Taylor County Jail Criminal Court Process
Criminal Court Process for Taylor County Wisconsin
Medford is the county seat, and the single-branch Taylor County Circuit Court hears every criminal case filed in the county at the courthouse on South Second Street. Taylor County has no municipal court on the state court system's current list, so most local ordinance and traffic tickets also land in circuit court; a few communities may have other arrangements, so the citation itself is the best guide. The elected Taylor County District Attorney prosecutes crimes. People arrested and held are kept by the Sheriff at the Taylor County Jail in Medford, where any cash bail set by the court can be paid.
- Taylor County Circuit Court (one branch), Taylor County Courthouse, 224 South Second Street, Medford, WI 54451; Clerk of Circuit Court (715) 748-1425
- Taylor County District Attorney, 224 South Second Street, Medford, WI 54451, (715) 748-1450
- Taylor County Sheriff's Office, 224 South Second Street, Medford, WI 54451, (715) 748-2200
- Taylor County Jail, 224 South Second Street, Medford, WI 54451, (715) 748-2200
- Wisconsin State Public Defender, Merrill office (the trial office assigned to Taylor County), 807 East First Street, Merrill, WI 54452, (715) 536-9105
- Taylor County Human Services (juvenile intake), 540 East College Street, Medford, WI 54451, (715) 748-3332
Which court hears your case. A first-offense OWI is a civil forfeiture in Wisconsin, not a crime, unless a child under 16 was in the vehicle. Because Taylor County has no municipal court listed, first OWIs and ordinance citations from the Sheriff, the State Patrol and the Medford and Gilman police are generally heard in the Taylor County Circuit Court, unless the citation names another court. Criminal misdemeanors, including traffic crimes like driving after revocation or a second OWI, are filed in that same court, where the one circuit judge handles the full criminal calendar along with civil, family and juvenile matters. Felony cases, from the initial appearance through the preliminary hearing, arraignment and trial, are also heard there.
Where pretrial inmates are held. The Sheriff's Office operates the county jail in its building on South Second Street in Medford, so someone arrested in Rib Lake, Gilman or Stetsonville is driven to the county seat for booking. Sentenced inmates may be granted Huber release for work. To find out whether a person is being held, or how much is needed to release them, call (715) 748-2200.
- Local courts in Taylor 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 Taylor County
- Federal cases (U.S. District Court) from Taylor County
Local courts in Taylor County (circuit court and municipal courts)
Taylor County's court system is compact: one circuit judge in Medford handles criminal, traffic, juvenile, civil and family cases. The Wisconsin court system's most recent municipal court statistics list no municipal court in the county, which is why ordinance and traffic forfeitures here are generally heard in circuit court. Where a municipal court does exist in Wisconsin, it decides only local ordinance violations, imposes forfeitures rather than jail (jail is possible only to enforce an unpaid forfeiture), and in some cases a defendant can ask to move the matter to circuit court. Anyone holding a ticket should follow the court and date printed on it.
Circuit court
- Taylor County Circuit Court, Taylor County Courthouse, 224 South Second Street, Medford, WI 54451. One branch, presided over by an elected circuit judge, with a court commissioner who may handle some first appearances. Clerk of Circuit Court, criminal and traffic, (715) 748-1425.
Municipal courts
- None appears for Taylor County in the state's current municipal court figures. Citations written in Medford, Rib Lake, Gilman, Stetsonville, Lublin and the county's towns are generally returnable to the circuit court unless a municipality has created or joined a court since; check the citation.
Prosecutor, defense and law enforcement
- Taylor County District Attorney, 224 South Second Street, Medford, (715) 748-1450
- State Public Defender trial office in Merrill, 807 East First Street, (715) 536-9105. Taylor County shares this office with Lincoln, Langlade and Price counties.
- Taylor County Sheriff's Office, which runs the Taylor County Jail, 224 South Second Street, Medford, (715) 748-2200
- Medford Police Department, 224 South Second Street, Medford, WI 54451, (715) 748-1447
- Gilman Police Department, 115 West Davlin Street, Gilman, WI 54433, (715) 447-5700
- Other villages and the rural towns rely mainly on the Sheriff's deputies for patrol.
- Juvenile intake: Taylor County Human Services, 540 East College Street, Medford, (715) 748-3332
Misdemeanor (for example, theft, battery, disorderly conduct, a second OWI)
Most Taylor County misdemeanors involve repeat drunk driving on Highway 13 or Highway 64, shoplifting in Medford, domestic disputes and disorderly conduct.
Booking and release
Officers can cite and release for many misdemeanors. Someone taken to the Taylor County Jail is fingerprinted, photographed and checked for warrants, and often goes home on a signature bond, a promise to come back to court that may name an amount owed only on a missed date. Bail bond businesses are not allowed in Wisconsin, so when cash is required the full sum is paid by the defendant or family at the jail or the clerk's office. Domestic abuse arrests in Taylor County carry a three-day no-contact rule: for 72 hours the released person must stay away from the alleged victim and their residence, unless the victim waives it in writing. People who stay in custody generally see the judge or a court commissioner within about 48 hours, often by video.
