Serving the people of Washington County
Meet Judge Sandra Giernoth
Experience and Service
Judge Sandra Giernoth brings unmatched legal and judicial experience, a dedication to public service, and deep community roots to her service as a Judge on the Washington County Circuit Court.
She is seeking re-election and will be on the nonpartisan ballot in the spring of 2027.
16 Years as a Prosecutor and a Judge
For a decade (2010-2020), Judge Giernoth served as a prosecutor in the Washington County District Attorney’s Office, first as an Assistant District Attorney and later as Deputy District Attorney. She handled serious and complex criminal cases, including major drug crime prosecution.
Since becoming the second woman in Washington County history to serve as a Judge in 2020, she has presided over a broad range of cases including homicide, sexual assault, drug trafficking, divorce, child custody, guardianship, and wills and estates.
Safer, Stronger Communities
Judge Giernoth has also taken an active leadership role in improving the local justice system. She presides over Washington County Drug Treatment Court and serves as Chair of the Washington County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. In those roles, she works with law enforcement, prosecutors, defense attorneys, treatment providers, corrections professionals, and community organizations to strengthen collaboration, improve the effectiveness of the court system, and address issues affecting public safety.
Service to the Law
Widely respected and active in the legal community in Wisconsin, Judge Giernoth has been selected to serve in several statewide roles. She was appointed by Justice Annette Ziegler to the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation from 2020-2026. She also serves on the Digital Audio Reporting (DAR) Workgroup established by the Director of State Courts and previously served on the Director’s 2022 Making the Record Committee.
Deep Roots in Washington County
Judge Giernoth is deeply involved in the community she serves. She currently serves on the Kettle Moraine YMCA Board of Directors, both as an Executive Committee member and chair of the Program and Membership Committee. Previously, she served on the United Way of Washington County Board of Directors (2019-2025), serving as Board President in 2024-2025, and also served on the Froedtert West Bend Hospital Community Board (2019-2023). Her contributions to the community were recognized with the Kevin Steiner Emerging Leader Award (2024).
Judge Giernoth and her husband, Jeff, chose Washington County as their home over 18 years ago and are raising their two children here. She earned her undergraduate degree from Carroll College (2004) and her law degree from Marquette University Law School (2009).