LETTER: Former ADA supports Molepske for judge
To the Editor-
I first met Louis Molepske when he was elected as Portage County District Attorney in 2012.
I was employed as an Assistant District Attorney in that office at the time, and I worked under Louis until 2018. I have continued to practice in Portage County since then, and over the last ten years, I have gained a good sense of Louis’ qualifications as an attorney and as a judicial candidate.
As I’ve followed the race to fill the Portage County Circuit Court Branch II vacancy, I’ve read the many letters of endorsement highlighting Louis’ fairness, ethics, compassion, and legal knowledge, as well as his accomplishments as district attorney, including the successful prosecution of high profile cases, development of an effective diversion program, and advocacy for crime victims. I agree with these points and believe that they demonstrate why Louis will make an excellent judge.
Based on my own personal experience and observation, I would like to add the following in support of Louis’ candidacy: his work ethic, leadership, and commitment to the wellbeing of the citizens of Portage County.
The position of district attorney is unique because of the sheer amount of power a DA has to make his or her job easier or more difficult. A DA can easily dismiss charges or plead them down to avoid having to go to trial. Alternatively, a DA can stick to their guns and fight for what he or she believes is right. But this comes at a cost, which is the time and effort of prolonged litigation and a jury trial. Doing the just thing can mean doing the difficult thing, and making that choice takes character, leadership, and a willingness to work hard.
Over the past 10 years, I have seen Louis time and time again choose to take the just, but difficult, path. Certainly, Louis negotiates reasonable plea agreements when possible. But when it’s not, Louis fights for what he believes to be fair and appropriate, even if it means working long hours, nights, and weekends preparing for trial. I have seen Louis pursue difficult prosecutions, file charges, take them to trial and risk the possibility of acquittal because he believes it’s the only way to obtain a just result.
I have seen Louis personally assign himself an extensive caseload of a wide variety of files, often challenging, that will never make the news because the other attorneys in the office were overworked or overwhelmed. I believe that this shows work ethic, leadership, and ultimately, a commitment to our community’s wellbeing and safety – all vital traits for a circuit court judge.
Our county has been fortunate to have a long succession of judges who, without exception, demonstrate the highest level of integrity, fairness, legal knowledge, and devotion to this community. Louis Molepske has these same attributes and will continue this tradition of judicial excellence in Portage County into the future.
Cass Cousins
Stevens Point