Knowing how to stay informed of Wisconsin federal court and local court news and trends requires you to identify just a few key websites and to get into the habit of checking them frequently for informative updates. Lawyers should know whether the judges presiding over their cases have a particular political affiliation which they believe might impact a decision. Paralegals at Wisconsin firms will need to keep track of personnel changes so they'll know who to contact when filing certain court forms.

The most accessible internet sources for staying on top of news and trends in the local Wisconsin courts are as follows:

1. Check out websites that keep you informed of personnel changes at the court houses in Wisconsin.

2. Hear what practicing attorneys and law professors have to say about doing business with the Wisconsin circuit courts.

3. Use news agencies and court websites for timely reports on judges in local Wisconsin courts.

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Find out about personnel and other changes made at the Wisconsin local courts

If you're dealing with the Wisconsin local courts on a daily basis, you'll need to stay informed of who's who. You'll also want to read the comments made by local citizens on their dealings with the local courts.

I recommend: The website for the Wisconsin Court System gives you complete contact information for key personnel at all county courts. Sign up on Flick R to make and view comments by local citizens on Wisconsin County Courthouses. View recent pictures of the county courthouses on Economic Research Service that keep you informed of structural improvements to the courts.

Monitor informative blog discussions relating to WI local courts

Lawyers, journalists and law professors are keen observers of news and trends about high court decisions that have the potential to impact how Wisconsin county judges render their decisions.

I recommend: Read updated articles on US Law.com to learn about high court decisions that judges in local Wisconsin courts will have to follow and about Wisconsin court systems. Go to Lawprofessors.typepad.com for predictions on influential Wisconsin Supreme Court decisions in products liability, employment, personal injury, corporate and medical malpractice law.

Read about current issues facing Wisconsin local courts and judges

Staying informed of Wisconsin local courts means identifying political and social issues that might impact the way the courts perform their services and the industry standards dictating the judges' roles.

I recommend: Articles on Legal News Line report on the political activities that Wisconsin state judges are allowed to engage in, such as joining parties, endorsing candidates and donating to political campaigns. Read the updates on Wisconsin Litigation Attorneys to follow the career paths of certain judges, especially when they've been appointed to influential committees. Find out how lawyers and judges practicing in Wisconsin local courts respond to decisions made by the governor and other key elected officials by reading news on the State Bar of Wisconsin. Wisconsin Court keeps you informed of the state's changing demographics that lawyers believe impact the court system as well as on new projects the courts are undertaking.

A basic knowledge of Wisconsin court systems can be beneficial if you ever find yourself in the courtroom. All too often individuals and businesses find the need to file a lawsuit, or are at the receiving end of a lawsuit, and their lack of knowledge on how the Wisconsin local courts system works leaves them lost in the proceedings. Regardless of the circumstances that put you there, it helps to understand the court process.

It’s important to know that there are multiple courts in each state that handle different types of cases. Each of these courts has a judge that administer the law and case process. When considering WI local courts, keep the following in mind:

1. The Wisconsin local courts structure has four tiers: municipal courts, circuit courts, the Court of Appeals and the State Supreme Court.

2. Every county has a WI circuit court.

3. Factors, such as where the parties reside and the type of case, determine jurisdiction for local courts in Wisconsin.

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Locate circuit court houses in Wisconsin

Wisconsin circuit courts have various divisions for different case styles. Typically, most circuit courts maintain a circuit division, associate division, family division, probate division, small claims division and criminal division. Judges in the circuit and associate division may hear any type of case. The Wisconsin small claims court deals with civil lawsuits, but only in cases where the amount sought is under $5,000. The probate division handles estates, wills and conservatorships. The family and criminal divisions handle cases as their titles indicate.

I recommend: Search the database of circuit court records on Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA). The Wisconsin Court System also provides a list of links to circuit court websites in each county, such as Buffalo County.

Resolve a traffic violation in your Wisconsin local municipal court

Wisconsin maintains at least 252 municipal courts. Cities, villages and towns establish municipal courts for their area. These courts maintain exclusive jurisdiction for cases involving local ordinance violations. Most individuals deal with municipal courts regarding traffic violations. They also handle many juvenile matters, such as underage drinking and curfew violations. The circuit courts hear appeals filed on municipal court decisions.

I recommend: A few of the 252 municipal courts maintain a website, which you can access through the Wisconsin Court System. Some of these courts, such as the City of Green Bay Municipal Court, provide an option for you to pay fines online and avoid a court appearance.

File an appeal with the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals

The Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals hear only appellate cases. The purpose of an appellate court is to review the trial transcript and original evidence of a case to determine if there were any errors in the original case decision. There are no witnesses, jurors or new evidence in a case heard before the Wisconsin appellate courts and the justices' decisions are final. Appeals filed on circuit court decisions first go to the Court of Appeals and may later transfer to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has exclusive jurisdiction on appeals filed on Court of Appeals decisions.

