Judges Behind the Bench: Who’s Accountable in the Julie Valadez Case?

By Michael Phillips

As Julie Valadez, a domestic violence survivor and mother of four, remains jailed in Walworth County on $500,000 cash bail for felony charges she did not cause, the public is rightly asking: Who are the judges behind the decisions that put her there?

This follow-up dives into the profiles of the three key judges—Michael J. Aprahamian, Jennifer R. Dorow, and Kristine E. Drettwan—who have each played a significant role in what many advocates call a travesty of justice. Each judge brings a deep legal résumé, but also a trail of controversy that raises serious questions about accountability, judicial discretion, and the rights of abuse survivors in family and criminal court.

We examine who belongs on a “Judicial Wall of Shame”—and why.

---

Judge Michael J. Aprahamian

Court: Waukesha County Circuit Court
Appointed by: Gov. Scott Walker (2014)
Education: Yale Law School, J.D., 1992

Key Role in the Valadez Case:

• Presided over the original custody case between Julie and her ex-husband Ricardo Valadez.
• Awarded sole custody to the father despite documented abuse.
• Prohibited all contact between Julie and her children.
• Overturned by the Wisconsin Court of Appeals in 2024 for violating Julie’s parental rights—one of the rare appellate rebukes in such cases.

Controversies:

• Accused of ignoring domestic abuse dynamics, resulting in permanent family separation.
• Named in a federal lawsuit (dismissed for jurisdiction), and a Change.org petition sought his removal.
• Known for a strict conservative judicial style, favoring rigid application of procedure over human context.
• Active with the Federalist Society, underscoring his ideological leanings.

Verdict: WALL OF SHAME

Judge Aprahamian’s rulings ignored critical abuse evidence and led to the prolonged separation of a mother from her children—despite an appellate ruling that found him wrong. That alone warrants his placement on the Wall of Shame.

---

Judge Jennifer R. Dorow

Court: Waukesha County Circuit Court
Appointed by: Gov. Scott Walker (2011)
Education: Regent University School of Law, J.D., 1996

Key Role in the Valadez Case:

• Current judge overseeing the ongoing divorce and custody litigation.
• Despite the Court of Appeals’ ruling, she has not reversed prior harmful custody decisions.
• Maintains the legal structure that criminalized Julie after her son fled alleged abuse.

Controversies:

• Gained national attention in the Darrell Brooks Waukesha parade trial, which many saw as a showcase of composure under pressure—but others called a performance.
• Let Michael Liu, a convicted domestic abuser, delay his sentence—he fled and tried to kill his in-laws.
• Her Supreme Court campaign revealed political bias, anti-LGBTQ views (criticized Lawrence v. Texas), and lack of transparency about her personal history.
• Linked to a gun range where a pregnant woman was shot, leading to further scrutiny.

Verdict: WATCHLIST (Pending)

Judge Dorow has not corrected the injustices against Julie Valadez—even after a higher court demanded it. While she’s a media darling in some circles, her pattern of leniency toward male offenders and punitive treatment of protective mothers is alarming.

---

Judge Kristine E. Drettwan

Court: Walworth County Circuit Court
Appointed by: Gov. Scott Walker (2014)
Education: University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 1993

Key Role in the Valadez Case:

• Currently presiding over the criminal case against Julie Valadez.
• Ordered a $500,000 cash bond, despite no violent crime and serious medical concerns.
• Scheduled Julie’s arraignment for July 8, while supporters report she is in deteriorating health and receiving inadequate care in jail.

Controversies:

• Former Family Court Commissioner with complaints of bias against mothers—multiple temporary rulings reportedly overturned.
• MoveOn.org petition sought her removal due to allegations of prejudging cases and ignoring evidence.
• Presided over multiple family law cases appealed due to procedural concerns or default judgments.

Verdict: WALL OF SHAME

Judge Drettwan’s decision to treat Julie like a flight-risk felon, rather than a domestic violence survivor and protective parent, is an egregious abuse of judicial discretion. Her track record and handling of this case firmly place her on the Wall of Shame.

---

The Judicial Wall of Shame

Judge	Court	Reason for Placement	Status
Michael Aprahamian	Waukesha County Circuit Court	Illegal parental rights termination, bias	On the Wall
Jennifer Dorow	Waukesha County Circuit Court	Enabling prior injustices, political ambitions	Watchlist
Kristine Drettwan	Walworth County Circuit Court	Excessive bail, criminalizing protective parent	On the Wall

---

Conclusion: When Judges Become the Problem

Julie Valadez did not cause her son to run. He ran to her—seeking safety. For that, Julie is in jail, denied medical care, and labeled a felon.

Meanwhile, the judges entrusted to uphold justice are instead using their power to punish a mother for surviving—and speaking out.

When judges fail to acknowledge domestic abuse, ignore appellate rulings, or allow politics to cloud impartiality, they are not serving the law—they are subverting it.

It’s time for legislators, oversight committees, and the public to ask:
How many more mothers have to be destroyed by the bench before we reform it?

---

#FreeJulieValadez | #JudicialWallOfShame | #ProtectSurvivors

For ongoing reporting on family court corruption and judicial misconduct, follow @MPThunderReport and @FatherAndCo.