Media information
Resources
Wisconsin Court System Web site
The Web site provides a variety of useful materials including case information on circuit court and appellate court cases, Supreme Court and Court of Appeals opinions from 1995 to present, and audio of Supreme Court oral arguments from 1997 to present, and live audio of Supreme Court proceedings as they are occurring. The Web site contains biographies of all current and past justices; information on the courts' many programs and initiatives; a directory of all court system staff; The Third Branch, a quarterly newsletter of the Wisconsin judiciary; and much more.
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) and Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Case Access (WSSCA)
WCCA was created in response to an increasing number of requests for court records from district attorneys, sheriffs' departments, and other court business partners. Title companies, abstractors, members of the media and the general public have also benefited from WCCA. Access WCCA at under "Case Search."
WSCCA provides public access to the status of appeals filed with the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. Generally, this site includes appeals that were considered "Open" from the end of 1993 forward.
Electronic Filing (eFiling)
The circuit court eFiling system allows attorneys and parties to electronically file new cases and documents for civil, family and small claims cases in the Wisconsin circuit courts. Each county circuit court makes an individual decision about when to offer eFiling, and the case types that can be electronically filed.
The appellate court eFiling system allows attorneys to comply with the Supreme Court rules requiring them to electronically file a copy of all appellate briefs, no-merit reports, petitions for review and responses. Self-represented litigants can file these documents electronically, but are not required to by the Supreme Court Rule. For more information, visit the services for attorney's section.
Court administrative rules hearings and open conferences
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is the only appellate court in the country that has opened both its rules hearings and its administrative conferences to the public. Notification of upcoming rules hearings (the Supreme Court adopts rules, such as the rule that governs cameras in court, in its role as administrator of the court system) and agendas for upcoming administrative conferences are available through the Court Information Officer. Call (608) 261-6640 or e-mail tom.sheehan@wicourts.gov.
Supreme Court table of pending cases
A table of all pending Supreme Court cases that includes a brief statement of the issue presented in each case and the county of origination is available via e-mail and on the court system Web site. Contact the clerk of the Supreme Court at (608) 266-1880 or clerk@wicourts.gov.
Supreme Court case synopses
A monthly synopsis of upcoming Supreme Court cases is distributed via e-mail to media outlets that have requested it. These are also available on the Web site. Contact the Court Information Officer at (608) 261-6640 or tom.sheehan@wicourts.gov.
Appellate court briefs
Briefs filed on or after July 1, 2009 are available on the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Case Access site in text-searchable format. Briefs filed from November 1992 to June 2009 are available on the University of Wisconsin Law Library site (external link) in scanned form. Additional appellate court filings are available through the Office of the Clerk of Supreme Court and Court of Appeals and the State Law Library. Contact the Clerk's Office at (608) 266-1880 or the Law Library at (608) 266-1600.
Wisconsin State Law Library Web site - http://wilawlibrary.gov
The library's Web site features an online catalog, links to government and law-related resources, and a method to request reference assistance and document delivery via e-mail. Call (608) 266-1600.
Court operating procedures
Published Supreme Court internal operating procedures that explain – among other things – the steps a case goes through from acceptance to release of the opinion are available in the State Law Library and on the court system Web site.
Wisconsin Lawyer Search
Published by the State Bar of Wisconsin, this online resource, which can be found at www.wisbar.org, has addresses and phone numbers for all lawyers licensed to practice in Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Court System Speakers' Bureau Guide
The Speakers' Bureau matches judges, clerks of circuit court, registers in probate, and other court officials at all levels of court with speaking opportunities in their communities. This guide, available on the Web site or by mail, explains the variety of topics on which speakers can present and offers information on setting up a speaker. Call the Court Information Officer at (608) 264-6256 or e-mail amanda.todd@wicourts.gov.
News Reporter's Legal Handbook
Published by the State Bar of Wisconsin, this handbook contains general information on how the courts operate, guidelines for covering proceedings in state and federal courts, a glossary of legal terms, and a reprint of Chapter 61 of the Supreme Court Rules. This booklet is free. Contact the State Bar Public Affairs Office at (608) 250-6025.
Media coordinators listing
A county-by-county list of media coordinators statewide, including telephone and fax numbers, e-mail and mailing addresses, is available free from the Court Information Office and on the court system Web site. Contact the Court Information Officer at (608) 264-6256 or amanda.todd@wicourts.gov.
Wisconsin Court System Directory
The directory contains telephone numbers, fax numbers, and addresses for all circuit court judges, Court of Appeals judges, and Supreme Court justices, as well as court administrators, clerks of court, and staff. Available only online.