Headlines

Headlines from the current year are available below. For headlines released prior to 2016 check the archives (2007- 2015).

For more information contact Tom Sheehan, Court Information Officer, Director of State Courts' Office.

09/29/16 State's collaborative approach to improving justice system gains national support
Wisconsin's collaborative approach to improving the effectiveness of the criminal justice system through evidence-based strategies is being rewarded with continued support from the National Institute of Corrections (NIC). Read more.
09/12/16 Justice on Wheels brings Supreme Court to Bayfield County
The Wisconsin Supreme Court will head north to hear oral argument at the Bayfield County Courthouse on Oct. 26 as part of its Justice on Wheels outreach program. Read more.
09/12/16 Judge VanDeHey appointed chief judge of the Seventh Judicial Administrative District
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has appointed Deputy Chief Judge Robert P. VanDeHey, Grant County Circuit Court, chief judge of the Seventh Judicial Administrative District. VanDeHey, who replaces outgoing Chief Judge James J. Duvall, has served as deputy chief judge of the Seventh Judicial Administrative District since 2013. The district encompasses Buffalo, Crawford, Grant, Iowa, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Pepin, Pierce, Richland, Trempealeau, and Vernon counties. Read more.
09/07/16 Court interpreter training planned for Madison
The Director of State Courts Office is accepting applications for interpreter training to be held in Madison on Saturday, Oct. 1 and Sunday, Oct. 2 at the Pyle Center on the UW-Madison campus. Read more.
09/01/16 Judge's good work makes for good news
Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Christopher R. Foley has presided over many adoptions over the years, and his efforts to unite children in need with good families have made headlines before. But coverage of one of his most recent cases hit the front page of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and national television news on ABC’s Good Morning America. Read more.
08/10/16 Justice Daniel Kelly joins the Wisconsin Supreme Court
Justice Daniel Kelly was sworn in as a Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court during a ceremony in the Supreme Court Hearing Room at the State Capitol Wednesday, Aug. 10. Chief Justice Patience Drake Roggensack administered the Oath of Office at a ceremony attended by Kelly's family and each of his fellow justices. More information about Justice Kelly can be found here. Read more.
07/19/16 Wisconsin Supreme Court accepts one new case
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept one new case. The case number, issues, and county of origin of the granted case are listed below. A hyperlink to the Court of Appeals' decision is provided. The synopsis provided is not a complete analysis of the issues presented. More information about any case before the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals can be found on the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Access website. Read more.
07/13/16 St. Croix County Circuit Court judge selected to head Committee of Chief Judges
Chief Judge Scott R. Needham, St. Croix County Circuit Court, has been selected by fellow chief judges from across the state to chair the Committee of Chief Judges, effective Aug. 1. Read more.
07/07/16 New Supreme Court Rules on protection of information in circuit court records
Beginning July 1, 2016, three new court rules apply to documents filed with Wisconsin circuit courts. These rules establish procedures for submission of confidential information, and sealing and redaction of court records. Read more.
07/01/16 New court eFiling rule takes effect statewide today
A new Supreme Court rule governing the filing of all electronic documents and cases in Wisconsin circuit courts takes effect today, July 1. Read more.
06/30/16 Wisconsin Supreme Court accepts seven new cases
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept seven new cases and acted to deny review in a number of other cases. The case numbers, issues, and counties of origin of granted cases are listed below. Hyperlinks to Court of Appeals’ decisions are provided where available. The synopses provided are not complete analyses of the issues presented. More information about any particular case before the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals can be found on the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Access website. Read more.
06/13/16 Judges from Marathon, Marinette counties appointed to chief judge positions
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has appointed circuit court judges from Marathon and Marinette counties chief judges of their respective judicial administrative districts in northeastern Wisconsin. Read more.
06/13/16 Open rules conference
The Supreme Court June 21, 2016 open rules conference agenda is now available. More detailed information about pending rules petitions and about the rule-making process is also available. Read more.
06/02/16 Mandatory eFiling pilot program launched in Dodge County
On June 1 the Wisconsin court system and Dodge County Circuit Court launched a pilot program that requires lawyers to electronically file court documents for civil, family, small claims, and paternity cases. Read more.
05/26/16 Wisconsin Supreme Court accepts one new case
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept one new case and acted to deny review in a number of other cases. The case number, county of origin, and issues involved in the granted case are listed below. The synopsis provided is not a complete analysis of the issues presented. More information about any particular case before the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals can be found on the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Access website. Read more.
05/24/16 Court interpreter training planned for Wisconsin Rapids
The Director of State Courts Office is accepting applications for a two-day interpreter training session to be held in Wisconsin Rapids on Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19 at the Hotel Mead Conference Center. Read more.
05/03/16 Open rules conference
The Supreme Court May 12, 2016 open rules conference agenda is now available. More detailed information about pending rules petitions and about the rule-making process is also available. Read more.
05/02/16 Wisconsin Supreme Court accepts 12 new cases
