Wisconsin Circuit Court

Circuit courts are the general trial courts in the state of Wisconsin. There are currently 69 circuit courts in the state, divided into 10 judicial administrative districts. Circuit court judges hear and decide both civil and criminal cases. Each of the 249 circuit court judges are elected and serve six-year terms.

The circuit court system is composed of 69 circuits, with 66 circuits serving a single county, and three circuits serving two counties each.Buffalo and Pepin counties share a circuit, as do Florence and Forest counties, and Shawano and Menominee counties. 26 circuit courts are served by a single judge. For those circuits with more than one judge, each is elected to a particular seat, or "branch" within the court. The Milwaukee County Circuit Court has the greatest number of branches with 47.

The circuit courts are organized into 10 geographical administrative districts. Within each district the Wisconsin Supreme Court will appoint a chief judge, a deputy chief judge, and a professional district court administrator. With the exception of Milwaukee County, chief judges and their deputies continue to hear cases while serving. Chief judges assign judges to hear only a specific type of case (e.g. civil, criminal, juvenile), equalize the flow of cases, establish court policies and rules, and supervise the finances of the courts they administer. They also work closely with county boards on security, facility, and staffing issues. The chief judges and district court administration meet regularly with the director of state courts to discuss current issues and to advise the Supreme court and the director on matters of statewide concern.

The Wisconsin circuit courts have original jurisdiction to hear all civil and criminal matters within the state. The court's jurisdiction is conferred by Article VII, Section 8 of the Wisconsin Constitution and is quite broad. Since the court's subject matter jurisdiction is constitutional rather than statutory, the Wisconsin Legislature cannot limit it by statute. By comparison, the United States Congress is empowered to limit the subject matter jurisdiction of federal District Courts if it so chooses.

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