MARSHFIELD — Krista James, who has served as interim municipal judge since February, discussed her legal background, approach to handling cases and priorities for the Marshfield Area Joint Municipal Court during a recent appearance on Marshfield Broadcasting’s Get to Know program. The court serves Marshfield, Spencer and Stratford. In her interview with host David Murchland, James said she is seeking election to the position this November with an emphasis on fairness, impartiality and respect for everyone who enters the courtroom. “I hope to use my experience and my educational background to ensure that all who come to court are treated with dignity and respect while receiving a thoughtful and fair decision,” James said. A Marshfield resident who lives with her husband and their four sons, James currently works as in-house counsel for a local business. Her previous experience includes serving in the Dane County District Attorney’s Office from 2014 to 2020, advancing from special prosecutor to assistant district attorney and then deputy district attorney. In that role, she oversaw the juvenile unit. James later worked in the Portage County District Attorney’s Office for approximately a year and a half. She also served a three-year term on the Marshfield Ethics Committee. She earned her law degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and holds an undergraduate degree in social work, along with certificates in criminal justice and educational policy studies. During the interview, James explained that the municipal court handles civil ordinance violations, including traffic violations, truancy, curfew violations and certain first-offense alcohol-related driving cases. It does not handle criminal cases, divorces or custody matters. Helping residents understand the process is an important part of her approach, James said. Many people appearing before the court do not have an attorney and may be entering a courtroom for the first time. She said she begins initial appearances with a five- to 10-minute overview of what to expect that day and as a case proceeds. While she cannot provide legal advice, she can explain procedures and answer questions. James also discussed balancing consistent application of the law with consideration of individual circumstances. She said decisions must be based on the facts and evidence, while both the prosecutor and defendant have an opportunity to present information relevant to the penalty. When someone faces difficulty paying a court-ordered amount, James said she works to establish a manageable payment arrangement. She distinguished an inability to pay from an unwillingness to pay and noted that community service may be appropriate in some juvenile cases. For younger people appearing in court, James described providing written information followed by a verbal explanation of the allegations, plea options and potential penalties. She also highlighted a scheduling change currently being developed for juvenile hearings. Historically, families arrived at the same time and waited for individual, closed hearings. James said the court is transitioning toward scheduling groups at different times to reduce waits that can sometimes exceed an hour. Asked about conflicts of interest, James said judges must recognize situations requiring them to step aside and carefully assess whether they can remain impartial. James said voters should look for honesty, fairness, impartiality and a commitment to justice when choosing a municipal judge. The full interview is available at marshfieldbroadcasting.com, on Marshfield Now! Channel 990, and through Marshfield Broadcasting’s streaming platforms. Get to Know provides voters an opportunity to hear directly from candidates seeking public office. Marshfield Broadcasting does not endorse candidates, political parties or ballot positions. All qualified candidates for this office have been offered an equal opportunity to participate, and participation does not imply endorsement.