Wisconsin Case Law

The Wisconsin state court system is divided into three levels. The highest court in Wisconsin is the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which consists of seven judges. The Supreme Court reviews appeals of decisions by lower courts in the state, but most of the appeals that it reviews come from the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. It has the discretion to decide whether to review an appeal. Decisions by the Wisconsin Supreme Court are final unless the U.S. Supreme Court agrees to review an appeal of a decision.

The middle level of the Wisconsin state court system is the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, which consists of 16 judges. This court is divided into four districts, which are based in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Wausau, and Madison. The Court of Appeals generally must review any appeal that is filed with it. Decisions by the Court of Appeals are final unless the Supreme Court agrees to review an appeal of a decision.

The lowest level of the Wisconsin state court system consists of the Wisconsin Circuit Courts and the Wisconsin Municipal Courts. The Circuit Courts are trial courts with general jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases. They are divided into 10 judicial administrative districts. These courts also review appeals of decisions by Municipal Courts. The jurisdiction of the Municipal Courts is limited to non-criminal traffic offenses and violations of municipal ordinances.