(File Photos by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. – Reports from inside the Kenosha County Courthouse describe Circuit Judge Chad Kerkman as spiraling out of control, targeting colleagues and lashing out in ways that legal insiders say are unprecedented and dangerous.
On August 30, Kerkman allegedly threatened to fire Circuit Court Commissioner William Michel II for allowing Kenosha County Eye to take photographs in his courtroom — a practice that has been allowed for years by Michel and his predecessors, as well as judges who permitted TV and newspaper cameras. Kerkman has long known that courtroom photography occurred, yet suddenly turned on Michel, reportedly furious that the commissioner would not cave to his demands.
Today, Kerkman escalated further, threatening Michel again — this time because Michel had a medical appointment and could not attend the judges’ meeting at 4 p.m. Kerkman told him that he could round up four other judges and remove him from his post whenever he wished.
Court insiders say this latest threat crossed a line. Some questioned whether Michel left work early out of anger or whether Kerkman forced him out of the courthouse. Either way, defense attorneys and prosecutors alike told Kenosha County Eye — speaking only on condition of anonymity — that Michel is a dedicated family man, a respected attorney, and a fair commissioner. They fear that Kerkman’s rampage could end Michel’s judicial career.
Insiders describe Kerkman as “seeing red” and intoxicated by the perceived authority of his deputy chief judge role, which they say has taken over his entire persona. He has been on a crusade over the monthly judges’ meetings, even berating District Attorney Xavier Solis for not attending — despite the constitutional separation of powers that makes the DA independent from the judiciary.
This meltdown is only the latest in a disturbing pattern. In recent weeks, Kerkman:
- Lost another appeal after the Court of Appeals reversed him for stripping a litigant of her rights without due process, continuing a pattern of being overturned for ignoring the law.
- Tried to intimidate local press, only to have the effort backfire, drawing more attention to his conduct.
- Retaliated against Kenosha County Eye within 48 hours of critical reporting by ordering intake restrictions designed to hinder coverage.
- Was implicated in scandal within his own chambers when his longtime bailiff was criminally charged with felony identity theft.
- Knowingly misled a County committee, as alleged by DA Solis, who accused him of lying to the elected officials.
Kerkman’s critics say these episodes add up to a judge who has lost control. “He’s on a rampage,” one courthouse source said. “This isn’t about law or justice anymore. It’s about his ego.”
With Commissioner Michel now in his crosshairs, the courthouse community fears the consequences of one judge’s unchecked power. What began as a dispute over photography and meeting attendance has evolved into a battle for professional survival — one that could cost a respected commissioner his career, and could further tarnish Kerkman’s already abysmal reputation.
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53 Responses
Ok, but can we explore and alternative theory? That Bill isn’t really…good at his job?
Agreed. Michel is terrible. He was horrible since his first day.
He keeps letting criminals go free, but I’d rather get rid of Kerkman.
Lose both Judge and Commissioner Kenosha would be better off.
There are plenty of Kenosha judges, commissioners and gals that are terrible.
….. The Pedocrat Party.
Sorry, which party was it that keeps blocking the release of the Epstein files and insisting on keeping child marriage legal? Pretty sure it starts with an ‘R’…
The court system is the one blocking the release, you should know that but I guess you’d need to be informed to know that. So why didn’t they clown in office before Trump release it all and why didn’t you people not demand it then? Hypocrites!
Kevin story please on when bailiff was criminally charged with felony identity theft.
He wants you to suffer for posting Tammy’s article. Think about it, what if he hired her just to provoke one of the most important law firms in town? How mentally deranged do you have to be to do that? It was like saying, “I do whatever I want, and if you have a problem, I dare you to challenge me.” Knowing that none of the attorneys from that firm would dare, because unlike him, they are human.
When is this nut case loose cannon up for reelection?
Campaign starts in a year. Many people are thinking of running.
Search Tammy Rose on this site
Kerman is an egotistical maniac. Had him in court once and he acted like a complete unprofessional ass. It was so bad both parties agreed in recess to settle outside without his doing. He shouldn’t have been home 10 years ago
Nothing a good ol’ ass whooping wouldn’t fix.
With every story I read about this dangerous local judge, I just have to think his behavior mirrors that of President Trump.
You again Fuck face? You don’t dare to compare my President with a Jerkman. Go back home and make sure commie Kalama fed sleepy Joe.
WTF
Hello. Fuck Face here. I take your dare.
Jerkman is acting like Trump’s Mini Me. They are doing the same thing, except Jerkman is only a local judge.
Keep on drinking that Kool-aid Homer.
https://youtu.be/U1FxfR3lg6Q?si=l7Z9kAx0SQ9QXj9k
No one is moved by your troll attempt 🤣
Just because you say it, doesn’t make it true. You and others are moved into defending the toddler and chief. Fuck Face is right. Jerkman and Trump are cut from the same low quality cloth.
