State senator rides along with judges on the Racine County bench

Sen. Van Wanggaard learned first what it’s like to be a circuit court judge as he participated in the judicial ride-along program at the Racine County Courthouse on Jan. 13, 2023.

Sen. Van Wanggaard, right, observes the work of Racine County Circuit Court Judge Eugene Gasiorkiewicz during a judicial “ride-along” at the Racine County Courthouse on Jan. 13, 2023.

Sen. Van Wanggaard, right, observes the work of Racine County Circuit Court Judge Eugene Gasiorkiewicz during a judicial “ride-along” at the Racine County Courthouse on Jan. 13, 2023. Photo credit: Dee Hölzel, The Journal Times

Wanggard, a retired police officer, sat in on proceedings in the courtrooms of Racine County Circuit Court Judge Eugene A. Gasiorkiewicz and fellow Racine County Circuit Court Judge Robert Repischak, as reported in The (Racine) Journal Times.

The job of a judge looked fairly easy when he was a police officer, Wanggaard told reporter Dee Hölzel, but the ride-along gave him a better perspective on the complexities involved in the work.

“We’ve got some pretty phenomenal judges who really do go the extra mile… “They’re not just passing a sentence or getting the offender to be compliant. They’re getting them back into a position where their life could be a positive experience,” Wanggaard was quoted as saying.

Wanggaard, a Republican from Racine, represents Senate District 21, including much of Racine and Kenosha counties. The Journal Times article can be found here.

Return to issue home

Third Branch eNews is an online monthly newsletter of the Director of State Courts Office. If you are interested in contributing an article about your department’s programs or accomplishments, contact your department head. Information about judicial retirements and judicial obituaries may be submitted to: Sara.Foster@wicourts.gov