Judge Carmaine M. Sturino

Appointed/Elected:

Appointed by Governor Mark Dayton on Sept. 17, 2015. Elected in 2016.

Education:

• B.A., University of Wisconsin – La Crosse (1994)
• J.D., Drake University Law School (IA 2001)
• Certificate of Legislative Practice, Drake Law School (IA 2001)
• Completion of ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ (2019)
• Ongoing Continuing Judicial Education

Prior Employment:

• Law Clerk for the Honorable James A. Fabian, Houston County, MN
• Assistant Winona County Attorney
• Assistant Public Defender, Third Judicial District
• Price, McCluer & Plachecki Law Firm
• Solo Practitioner, Third Judicial District
• Conciliation Court Referee, Winona County (Volunteer)
• Bar Association Secretary, Winona County (Volunteer)
• Former Adjunct Professor
  • Winona State University, Child Protection
  • St. Mary’s University, Law Enforcement
  • University of Wisconsin La Crosse, State and Local Government

Professional and Community Activities:

• Judicial Outreach to local high schools (Annual)
• Minnesota District Judges Association (MDJA) Board Member (2017 - Present)
• Annual Winter Conference Planning Committee (2017)
• MDJA Pensions & Benefits Committee Member (2018 – Present)
• MDJA Elections Committee Chair (2019 – Present)
• Statewide Juvenile Weighted Caseload Workgroup 2019
• Statewide One Judge County Initiative, Lead (2020 – Present)
• Annual Winter Conference Bridging the Gap Presenter, “Affinity Groups” (2022)
• Minnesota District Judges Foundation (MDJF) Judicial Wellness & Resources Co-Chair (2022-2024)
• Third Judicial District Pandemic Backlog Planning Team (2023)
• Joint Effort of the MDJA and MDJ for Judges, Lead, ‘Wellness Guide’ (2023)
• MDJF Fall Conference Presenter, “Moving Wishes into Change” (2023)
• Statewide Children’s Justice Initiative (CJI) Advisory Subcommittee Member on “Mental Health” (2024)
• Prison Mentorship for Sustainable Release Co-Chair (2023 – Present)
• Winona County Treatment Court Judge (2024 – Present)
• Statewide CJI Advisory Subcommittee Member on “Babies Can’t Wait” (2025)

Hobbies and Interests:

• YMCA participant
• 5K Enthusiast
• Photography
• Hobby Farming
• Fishing