Marathon County judge candidates address case backlogs, rehabilitation ahead of spring election

Renee Hickman, Wausau Daily Herald

March 29, 2022 at 7:00 AM·5 min read

Rick Cveykus and William A. Harris are running for Marathon County Circuit Court judge in Branch 2 in the spring election on April 5. Judge Greg Huber, who currently serves Branch 2, is retiring. For information on voter registration and polling locations, you can visit MyVote Wisconsin's website.

The Wausau Daily Herald asked each candidate to address important issues in the justice system and why they believe they are the best candidate for the position.

Rick Cveykus

Age: 38

Occupation: Attorney at Cveykus Law Office; lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison focusing on constitutional law, the First Amendment and criminal law

Education: Bachelor’s degree from UW-Madison in 2005; Juris Doctorate from UW-Madison in 2008

William A. Harris

Age: 39

Occupation: Attorney

Education: Master of Law in international legal studies; Master of Law in law and government; Juris Doctor

Why are you running for Marathon County circuit court judge?

Cveykus: I believe it is imperative that we have judges who are steady. I am dedicated to treating everyone who walks into the courtroom with dignity and respect. We also need judges who are studied, and I have experience in Marathon County courtrooms actually trying cases. That experience makes me ready for the bench. We need judges who keep politics out of the courtroom; judges should be focused on integrity, fairness and commitment to the law – not on politics.

Harris: I want to make a difference. Since I was 4 years old, when my dad adopted me, I learned how the judicial system could have a huge impact on someone’s life because it had such a profound impact on mine. I am running because I believe having diversity on the court is important and that I would bring a different and fresh perspective and life experience.

I am also running because I am an experienced attorney with a strong commitment to public service, fairness and justice for all. That means I will decide cases fairly and impartially, and I will listen to both sides, review the facts and faithfully follow the law.

What makes you the better candidate in this race?

Cveykus: The one area that speaks the most about our difference is our experience. I am the one candidate who has spent his career trying cases in Marathon County courtrooms, and I will uphold the oath of my office, not only for the people of Marathon County but for my family as well.

My family has called Marathon County home for five generations; my parents live here, my siblings live here, my nieces and nephews go to school here, and I am raising my family – including my newly walking (well sometime running) 1-year-old son – here. There is no place I would rather call home.

Harris: I am a more well-rounded judicial candidate having experience and knowledge in the areas of criminal, contracts, tribal, international, housing, consumer, small claims, unemployment and family law, and I have two Master's in Law degrees.

Although I will equally weigh the rights of defendants and victims, I will be a judge who is trauma-informed. I understand and have worked with people of all different walks of life in my practice. I have advocated for some of the most underserved populations in our community and no matter who you are or where you come from, you will get a fair shake in my courtroom.

What are the biggest issues facing the justice system locally and how would you address them?

Cveykus: The largest issue is delay. We have nearly 200 people in the Marathon County Jail now, roughly 75% of which are presentencing, meaning they have not yet been found guilty of anything. For some of those people, we are not talking about waiting two weeks or two months; we are talking about, in several cases, years.

Clearly, if they are not guilty, this is unsustainable. But if they are guilty, we cannot make victims wait years for resolution. We need to take action to address the backlog and having a judge with experience in these cases is central to achieving that goal.

Harris: One of the biggest issues facing the justice system locally is the backlogs in cases and delays in trials which deny parties swift justice, cost taxpayers in time and waste judicial resources.

I would address these issues as judge by making sure cases are heard promptly, by exercising judicial economy whenever prudent to do so, and by seeking to create more cost-saving opportunities for the county that still result in efficient, effective and just outcomes.

As a judge, how would you prioritize rehabilitative or punitive responses to criminal activity?

Cveykus: It is important to keep a strong but fair response to any violence in society. What we do know is that a slap on the wrist for sentencing has not stopped criminal behavior, and simply warehousing people has also not worked to reduce recidivism. The best tool we seem to currently have is treatment court to address underlying addiction.

We need to hold the offender accountable for their actions immediately and then work to address the addiction with regular and extensive reviews with judges to make sure that they are taking this opportunity seriously and not endangering others in the community while doing so.

Harris: I would make sure offenders who are intent on making our community unsafe face punishment and take personal responsibility for their actions. However, I believe we should prioritize rehabilitative solutions when it makes good sense to do so and when we have good candidates who would benefit from justice alternatives and the creation or expansion of programs like the Marathon County Drug Court.

If we have an ability to make a positive impact on someone and transform their life, whether that be due to a drug addiction or dealing with mental health issues, we should aim to do so. Every person has value, and we need to tap into their potential.

This article originally appeared on Wausau Daily Herald: Marathon County Circuit judge candidates: Rick Cveykus, William Harris

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