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept 12 new cases and acted to deny review in a number of other cases. The case numbers, issues, and counties of origin of granted cases are listed below. Hyperlinks to Court of Appeals' decisions are also provided where available. The synopses provided are not complete analyses of the issues presented. More information about any particular case before the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals can be found on the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Access website. Read more.
04/27/16 Justice David T. Prosser, Jr. to retire from Supreme Court July 31
Justice David T. Prosser, Jr. today announced that he will retire from the Wisconsin Supreme Court on July 31, after nearly 18 years on the Court and four decades in public service to the state. Read more.
04/13/16 Milwaukee County awarded $2 million MacArthur Foundation grant
The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation today announced that Milwaukee County will receive a $2 million grant during the next two years to help reduce jail populations and address racial and ethnic disparities in the criminal justice system. Read more.
04/08/16 Report outlines performance measures to ensure drug courts are effective
The National Center for State Courts (NCSC) has developed a comprehensive report establishing 17 areas of measurement that will help ensure drug treatment courts in Wisconsin are performing effectively and efficiently. Read more.
04/05/16 Open rules conference
The Supreme Court April 13, 2016 open rules conference agenda is now available. More detailed information about pending rules petitions and about the rule-making process is also available. Read more.
03/31/16 College, high school students experience Supreme Court through "Court with Class"
Students and teachers from Union Grove High School and Ripon College Pre-Law Society will visit the Supreme Court in Madison on April 5, and students and teachers from Edgewood High School and Lake Shore Technical College will visit on April 7, as part of the award-winning Court with Class educational program. Read more.
03/18/16 Supreme Court approves mandatory eFiling rule
The Wisconsin Supreme Court, on March 17, gave final approval to a rule that will result in the implementation of mandatory electronic filing (eFiling) statewide for all case types during the next several years. Read more.
03/16/16 New E-Learning session available on CHIPS-related issues
A new learning module has been added to the Children's Court Improvement Program E-Learning Project website.The Child Safety Decision-Making learning activity is now available, providing judges and court commissioners with a useful framework for making decisions related to removal and placement in child in need of protection or services (CHIPS) proceedings. Read more.
03/15/16 Open rules conference
The Supreme Court March 17, 2016 open rules conference agenda is now available. More detailed information about pending rules petitions and about the rule-making process is also available. Read more.
03/14/16 Students experience Supreme Court through "Court with Class"
Students and teachers from Two Rivers High School and Monticello High School will visit the Supreme Court in Madison on March 14, and students and teachers from Loyal High School will visit on March 16, as part of the award-winning Court with Class educational program. Read more.
03/10/16 Court interpreter training planned for Milwaukee
The Director of State Courts Office is accepting applications for interpreter training to be held in Milwaukee on Saturday, April 2 and Sunday, April 3 at UW-Milwaukee. Read more.
03/04/16 Wisconsin Supreme Court accepts eight new cases
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept eight new cases and acted to deny review in a number of other cases. The case numbers, issues, and counties of origin of granted cases are listed below. Hyperlinks to Court of Appeals' decisions are also provided where available. The synopses provided are not complete analyses of the issues presented. More information about any particular case before the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals can be found on the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Access website. Read more.
02/24/16 Supreme Court votes unanimously in support of mandatory eFiling rule
The Wisconsin Supreme Court voted unanimously in favor of a rule that will begin the process of transitioning Wisconsin’s circuit courts from a largely paper-based record-keeping system to an electronic filing (eFiling) system. Read more.
02/17/16 Lake Mills, Madison East students to attend Supreme Court oral argument
Students and teachers from Lake Mills High School and Madison East High School will visit the Supreme Court in Madison on Feb. 24 as part of the award-winning Court with Class educational program. Read more.
02/15/16 Open rules conference
The Supreme Court February 23, 2016 open rules conference agenda is now available. More detailed information about pending rules petitions and about the rule-making process is also available. Read more.
02/05/16 Supreme Court seeks legislative study on access to civil legal services
The Justices of the Wisconsin Supreme Court have unanimously asked the co-chairs of the Wisconsin Joint Legislative Council to create a committee to study how to improve access to civil legal services for people who cannot afford a lawyer. Read more.
02/02/16 Students experience Supreme Court through 'Court with Class'
Students and teachers from Germantown High School and Stockbridge High School will visit the Supreme Court in Madison on Feb. 4 as part of the award-winning Court with Class educational program. Read more.
01/26/16 Formal swearing-in ceremony held for Justice Rebecca G. Bradley
Justice Rebecca G. Bradley will be formally sworn in as a justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court during a ceremony scheduled for 3 p.m. today in the Assembly Chamber on the second floor of the State Capitol's West Wing. Read more.
01/21/16 Wisconsin Supreme Court accepts 12 new cases
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has voted to accept 12 new cases and acted to deny review in a number of other cases. The case numbers, issues, and counties of origin of granted cases are listed below. Hyperlinks to Court of Appeals' decisions are also provided where available. The synopses provided are not complete analyses of the issues presented. More information about any particular case before the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals can be found on the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Access website. Read more.
01/13/16 Open rules conference
The Supreme Court January 22, 2016 open rules conference agenda is now available. More detailed information about pending rules petitions and about the rule-making process is also available. Read more.