Forest County Jail Criminal Court Process
Criminal Court Process for Forest County Wisconsin
Every state criminal case in Forest County is heard in Crandon, the county seat and the county's only city, at the courthouse on East Madison Street. The Forest County Circuit Court is a one-judge court, and that judge also serves Florence County: the two counties form a single combined circuit, and the judge travels between Crandon and Florence. The only municipal court on record here, a joint court for Laona, Wabeno and Townsend, reported no cases in 2024, so ordinance citations in practice are filed in the circuit court too. Prosecutions are handled by the elected Forest County District Attorney, and arrested adults are held at the Forest County Jail, operated by the Sheriff near the courthouse.
- Forest County Circuit Court (one judge, shared with Florence County), Forest County Courthouse, 200 E. Madison Street, Crandon, WI 54520; Clerk of Circuit Court (715) 478-3323
- Forest County District Attorney, 200 E. Madison Street, Crandon, WI 54520, (715) 478-3105
- Forest County Sheriff's Office, 100 S. Park Avenue, Crandon, WI 54520, (715) 478-3331
- Forest County Jail, 100 S. Park Avenue, Crandon, WI 54520, through the Sheriff's Office at (715) 478-3331
- Wisconsin State Public Defender, Rhinelander office (covers Forest, Florence, Oneida and Vilas counties), Suite 1, 158 South Anderson Street, Rhinelander 54501, (715) 750-2170
- Forest County Human Services Department (youth justice and juvenile intake), 200 E. Madison Street, Crandon, WI 54520, (715) 478-3351
Which court hears your case. Because Forest County's lone joint municipal court (Laona, Wabeno and Townsend) logged no filings in 2024, ordinance violations in practice go to the Forest County Circuit Court, and so does a first-offense OWI; the state classifies a first OWI as a civil forfeiture, and it is criminal only if someone under 16 was a passenger. The same courtroom handles misdemeanors, criminal traffic charges like a second OWI, and every stage of a felony: first appearance, preliminary hearing, arraignment, and plea or trial. On the Forest County Potawatomi and Sokaogon Chippewa (Mole Lake) lands, the state circuit court generally has criminal jurisdiction as well, while the tribal courts handle their own codes.
Where pretrial inmates are held. The Sheriff's jail on South Park Avenue in Crandon receives adults arrested by deputies, Crandon police, tribal officers and the State Patrol. Someone who is not released after booking remains there until the court's conditions are satisfied or someone posts the cash bail; the Sheriff's Office at (715) 478-3331 can confirm custody.
- Local courts in Forest County (circuit court and municipal courts)
- Misdemeanor (for example, theft, battery, disorderly conduct, a second OWI)
- Felony (for example, burglary, felony theft, drug possession with intent to deliver, substantial battery)
- Violent felony (for example, homicide, sexual assault, armed robbery)
- Juveniles (under 17) arrested in Forest County
- Federal cases (U.S. District Court) from Forest County
Local courts in Forest County (circuit court and municipal courts)
The City of Crandon and towns such as Argonne, Hiles, Nashville and Armstrong Creek do not operate a municipal court. The state's 2024 municipal caseload figures do show a joint court shared by the Towns of Laona and Wabeno with the Oconto County Town of Townsend, but it recorded no filings that year; check any ticket from Laona or Wabeno for the court it names. In practice, the circuit court in Crandon takes nearly every case, from a county ordinance ticket to a homicide. In counties that do have municipal courts, those courts decide ordinance forfeitures only, cannot jail anyone except for failing to pay, and in some situations a defendant can have the case moved to circuit court.
One judge for two counties
Forest and Florence counties share a single circuit judge elected by the voters of both. Court is held in Crandon on some days and in Florence on others, so Forest County hearings are clustered on the Crandon calendar. Between those days, a court commissioner may handle certain first appearances and release questions, often by video from the jail.
Courts and offices
- Forest County Circuit Court, 200 E. Madison Street, Crandon, WI 54520. Clerk of Circuit Court (715) 478-3323.
