Peter Noppenberg - Letter to Editor

I would like to discuss two (2) topics of interest for the residents of Marinette, WI.

The first item is information on my personal background. I attended a private high school in Manitowoc County Wisconsin and also earned a four (4) year degree in Liberal Arts from Northern Michigan University (NMU).

My employment history has involved manufacturing and logistics. I have been a resident of Marinette since 1991. I have been an alderperson on the Marinette Common Council for Ward 6 from 2016-2020 and Marinette Municipal Judge from 2020 to the present. I am not an attorney. Wisconsin Municipal Judges do not have to be lawyers although some are lawyers. Most of the municipal judge positions in Wisconsin are part-time; including the office of Marinette Municipal Judge.

The second topic includes our municipal court efforts to assist defendants in court with language and cultural situations; especially from Spanish to English. This is an important factor for initial court appearances and trials. Court trials require translators from an approved list usually provided by the Marinette County Circuit Court. Our court uses cell phones and computer apps to translate verbal discussions and court documents. We are reviewing private service companies such as Language Line Solutions and Certified Languages International. Under certain circumstances other persons present in court will volunteer to translate.

As Marinette Municipal Judge we are doing our best to provide a good service to the citizens of Marinette. Our court staff and all City of Marinette employees are assisting us in this endeavor.

Respectfully submitted,
Honorable Peter Noppenberg
Marinette Municipal Judge