Election 2013: Judge Johnson runs unopposed
Even after nearly 28 years at the helm of Whitefish’s municipal court, Judge Bradley Johnson says he still has a passion for the job.
Whether it’s a soccer mom upset over simple parking ticket or anti-government “Freemen” making national headlines, Johnson believes every person who enters his courtroom deserves their right to due process.
Johnson, 65, is running unopposed in this year’s election. He was first elected Whitefish’s judge in 1985 and has held the title since. He has only been opposed once, in 2005, when he defeated Valerie Eve.
Johnson sat on the city council prior to becoming judge, and served 10 years on the Whitefish Library Association
He has an undergraduate degree in business from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and a law degree from the University of Tulsa. He did post-graduate studies in tax law at Southern Methodist University and is a graduate of the first class of the Montana Judicial Institute.
“I believe in the rule of law and the due process of law, particularly at this level,” Johnson told the Pilot in a recent interview. “There are too many cases where small town courts are kind of a barbershop kangaroo court.
“I treat every case with dignity because every person that appears in court, whether it’s for a parking ticket or speeding ticket, to them it’s the most important case to ever be heard by any court. No matter how routine it might be for me, for them it is unique. They get the amount of due process of law that is appropriate to their case.”
Johnson has seen Whitefish morph in personality since he was first elected, which has become evident in his courtroom.
“It’s the same physical place, but the layers of society and intrigue make it a different ambiance to operate in,” he said. “It’s a different attitude.
“As we become more dignified, you would think more people would self-regulate, but is some cases it’s the other way around.”
He says visitors sometimes argue in court that they’re keeping Whitefish’s economy afloat so the city should tolerate their misdeeds.
“Things they would never think about doing at home they do here because this is Whitefish. This is the Wild West and they’re here with money.”
Still, he counters that Whitefish remains a vibrant place to live due to its morphing personality.
“There are different influences right now, but if you were in Cohagen, Montana with no stimulation, you’d love to be in our position,” Johnson said. “All of these forces are in conflict and colliding, both good and bad.”
While Johnson hears a myriad of cases, he is often dealing with speeding or parking citations and other minor infractions. Adding to that list since he was last elected is the city’s cell phone ordinance.
“I take a lot of flak over the cell phone ordinance,” he said. “I take more flak over that than a DUI in some cases.”
He’ll often suggest that people air their grievances with the law in front of city council.
“[Council] needs to get the feedback I get,” he said. “They are the people that have the power, and with their Bic pens can change or amend the ordinance.
“I’m here to simply decide whether you are guilty or innocent of operating a vehicle on a public way in Whitefish using a cell phone.”
Recent changes to DUI laws have added to the court’s workload. Specifically, the aggravated DUI charge that carries enhanced punishments.
“They are more assertive to their right to due process because they face real time, real stigma,” Johnson said. “It takes time to administer those people properly.”
Johnson often sees repeat offenders and says it’s critical they are given due process each time they enter the courtroom.
“It’s important to me that Whitefish, the community I love, have a legitimate court,” he says. “I’m part of something I care about and doing the best I can. Nobody can look me in the eye and say they got railroaded or that this is a kangaroo court.”