(File Photo By Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. – A milestone adoption hearing that should have been filled with joy and celebration instead turned into another example of Judge Chad Kerkman’s spiraling behavior, this time leaving a veteran prosecutor in tears and courtroom observers shaken.
Witnesses say the respected prosecutor — who has served the Kenosha County District Attorney’s Office for decades and is well-liked across the family court circle — was delivering routine information about a state database no longer in use. Kerkman cut her off, shouting, “I don’t care, that’s your problem, not mine.”
What followed was a roughly ten-minute tirade in which the judge berated the woman, causing her to openly cry in front of the young family and others gathered for the adoption. At one point, he ordered her to repeat lines back to him, like a child being scolded. Through tears, she was forced to say: “You are in charge. This is your courtroom. You are the boss.” Kerkman made her repeat the lines multiple times as tears ran down her face.
The episode horrified those present, turning what should have been one of the happiest moments in a family’s life into an uncomfortable spectacle. Attorneys and staff later described it as bullying, humiliating, and a misuse of judicial authority.
This incident adds to a growing pattern of behavior that courthouse insiders call a “downward spiral.” In the past several weeks alone, Kerkman has:
- Banned a respected court interpreter after exploding on her for a scheduling delay.
- Driven a court commissioner to sobbing tears following a degrading phone call.
- Threatened to fire Commissioner William Michel II, first for allowing courtroom photography and later for missing a judges’ meeting due to a medical appointment.
- Berated District Attorney Xavier Solis for not attending judges’ meetings, despite the DA’s independence from the judiciary.
- Faced repeated reversals from the Court of Appeals for stripping litigants of rights without due process.
- Been accused by DA Solis of knowingly lying to a legislative committee.
Kerkman’s honorary role as deputy chief judge, appointed by Chief Judge Wynne Laufenberg, has no independent authority. By rule, the deputy chief judge only acts when delegated. But courthouse insiders say Kerkman has treated the title as if it makes him the courthouse boss, fueling what they describe as an “authority-driven rage.”
“Black robe syndrome is on full display,” one attorney said. “Instead of protecting justice, he’s bullying people. And it’s getting worse.”
For the family at the center of this adoption, the day meant to celebrate a new beginning will now forever be remembered for a judge’s tirade. For courthouse insiders, it was yet another warning sign that Kerkman’s behavior is not only escalating but harming those who dedicate their lives to the justice system.
Editor’s Note:
Kenosha County Eye has published multiple stories in recent weeks about Judge Chad Kerkman. This is not solely because of personal animus — though, in the interest of full disclosure, I do have that. The primary reason is that once reporting on Kerkman’s recent conduct began, the floodgates opened. Litigants, attorneys, courthouse staff, and others in the legal community have come forward with accounts of troubling behavior. These allegations are strong, credible, and numerous, and I believe it would be unethical not to report on them.
Many readers have asked how Judge Kerkman can be stripped of his honorary title as Deputy Chief Judge. That decision lies solely with Chief Judge Wynne Laufenberg, who has the authority to appoint or remove a deputy. Anyone wishing to share their views may contact her directly at [email protected].
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45 Responses
He needs to be fired
This irrational and explosive behavior could easily be used to describe someone using drugs.
Or a brain injury.
Or tumor. Mary Kerkman, get your son checked out. Something is wrong!
This irrational and explosive behavior could be used to describe someone using drugs.
This clown is out of control. whoever is in charge of this moron needs to fire him.
He needs to be disbarred immediately
The only thing he has done that I flavor is firing Michel
What an f-ing assohole to ruin that families day and what an unprofessional jerk to make the prosecutor repeat that he is the boss. You are a bully Kerkman and you need to go.
Can’t help feeling the need for information on Judge Wynn Laufenberg. How can this Judge not be aware of this bully abusing people, you know he reads KCE.
I found out with constant bullying in KUSD (where no bullying is allowed) in my youth…. Bullies are pussies with mental disorders. I learned that as I got older and ran into them later in life.
Judge Wynn Laufenberg needs to take a stand. Kerkman needs to go period.
I think he does it on purpose so Kevin can report it. He gets a kick out of it
This should be the last straw for kerkman someone needs to step up and terminate him from the bench before he does more harm, His behavior is unbecoming and is impulsive,
Curious…what would happen if the female prosecutor just had remained still without flinching and after Rainbow Estrogen Chad’s asinine display, asked him directly, “Is that all?” And then, laughed at him?
… on what should have happened.
But it seems like it was a surprise !
Something she wasn’t expecting.
Everyone should be prepared for the next time.
