Meulenberg appointed to bench

SANDPOINT — Lori Meulenberg was appointed Friday to serve as Bonner County’s newest magistrate court judge.

Meulenberg, the city of Sandpoint’s prosecuting attorney, was appointed by the 1st Judicial District’s Magistrate Commission after more than four hours of interviews at the Bonner County Administration Building.

“I am grateful and humbled by the support shown, sobered by the task ahead and will strive to serve the citizens of Bonner County well,” Meulenberg said in a statement after 1st District Administrative Judge John T. Mitchell announced her appointment.

Meulenberg, Bonner County Deputy Prosecutor Valerie Fenton, Boundary County Deputy Prosecutor Tevis Hull, Sandpoint attorney Susan Fegelein and Boise attorney John Meienhofer were named as finalists for Judge Barbara Buchanan’s seat on the bench.

Buchanan was appointed in January to serve as 1st District Court judge. She succeeds Judge Steve Verby, who segued to senior status.

The commission, which is composed of other judges, an attorney, mayors and county commissioners and a lay member of the public, questioned the finalists about their views on specialty courts, habitual offenders, fostering relationships with other government officials, media criticism, pro se litigants, mental health resource shortfalls and long work hours.

Each of the candidates said they already log long hours and see benefits in diversionary courts for mental health and domestic violence. Most also said they would likely bite their tongue if attacked in the media and felt education through National Alliance on Alliance on Mental Illness.

Meulenberg admitted that she lacked expertise in the area of family law, but didn’t see that as a show stopper.

“What I understand is family dynamics,” said Meulenberg, adding that she appreciates the fear and bewilderment that accompanies family law cases and would do her best to allay those concerns and ensure each side is listened to in court.

Fenton, meanwhile, said she was not steeped in the private practice of law.

“That is a weakness and I would acknowledge that, but one of my strengths is my work ethic,” said Fenton.

Meienhofer emphasized that he has court experience that touches on all facets of the law, including advocacy, prosecution, defense, fiduciary, adoptions, child protection. Meienhofer said specialty courts have their place.

“But there are times it can get too overboard and slightly burdensome,” he said.

Fegelein said she would endeavor to respect all sides in court and take every case seriously, traits which she said the county’s magistrates reliably demonstrate.

“It’s one of the things I admire most about our judges,” said Fegelein.

The finalists said they would apply those concepts to litigants who are forced to represent themselves. None said they could advocate for a pro se litigant, but there were v points of view on how much assistance they could render.

Hull felt judges could help ensure pro se litigants get to present their case without the court overstepping its bounds.

“There is flexibility within the rules of evidence to make it go smoother,” he said.