I recommend: Criteria in the Wisconsin Statutes, provided by Wisconsin Legislature, determine what cases the Supreme Court hears. Obtain information on the 16 Court of Appeals judges on the Wisconsin Court System website.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Regardless of how much knowledge you have of local courts in Wisconsin, you should hire an attorney who specializes in your specific type of case to represent you.

Court houses in Wisconsin are hierarchical in nature with each court possessing various functions and responsibilities. The Wisconsin Supreme Court is the highest court in Wisconsin and may serve as an appeals court for cases held in lower courts. Next is the Court of Appeals, which, serves as an appeal court for cases previously heard in lower courts. The Wisconsin Court of Appeals covers four geographical districts in Wisconsin and is lead by a Chief Judge appointed by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The Wisconsin Circuit Courts serve as the trial courts for the state presiding over criminal and civil cases. The municipal or local Wisconsin courts preside over minor cases, such as traffic offenses, truancy, drug offenses and ordinance violations.

Online research can provide information pertaining to Wisconsin local courts laws and regulations such as:

1. Local rules and trial court administration for Wisconsin Circuit Courts

2. Mandatory filing of court documents via the Electronic Case Files (ECF) system

3. WI local courts laws and regulations regarding Local rules pertaining to Wisconsin District Courts

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Research WI Circuit Court local rules and trial court administration

The Wisconsin Circuit Courts have local rules pertaining to decorum as well as general and procedural rules pertaining to testimony, exhibits and continuances, media coverage and filing of court documents.

I recommend: The State Bar of Wisconsin provides links to counties that one may select to obtain local rules for jurisdictions. The Wisconsin Circuit Court rules of practice and trial court administration are available on the Wisconsin Legislature website.

File Wisconsin District Court cases online using the Electronic Case Files (ECF) system

The US District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin mandated in January 2008 that individuals filing documents for new and pending civil and criminal cases use the Electronic Case Files (ECF) system. The ECF system offers several advantages, such as the ability for attorneys to file documents 24 hours a day, the ability to view documents filed with the court via the Internet, email notification when activity occurs on a case of interest and financial savings in paper, and postage costs. Training and information on necessary hardware and software requirements is available for those who utilize the ECF system.

I recommend: Review the Wisconsin District Court’s mandate regarding the use of the ECF system and review available training resources.

Review Wisconsin local courts laws and regulations for local rules pertaining to District Courts

Wisconsin Federal District Court consists of the Western and Eastern Districts, each of which possesses local rules. The U.S. District Court Western District has local rules pertaining to admission of lawyers, duties and responsibilities of United States magistrate judges, alternative dispute resolutions and contacting jurors. The U.S. District Court Eastern District has local rules pertaining to assignment of cases, filing of papers, discovery and trial, pleadings and motions, judgments, grand juries, sentencing and misdemeanors and other offenses.

I recommend: Familiarize yourself in regards to the Wisconsin District Court local rules by referencing the Western and Eastern District Court websites.

Gaining knowledge about Wisconsin local courts key terms can help you to better navigate the state’s court system. Each of the Wisconsin's four court levels – circuit courts, municipal courts, Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court – have specific jurisdictions over which they are permitted to reside.

The Supreme Court is the highest court of Wisconsin with the other courts possessing varying levels of local authority. Familiarizing yourself with Wisconsin local courts key terms will help you learn more about how the court system is divided and the powers afforded to the various court levels by the Wisconsin Constitution.

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Municipal court

Municipal courts are primarily responsible for ruling on traffic, juvenile and various other ordinance matters. There are 252 municipal courts in Wisconsin. Municipal courts exclusively reside over ordinance violations.

I recommend: Learn more about this court by visiting Online Searches.

Circuit court

The Wisconsin circuit courts are trial courts. There are 246 circuit court judges in Wisconsin. Circuit courts have authority to rule on criminal and civil violations committed in the state.

I recommend: Find out more about Wisconsin Circuit courts at the National Center for State Courts.

Court of Appeals

The Wisconsin Court of Appeals has 16 judges from four different districts. Judges are elected in statewide, non-partisan elections to serve six-year terms. The primary function of the Court of Appeals is to rule on decision errors that occurred in circuit courts.

I recommend: Read more about the Wisconsin Court of Appeals by visiting Legal Explorer.

Supreme Court

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has seven justices elected in statewide, non-partisan elections to serve 10-year terms. Under the Wisconsin Constitution, justices are only permitted to run one term. The primary function of the Supreme Court is to ensure fair resolution of disputes, lead the state's entire court system and regulate the state's legal profession.

I recommend: Find out more about this court by visiting the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Chief Judge

The state's chief judge has authority over the entire court system. Wisconsin chief judges can serve up to three two-year terms.

I recommend: Read more about the chief judge as well as other Wisconsin court terms at the State Bar of Wisconsin.

Judgment and lien docket

Dockets contain specific court proceeding details concerning judgments and liens. Judgment and lien dockets are records maintained on paper or electronically in each county.

I recommend: Learn more about Wisconsin judgment and lien dockets at the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access site.