It’s inevitable
You have to remember that another female prosecutor, one of the most loyal followers of the current District Attorney’s agenda, dared to make a record in front of a different judge. Suddenly, eight deputies were called to arrest her after the judge found her in contempt. This led to the ADA’s resignation under what was widely regarded as an unjustified abuse of power. The positive outcome, however, is that after the incident was reported, the judge changed his behavior for the better.
Why is this lunatic still a judge?
Welcome to Kenosha
Last name says it all!!!!!
Indeed!
I’m starting to suspect some drug use based on his emotional outbursts. Is anyone going to suggest a drug test for Chad?
Maybe steroid use?
What happens when males take estrogen?
Thats exactly what the issue is ,
Exactly, a simple blood test for Charlie Sheen syndrome is in order.
Check around the Lake Geneva area im sure someone will talk and you may find out more then you wish about Kerkmen and o clair binger
WOW 😮 WOW 😯….
The Demons within Chad Kerkman that control his immoral and disrespectful behavior are raging at a well liked professional, competent woman who knows her job, whose personality is well liked and is someone who an extremely jealous Chad will never be able to have.
How horrible! Who was the “veteran prosecutor” that was pushed to tears?
I chose not to publish her name. She was not in the wrong.
You definitely did the right thing
He needs his ass kicked and someone to knock him down a few notches. He puts his pants on one leg at a time like everyone else!!!
You do know that not one single person has the balls (except you Kevin !) to do anything about his actions. I doubt any other judges in Kenosha would go against one of their own. But if enough citizens start to speak up maybe the state will step in. Here is the link to get the ball rolling
https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/committees/judicialcommission/complaintform.pdf
Thank you!
Very disturbing behavior, he needs to be removed from the bench.
He was upset about the Andy Berg situation
We’ll keep an eye on future public defender Kerkman.
If this behavior occurred in most any other place, the employee would be removed from the workplace. Only in Healthcare have I witnessed physicians behaving like this. Consequences to some them eventually occured. Any county employee in the courtroom can report his behavior. He is creating a hostile work environment. Employee safety lies within the County clerk, HR director, County Exec? Physical safety within the courthouse lies with the Sheriff. As a judge not sure who is accountable for discipline on his behavior, WBA? AG, Governor? ?
I hope no children were present during this display of inappropriate behavior.
Bad Chad Kerkman needs to be removed.
If he’s elected, couldn’t he be recalled?
Chad is a bully. I sat on a behavioral health treatment court committee that was held in his court. In the following election cycle, I voted against him. And I will continue too.
Before Kevin, this same nonsense existed, but journalists like Terry Flores with the Kenosha news would rather interview a judge about his new dog instead of his rulings.
A little more than five years ago, a bad hombre came to town. He was shocked by the disastrous administration that was doing nothing to defend our city from arsonists and looters. He noticed that the liberal media that chose not to report what was happening in our courthouse. Kevin decided to stop sweeping the truth under the rug.
We appreciate you Kevin, because now people dare to speak, they dare to send anonymous tips. You honor the First Amendment by allowing us to say what we want without censorship. You also have the courage to confront judges who have forgotten they are human and act instead like semi-gods.
We appreciate you. Keep up the great work. If they try to pull something below the belt, we will stand with you. You are not alone
Before Kevin, this same nonsense existed, but journalists like Terry Flores with the Kenosha news would rather interview a judge about his new dog instead of his rulings.
A little more than five years ago, a bad hombre came to town. He was shocked by the disastrous administration that was doing nothing to defend our city from arsonists and looters. He noticed that the liberal media that chose not to report what was happening in our courthouse. Kevin decided to stop sweeping the truth under the rug.
We appreciate you, Kevin because now people dare to speak, they dare to send anonymous tips. You honor the First Amendment by allowing us to say what we want without censorship. You also have the courage to confront judges who have forgotten they are human and act instead like semi gods.
We appreciate you. Keep up the great work. If they try to pull something below the belt, we will stand with you. You are not alone
The Kenosha News stopped regular courthouse coverage many years ago.
Hey Jerkman, how’s your ball washing business doing? Is Bingo your lead Ball Washer?
Asking for a friend.
PS I sent a note to Wynne Laufenberg praising your ability to clean balls.
When is his Last day ! that all that i need to know !!!
Sad thing is everyone had to remain anonymous due the repercussions that are city leaders will do. Kevin, We commend you on your work and that you do and do it well, keep up the great work and maybe in the future we all can post are real names without the fear of retaliation from these corrupt officials. Aldo commend are great leader of the KPD
doing a great job and his loyalty to the citizen of Kenosha.