Village Accepting Applications to Fill Municipal Judge Vacancy

November 12, 2024

Are you interested in serving the community by becoming the Municipal Judge for the Village of Union Grove? Due to an upcoming vacancy, the Village is currently accepting applications for this position. Letters of interest and resumes will be accepted until the application deadline of Friday, November 29, at 4 p.m. All applicants will be asked to appear for an interview with the Village Board at a date and time to be determined.

Judge Reichert has given notice of her intention to retire in December of this year, and under Sec. 34-58 of the Village Municipal Code, the Village Board may fill the vacancy. To maintain continuity in our court system, the Village Board has decided to appoint a temporary candidate. 

The Judge is an elected position, and all candidates are welcome to run for this position in an April 1, 2025, Special Election to fulfill the remainder of the term which will expire in April 2027. The first day to circulate papers is December 1, 2024 and the deadline to turn in candidacy paperwork is January 7, 2025. 

Any interested Union Grove resident who is a minimum of 18 years old, a legal citizen of the United States, and eligible to serve as Municipal Judge is welcome to submit a letter of interest and resume to be considered for the appointment. Please submit your materials no later than 4 p.m. on Monday, November 29, 2024, to Village Clerk, Stephanie Kohlhagen, at 925 15ᵗʰ Ave., Union Grove, WI 53182 or via email at skohlhagen@vi.uniongrove.wi.gov.

About the Municipal Judge Role

The Municipal Judge presides over cases involving municipal ordinance violations within Union Grove, including traffic citations, local ordinance infractions, and other matters under the Village’s jurisdiction. The judge is responsible for ensuring that proceedings are conducted fairly and efficiently, interpreting and applying the law, and imposing sentences within the authority of the municipal court. Municipal court sessions are typically held monthly, with additional sessions scheduled as needed. Compensation for the Municipal Judge position is $375 per month.

Appointment Process

The Village Board will conduct interviews of interested candidates during a public meeting, with the following process:

• The appointment process will be held in Open Session.
• Candidates will be interviewed by the Village Board.
• Each applicant will have up to five minutes to give an optional verbal presentation to the Village Board. The presentation order will be determined by a random drawing of names at the meeting.
• Village Board members will take turns asking questions of the candidates.
• The Village Board will vote on the appointment in Open Session.

If you have any questions, please contact Village Administrator Connor LaPointe at 262-878-1818 or clapointe@vi.uniongrove.wi.gov.