By Casey Jarmes | The News-Review
SIGOURNEY – Interviews were held at the Keokuk County Courthouse on April 29 to fill an 8A District Court vacancy. Two candidates were interviewed, both county attorneys: Amber Thompson of Keokuk County and Bart Klaver of Poweshiek County.
Thompson was interviewed first. She explained that she was raised on a farm outside Sigourney with four siblings, three of them foster children her parents had taken in from rough homes, and that working on the farm and taking care of her siblings taught her responsibility. She stated that she currently lives on the edge of town with her husband and two kids, is a 4H leader, and is involved with her church. Thompson stated that the governor’s office previously urged her to apply for a district judge position, after she was turned down for an associate position.
Thompson stated that she touched everything through her work, both private practice and as a county attorney, including criminal, juvenile, civil and estate law. She admitted she was nervous about the idea of overseeing a big civil litigation case or having to make difficult evidentiary decisions on the spot during a jury trial. When asked what she was passionate about, Thompson explained that she entered the field of law originally wanting to help out farmers, as part of service to her community, and that she gained an understanding of the struggles defendants face. She stated she views her county attorney job as public service, helping guide law enforcement and public officials, that she has a passion for the justice system, and that she hoped as a judge to expand her influence from Keokuk County to the entire district.
Thompson stated that she likes to learn new things, always tries to do her own research first and that she listens to more experienced attorneys. When asked what life experience had shaped her as a professional, she brought up the foster kids her family took in, saying it helped her understand that people have reasons for acting out. Thompson stated that judges need to understand the struggles people have and that people need to feel heard.
She noted that her office had received flack for giving out plea deals, but that it deals with 100 criminal cases a year and can’t try them all, and stated she would help the public understand these things as a judge. When asked why due process was important, Thompson stated that everyone needed to be heard and that it was important for all facts to be present in a case. When asked what was attractive to her about being a judge, she stated she likes her current job because she can make a difference, that she wants to serve her community, and that she likes challenges. Thompson stated that she was a rule follower at heart, but that the important thing was to ensure cases were decided in a way that was fair for everyone.
During his interview, Klaver explained he had been a prosecutor since 2015 and worked at a private practice for six years before that. He stated he had done thirty jury trials, including multiple trials, one of which, the trial of Cristhian Bahena Rivera, who was convicted for the murder of Mollie Tibbetts, received nationwide media attention. He stated that he has experience in criminal defense, probate, civil and juvenile cases, and that his temperament and work ethic would make him a good judge. He stated that he is open indeed and committed to fairness, and that, as a prosecutor, he sees his job not as getting convictions but ensuring justice is done
Klaver stated that when he was appointed county attorney, he was the only attorney in the office, making things a “trial by fire” where he had to learn on the fly. He stated he has a passion for the constitution and focuses on criminal law because it is very important to protect liberty on both sides of the table. Klaver stated that how judges interact with juries has a big impression on how the public views the legal system. When asked why due process was important, Klaver stated that the law affords people certain legal processes to ensure things are fair and that these rules are in place for a reason. When asked why the position of judge was attractive, he stated it would allow him to serve the public on a different level and that it was hard to find people who wanted to be judges that had the experience to do the job well.
Governor Reynolds will appoint one of these candidates to fill the vacancy within 30 days.