Appointed counsel
The Merrill office of the State Public Defender takes applications by phone at (715) 536-9105, and jail staff can supply the form. Eligibility is measured by a strict financial test, but the circuit judge may appoint a lawyer at county expense for someone who is turned down and still cannot pay. Most misdemeanor cases are worked out at a pretrial conference with the District Attorney.
Possible penalties in Taylor County
- Theft valued at $2,500 or less: Class A, which allows a Taylor County sentence of up to nine months in jail plus a fine of as much as $10,000.
- Battery: Class A. If it is labeled domestic abuse, a surcharge applies and gun rights are affected.
- Disorderly conduct: a Class B misdemeanor, which limits a Taylor County sentence to 90 days and a $1,000 fine.
- Second OWI in 10 years: a misdemeanor carrying a mandatory 5 days up to 6 months in jail, plus a fine, revocation and interlock. A first offense is a non-criminal case with a $150 to $300 forfeiture and costs, a license revocation of six to nine months, an alcohol assessment, and an interlock when the reading was 0.15 or above or the driver refused.
- Class C misdemeanors in Taylor County are limited to 30 days and a $500 fine.
A six-person jury decides any Taylor County misdemeanor trial. Results include dismissal, deferred prosecution, a fine, probation or jail time, often with Huber privileges. A speedy trial demand generally brings a misdemeanor to trial within about 60 days, but two to six months is the usual length of a case.
Felony (for example, burglary, felony theft, drug possession with intent to deliver, substantial battery)
Felony filings in Taylor County frequently involve methamphetamine, fourth or later OWI offenses, burglaries of seasonal homes and farm buildings, and thefts. A defendant who cannot post the cash bail set at the first hearing waits at the Taylor County Jail in Medford.
The road through the Medford courthouse
- Charging. The District Attorney files a criminal complaint based on investigations by the Sheriff, the Medford or Gilman police, or state agents.
- Initial appearance. The judge or a court commissioner reviews probable cause, sets release conditions and makes sure the defendant can contact the State Public Defender.
- Preliminary hearing. It must begin within 10 days when the defendant is in custody because the amount set cannot be posted, or 20 days otherwise. The court decides only whether there is probable cause of a felony; defendants frequently waive it.
- Information and arraignment. The prosecutor files an information after the bindover, and the defendant enters a plea.
- Plea or trial. Negotiated pleas end most cases. A trial jury has 12 members who must all agree, and a speedy trial demand generally calls for a trial within 90 days.
- Sentencing. The judge may order a presentence investigation from the Department of Corrections before choosing probation, jail with probation, or prison.
Penalty ranges for the examples
- Burglary: Class F, carrying up to 12 years 6 months of imprisonment and a $25,000 fine in Taylor County.
- Felony theft: Class I for $2,500.01 to $5,000 (up to 3 years 6 months), Class H for $5,000.01 to $10,000 (up to 6 years), and Class G above $10,000 (up to 10 years).
- Possession with intent to deliver: the class rises with the drug and the weight; methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl reach Class C (40 years) in the largest amounts.
- Substantial battery: Class I; the charge becomes aggravated battery, Class H or E, when great bodily harm is caused or intended.
Wisconsin prison sentences have two parts, initial confinement and then extended supervision, and parole has not existed for crimes committed since 1999. Eligibility for the Challenge Incarceration Program or the Substance Abuse Program, if the judge allows it, can shorten the time behind bars. Any sentence over a year goes to the Department of Corrections. Felony cases typically take six months to a year in Taylor County.
Violent felony (for example, homicide, sexual assault, armed robbery)
Violent felonies are rare in Taylor County, and a homicide may not occur for years at a time. When one happens, state Division of Criminal Investigation agents frequently assist the Sheriff, and the accused is usually held at the Taylor County Jail on a high cash bail with no-contact orders. Under a 2023 constitutional amendment, the judge can weigh the risk of serious harm when setting conditions in a violent-crime case.
Maximum penalties
- First-degree intentional homicide: Class A; life imprisonment is required, and the court decides whether and when the person may ever be released to extended supervision.
- First-degree reckless homicide: Class B (up to 60 years), the same class as second-degree intentional homicide.
- First-degree sexual assault: Class B, up to 60 years, with mandatory minimum confinement for certain offenses against young children.
- Armed robbery: Class C, punishable in Taylor County by up to 40 years; a robbery with no weapon involved is Class E, carrying as much as 15 years.
Capital punishment ended in Wisconsin in 1853, so no Taylor County case can bring a death sentence.
What families should expect
Because forensic testing, expert witnesses and mental health or competency evaluations take time, serious violent cases in Medford commonly last one to two years. The State Public Defender's Merrill office generally assigns experienced attorneys to these cases. Victims are guaranteed rights under Marsy's Law, adopted in 2020, including notice and the right to be heard at sentencing; the District Attorney's office at (715) 748-1450 can connect them with victim-witness services.
