GRNS Questionnaire for WFB Judge Race

1. 1. Do you think there are areas that need reform that come up in the cases you are likely to see? List one or two and indicate why you think they need changing. What changes would you make?
      Craig Johnson:
      These are the areas of reform I would like to see:
      1. Following statutory mandates when imposing judgment. When a municipal judge imposes a forfeiture, the statutes require the judge to inform the person of three things, both orally and in writing - when the payment is due, what will happen if it’s not paid, and, if the person qualifies, that they may request community service in lieu of payment. Skipping any of these steps leaves people without full information regarding the judgment, including serious consequences that could occur if the forfeiture is not paid. It also means that some people who may qualify for community service are not given that option.
      2. Procedural justice. A municipal judge, who deals often with unrepresented people, needs to be extremely careful about making sure the person has the full opportunity to tell their story in court. They may not know all the rules or how to present a case, but they should be given every chance to make sure they can get their story out. That way, even if the ultimate outcome is not in their favor, they will feel that the court hearing and the process itself were just.
      3. Video court. I would also like to implement video court proceedings in appropriate cases, which will allow easier access to the municipal court, especially for those who work late or have family obligations.
      4. The use of restorative justice practices when appropriate to hold offenders accountable in a meaningful way.
      
      Paul D. Christensen:
      The candidate has not yet responded.
      
      
   2. What in your past work contributed most to your judicial philosophy?
      Craig Johnson
      My past work as a public defender and current work as a trial attorney contributed most to my judicial outlook. As a public defender I fought for fair and just treatment for my indigent clients daily for over 13 years. This greatly influenced how I see the system, in particular the importance of procedural justice. To me, that means ensuring that the process in court is fair and all litigants are treated with dignity, so that even if the outcome of a case is not what they want, they can accept it as fair.
      
      Paul D. Christensen:
      The candidate has not yet responded.
      
      
   3. What in your past work contributed most to your judicial philosophy?
      Craig Johnson:
      I am currently the board president of the Wisconsin Justice Initiative, a non-profit organization devoted to educating the public about the justice system and the need for progressive reform of the system. WJI holds monthly forums, larger meetings a couple times a year, and has an active website/blog to educate and advocate for reform. It appeals to me because I recognize that the justice system is not always fair, especially to the poor and less powerful.
      
      I have also been an active member of the Transformational Justice Task Force of the Milwaukee Inner-City Congregations Allied for Hope (MICAH). This is a group that is dedicated to advocating for change in the criminal legal system, to decreasing the use of unnecessary incarceration and to restoring communities that have been damaged by mass incarceration. It is a multi-racial, interfaith organization made up of local churches, synagogues and mosques and works through these networks to influence state and local policy. I have been our synagogue representative on the task force for several years.
      
      I am a board member of the Milwaukee Lawyer’s Chapter of the American Constitution Society, which is a national progressive legal organization that has chapters in various cities and law schools around the country.
      
      I also currently serve on the Jewish Community Relations Council and served two terms on the Wisconsin Bar Association Bench-Bar Committee. In addition, I volunteered to coach for various youth sports in Whitefish Bay when my kids were young.
      
      Paul D. Christensen:
      The candidate has not yet responded.
      
      
   4. Please list relevant professional, social, or charitable groups in which you have been active member. For 3 or fewer of those groups, describe why those groups appealed to you, and how you worked with them.
      Craig Johnson:
      I have been a trial lawyer my entire career. In my practice I have tried dozens of cases to juries, and in doing so have become very familiar with court procedures and the rules of evidence. In addition, my practice is very diverse. For over 13 years I was a public defender and worked with indigent defendants. Currently my practice also includes representing labor union members, so I have experience with people from many different backgrounds. My legal background and diversity of clientele has demonstrated the importance of fairness and procedural justice and make me the best choice in this race.
      
      Paul D. Christensen:
      The candidate has not yet responded.