- Forest County District Attorney, 200 E. Madison Street, Crandon, WI 54520, (715) 478-3105
- State Public Defender, Rhinelander office, Suite 1, 158 South Anderson Street, Rhinelander 54501, (715) 750-2170
- Forest County Sheriff's Office, 100 S. Park Avenue, Crandon, WI 54520, (715) 478-3331, which patrols the towns and runs the Forest County Jail
- Crandon Police Department, the county's only city police department; outside Crandon the Sheriff, tribal police and the State Patrol respond
- Forest County Human Services Department, 200 E. Madison Street, Crandon, WI 54520, youth justice (715) 478-3351
Tribal courts
- Sokaogon Chippewa Community Tribal Court (Mole Lake), 3051 Sand Lake Road, Crandon, WI 54520, (715) 478-7608
- Forest County Potawatomi Community tribal court, reached through the tribal government in Crandon, (715) 478-7200
Tribal courts apply tribal law and do not replace a state criminal case. Release on a state charge, including posting cash bail, is handled at the jail or through the Clerk of Circuit Court's office.
Misdemeanor (for example, theft, battery, disorderly conduct, a second OWI)
Typical Forest County misdemeanors include OWI on Highways 8, 32 and 55, fights and domestic disturbances, theft from stores in Crandon or from hunting camps, and violations of release conditions in pending cases.
Booking and getting out
Whether the arrest happens in Laona, Wabeno or downtown Crandon, booking takes place at the Forest County Jail. Many misdemeanor arrestees are released on a signature bond (a promise to come back, sometimes with a set amount owed for missing court) or with a citation. Those held appear before the judge or a court commissioner, normally within 48 hours and often over video, for the setting of conditions such as no alcohol or no contact. Wisconsin does not permit commercial bonding companies, so a family member or the defendant posts any cash directly. After a domestic abuse arrest, state law imposes a 72-hour no-contact period with the alleged victim upon release, which only the victim's written waiver can lift.
Public defender
Forest County cases are covered by the State Public Defender's Rhinelander office, (715) 750-2170. Applications are taken at the jail or by the office, which uses a strict financial standard; the court may appoint an attorney at county expense for someone who falls outside that standard but still cannot afford to hire one.
Misdemeanor penalties a Forest County defendant may face
- Battery, or theft of property valued at no more than $2,500: Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to 9 months in jail and up to a $10,000 fine.
- Disorderly conduct: Class B, up to 90 days and up to $1,000, frequently with a domestic abuse modifier.
- Second OWI within 10 years: a crime; the court must order 5 days to 6 months in jail and also imposes a fine, license revocation, an alcohol and drug assessment, and an interlock device. Required jail grows for a third offense; by the fourth, the charge is generally a felony.
- Class C: up to 30 days and up to $500.
Cases can end in dismissal, deferred prosecution, a reduction to a civil forfeiture, fines, probation or jail with possible Huber release for work. A six-person jury hears misdemeanor trials. Since the judge splits time between two counties, two to six months is a fair estimate for a case to close.
Felony (for example, burglary, felony theft, drug possession with intent to deliver, substantial battery)
Methamphetamine and opioid distribution, cabin and camp burglaries in the national forest, and serious batteries are the most common felony matters in Forest County.
The steps
- Criminal complaint and initial appearance. The Forest County District Attorney files the complaint, and the judge or commissioner sets release terms, with cash bail or a signature bond. Defendants who stay in the Forest County Jail are brought to the courthouse or appear on video.
- Preliminary hearing. The court must find probable cause that a felony occurred. The deadline is 10 days for a defendant held because the release amount has not been posted, or 20 days for others. Many defendants waive it.
- Information and arraignment. Following bindover, the Forest County DA files the information, and the defendant is arraigned and enters a plea.
- Resolution. Most cases settle by plea. A felony trial uses 12 jurors who must be unanimous, and a defendant who demands a speedy trial is generally entitled to one within 90 days.
