Keokuk County Attorney and New Sharon Mayor Finalists for Judge Vacancy

SIGOURNEY – Judge Greg Milani, District Judge for the 8th Iowa Judicial District, which contains 14 counties including Keokuk, has submitted a letter of retirement, effective Jan. 12 of next year. On Oct. 31, interviews were conducted at the Keokuk County Courthouse to select his replacement. Four candidates were interviewed: Dustin Hite, Bart Klaver, Monte McCory, and Amber Thompson. Hite and Thompson were selected as nominees by the nine-interviewer panel. One of them will be appointed by Governor Kim Reynolds sometime this month.

During her interview, Keokuk County Attorney Amber Thompson explained she grew up on a farm outside Sigourney, as the eldest daughter of a large family that took in foster children, and that this taught her the importance of responsibility. She stated that she originally wanted to get involved with agriculture law, but was a public servant at heart. She stated that she had “sat in every seat in the courtroom,” spending time as a magistrate judge, witness and defense attorney, in addition to her current job as a prosecutor. She also noted that she had worked in family and juvenile law. She stated that, when she was a defense attorney, she enjoyed visiting accused criminals in jail, when they are at their lowest and filled with shame, and giving them encouragement to realize they are still a person.

She stated that, as a County Attorney, she enjoys the impact she had, and does not take lightly the influence she wields through giving plea bargains and advising cops. She stated that, while some prosecutors attempt to apply the law to the fullest extent possible, her goal has always been to do justice, and that she takes into account crime history, the victim, and services officers to the defendant to change their behavior in the past when prosecuting.

Thompson stated that her most important characteristics are her empathy and strong moral character, and that judges need to remember that small decisions they make are big decisions for the people on trial. She stated that, from her family’s work with the foster system, she understood as a child that bad behavior often stems from a bad home life. She stated that, due to working both as a lawyer and magistrate judge at the same time, she is good at compartmentalizing. She noted that, as a public figure, she is held to a higher standard, and tries to be professional and not go to bars at night.

Thompson was asked what she wanted her legacy to be; she said it was important to make a difference, and that she wanted people to feel like she had listened as a judge. She was asked about her philosophy for retracting no-contact orders, if requested by the victim. Thompson stated that she dealt with no contact orders regularly, often butting heads with victims, because she believes that no-contact orders should not be dropped until there is a change in the perpetrator, like attending counseling.

Dustin Hite, owner of a law practice in Mahaska County, former Iowa House Representative and current Mayor of New Sharon, stated that his practice has him work in civil litigation, family law, criminal defense, probate, tax law, estate planning, and as the attorney for twelve cities. He stated that he has always taken part in public service. He stated that his greatest characteristic is his judicial temperament, and that he is caring and compassionate while still applying the law. He stated that it is important for everyone to have a fair day in court.

Hite explained that he has often had to deal with unagreeable clients or difficult opposing counsel, and that his mantra is “What Would Dave Dixon Do?”, referring to his law partner, meaning to step back and keep a calm and cool temperament. He stated that owning a small town practice is hard work, noting that he helps with 100 tax returns a year during tax season and works long shifts to get it done.

He noted that the local law community is very close, with him attending weekly lunches with rival attorneys in Mahaska county. He stated this would be difficult to do if appointed, because judges are not on the same playing field as attorneys and cannot have that type of relationship. He stated he wanted to be remembered as a judge for being fair. Hite stated that he didn’t want to paint with a broad brush for no contact orders or have a specific philosophy, because every case is different and complex.

Hite noted that the judicial branch always has to adapt to the times, noting the implementation of new technology and increase in the amount of pro se litigants in recent years. He noted this was a challenge, but said it would be exciting to help adapt the law to the new world.