OUTAGAMIE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) – Outagamie County will be looking for a new district attorney.
Governor Scott Walker has appointed longtime DA Carrie Schneider as a judge.
Walker says “I am pleased to appoint Carrie Schneider as a judge in Outagamie County. Her commitment to enforcing the law has been evident through her years of service as Outagamie County District Attorney and demonstrates that she will be an excellent judge.”
Schneider replaces Judge Michael Gage, who stepped down this month.
“It really gives me that same opportunity and that function of helping Outagamie County families and citizens in what will be a similar but different role.”
She has served as the county’s district attorney since 2002.
Schneider expects to transition to her new role late next month but notes she will have to stay away from criminal cases for awhile to avoid a conflict of interest.
“We’ll set up a process and a procedure where for a period of time the computer system actually won’t assign any criminal court cases to me.”
During her time away from criminal law, Schneider says she looks forward to continuing advancements on the county’s evidence-based decision making process.
“We’re really looking at creating some efficiencies and better programs for the defendants, so they’re not coming back to the court system time after time, and for the victims, so they have a voice.”
Schneider’s judicial term expires this spring. She plans to seek re-election.
Outagamie County Executive Tom Nelson calls Schenider a ‘hardworking woman of high-integrity.’
“She runs a really good department, especially keeping a close eye on her budget. She and her staff literally clip coupons sometimes to meet their budget targets.”
Even though the final call for filling the vacancy in the DA’s office will come from Governor Scott Walker’s office, Nelson offers someone he feels could be a good fit.
“Chuck Stertz, who has been a very involved member of our evidence-based decision making task force. He’s been at the cutting edge at some of these new initiatives that her office has taken on.”
The governor’s office says it will make an announcement about seeking applicants for the DA position “as soon as possible.”