Penalties for these felonies
- Burglary: Class F, punishable in a Forest County case by up to 12.5 years in prison.
- Felony theft: Class I ($2,500.01 to $5,000; 3.5 years), Class H ($5,000.01 to $10,000; 6 years), Class G (above $10,000; 10 years).
- Possession with intent to deliver: Wisconsin sets the class by substance and weight, so a defendant caught with a large quantity of meth, heroin or fentanyl can face a Class C felony.
- Substantial battery: Class I (3.5 years). Aggravated battery: Class H (6 years), or Class E (15 years) if the person meant to cause great bodily harm.
Prison sentences consist of initial confinement and extended supervision under truth in sentencing; parole ended for crimes after 1999. A judge may declare a defendant eligible for one of two programs that can shorten confinement, Challenge Incarceration and the Substance Abuse Program. Jail terms of a year or less are served in Crandon, and longer ones with the Department of Corrections. The Rhinelander public defender office, (715) 750-2170, appoints counsel for eligible defendants. Expect six to twelve months.
Violent felony (for example, homicide, sexual assault, armed robbery)
Forest County sees only a handful of homicide, sexual assault and armed robbery cases. Investigations often involve the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation and, on tribal land, tribal police, and defendants are commonly held in the Forest County Jail until trial or plea.
Release
Cash bail in these cases is typically high, with strict no-contact orders. Wisconsin voters approved a constitutional change in 2023 allowing a judge setting release terms in a violent-crime case to consider the risk that the accused would cause serious harm.
Sentencing ranges
- First-degree intentional homicide: Class A; the only sentence is life, though the judge chooses whether the defendant may someday seek extended supervision and, if so, when.
- Second-degree intentional homicide and first-degree reckless homicide: both Class B felonies with a ceiling of 60 years in prison.
- First-degree sexual assault: Class B (up to 60 years), and certain crimes against children require a mandatory minimum.
- Armed robbery: as a Class C felony, punishable in Crandon's circuit court by up to 40 years; plain robbery is a Class E felony with a 15-year cap.
The state abolished the death penalty in 1853. Expert evidence and pretrial litigation usually stretch these cases to a year or two, and the court may take extra care to seat an impartial jury in a small community. Marsy's Law guarantees victims notice and a chance to speak; the District Attorney's office at (715) 478-3105 can connect them with victim services. Accused people who cannot pay are represented through the State Public Defender.
Juveniles (under 17) arrested in Forest County
In Wisconsin, adult criminal court handles anyone 17 or older. A child aged 10 to 16 who is accused of a crime goes before the circuit judge sitting as Forest County's juvenile court in Crandon, in confidential hearings.
Youth justice intake
Referrals go to the youth justice staff at the Forest County Human Services Department, 200 E. Madison Street, (715) 478-3351. Intake decides whether a youth goes home, to relatives or a shelter, or into secure detention, and whether the case closes, proceeds under a deferred prosecution agreement, or is referred so the District Attorney can file a delinquency petition. Tribal youth may also be connected with services through their tribe.
If the youth is held
Forest County has no secure juvenile facility. A child who must be locked up is transported to a center that takes the county's placements, commonly one such as the Marathon County Juvenile Detention Center in Wausau. A custody hearing is generally required within 24 hours after the intake decision to hold the child, excluding weekends and legal holidays. All children in delinquency proceedings may have a public defender regardless of family finances; the Rhinelander office can be reached at (715) 750-2170.
What can happen
- Dismissal, deferred prosecution, or a consent decree.
- A delinquency adjudication with in-home supervision and conditions like restitution, counseling or community service.
- Placement away from home, such as foster care, a group home or a Type 2 placement the county oversees.
- Serious, repeated delinquency can lead to a Type 1 commitment at Lincoln Hills School or Copper Lake School near Irma, or to the Serious Juvenile Offender program.
