The Dalles Kiwanis Hosts 7th District Circuit Court Judges Race Q&A Session

By Cole Goodwin

The Dalles Kiwanis held a Q&A session with the 7th District Circuit Court Judge Position 4 candidates Incumbent Judge John Wolf and challenger attorney Caleb Berthelsen on May 5th at 12 p.m. Both candidates were given ten minutes to speak followed by a short Q&A session from the audience. 

Wolf spoke first, focusing on his 26 years of experience as a judge, the 700 cases he’s presided over this year, his lifelong connections to the community, his love for the job, and creating access to justice for all people in Wasco County.

He also touched on his conflicts of interest in Wasco, Hood River, and soon to be Gilliam County saying that it was not an issue.

“We have the lowest percentage of pending criminal cases. And I had 26% of the time in the courtroom while Judge Stauffer had 25% of the time in the courtroom.” said Wolf. 

Wolf wrapped up his speech by saying “The voters should focus on experience in this election.” 

Caleb Berthelsen’s talk focused on his military, law school, and attorney experience, as well as his desire to open additional treatment courts for veterans and those struggling with addiction and Wolf’s inability to hear criminal matters in Wasco and Hood River County. 

Berthelsen said in his talk that the 700 cases Wolf had presided over were largely traffic trials, and said that Wolf’s limited ability to hear criminal cases made him unsuited to the job. 

“I’m running because I believe our judicial system needs to be fully functional.” said Berthelsen. 

“People running for office should be able to do all the parts of the job and not just the parts that they like.” 

Once both speakers had had their time, Tyler Beane-Kelly began facilitating the Q&A session.

To hear the candidates full responses check out CCCNews livestream of the Q&A session.
To get the cliff notes version of the Q&A session keep reading. 

Q&A with Attorney Berthelsen

Caleb Berthelsen answered questions from one audience member about whether he had represented a client in civil matters, and he said he had.

Berthelsen also answered questions about his endorsements. Wasco County Circuit Court Judge Janet Stauffer and Wasco County District Attorney Matthew Ellis have endorsed Berthelsen. Both Stauffer and Ellis have been vocal about problems caused by Wolf’s conflict of interest. Judge John Olson has endorsed Judge Wolf. Wolf has also been endorsed by several other retired judges. Judge Karen Oestre has remained neutral in this race.

Berthelsen also fielded a question from a local landlord about landlord tenant law. Berthelsen said he had no experience with landlord and tenant law but that it is common for new Judges to not have experience in every area of law before taking the bench, noting that Stauffer had never heard a criminal case before she took the bench but that she had done almost nothing else since she got the job. 

Q&A with Judge Wolf

Judge Stauffer asked a question of Wolf. She asked him to confirm whether or not his report of the 25 and 26 percent split between Wolf and Stauffer included the Monday morning docket, arraignments, and the 1:15 daily docket.

Judge Wolf said that it included all the time on the bench including the Monday morning docket, arraignments and the 1:15 daily docket which are all presided over by Stauffer.

Judge Stauffer then stated that the numbers did not sound right, and that she had checked the time spent in the courtroom and confirmed with Judge Oestre that Wolf’s reports of the 25 and 26 percent split of time spent in the courtroom did not include the Monday morning docket, arraignments, and the 1:15 daily docket and were therefore not accurate percentages. 

Wolf then said that was not his understanding but that he would be happy to double check his numbers.

Judge Wolf also fielded questions about his ability to sign warrants. He answered that he could sign warrants and said that he was on call to do so every 4 weeks. 

Questions for Berthelsen and Wolf

Candidates also fielded questions about delays in the criminal justice system caused by delays in the judiciary that keep innocent people incarcerated while awaiting trial. Berthelsen and Wolf both agreed that delays would not be resolved without hiring more defense attorney’s and actions taken by the legislature.

Candidates also fielded questions about Measure 1.10 that reduced penalties for drug possession.