Best Circuit Court Judge

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Hon. John J. DiMotto, Milwaukee County Circuit Court

Respecting those who appear before you is the key to being a respected trial judge.

Asked what makes a good trial judge, Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge John J. DiMotto said it is really a matter of being respectful to everyone in the courtroom.

“You have to listen to what people say, and you can’t prejudge anything,” DiMotto said.

“Everyone is entitled to a high degree of respect. When a hearing ends, you want to make sure that people say, whether they prevailed or failed, ‘I got a fair deal.’”

Experience is another important factor. Since joining the bench in 1990, Judge DiMotto has sat in every division of the court except the juvenile division in Wauwatosa. He currently handles the circuit court’s probate/civil calendar. Prior to joining the bench, he spent more than 15 years in the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s office.

Between prosecuting cases and hearing them since 1974, Judge DiMotto has never worked anywhere, except the County Courthouse, Criminal Justice Facility, or Safety Building.

And when it comes to getting the law right, DiMotto excels. Until roughly a year ago, when he was finally reversed in a pair of cases by the Wisconsin Court of Appeals on the same day, DiMotto had gone years without a reversal.

Enjoying the work can’t be underestimated either.

“I’m one of those people who loves to get up on Monday morning and go to work,” he said.