Your feedback ensures we stay focused on the facts that matter to you most—take our survey.
James Babler
Ballotpedia provides comprehensive election coverage of the 100 largest cities in America by population as well as mayoral, city council, and district attorney election coverage in state capitals outside of the 100 largest cities. This judge is outside of that coverage scope and does not receive scheduled updates.
James C. Babler is a judge for the Barron County Circuit Court in Wisconsin.[1] He was appointed to the position in March 2003 by Gov. Jim Doyle and elected in 2004.[2][3]
Babler was a 2016 candidate for the Barron County Circuit Court in Wisconsin.[4] He won re-election in the general election on April 5, 2016.
Elections
2016
Wisconsin held general elections for local judicial offices on April 5, 2016. A primary election took place on February 16, 2016. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was January 5, 2016. Incumbent James Babler ran unopposed in the Barron County Circuit Court general election for Branch 1.[4]
| Barron County Circuit Court (Branch 1), General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | ||
 James Babler Incumbent | ||
Selection method
- See also: Nonpartisan election of judges
The 241 judges of the Wisconsin Circuit Courts are elected in nonpartisan elections to six-year terms. All judges must run for re-election if they wish to continue serving after their term expires.[5]
The chief judge of each circuit court is chosen by the state supreme court to serve a two-year term.[5]
Qualifications
To serve on the circuit courts, a judge must be:[5]
- a qualified elector in the state;
- a qualified elector of his or her circuit (for circuit judges); and
- licensed to practice law in the state for at least five years.
2010
- See also: Wisconsin judicial elections, 2010
Babler was re-elected after running unopposed on April 6, 2010.[6]
Education
Babler earned his B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1976 and his J.D. from the same school in 1979.[3]
Career
- 2003-Present: Judge, Barron County Circuit Court
- 1983-2003: District Attorney, Barron County
- 1980-1982: Assistant District Attorney, Polk County
- 1979-1980: Assistant District Attorney, Barron County[3]
Noteworthy cases
Tavern League of Wisconsin, Inc. v. Palm (2020)
Tavern League of Wisconsin, Inc. v. Palm: On October 14, 2020, Judge John Martin Yackel, of Wisconsin’s Sawyer County Circuit Court, temporarily blocked emergency indoor capacity restrictions issued in response to an uptick in Covid-19 infections across the state. Upon Governor Tony Evers’ (D) direction, Wisconsin Health Secretary Andrea Palm issued Emergency Order #3, limiting indoor public gatherings to no more than 25 percent capacity, with certain limitations. In its complaint, the Tavern League of Wisconsin argued Executive Order #3 "purports to regulate businesses and public gatherings in a manner nearly identical to portions of Emergency Order #28," which was struck down by the Wisconsin Supreme Court on May 13, 2020. In his order, Yackel wrote that Evers and his administration "are immediately restrained, until further order from the Court, from enforcing Emergency Order #3."[7][8][9]
On October 19, 2020, Judge James Babler, of Wisconsin’s Barron County Circuit Court, declined to block state officials from enforcing Emergency Order #3. Finding that the Tavern League and other plaintiffs had failed to meet the standard of irreparable harm necessary for an injunction, Babler said, "I merely have the theoretical issue that if they were to comply, they would suffer harm," adding, "I don’t see how anyone has been harmed by the order ... because no one has told me they changed their behavior" after it was issued. Babler said, "I beg the Supreme Court for clarity because should this issue be decided by them, trial judges need to know how they need to rule." Babler issued his ruling orally from the bench. An excerpt of that order can be viewed here.[10]
See also
External links
- WEAU News, "New judge appointed for hit and run case," July 19, 2013
- Cumberland Advocate, "Judge Babler to give Law Day speech," April 25, 2012
- The Third Branch, "Barron County opens night court for child support matters," September 20, 2012
- Barron County Circuit Court
Footnotes
- ↑ Wisconsin Court System, "Circuit Courts: Judges," accessed December 13, 2013
- ↑ Rice Lake Online, "Judge Babler seeks re-election; Hubler challenged," December 17, 2009, accessed December 13, 2013
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Wisconsin Election Watch, "James C. Babler," accessed December 13, 2013
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Wisconsin Government Accountability Board, "Candidates Registered by Office," accessed January 12, 2016
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Wisconsin," archived October 3, 2014
- ↑ Wisconsin State Elections Board, "Results of Spring General Election," April 6, 2010, accessed December 13, 2013
- ↑ Wisconsin’s Sawyer County Circuit Court, "Tavern League of Wisconsin v. Palm: Temporary Restraining Order," October 14, 2020
- ↑ Wisconsin’s Sawyer County Circuit Court, "Tavern League of Wisconsin v. Palm: Summons," October 13, 2020
- ↑ Fox 11 News, "Judge blocks Wisconsin indoor capacity limits," October 14, 2020
- ↑ Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Gov. Tony Evers' order limiting gatherings, bar capacity is back in place after judge's ruling," October 19, 2020
Federal courts:
Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Wisconsin, Western District of Wisconsin • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Wisconsin, Western District of Wisconsin
State courts:
Wisconsin Supreme Court • Wisconsin Court of Appeals • Wisconsin Circuit Courts • Wisconsin Municipal Courts
State resources:
Courts in Wisconsin • Wisconsin judicial elections • Judicial selection in Wisconsin
