Tingstad steps down from bench after 32-year career

BESSEMER - Andy Tingstad has seen many changes in both the court system and the community in his 32 years as District Judge for Gogebic and Ontonagon Counties.

He retired effective Thursday at noon.

Tingstad is not a native of the Upper Peninsula, although the U.P. is part of the family genealogy. He noted 2014 was the 100th anniversary of the Tingstad family leaving the Copper Country. He said that was the time of the big miners' strike in the Copper Country and the tragic Italian Hall disaster which killed 73 men, women and children.

His great grandfather demanded the family leave for Detroit where "they would be safe." But his grandfather always talked about the U.P.  and wanted to return. He instilled in young Tingstad that love for the area.

Young Anders Tingstad attended Austin Catholic Prep School, Michigan State University and received  his  law degree from  Detroit College. He was prosecuting attorney in Menominee when the late attorney, Al Briggs, of Ontonagon, recruited him to come to Bessemer.

He became prosecuting attorney in Gogebic County and in 1983 ran for and was elected district court judge.

In the early days, Tingstad said, the state court system "did not bother with the small systems, unless you did something really stupid," but with the onset of computers, there are more state reports. The staff spends more time now training and reporting. "There is a much higher level of sophistication in the system now," he added.

Tingstad helped bring the local court system into modern technology. During his tenure, a PolyCam was installed and includes an electronic recorder. Arraignments can be held  from the jail to the court, saving money on insurance and travel. Recently, it enabled Gogebic and Ontonagon County judges Janis Burgess, Joel Massie, Roy Gotham and Tingstad to meet electronically.

Both the community and types of offenses brought before the court have also changed in those 32 years.

The biggest change came with the closing of the White Pine Mine. Tingstad explained some of the higher end homes became vacant, bought by middle class residents. Each class moved up the scale, resulting in low-cost houses and younger people moving in from outside of the area. Along with some of that came the first of the making of methcathinone, known as CAT. It was very addictive, as are the derivatives that have come down the line since then.

Recently, the community and the court are seeing more cases of the sale of heroin.  The sellers are younger and often new to the area.

As a result of more alcohol and drug offenses, the court system is becoming more socially conscious on how to change the direction of the culture.

Recently, Tingstad said, he has talked with Massie, the new district judge, on working with Domestic Violence Escape to assist young women who come to the area as dancers in saloons, clubs and bars. The effort will be to try and help the women get out of the life, if they want to. "We want to see what we can do to help to get them off the drug, dancing and alcohol  scene if that is their desire," he said.

Tingstad has probably made the greatest impact on the courts with the drug and alcohol court he championed. 

Three years ago, he called the courts of Gogebic, Ontonagon, Houghton and Baraga together to urge formation of a drug and alcohol court. He obtained the money to fund the courts through a $250,000 grant.

"At first, I had doubts about the idea and wondered if it was just another big idea of the court system," he said.

Drug and alcohol court provides incentives for those arrested with alcohol and drug offenses to enter the program of strict supervision and extended oversight and reporting. "I am amazed with the result so far," he said, adding he wishes the program had photographed subjects as they entered the program. "There is a 200 percent change in the way they look and act. They are cleaner, neater, well groomed and dress better. You look in their eyes and there is someone there now," Tingstad said.

He feels drug and alcohol court is the "most powerful thing we have done."

The program will be turned over to Burgess for Gogebic and Ontonagon counties and Tingstad is pleased. "She will serve it well. She is a very good judge," he said.

Kelly Plutchak is the grant manager and the program was fortunate to obtain her services, Tingstad said. Because the court has been Tingstad's "baby," he hopes to be a part of the team for awhile in the future.

With the announcement of his retirement, Tingstad is receiving notes from lawyers formerly associated with his court. They thank Tingstad for being a mentor to young attorneys.

Tingstad said he is pleased the court is functioning at a high level. In a recent public survey, district courts in Ontonagon and Gogebic counties have a satisfaction level of more than 90 percent.  "It pleases me to know I was a part of that," he said.

As Tingstad removed the nameplate from his bench this week, he left a court that is more modernized and yet compassionate.