Meet the candidates running for a six-year term as Sheboygan County Circuit Court judge
This story has been updated to reflect that James Haasch, after initially withdrawing from the race, returned to the race for Sheboygan County Circuit Court Branch 2 Judge.
SHEBOYGAN - Five judges hear criminal and civil matters in Sheboygan County Circuit Courts. Three of those positions are up for election, and two are contested.
Incumbent Branch 5 Judge Daniel Borowski is not seeking re-election. The candidates vying to take his place are two attorneys, George Limbeck and Cassandra Van Gompel.
Incumbent Branch 2 Judge Kent Hoffmann is retiring at the end of his term. Two candidates are running for his position: James Haasch and Natasha Torry. Haasch initially suspended his campaign due to a family health emergency but returned to the race in March.
Incumbent Branch 3 Judge Angela Sutkiewicz, who has held the position since 2010 and recently won a state award for her work, is running for re-election unopposed.
The elected circuit court judge will serve a six-year term and receive $164,500 annually.
Circuit court judges ensure all parties in court cases comply with procedural rules set by state statute and, sometimes, Wisconsin Supreme Court decisions. If a party does not comply with a statute or order, the judge can impose sanctions ranging from a fine to a contempt of court finding.
Circuit court cases may be resolved by mutual agreement of the parties, by jury trial or by court (judge-alone) trial.
For criminal cases that result in a conviction, whether through a plea agreement or trial, the judge determines the sentence for the defendant (within the often very wide-ranging penalties set by the state Legislature).
At the request of people charged with crimes, judges can also modify bond conditions initially set by the court commissioner.
In February, the Sheboygan Press asked Branch 5 candidates about their experience and judicial philosophies. Here's what they said.
Meet the candidates for Branch 5
Name: George Limbeck
Lives in: Sheboygan
Age: 61
Occupation: Attorney and sole owner of Limbeck Law Office LLC
Education: Oconomowoc High School, 1979. Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, 1983, magna cum laude. Washington University School of Law, St. Louis.
Relevant experience: For my entire legal career, my office has been in Sheboygan County with my practice including family law, juvenile law, adult criminal defense, disability law and civil litigation, with the primary focus in more recent years being in adult criminal defense. I have volunteered for Mental Health America Sheboygan County (three years on Board of Directors, one year as president/chairman of the board), Salvation Army (Free Legal Advice Clinic), high school mock trial competition (starting as a coach in law school, in Sheboygan culminating in organizing the Regional Mock Trial Competition for four years) and other volunteer/charitable organizations.
Website: George Limbeck- Sheboygan County Circuit Judge Branch 5
Editor's note: In 2007, the Office of Lawyer Regulation publicly reprimanded Limbeck for providing incompetent representation in a case. He had previously been privately reprimanded in 1998 for another criminal defense matter. Limbeck provided the following comment on the reprimands:
"Unfortunately, I have been advised by the Wisconsin State Bar that my ethical obligations prevent me from responding to your request with any factual specificity. However, over the course of 36-plus years and handling thousands of cases, that case did not go as well as I would have hoped. It is impossible to predict with any certainty what any judge or jury is going to do in any given case. Nevertheless, as with any experience in life, personal and professional, sometimes all we can do is learn from my representation of my former client (nearly 20 years ago) and use it to improve as a person and lawyer going forward."
Name: Cassandra Van Gompel
Lives in: Sheboygan
Relevant experience: I am currently employed as a local attorney manager in the Wisconsin State Public Defender's Office, managing an office of seven attorneys serving two counties. During my employment with the Public Defender's Office, I have handled more than 1,800 case appointments including misdemeanors, felonies, juvenile delinquencies, child support contempt, children in need of protection and services, termination of parental rights, mental health commitments and probation revocations. I have brought numerous cases to jury trial, court trial and contested hearing. In my capacity as local attorney manager, I have served on county committees including Drug Treatment Court, Child in Need of Protection and Services Committee, Security Committee, and Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee.
Age: 31
Occupation: Local attorney manager for Wisconsin State Public Defender's Office
Education: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, bachelor of arts, cum laude; Marquette University Law School, Juris Doctorate, cum laude
Website: www.votevangompel.com and Vote Van Gompel - Sheboygan County Circuit Court Judge Branch 5 on Facebook
What makes you a good candidate for Sheboygan County Circuit Court judge?
