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Walworth court commissioner moving up to bench seat

ELKHORN — David Reddy is moving up a floor at the Walworth County Judicial Center.

Reddy, the county’s family court commissioner, will transfer his belonging to the judicial wing on the building’s third floor or, as he called it Tuesday night, the “judicial penthouse.”

The court commissioner was elected judge of circuit court Branch 4 on Tuesday with 7,298 votes to 4,623 for David A. Danz, a Williams Bay attorney and former Walworth County district attorney.

“It hasn't even sunk in yet,” said Reddy, who will replace retiring Judge Michael Gibbs.

Once it does sink in, Reddy said, he will be ready to get busy on issues such as the ongoing jail assessment. The judge-elect said he already attends meetings to stay updated on the assessment, which is an effort by county officials to solve the problem of overcrowding at the facility where sometimes inmates sleep on the floor.

“They've got a lot of good ideas, and the committee should be able to come up with some plans on easing the overcrowding,” he said. “Instead of expanding the jail, I’d like to see other options so the citizens don’t have to pay that sort of money for an expansion.”

Reddy may not be the appointed judicial liaison to the committee, but he said he is ready to provide input and help in whatever way he can.

Reddy has been family court commissioner for four years. He began his law career in 1987 at the Waukesha County District Attorney’s Office. In 1992, Reddy went into private practice and worked mostly on civil cases.

Reddy’s goal is to serve with integrity, efficiency and innovation, he said. He previously said he wants to be more efficient about providing treatment for drug offenders to avoid jail overcrowding and prevent criminals from re-offending.

On Tuesday, Reddy said he is ready to challenge the status quo and bring new ideas to the circuit court.

“Just because we always did it in a way, it doesn't mean we have to continue,” he added. “I will review the processes that are in place, and if I think there is a better way to do it, I don't have any problems trying it.”