Download the fact sheet as a PDF
Wisconsin Circuit Court Fact Sheet
What is the Wisconsin Circuit Court?
- The Wisconsin Circuit Courts are the main trial courts for civil and criminal cases in the Wisconsin court system
- The circuit courts hear cases first in almost all civil and criminal manners in the state
- They also hear cases appealed from Municipal Courts and from administrative hearings
- Both state and county governments fund circuit courts
What do I need to know about circuit court judges?
- There are 257 circuit court judges in Wisconsin
- At least one circuit court judge serves in each of the state's 72 counties
- Voters elect judges in nonpartisan elections to serve six-year terms
Circuit court rulings impact many people in Wisconsin. Their rulings decide:
- Family law disputes
- Civil rights
- Disability rights including guardianship and civil commitments
- Voting rights
- Labor rights
- Public safety
Further reading: https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/circuit/index.htm
How do you decide who to vote for?
1. Decide what you are looking for in a candidate.
- What issues are important to you?
- What qualities do you want in a leader?
- Which candidate’s judicial philosophies align with your values?
2. Learn about the candidates.
- Visit their websites, watch candidate forums and interviews, go to VOTE411.org, seek other nonpartisan sources for information.
- What are their qualifications?
- What are their judicial philosophies?
- What are their judicial records?
3. Sort it out.
- Which candidate’s judicial philosophies and views on the role of a Supreme Court Justice best match your own views?
- Who seems most prepared for the job?
- Who has the leadership qualities you are looking for?