Adult prosecution of youths
A youth 14 or older, and in limited situations a younger child, may be waived into adult court on the District Attorney's petition. A few charges begin in adult court automatically when the accused child is 10 or older: first-degree intentional homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide, first-degree reckless homicide, and felony murder. Certain youths with a prior delinquency adjudication who are charged with specified new crimes also start in adult court. Juvenile court files generally remain confidential.
Federal cases (U.S. District Court) from Forest County
Forest County is part of the Eastern District of Wisconsin, and its federal cases are assigned to the Green Bay Division. Hearings are held in Green Bay, about two hours by car from Crandon.
- Federal clerk's office for the Green Bay Division: call (920) 884-3720 or visit Suite 102 at 125 S. Jefferson Street
- Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney: call (920) 884-1066; the Green Bay office is Suite 301 at 205 Doty Street
- Defense for those who cannot pay: Federal Defender Services of Wisconsin, (920) 430-9900, at 801 E. Walnut Street in Green Bay, or an appointed private attorney from the CJA panel
- Federal pretrial supervision: call (920) 884-7780; offices in Room 301 of the courthouse building
What brings a Forest County case to federal court
Around Laona, Wabeno and Argonne, much of the land belongs to the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. Crimes committed on that land may be charged federally, although state prosecution is also possible. Federal prosecutors also pursue drug trafficking, firearm possession by prohibited people, bank robbery, child exploitation and fraud.
The county includes the lands of the Forest County Potawatomi Community and the Sokaogon Chippewa Community at Mole Lake. Under Public Law 280, Wisconsin's state courts, not the federal court, generally have criminal jurisdiction on these reservations, so most offenses there are prosecuted in the Forest County Circuit Court, with tribal courts also active. This differs from the Menominee Reservation to the southeast, where serious crimes involving tribal members are federal cases. Federal charges can still apply on tribal land for federal crimes such as gun or drug trafficking offenses.
The federal case
Federal defendants from Crandon and the surrounding towns first see a U.S. magistrate judge in Green Bay, who will appoint a lawyer for anyone who qualifies. Instead of Wisconsin's cash bail, the Bail Reform Act governs: release on conditions with Pretrial Services supervision, or detention after a hearing that usually takes place within three court days. A complaint-based case needs a grand jury indictment within 30 days, after which the Speedy Trial Act's 70-day deadline for trial begins to run, subject to frequent exclusions of time. Federal juries number 12 and must be unanimous, though pleas resolve most cases.
The court sentences only after reviewing a presentence report and calculating the advisory Guidelines range, and it must respect any mandatory minimum. Parole is not part of federal sentencing; with good-time credit, inmates typically remain in the Bureau of Prisons for about 85 percent of the sentence, then serve supervised release. Appeals are decided by the Seventh Circuit, based in Chicago. Federal juvenile prosecutions are uncommon.
Searching for a federal prisoner
The Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator lets families search for a federal prisoner using a name or register number. Federal defendants waiting for trial are sometimes housed in a county jail through a Marshals Service agreement, and in that case the jail's own roster may show them as well.
This page is general information about criminal cases in Forest County, Wisconsin, and is not legal advice; the shared Forest-Florence court calendar and jail practices can change. For advice on a particular charge, consult a Wisconsin criminal defense lawyer. To be screened for a public defender, tell jail staff or phone the SPD's Rhinelander trial office at (715) 750-2170; the Forest County Sheriff's Office, (715) 478-3331, answers questions about who is in custody.
Criminal Court Process for Forest County Wisconsin
Forest County Wisconsin Criminal Court System – Definitions
It might be helpful to define some words that will be used on this site, when explaining the Wisconsin Court System and how it works. The definitions on this site are for general information and not legal advice. It is always preferred to follow information given by your attorney or local authorities.
If you scroll down below this content, and the listing of the courts in Forest County, you will find a simple flowchart diagram and a video that will help you visualize the stages of the Criminal Court Process.
