Gerad Dougvillo was elected to serve as Kenosha County Circuit Court Judge in Branch 1 on April 6, 2021. The term runs until 2027. Dougvillo is a graduate of St. Joseph High School right here in Kenosha. He went to Marquette University for his undergraduate degree and received his law degree at John Marshall Law School (now known as University of Illinois, Chicago). Dougvillo made the dean’s list for four semesters and attained several scholarships and other accolades. He is admitted to the Illinois and Wisconsin Bars. Dougvillo has worked as a private contract attorney, prosecutor in Racine County, professor at Herzing and Carthage, and most recently a Circuit Court Commissioner in Walworth County.

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Dougvillo had his first official day as a Judge on August 1, 2021. He attended State of Wisconsin judge training and did some in-house training as well, shadowing other judges.  While he has been a judge for slightly longer than a year, we are using this publication to rate his first year based on input from prosecutors and defense attorneys. Dougvillo has been on the criminal court rotation for most of his time thus far, but has also worked juvenile delinquencies, T.P.R. (Termination of Parental Rights), and C.H.I.P.S. (Children in Need of Protection and Services). KCE has not heard from a single attorney who had anything negative to say about Dougvillo, even off the record. If both sides think he is fair, he must be. Congrats on a great first year, Judge.

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Prosecutors

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“Judge Dougvillo is considered by all parties to be fair minded and willing to listen to all sides in the court room.  His common sense approach is highly valued.”  –Kenosha County District Attorney Michael Graveley

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Graveley has been an attorney for 32 years, and the elected DA of Kenosha County for the last six years. Graveley is arguably one of the best trial prosecutors in the state.

“This summer, I had the opportunity to appear in front of Judge Gerad Dougvillo for a 2 ½ week jury trial.  Judge Dougvillo conducted himself with the utmost professionalism throughout the jury trial.  He treated all parties and the jury with respect.  His rulings were fair and just.  His knowledge of law is clear in that he reaches fair and just rulings.  It is obvious that his desire is to see that justice is fairly obtained.  Judge Dougvillo protects the rights of both victims and defendant.  He makes sure that victims are able to tell their full story, without interruption.  He is attentive to victims’ statements and he makes them feel more whole in a world where they may have felt so broken.” –Kenosha County Assistant District Attorney Rosa Delgado

Delgado has been a prosecutor for 20 years. This author was a juror in a homicide case in which Delgado was the trial prosecutor. I was impressed and am a fan of her work. Delgado is an excellent prosecutor and defense attorneys concur that she is very reasonable and a pleasure to work with.

CRIMINAL DEFENSE

“[Dougvillo] knows the law and follows the law” – Kenosha Criminal Defense Attorney and County Board Supervisor Terry Rose

Terry W. Rose has been an attorney for more than 54 years. His law office, Rose and Rose, has been on 6th Avenue for more than 100 years. His father and grandfather preceded him in law. Rose, as his father did, practices in nearly all areas of law. There is no lawyer in the state as knowledgeable about diverse areas of law as Rose.

“In more than 20 years of practice, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a judge as interested in knowing and applying the law.  And he runs his courtroom in a very professional, respectful manner.” – Kenosha Criminal Defense Attorney Michael D. Cicchini

Mike Cicchini has been a lawyer for about 23 years. He graduated at the very top of his class at Marquette Law School. He writes books and law review articles about criminal procedure. Cicchini is arguably one of the best criminal defense attorneys in the State, and was recently awarded the William M. Coffey Defender Award from the Wisconsin Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

“I very much enjoyed working with Dougvillo while I was a criminal defense attorney and he was an assistant district attorney in Racine. I also enjoyed working with him when he was court commissioner in Walworth. He is a very good trial judge” -Kenosha and Walworth Criminal Defense Attorney Michael Barth

Mike Barth has been an attorney for 34 years. Before that, Barth served the United States as a Captain in the US Army.

“Judge Dougvillo has definitely gotten his sea legs. Overall, I find him to be fair, thoughtful, competent, and often compassionate. He has even made a number of decisions that went against my position that, to my deepest chagrin, I have to admit that he got right.” –Kenosha Criminal Defense and Family Attorney David Patton

Patton has been an attorney for almost 10 years.