

Professional Experience:

23 years, Private practice in Merrill with a branch office in Abbotsford

Educational Experience:

1980, J.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison

1977, BBA, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Other Activities:

Merrill School Board, 10 years

Director, Park City Credit Union with offices in Merrill, Tomahawk, and Minocqua, since 1984

Numerous community and church organizations and committees

Family:

Married to Maxine Tlusty

Two children: Melanie, 13, and Michelle, 6

Response to Questions:

(1) I have lived in Lincoln County my entire life and have been an active member of the community. I believe I understand the values of Lincoln County residents, and could make a positive contribution to the entire legal system of Lincoln County. During the 23 years I have practiced law in Lincoln County I have worked in many different areas of the law that affect the daily lives of Lincoln County residents. As an attorney I have helped many people, businesses, and...