Arrest is when Wisconsin, Forest County or local police take a person into custody and start the legal process. The arrested person may or may not be immediately jailed.
In less serious crimes, the person may only be given a citation ordering that they appear in municipal or Forest County court on a certain date. In cases involving more serious crimes, the person is usually placed in the county jail until an arraignment, or a judge decides the next step.
Booking is when the Forest County sheriff or local police gather information such as the detainee’s name, address and why the person is being arrested. Booking also includes fingerprinting, criminal history, investigation, and verification of identity. Bail for lower-level crimes may be set right after booking so the arrested can “bail or bond out” before being detained.
The prosecution, sometimes called “the government” or “the people” or “the state” is the side that presses the charges and seeks punishment for the offense. These are attorneys that work for the state of Wisconsin, Forest County or a city or town. The prosecuting attorney for Forest County or the district is called the District Attorney or Assistant District Attorney. A U.S. Attorney prosecutes federal cases.
Jurisdiction is an important term in the court system that means whether a court has the obligation or duty or right to handle a case. For example, if you run a red light in your town or city, a municipal court would likely have jurisdiction over your case, but the next town or city over would not have jurisdiction over your case. If you attempted to flee from police when they attempted to stop you after you ran the red light, it becomes a more serious crime, and the municipal court might not have jurisdiction so you might be assigned to a higher-level court that has jurisdiction over the more serious crime. Jurisdiction varies from state to state and sometimes county to county.
Arraignment is when a judge determines whether the charges are supported by the prosecution’s initial evidence and tells the arrested what they are charged with, and the person says whether they are guilty or not guilty. At this time, the person is called the defendant, and the opposing side is called the prosecution. If there is reason to believe that the arrested is guilty, the judge will set bail conditions or send the defendant to jail or release them ROR (release on recognizances). An arraignment is not a trial, and the defendant is entitled to a trial within a reasonable amount of time after the arraignment.
Bail is money paid that is held by the Forest County or municipal court to make sure that the arrested does not flee the area before their trial. Bail amounts and other conditions are determined at the arraignment. Once the case is over, the bail money is returned to the defendant. If a person does not pay bail, they remain in the Forest County Jail until their trial.
Bail can be denied if the court feels that the arrested would be a danger to others if released. Sometimes the court decides that there is a good chance that the arrested will show up for trial and not flee so they are released on their own promise, or recognizance without having to pay bail.
A bond proceeding is the determination of how much bail is to be paid and usually happens at the same time as an arraignment. During bond proceedings, the defendant can have an attorney present but does not have the right to an attorney. A judge or court officer in the {county extended} or municipal court sets bail. Judges in Wisconsin rely on a statewide bail schedule, which sets out a recommended range of bail amounts for different offenses. Judges can still exercise discretion in setting bail above or below the recommended range.
Wisconsin is one of a few states that does not allow posting bail for profit, meaning that a court or bondsman cannot charge a percentage of the bond as in other states. If the defendant fails to appear in court when required to, the police or sheriff’s office will be given a warrant to arrest the defendant.
If the defendant is not released on their own recognizance, the Forest County court will allow the defendant, family or friend to pay up to 10% of the bail/bond amount. If the defendant does not appear in court, the court keeps the 10% and the court could demand the full bail amount and place an arrest warrant through the sheriff’s department.
If possible, it is important to have family involvement after being arrested. Not only can they make calls and communicate on your behalf, but family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court.
A criminal defense attorney (also called lawyer or counsel) is hired or retained to represent the arrested as early as possible after the arrest. If there is a chance that the case might go to trial and the defendant cannot afford an attorney, the 6th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution requires that the court provide an attorney. This is called indigent representation and a public defender or assigned attorney would represent the defendant in all proceedings. Indigent representation is only available misdemeanor and felony cases that could result in jail time, juvenile cases, and certain appeal cases.
