Waushara Circuit Court Judge Guy Dutcher discussed the intricacies of the law, the joys of college football, and the peace he finds in the woods when deer hunting during a special guest visit to Amherst High School on Thu., Dec. 5.
Judge Dutcher took an assortment of questions from freshmen civics students in Mr. Dummer’s class and senior English students in Mr. Van Lannen’s class. Judge Dutcher graduated from Ripon College in 1987 where he played football (tight end, #89) and graduated with a degree in English.
Dutcher was first elected to the circuit court in 2005 and has been re-elected twice. He served as Waushara County District Attorney for about 12 years prior to his election to the circuit court bench.
Judge Dutcher took over duties as the Chief Judge of the 4th Judicial District in 2022. In doing so, Judge Dutcher assumed administrative responsibilities for all courts and municipal courts in eight (8) counties including Waushara, Green Lake, Marquette, Winnebago, Calumet, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, and Fond du Lac. His duties include staffing, logistical issues, resolution of dispute for county government/county between judges.
Judge Dutcher is also a Dean of the Wisconsin Judicial College and is responsible for planning curriculum for all judges in the state and presenting portions of that. He does this in person annually three to four times a year.
Always willing to give back to the community, Judge Dutcher also served as a high school football official for 20 years. He officiated a number of games here in Amherst and is familiar with both its coach and some of the players that have gone to play college and pro football. His son, following in his footsteps, went on to play Division III football at St. Norbert College.
Just a week after speaking to Amherst students, Judge Dutcher found himself in the national news with his appointment to the Steven Avery case featured on Netflix and other media outlets. Avery, 63, is serving a life sentence after being convicted for the 2005 murder of photographer Teresa Halbach. Avery has maintained his innocence. To this point, several appeals have been denied. A status conference before Judge Dutcher was slated for Dec. 9, according to court reports.
Judge Dutcher hopes to return to Amherst next spring as he relishes speaking to students, often expressing a desire to teach law school if he one day chooses to step down from the bench and pursue other endeavors.