Get rid of both these clowns. Look at how Kerkman went against the court of appeals and Supreme Court decisions when the mark Jensen case was infront of him. You dont have to like the case itself but just a great example how kerkman thinks hes even higher than the courts that are above him. Then the commissioner doesn’t care about law either. He binds everyone over for trial at preliminary hearings even if there is no grounds to. He let’s other people who werent near a crime scene testify on the behalf of witness that were. Kenosha corrupt and a make over would be great. Start all the way over, get rid of all these judges that are supposed to be unbiased in the court yet work with the prosecution to get convictions. Not what the legal system is about! Fix the revolving door of corruption!
Proof that being in a loud, degenerate, violent minority is a very hard road producing mental breakdown and permanent insanity. The sooner you and your ilk’s trash is taken out and incinerated, the better so that society & community can be re-normalized to civil rationality.
You may be too dim-witted to understand that Hitler did exactly what you propose. Or maybe you are also a holocaust denier.
Just ignore this troll.
Kerkman, you are a circuit court judge. Will you please act like you deserve to be in that position? You definitely do not have my vote when you are up for reelection.
You are a nut job.
No one runs against sitting judges. I think there was a KCE article on this point.
Can we recall Kerkman?
Can we KM?
Serious question, is Kerman in a homosexual relationship with Binger?
Of course not
Yes.
I always took Kerkman for a Peter puffer
Sounds like some severe mental health problems. Or he needs a good railing from Binger.
Don’t be a quitter, get em in the shitter.
Check his surname. They are seemingly allowed to do or say anything they want with zero or neglible apparent repercussions. Thank Kevin for finally calling one of them out publicly
Michel is a good man and commissioner, Kerkman needs to be removed immediately before he causes more harm to our system, please remove him from his duties, he is a danger to Kenosha and the people that live here . This needs to stop the good o boy club needs to end.
Michel tries his best in a position where he is required to please everyone above him, or else face the consequences. That being said, he is a good man placed in the worst position within our local judiciary. This position, at least in this county, was never meant for him, and in truth, no one could endure such a level of pressure for long.
Amen!!
No. Continuing bad performance isn’t a bad day at work, and, “it’s haaaarrrd” doesn’t make it acceptable.
They both need to go.
We really need a page focused solely on the judges. Kenosha Judicial Watch to hold these judges accountable. Kevin you are doing a great job but something like this would gain more Attention and those hurt by these poor decision would come forward and ‘tip’ you off anonymously.
In the last six months I’ve seen two horrible decisions – one by Kerkman in a divorce case and another one by Wilk in a mental health case. On top of Kerkmans power trip we have judges being soft on crime.
Judges get a free pass because they lack full scrutiny. I believe a heightened watch will change that.
Let’s start cataloging these poor decisions and encouraging a new generation of judges. Now that would be. Turning Point move.
Corruption and abuse of power has been going on with the Kenosha and Racine courts..
If they treat their own kind like this, just imagine all the people they’ve sent to prison out just wanting a conviction..
I see it in these old cases from here and Racine
There should be a way to impeach…..
We need help in Kenosha , Call the feds let’s get some help to stop this crazy corruption that is going on in are city by these people , This is so sad and sick that we have to live like this at the hands of another person in power , Bring justice to all of Kenosha , There has to be some federal level of law to assist in there matters.
Reality check. Judges are human. Sometimes they can have a bad day. Sometimes they may make an unpopular decision. Sometimes they’re damned if they do and damned if they don’t. A one-off situation is understandable but when it becomes a pattern then it’s a problem. In the past few years we’ve had several judges elected more because of politics than their legal scholarship and judicial temperament and it shows.
Judge Kerkman can be moody. He can be petty. He doesn’t always play well with others. On a good day he can do an acceptable job. What he doesn’t do is command respect. He could do a better job but he’s had quite a few years to improve.
Can we get rid of both of them ?
This town has gone to the bully’s and the agenda seeking officials, This needs to stop Chad who do you think you are, you took an oath to be honest protect and defend for
justice, not to be a agenda seeking bully on the bench. Im so disappointed in are city and what we have aloud individuals to do , WE are better then this , remove these people
Get rid of both these clowns. Look at how Kerkman went against the court of appeals and Supreme Court decisions when the mark Jensen case was infront of him. You dont have to like the case itself but just a great example how kerkman thinks hes even higher than the courts that are above him. Then the commissioner doesn’t care about law either. He binds everyone over for trial at preliminary hearings even if there is no grounds to. He let’s other people who werent near a crime scene testify on the behalf of witness that were. Kenosha corrupt and a make over would be great. Start all the way over, get rid of all these judges that are supposed to be unbiased in the court yet work with the prosecution to get convictions. Not what the legal system is about! Fix the revolving door of corruption!
local government corruption can be reported to the FBI , make the call fellow citizens of Kenosha ,
And yet with all this, he’s still better than Sam
Thanks Chad !
He lets the wrong criminals free & holds 17-27 year olds for years! Especially in party to crime cases!
People.in the courthouse and those who come before Judge Jerkman need to start filing complaints with the Judicial Ethics Commission. Maybe that will get his and the communities attention.