If the arrested cannot afford a lawyer, the Wisconsin court would assign indigent representation, usually called a public defender in Wisconsin or a contracted attorney in special cases to represent the person for free or a small fee or a reduced rate. A right to an attorney is in the 6th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution; that all people that are going to be heard in trial are entitled to be represented by a lawyer and if they cannot afford one, the court will provide one.
Indigent representation is available for juvenile cases, certain appeals, misdemeanor and felony cases that could result in jail time. In Wisconsin, a violation does not result in jail time, so the State of Wisconsin is not obligated to provide an attorney. In Wisconsin, all indigent defense is funded by the state and not the county. The following link will take you to the Wisconsin State Public Defender site.
For less serious cases or civil cases, there are pro bono volunteers who volunteer legal services for free or for a small fee. They often will hold clinics to teach people how to represent themselves in court or expunge their record which means to legally erase or eliminate a criminal or arrest record from public view. The State Bar of Wisconsin offers a webpage regarding pro bono and reduced rate attorney services at the following link.
Many courts will provide forms and help for people who want to represent themselves, called pro se. Here is a link for legal self-help in Wisconsin.
The following link provides self-help information for juvenile matters.
A district court can refer to the first level of the legal system, or a minor court. District courts are in the community. A district court can also refer to a U.S. Federal District Court that hears federal cases. There are two U.S. federal district courts in Wisconsin, with offices throughout the state. It is important that you check the address of the court you are to appear in rather than to ask someone because that person might give you directions to the wrong “district” court. Being late to court can land you in custody as well.
Pretrial proceeding is the process where both sides (prosecution and defense) gather information, interview witnesses, request records, videos etc. Pretrial proceedings also include communications with the judge assigned to the case and these appearances are either in person or by on-line conferencing. Some pretrial proceedings may not require a defendant’s appearance, allowing an attorney to appear in their place. The information that is gathered is called discovery and both sides must share the information that they have gathered. This information does not include conversations between the arrested and their attorney.
Most cases do not go to trial because both sides reach a plea deal, where both sides try to reach a reasonable punishment based on what was learned in the pretrial proceedings. A plea deal can only happen if the accused person admits they are guilty in exchange for a lighter punishment. The reason they must admit guilt is because it would not be fair to punish someone who claims they are not guilty. There are times in plea bargaining when the prosecution agrees to give a lighter sentence in exchange for information leading to the arrest of a more serious criminal related to the crime.
Trial is where both sides share their information in front of a judge or a judge and jury. After listening to all the evidence, the judge or jury decides the verdict which is whether the person is guilty or not guilty. If a court has only a judge hearing both sides, it is called a bench trial. If a jury is selected, it is called a jury trial. If the defendant is found not guilty, they are released. If they are found to be guilty, the next step is sentencing.
Sentencing is the punishment that the judge decides the person should get. This could be jail or prison time, fines, community service, probation, or a combination.
Appeal is asking for a higher court to hear the case again at an appellate court. If the accused person thinks something went wrong at trial or has new information that was not available during the trial or that the sentence is too harsh, the defense attorney can ask for an appeal. It is not unusual for an appeal when there is a long jail sentence, but an appeal can be denied if the appellate court feels that the original trial or sentencing was fair.
Wisconsin Misdemeanor vs Felony
In Wisconsin, a misdemeanor is divided into Class A or B or C. Examples of misdemeanors are trespassing, simple assault, petty theft and shoplifting.
- Class A misdemeanors have punishments of jail for up to 9 months and/or pay a fine up to $10,000.
- Class B misdemeanors have punishments of jail for up to 90 days and/or pay a fine up to $1000.
- Class C misdemeanors have punishments up to 30 days and fines up to $500.
A felony crime is a more serious crime than a misdemeanor and are divided into different classes which are general guidelines and are based on the crime, prior criminal history and other factors. Examples of felony crimes are murder, rape, theft, aggravated assault, drug trafficking, kidnapping and identity theft.
In Wisconsin, felonies are divided into 9 classes.
