Robert B. Varco

Born: Nov. 17, 1944; Minneapolis

Education:

• William Mitchell College of Law, J.D., 1974
• University of Minnesota, B.A., 1970

• Minnesota 10th Judicial District, judge, 2000-present
• Berglund & Varco, attorney, 1981-2000
• The University of South Dakota School of Law, associate professor and university counsel, 1978-81
• Hamline University School of Law, assistant professor and director of the legal writing and advocacy program, 1975-77
• Dorn & Berglund, attorney, 1975-81
• Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, special assistant attorney general, 1974-75

• Anoka County Bar Association
• Minnesota State Bar Association

• Ducks Unlimited
• Susan G. Komen for the Cure
• Sherburne County Law Library

Hobbies/Interests: College wrestling, cooking, hunting, reading

Family: Wife, Susan E. Pappas-Varco; one child

Why did you opt to become a judge?
After more than 20 years of appearing in the District Court on a daily basis, I had handled almost every type of case that routinely appears on the District Court docket. Those experiences prepared me for the responsibility of being a District Court judge. Public service has always been a strong component of my career, and the switch from advocate to judge was a natural progression.

Why should voters select you rather than your opponent?
I have broader and deeper experience, both as a lawyer and as a judge. I have no disciplinary history with the Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board or the Board on Judicial Standards. Since I was appointed (2000) and elected (2002), I have been an active participant in the management of the 10th Judicial District.

What have been some of your accomplishments during your time on the bench?
I serve on the 10th Judicial District Human Resources, Security and Pro Bono committees. I am the Children’s Justice Initiative lead judge, I serve on the Minnesota Judge’s Criminal Benchbook Committee and the Minnesota District Judges Association’s committee on Criminal Jury Instruction Guides (5th edition), and am an alternate member of the board of the Minnesota District Judges Association. In Sherburne County the population is growing rapidly, and that has required innovation and efficiencies to continue to deliver quality service in a time of increased caseloads. We have had every aspect of our operation (court administration, court services and security) evaluated by outside experts and implemented many of their suggestions. The results are a nimble, efficient, transparent and accountable court.

What are the major issues facing the court on which you sit?
In tough financial times, crime and discord usually increase. For example, in the past 10 years, the state has experienced the following increases:
• Serious felony, 10 percent;
• Felony, 43 percent;
• GMD [gross misdemeanor] DWI, 35 percent;
• Major criminal, 32 percent;
• Harassment, 21 percent;
• Commitment, 40 percent;
• Probate, 8 percent;
• TPR [termination of parental rights], 26 percent;
• Truancy, 32 percent;
• Unlawful detainer, 27 percent;
• Implied consent, 55 percent; and
• Default judgment, 171 percent.
In the past year, we have had the following increases:
• Commitment, 3 percent;
• Unlawful detainer, 8 percent;
• Default judgment, 68 percent; and
• Minor civil, 15 percent.
We have cut staff by one-eighth last year, and that makes it harder to remain current and justice for litigants is delayed. Dramatic increases in the need for interpreters (21.5 percent in just two years) and psychological services (e.g., there was a 37 percent increase in SDP/SPP [sexually dangerous person/sexually psychopathic personality] case filings in just one year) are a fact of life.

How can these issues realistically be addressed?
As a statewide system, we need an objective evaluation and implementation of best practices. Expensive programs must be rigorously scrutinized to see if the results are both efficient and fair. Positive collaboration by the major participants (public defender, county attorney, court administration, law enforcement, private attorneys and probation) has produced some excellent results in Sherburne County.

What role, if any, should politics play in judicial campaigns? (for example, party endorsements, discussions of political views, etc...)
None.

What else would you like voters to know about your candidacy?
I have the good health, maturity, solid work ethic and the desire to continue to do the job well. The public has appreciated my commitment to decide cases fairly and impartially; I am honored to serve the public and I appreciate their continued confidence.