Juveniles (under 17) arrested in Taylor County
At 17, a Taylor County youth is prosecuted as an adult in criminal court. Delinquency cases for those aged 10 through 16 are heard by the county's lone circuit judge sitting as juvenile court.
Intake
Police send juvenile referrals to Taylor County Human Services ((715) 748-3332), where intake staff can close the case, give a warning, set up a deferred prosecution agreement, or ask the District Attorney to file a delinquency petition. When intake holds a child in secure custody, a custody hearing should generally take place within 24 hours of that decision; weekends and legal holidays are excluded from the count.
Juvenile detention
Taylor County has no secure juvenile detention center. A youth who must be detained is typically transported to a regional center that contracts with the county, such as the Marathon County Juvenile Detention Facility in Wausau or the Northwest Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Eau Claire. Human Services can say where a specific child has been placed.
Results a juvenile case can reach
- A deferred prosecution agreement or a consent decree that holds the case open while the child follows set conditions.
- A delinquency adjudication followed by home supervision, restitution, counseling or community service.
- Placement out of the home, including a Type 2 placement that Taylor County supervises or, for the most serious cases, a Type 1 commitment to the state's youth prisons in Irma, Lincoln Hills School (boys) and Copper Lake School (girls).
- For the gravest offenses, the Serious Juvenile Offender program, which can run up to five years.
Adult prosecution of a juvenile
The District Attorney may petition to waive juvenile jurisdiction for some youths 14 and older; the judge looks at the seriousness of the offense, the child's record and the services available. In addition, adult court starts with jurisdiction over any youth 10 or older charged with first-degree intentional homicide or its attempt, first-degree reckless homicide or felony murder, and over certain youths with past delinquency findings charged with specified new crimes. Children in delinquency cases receive a State Public Defender lawyer regardless of their family's income. Juvenile records are generally kept confidential.
Federal cases (U.S. District Court) from Taylor County
Federal criminal cases from Taylor County belong to the Western District of Wisconsin and are filed with its clerk in Madison, where hearings are generally held.
- Western District of Wisconsin, Clerk of Court: 120 North Henry Street, Room 320, Madison, WI 53703; phone (608) 264-5156
- Office of the U.S. Attorney: Suite 700, 222 West Washington Avenue, Madison; phone (608) 264-5158
- Federal Defender Services of Wisconsin, Madison: Suite 1000, 22 East Mifflin Street; phone (608) 260-9900. Private Criminal Justice Act panel lawyers are appointed for conflict cases.
Federal cases with Taylor County roots
Methamphetamine trafficking, firearm possession by people with felony records, bank robbery, child exploitation online and fraud are the usual paths to federal court. Part of the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest lies in Taylor County, and offenses committed on that federal land, such as timber theft, arson, or serious crimes on national forest property, may be prosecuted federally, though state authorities often share jurisdiction. Taylor County contains no Indian reservation.
The federal process in brief
A U.S. magistrate judge conducts the first appearance, explains the charges and appoints a lawyer when the defendant qualifies. Federal court has no cash bail system like the Medford courthouse; instead, the Bail Reform Act allows release on conditions monitored by Pretrial Services, or holding the defendant in custody; if prosecutors move for detention, the judge usually decides it at a hearing within three court days. Charges brought by complaint generally must be followed by a grand jury indictment within 30 days. Trial is due within 70 days under the Speedy Trial Act, but that clock stops and restarts often enough that most cases take longer.
Pleas of guilty are the norm in federal court. Federal trial juries number 12, and their verdicts must be unanimous. A probation officer's presentence report comes before sentencing, at which the judge figures the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and applies any mandatory minimum. Time is served with the Bureau of Prisons; there is no parole, prisoners serve about 85 percent of the term, and supervised release follows. A Taylor County defendant who appeals takes the case to the Seventh Circuit, which sits in Chicago.
Searching for a federal prisoner
The Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator takes a name or a BOP register number. A person awaiting federal trial while housed in a county jail under a U.S. Marshals contract may show up on that jail's inmate list as well. Taylor County juveniles are very rarely prosecuted in federal court. For state charges only, appointed counsel comes through the State Public Defender's Merrill office.
This guide provides general information about criminal cases in Taylor County and is not legal advice; local practices, court arrangements and contact numbers change. For advice on a particular case, consult a Wisconsin-licensed criminal defense lawyer. Public defender applications for Taylor County go through the State Public Defender's Merrill office, (715) 536-9105; to learn whether someone is in custody, call the Taylor County Sheriff's Office at (715) 748-2200.
Criminal Court Process for Taylor County Wisconsin
Taylor 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 Taylor 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, Taylor 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 Taylor 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 Taylor 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, Taylor County or a city or town. The prosecuting attorney for Taylor 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 Taylor 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 Taylor 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 Taylor 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 Taylor 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 Taylor 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.