Limbeck: I have been a lawyer for more than 36 years and through these years I have created a business from the ground up. While I have lived in Sheboygan County for 20-plus years, I have made it a point to gain experience in more than 30-plus counties throughout Wisconsin. I am a firm believer that the law should serve the people of Sheboygan County rather than the other way around, as is too often the case today.
Van Gompel: I am the best candidate for judge because I am well respected in the legal community based on my level of professionalism and excellence in the legal field. I was selected as Sheboygan County Bar Association president by my peers to represent the Sheboygan County Bar Association. I have endorsements from other attorneys in Sheboygan County because they have witnessed how I carry myself with my clients and in the courtroom.
Describe your judicial philosophy.
Limbeck: Judges should make every effort to put aside their personal beliefs and enforce the laws as enacted by our Legislature. While we cannot and should not leave behind our path to the bench, a judge must never forget that we serve the people as guided by the law and what serves the people of Sheboygan County. Everyone who comes before a judge no matter “why” must be treated with dignity and respect.
Van Gompel: My judicial philosophy is similar to the philosophy expressed by Chief Justice John Roberts during his nomination process. In summary, he promised to confront every case with an open mind and to fully and fairly analyze the legal arguments that are presented. Judges are like umpires. Umpires don’t make the rules, they apply them. They make sure everybody plays by the rules. Judges should be governed by what is right, not what is popular.
What qualities should voters look for in a judge? How do you exemplify those qualities?
Limbeck: I have already answered this question above and below. 36-plus years’ experience as a lawyer, giving back to this community through volunteer work and creating and running a successful business in the context of an overriding attitude of respect and dignity toward the laws of Wisconsin and the citizens of Sheboygan County.
Van Gompel: Voters should look for someone who cares about the law and the people the law protects. I have not only dedicated my career to assisting people in need of legal representation, but also my free time. I volunteer teaching high school, college, and law students about our legal system and laws. As judge, I will remain passionate about the law and the Sheboygan community.
What is a top issue with the court system now? If elected, how will you help address it?
Limbeck: The bail statutes need to be amended to reflect the need to protect the community from violent offenders consistent with Marcy's Law. Instead of one primary purpose, to ensure a defendant’s appearance in court, two more should be added: protecting the victim and the community from re-offending while on bail. Prior to any such statutory change, I will strive to put the same into effect within the current statutory language.
Van Gompel: The top issue is the lack of access to legal resources. Whether the resource be legal representation, legal information or legal forms, the court system needs to be accessible to all. As a judge, I will bring new attorneys to the area. In regards to the lack of access to legal information, I have previously presented to the Sheboygan County Bar Association about free legal research and feel like these resources could be made available to unrepresented parties. An informed party in the legal system makes the process fairer and more efficient.
Given shortages of prosecutors and defense attorneys, what will you do to protect the rights of defendants and crime victims?
Limbeck: First, urge the Legislature to attract more attorneys by increasing salaries. Absent any change, I would court appoint an attorney on a much shorter time frame for defendants in custody. I would leave open the defendant’s re-payment depending on the defendant and case resolution. This cost shifting from state to county will need to be addressed. For victims, I would ensure good lines of communication with the state and court, reducing the most frequent complaint.
Van Gompel: In my experience practicing criminal law, I have witnessed how the lack of attorneys impacts defendants and victims alike. The Wisconsin Constitution and statutes have protections for the timely resolutions of criminal cases and the existence of qualified counsel assures these legal requirements are met. I have supervised many interns who have then decided to work in the area, helping to reduce the attorney shortage, and would continue this recruitment to Sheboygan County as judge.
How to vote
To vote, you must be registered and present a photo ID. You can register to vote in advance or at the polling place the day of the election. For more information about registration or early voting hours, call your municipal clerk's office. Polls will be open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. on April 4.
You must vote at the polling location of the ward in which you live. As a result of redistricting, some wards have changed. Find your voting location and a sample ballot at myvote.wi.gov.
Reach Maya Hilty at 920-400-7485 or MHilty@sheboygan.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Sheboygan Circuit Court judge candidates share judicial philosophy
