I am writing about the judicial position in Houston County that is contested.

Judges are selected because of their experience in the law and because of their temperament. It is important that a judge treats the parties, the attorneys and the court staff with respect and dignity. Conduct that is disparaging is inappropriate and should not be tolerated.

Presently, there are elections for five different judicial positions in our district, and every voter in the 11 counties of southeast Minnesota is entitled to vote for each of the five judicial positions. As a voter, you should educate yourself with regard to each of the candidates and with regard to the judges they oppose.

I personally sought the judicial position in Houston County. I was unsuccessful and did not succeed past the primary. My letter is not being written because I lost. I am writing this letter because it is important to elect a qualified person with experience and demeanor. I am supporting Tim Guth as the judicial candidate for Houston County. He has a great deal of experience and he has seen work on a murder case.

I had appeared before Judge Sturino for three cases, which were a motion hearing and two jury trials. The behavior of the judge was unacceptable. She showed no respect to the clients in the jury trials. She was condescending and irreverent to counsel and myself, as well.

At first, I chose to ignore what was going on in those cases. I began talking to other attorneys who had also been treated as I was and, I realized there was a problem.

Doing some further checking several months ago, I found that Judge Sturino had been removed 32 times in 10 months since she was appointed. There have been more removals since then.

The last thing that bothers me is that she has noted on her election website that she is not like the other “cookie-cutter judges” in our district. Her comments were inappropriate because there are some very fine judges in our district who follow the law, apply the rules and treat people appropriately.

Thank you for your consideration.

Dan Moulton

Rochester