Dunn County Circuit Court judge candidate: Nick Lange
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NICK LANGE
COLFAX — Nicholas P. Lange is one of two candidates on the ballot for Dunn County Circuit Court judge in the April 6 election.
Lange will be facing challenger Christina Mayer.
Lange and Mayer are running for the circuit court judge position currently held by Judge Rod Smeltzer, who will be retiring this summer.
Lange, age 57, is married to his wife, Leslie. They have two adults sons, Patrick and Andrew.
After graduating from Boyceville High School in 1981, Lange attended UW-Eau Claire for a year, then joined the United States Army. He served in the Military Police Corps for three years and was honorably discharged in 1985. Following his discharge, Lange returned to UW-Eau Claire and received a degree in Criminal Justice in 1989. After graduating from college, he attended William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota, and received his law degree in 1992.
Here are Lange’s answers to a candidate questionnaire sent out by the Colfax Messenger and the Tribune Press Reporter:
Why did you decide to run for circuit court judge?
When I returned to college following my military service, I was planning on pursuing a career in law enforcement. But when I took my first constitutional law class, I wanted to be a judge. It is an important position of public trust requiring integrity and a dedication to public service, which is a path I had already decided upon. And there is an element of logic involved, which has great intellectual appeal to me — evaluating factual information, applying rules, and reaching valid conclusions. With Judge Smeltzer announcing his retirement, the opportunity came up.
What about your background or education or values make you particularly suited to serving as circuit court judge?
Courts at all levels play a critical and influential role in society. But Circuit Court judges are on the ground — right where everything is happening. They are the decision-makers in a wide range of legal matters that affect people and their families, their shelter, their livelihoods, their health and safety — criminal charges, mortgage foreclosures, child custody cases, contract disputes, restraining orders, guardianship of loved ones, and civil lawsuits, just to name a few.
My experience includes law enforcement (Military Police Corps), civil and criminal practice, family practice, child support attorney, contract law, employment and labor law, and serving as chief legal counsel for the county government. Outside of work, I am actively involved in the American Legion. I’m the Post Commander of the Menomonie Post, the District Judge Advocate, and I’m also the Department of Wisconsin Judge Advocate. For many years I was on the Parish Planning Council of my church, serving as Stewardship Board chair for a couple of years, serving a number of years as the Recording Secretary. I also taught Sunday School for a couple of years.
My commitment to public service and community and my legal experience have prepared me well for the judicial office.
What do you believe to be the biggest challenges or issues facing the circuit court in Dunn County?
An issue that faces courts throughout the nation is the concept of “justice for all.” We’ve all heard these words, and we know what they mean. In a very real sense, they are a promise. And the courts must be able to keep that promise — now more than ever. Courtrooms should be places where people feel welcome, trust the process, and feel that they’ve been heard. But there are economic and social barriers to access. Fairness and equal treatment for everyone, regardless of circumstances, background, or characteristics is how the promise of “justice for all” can be realized. For example, those who have been charged in a criminal case have a constitutional right to an attorney. For all the other kinds of cases, people who don’t have the means to hire an attorney will be unrepresented. Under the law, unrepresented parties are expected to know what to do. But they often don’t. So, when they go into court, they’re trusting that the judge will understand that. And while Judges can’t be advocates for either side, they can be impartial and uphold fundamental principles of fairness.
What do you hope to accomplish by serving as circuit court judge?
My goal is simple — to be a good judge.
Anything else you would like voters to know?
I believe a good judge approaches each case with an open mind, listens and speaks with compassion, protects the rights of everyone involved in court proceedings, applies the law fairly and impartially, and promotes respect and decorum. As judge, I will consider each person’s individual circumstances with fairness, neutrality, and impartiality in mind. I will strive to give parties time to have their cases heard without unnecessary and unwanted delay, and work to continue expanding and improving the ways parties can meaningfully participate in court hearings. And I will work to strengthen and expand collaborative justice and evidence-based practices in Dunn County.
I have dedicated my career to public service, and I’m fully prepared to meet the demands of the judicial office. I hope the voters will consider my commitment to our community and to fair and impartial justice for all. It would be my great honor and privilege to serve the people of Dunn County as Circuit Court Judge. I ask for your vote on Tuesday, April 6th.
