Judicial Issues
First, I will say nothing negative or derogatory about Judge Slieter. He is a nice and personable man. In other professional situations, we might well be social friends. My complaint is not with the person, but with the Judicial Philosophy that currently controls the Renville County Bench.
Does not follow the law
DWI mandatory bail/conditions of release are not imposed.
I believe that DWI is a major public safety concern. People charged with DWI should AT LEAST be on an alcohol monitor to ensure sobriety.
Sentencing
Guidelines are often not followed. Some departures are agreed to as appropriate by our office. Some are acquiesced to because we know it won't do any good to fight. Some are fought and we lose, esp drug convictions.
Low fines- fines should hurt. Fines should be commensurate to the offender.
Little jail time imposed- new jail will not be filled with the current sentencing practices.
Court has expressed a dislike of jail, much prefers alternative sanctions such as treatment. Treatment is good, but must be in conjunction with punishment.
Prob Violations: Usually takes 3 or 4 or 5 or more PV's to get a sentence executed. DWI mandatory minimum sentences are the MOST imposed. Minimum should be just that, the bare minimum for the least serious offenses. It should NOT be the standard and normally imposed sentence. .20 penalty fee has never been imposed.
DWI fine of $400 is low, doesn't increase, and is the same for Misd, Gross Misd or Felony DWI.
Weapons offenses are not treated as seriously as they should be. If you use or possess a weapon illegally, you should go to jail or prison.
In juv cases, Court should NOT get input from parents in open court, that is why a PDI should be ordered and completed.
I believe that sentences can be fair, firm, unbiased and made to both correct wrong-doing and offer incentive for treatment. We are in a State that encourages intermediate sanctions and probationary dispositions, but up to a year in jail is one such sanction, and it is not used nearly enough.
Release Conditions
Little to no bail, esp for local residents, regardless of crime charged Court does not consider Public Safety as an issue he can consider when setting bail, only considers whether defendant may return to court.
Court does not issue DANCO's in domestic violence cases.
Do NOT ask the victim in open court if they want a no contact order.
I believe that virtually all felonies should be subject to some amount of bail. All DWI's should be subject to monitoring. "Random testing" as currently imposed is a joke, as there is no one to do the testing.
Defendants in Yellow Medicine Co remove Judge Christopherson in order to get to Judge Slieter, because they know they will get a lighter sentence.
I have removed Judge S to get a different judge assigned to a case, but it is not something we do often as it messes up the court schedule and caseload of two counties when I do that. It is reserved for the most important cases.
Does not follow the rules of Criminal Procedure
Allows plea of NG prior to OH hearing.
Allows speedy trial demand prior to HG plea.
Does not follow the timelines of notice, motions, etc. Requires officers to attend OH even when no defense motion has been made.
Many exceptions are made to expedite and speed the process, to the detriment of the proper application of the law and proper procedures.
I have been a prosecuting attorney for 21 years
I have successfully tried hundreds, if not thousands, of cases, both to the Court and to a Jury.
I am on the State Board of Continuing Legal Education and the Peace Officers Training Materials committee of the MCAA. I have previously graded Bar Exams for the Board of Law Examiners.
I have judged Collegiate Mock Trial, including national championships, for close to 20 years and was elected to the Judges Hall of Fame in 1996.
Why should you care?
The Judges of the 8th District have equal authority throughout the district. What happens in Renville County, whether it is a defendant that is released there that moves to Kandiyohi Co, of the Willmar resident that is freed to offend again by the Renville court.
The prompt, just, fair and firm administration of justice is something that all citizens should be concerned about.
It might be you, a relative, friend or co-worker that appears in front of the Court. You want a Judge that is fair, just and impartial. Being 'too easy' on someone is not likely to end the illegal behavior and threatens the safety and security of our homes. It might also be the person that broke into your home in front of the Court. You have a right to have your say, and to have it heard.
Truancy is rarely heard in our court any more. It wasn't worth the time and trouble to bring the case so we are working on other avenues to address the problem. The Court rarely did more than lecture and tell the student to "go to school".
Illegal drug use, possession and sale has a major impact on all aspects of our lives. It ruins their life, their families, their employers. It leads to theft, burglary and other property crimes. It leads to assault and other violent crimes. It leads to abuse of children, both physical and sexual.
I see the burglary and property crimes that are drug related. I live in the country and I have an alarm system, a shotgun by my door and a .45 in my nightstand. I have a permit to carry, thanks to Jon Wogen, and I use it whenever I can.
If we want to keep our community safe, you, the people of this community, must demand that your Courts apply the law not only fairly, but also firmly. If you do the crime, you must do the time, and that is why I need your support, now and in Nov.
- I am seeking volunteers to assist with my campaign,
- I am seeking a treasurer,
- I am seeking speaking opportunities so I can continue to spread this message, and
- I am seeking your support.