Milwaukee County Circuit Court

The right to trial by jury is one of the cornerstones of our democracy. Milwaukee County Circuit Court system jury trials resumed July 20, 2020. Working closely with public health consultants, Milwaukee County redesigned two courtrooms to ensure adherence to CDC guidelines, keeping the health and safety of staff, jurors, attorneys, litigants and the public as our top priority.

The Safety Building is open. In-person office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Full Order and Operational Plan     Emergency Procedures for Building Access    En Referencia A Medidas Provisionales De Emergencia

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Safety Precautions

A number of safety precautions have been put into place for the Milwaukee County Circuit Courts. These precautions include:

• Mandating the wearing of masks with limited exceptions in all county buildings and providing masks for individuals who do not have one.
• Asking individuals to answer the CDC health screenings questions prior to entering the building.
• Installing plexiglass throughout the courtroom where 6 feet of physical distance cannot be obtained.
• Installing hand sanitizer stations in high traffic areas.
• Redesigning the courtroom and jury meeting room to accommodate 6 feet of physical distance between individuals.
• Increasing cleaning protocol.
• Limiting elevator use to two people at a time.

Judicial Districts

The state's 72 counties are grouped into nine judicial administrative districts. Milwaukee County is the First Judicial District. In each district there is a Chief Judge appointed by the Supreme Court and Deputy Chief Judge(s) appointed by the Chief Judge. The Chief Judge, who may serve up to three consecutive two-year terms, supervises and directs the administration of the district.

A professional District Court Administrator and a District Administrative Assistant, both employees of the Director of State Courts and permanently located in the district, assist the Chief Judge.

District 1 Judge Directory

Fee Waiver Application

This affidavit is to be completed by an individual seeking to waive fees and costs in commencing, prosecuting or defending any matter in any circuit court. (Forms CV-438 or CV-440 are to be used for prisoners seeking to commence an action or special proceeding without prepayment of filing fees, costs or security for costs.)

Complete the form, sign it in front of a notary public, and take it and proof of your eligibility (including proof of benefits currently being received, or the most recent month's worth of pay stubs/proof of income) to Room 609 of the Milwaukee County Courthouse. Once approved, this waiver is good for 30 days.

CV-410A Petition and Waiver of Fees/Costs, Affidavit of Indigency and Order

Milwaukee County Law Library

The Milwaukee County Law Library (MCLL) is a public law library operated by the Wisconsin State Law Library under a contract with Milwaukee County.

The mission of the Milwaukee County Law Library is to serve the legal information needs of Milwaukee County government, judges, attorneys and the public by providing the highest quality of professional expertise in the selection, maintenance, and use of materials, information and technology to facilitate equal access to the law.

The library's collection contains Wisconsin primary legal materials, as well as State Bar of Wisconsin CLE practice books and other secondary legal materials. The library also has a limited amount of federal materials, including the United States Code Service, Milwaukee City ordinances, general reference books and some titles aimed at the non-lawyer. The library offers three public access computers with free access to the Internet, Westlaw and the Wisconsin State Law Library catalog (including MCLL titles). Family law forms for Milwaukee County self-represented (pro se) litigants are available at the MCLL for a fee. Staff members of the MCLL are not attorneys and cannot assist with filling out pro se legal forms. Visit the Milwaukee Justice Center for assistance completing forms.

Borrowing privileges are available to court staff, licensed attorneys, federal, state, county, and city government agency employees. Library cards obtained at the MCLL can also be used at the Wisconsin State Law Library. Books from the Wisconsin State Law Library may be shipped to the MCLL free of charge.

Photocopies and computer printouts are available at a cost of $.25 per page.

Branch Librarian: Jamie Neuendorf 

Phone: (414) 278-4900

Fax: (414) 223-1818

Libary is located:
Milwaukee County Courthouse
901 N 9th St., Room G-8
Milwaukee, WI 53233

Interpreter & ADA Services

Under current law, if a court determines that a person has limited English proficiency and that an interpreter is necessary, the court must advise the person that he or she has the right to a qualified interpreter at public expense in any type of case (criminal and civil).

Additionally, the court may authorize the use of interpreters in the following circumstances: (a) if a person with limited English proficiency requests assistance of the clerk of circuit courts regarding a legal proceeding, the clerk may provide the assistance of a qualified interpreter to respond to the person's inquiry; and (b) with approval of the court, interpreter services outside the courtroom that are related to the court proceedings, including court-ordered psychiatric or medical exams or mediation. The court may accept a waiver of the right to a qualified interpreter from a person with limited English proficiency at any point in a court proceeding, if the court advises the person of the nature and effect of the waiver, and determines on the record that the waiver has been made knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily.

Interpreter Request Form

ADA Accommodation Form

LAP Milwaukee County 2024 Language Access Plan