Meet Margo Kirchner, Candidate For Judge In Shorewood

SHOREWOOD, WI — Wisconsin's spring 2020 primary will be held Tuesday, Feb. 18. In Shorewood, voters will see statewide and county races on the ballot, but have to wait until April 7 before they see local races on their ballot.

Margo Kirchner, attorney, nonprofit general counsel and development director, will be on the ballot on April 7 as she is running for Municipal Judge in Shorewood.

Kirchner says one of the top items on her to-do list would be to provide more information to residents about the benefits of showing up to hearings, and also what happens when residents have to pay a fine.

"The court’s website states that a person who cannot pay the forfeiture immediately may obtain an extension of time to pay, but there is no discussion of whether payment plans are available or the right to request community service in lieu of a forfeiture. Community service generally involves greater effort and commitment to society than paying a forfeiture does; such service should be encouraged," she told Patch.

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Name: Margo Kirchner
Age: 53
Hometown: Shorewood, Wisconsin

Occupation:

Attorney, Nonprofit General Counsel and Development Director

Political Experience:

Please describe your political experience: This is the first time I’ve ever run for office. However, I have interacted professionally with many judges, legislators and executive- branch officials during more than 25 years working in the legal profession in Milwaukee, including two years working for a justice-focused nonprofit organization. I also know several current and past local school board members and village trustees. I have a child at Shorewood High School and another child who graduated from SHS in 2015.

Regarding my relevant experience for the position of municipal-court judge, as a judicial
law clerk (an attorney position) in federal court for 22 years I held scheduling conferences,
reviewed filings, researched caselaw, drafted decisions, and prepared judges for hearings.
My job including handling many cases in which litigants represented themselves.

In 2017 I joined a nonprofit working toward a fairer justice system through advocacy and education.

In this position I’ve observed court in all 19 municipalities in Milwaukee County, helped create a pocket guide for those representing themselves in municipal court (currently being translated into Spanish), assisted individuals jailed for unpaid municipal tickets in seeking release from the House of Correction, and talked with several judges and court staff about municipal-court issues.

My advocacy and education work regarding municipal court is focused on addressing the needs of those who cannot afford to pay tickets, improving outcomes for those representing themselves, and increasing public information about municipal courts.

As a volunteer mediator in over 75 residential foreclosure cases I’ve facilitated interactions
between homeowners, many of whom represented themselves, and lenders and servicers
seeking to resolve court proceedings through mortgage modifications.

Top issues and how I would address them if elected:

I will bring to the Shorewood municipal bench a fresh perspective on providing information to the public regarding municipal court. The court currently provides some information about court rules and procedure on its website.

However, I believe that information should be updated and that more information is warranted regarding options for those who cannot afford to pay their tickets. The court’s website states that a person who cannot pay the forfeiture immediately may obtain an extension of time to pay, but there is no discussion of whether payment plans are available or the right to request community service in lieu of a forfeiture. Community service generally involves greater effort and commitment to society than paying a forfeiture does; such service should be encouraged.

I believe additional information is also needed on the benefits of appearing for hearings. Based on my observations and talks with court staff in various municipalities, it appears that 50 to 70 percent of those who do not pay tickets right away do not attend court dates. But going to court can help. The prosecutor may reduce points, you can set up a payment plan, or you may be exempt from certain penalties if you receive public benefits. Through the court’s website, written handouts, and other means I would provide more information about what to expect in court and encourage those receiving tickets to attend their hearings.

An Interesting Fact About Myself

I play the viola and oboe, and I am a musician in the Concord Chamber Orchestra. I have been a board member of Concord since 2007 and was board president for six years. I also love to visit national parks. This past summer I hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon (and obviously back up, too!).