- Class A being the most serious that results in life imprisonment.
- Class B has a maximum sentence of 60 years in state prison.
- Class C has a maximum sentence of 40 years in state prison and/or $100,000 fine.
- Class D has a maximum sentence of 25 years in state prison and/or $100,000 fine.
- Class E has a maximum sentence of 15 years in state prison and/or $50,000 fine.
- Class F has a maximum sentence of 12 years in state prison and/or $25.000.
- Class G has a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison and/or $25,000 fine.
- Class H has a maximum sentence of 6 years in state prison and /or $10,000 fine and
- Class I has a maximum sentence of 3 ½ years in state prison and/or a fine of $10,000.
The Forest County Clerk of Court is an elected official whose responsibilities for Criminal Court’s administrative issues include receiving criminal warrants, receiving bail, creating the trial schedule, receiving fees, fines and maintaining court records.
A warrant is used to get someone to appear in court or to law enforcement. There must be good reason to believe that the person is involved in a crime. The warrant gives authority to arrest the person and search for evidence for the investigation of the crime.
A criminal summons is issued to request that a person appear in court at a particular time and date. It does not involve an arrest. A traffic ticket, summary citation or lesser misdemeanor could be considered a summons if you are given a court date.
A summary citation, commonly referred to as a ticket, is a criminal summons by a law enforcement officer either in person or via mail accusing the defendant of a minor offense, stating potential fine, listing the court having jurisdiction and instructions for addressing the issue. Defendants may or may not be required to appear in court or handle the matter by entering a plea via mail.
Fines are usually paid to the District Court or clerk of court and payment methods can be found on the District Court or Forest County Clerk of Court website. If you do not pay your fine on time, you can lose your driver’s license, must pay additional fees or even have a warrant for your arrest. It is important to read the instructions on the ticket issued by the police officer or court at the time of your arrest. For a parking ticket or summary citation, the fine amount and how to send payment should be on the ticket.
Wisconsin Criminal Court System - How it Works
Municipal courts are the same as a city or town court and handle violations of city ordinances (city laws), traffic violations, parking violations and criminal misdemeanor offenses such as disorderly conduct, underage drinking and trespassing that occur within the city or towns police jurisdiction. There are 229 municipal courts in Wisconsin and some towns use a court jointly.
Circuit courts handle misdemeanors and felonies from beginning (preliminary hearings) to end (settlement or trial). Circuit courts also handle some traffic matters and juvenile cases.
Specialty Courts serve people who would benefit from alcohol, drug and other rehabilitative services. Wisconsin offers a problem-solving court that oversees specialty courts as drug treatment, OWI, mental health, juvenile, domestic violence and veterans courts.
The Wisconsin Courts of Appeal will hear cases and correct errors or allow information from the lower courts that lead to the appeal. They do not hear the case as if it were new.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is like our United States’ Supreme Court because it has a panel of judges that rule on matters that have to do with someone’s constitutional rights or policies and laws. The Wisconsin State Supreme Court deals with the state constitution or laws or policies. Sometimes the Supreme Court will hear criminal cases on appeal when there is a question on the state laws or procedures that lead to the appeal.
The criminal cases are usually referred from the district courts of appeal.
FEDERAL COURT
Federal Court deals with crimes involving violations of United States laws. Federal crimes include federal drug trafficking, federal tax evasion and fraud that crossed state lines and include crimes that occur on federal property as post offices or federal buildings.
Cases involving crimes that involve the FBI or DEA or Immigration agencies are federal crimes. Terrorism is a federal crime.
There are some differences in the Federal court system as compared to the Wisconsin state court system. For example, the attorneys who work for the courts are called United States Attorneys and Federal judges are called District Court Judges (not to be confused by local state district courts).
Federal Magistrate Judges hear the case early on, but they do not decide on the cases at a trial like the Federal District Court Judges. In a federal case, a grand jury is used for indictments.
There are two U.S. Federal Judicial Districts in Wisconsin.
