Bruce Schroeder
Bruce Schroeder was a judge of the Kenosha County Circuit Court in Wisconsin. He left office on November 27, 2023.
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Schroeder was appointed to the court in 1983 by Gov. Anthony Earl (D). He was first elected to a full six-year term the following year.[1] In October 2023, Schroeder announced he would retire in November 2023.[2]
Biography
Schroeder attended Marquette University for college and law school, receiving a bachelor's degree in 1967 and a J.D. in 1970. In 1971, he joined the Kenosha County District Attorney's Office as an assistant district attorney. He became a district attorney in 1972. From 1977 to 1983, he worked in private practice. In 1983, he was appointed to the Kenosha County Circuit Court.[1]
Elections
2020
Schroeder ran for re-election to the Kenosha County Circuit Court. He was unopposed in the general election on April 7, 2020.[3]
2014
- See also: Wisconsin judicial elections, 2014
Schroeder ran for re-election to the Kenosha County Circuit Court. He was unopposed in the general election on April 1, 2014.[4]
2008
Schroeder ran for re-election to the Kenosha County Circuit Court. He was unopposed in the general election on April 1, 2008.[5]
Noteworthy cases
Kenosha, Wisconsin shooting (2020)
- See also: Kenosha County Circuit Court
On November 19, 2021, the jury in the trial of Kyle Rittenhouse, who was accused of killing two men and wounding a third during protests following the August 2020 police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, found Rittenhouse not guilty on all charges.[6] Schroeder presided over the case. The jury in the trial was selected on November 1, 2021, and opening statements were made on November 2. Closing statements were made on November 15.[7]
Denied two motions by prosecutors
On February 11, 2021, Schroeder denied two requests by prosecutors to issue an arrest warrant and raise the bail of Rittenhouse. Attorneys said Rittenhouse moved to a safe house without properly notifying the court of his address.[8][9]
"Most people out on bond, we don't know where they are," Schroeder said. "To issue a warrant now for a defendant who has appeared at every hearing, that would be breaking the law, and I'm not going to do it."[9]
Dismissed weapons charge
On November 15, 2021, Schroeder dismissed a misdemeanor weapons charge against Rittenhouse, saying that the law was poorly written and that the shorter barrel size of the rifle he carried meant Rittenhouse didn't violate the law.
“If the barrel length is less than 16 inches or an overall length less than 27 inches then I’ll deny either motion," Schroeder said. "If it does not need those specifications then this was defense."[10]
See also
External links
- Search Google News for this topic
- Kenosha County | Judges and commissioners
- Wisconsin Court System | Circuit courts
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Wisconsin Election Watch, "Bruce E. Schroeder," September 26, 2013
- ↑ Kenosha News, "Kenosha County Judge Bruce Schroeder announces retirement," accessed on October 30, 2023
- ↑ Kenosha County, "Election Results for 4/7/2020," April 14, 2020
- ↑ Kenosha County, "Elections Results for 4/1/2014," April 1, 2014
- ↑ Kenosha County, "4/1/2008 Election Results," April 2, 2008
- ↑ WSJ, "Kyle Rittenhouse Found Not Guilty of All Charges in Killing of Two," accessed November 19, 2021
- ↑ The New York Times, "Kyle Rittenhouse Acquitted on All Counts: Live Updates," accessed November 19, 2021
- ↑ AP, "Judge declines new arrest warrant for Kyle Rittenhouse," February 11, 2021
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 WISN, "Judge denies prosecutor's motion to arrest Kyle Rittenhouse, raise bail," February 11, 2021 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "wisn" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ The Guardian, "Kyle Rittenhouse trial: judge drops gun charge against defendant before closing arguments," accessed November 15, 2021
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
State resources:
Courts in Wisconsin • Wisconsin judicial elections • Judicial selection in Wisconsin
