FAQs

Civil actions are non-criminal cases in which one private individual or business sues another to protect, enforce, or redress private or civil rights. A criminal case is the action or suit by a government to penalize a violation of the criminal laws. Both types of cases can be brought to the Dodge County Circuit Courts for a decision and judgment.

If you're charged with an ordinance or traffic offense that is not considered a criminal violation, you'll be given a citation. In most cases you won't be taken into custody. The citation will usually give you a choice of paying a fine or going to court. It will state a date for you to appear in court if you choose not to pay the fine.

If you lose altogether or don't get all the money or property you wanted, you may take your case to the court of appeals. The appeal fee is $195, plus a $15 record transmittal fee. You must also pay for the preparation of the transcript. Since an appeal is complicated, you may wish to seek legal advice. 

Unless your friend or relative is a licensed attorney for Wisconsin, representation by a friend or relative may constitute Unauthorized Practice of Law, an offense punishable by as much as $500 or a year in jail (according to WI Statute § 757.30(1)) or both.

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles oversees all application and issuance of occupational drivers licenses. To check if you're eligible and to apply for a license please visit the WISDOT DMV website. 

Please note: If you have been revoked as a habitual traffic offender (HTO), the circuit court in your county of residence must approve the issuance of your occupational license. Dodge County provides a petition form. There is a filing fee of $40 for this process. 

The Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) investigates grievances about attorney misconduct. OLR provides instructions on how to file a grievance, outlines the grievance process, and explains under what circumstances you may learn whether other grievances have been filed or whether the attorney has been previously disciplined. Visit the OLR website to file a grievance. 

To complain about a court commissioner or judge, please file your complaint with the Wisconsin Judicial Commission. A complaint form  can be found on their website.

If the judgment has been satisfied, you may file a Satisfaction of Judgment form with the Clerk of Courts (mandatory form GF-129) and pay a $5 fee to clear the judgment.

Contact the Clerk of Courts office for copies of cases and files.Requests must be made in person, by mail or by FAX. Telephone requests will not be processed.

There is a statutory charge of $1.25 per page for the copies. A brief description of cases and index of records is contained in the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access database.

The Dodge County Courts provides many technology enhancements to assist and meet the current needs and demands within our judicial environment. Listed below are the technology services available to meet the needs of Dodge County’s Justice Facility.

• Wireless Internet Service Available (Public Use Permitted)
• Video Conferencing is available via both IP and ISDN
• Teleconferencing
• Mobile overhead projector/document display unit with VCR and DVD.  It is able to connect to the video port on a mobile computer to project on the courtroom video screen.
• Information Kiosk located within the main entrance of the Judicial Building

For any additional details, or information to assist you with your technology needs, please contact the Dodge County Deputy Clerk of Courts at (920) 386-3930.

Court Costs are costs incurred by the Court to handle your case. These fees vary depending on the severity of the crime, the number of court appearances, and any other expenses resulting or assessed. Defendants pay court costs directly to the Clerk of Courts and can be done in a number of ways to make it convienent for you. Visit the Pay A Fine page.

You must fill out an amended summons and complaint to get a new court date. You can then proceed with personal service again or proceed with publication and mailing to the defendant. An affidavit of mailing must be filed with the court along with the proof of publication before the scheduled return date.

Yes, but only some costs. You will not receive reimbursement for lost wages or transportation but you can receive reimbursement for the cost to file the case, the cost to serve the summons and petition, to subpoena witnesses, and for garnishment costs. You can also receive limited attorney fees. Please see the table in the Guide to Small Claims Court for the amount of reimbursement allowed for attorney fees.

A number of things can happen if a defendant is late (past due date) with payment of his/her court ordered obligation:

• The person's driver's license may be suspended up to 1 year.  This is not in lieu of payment.  Department of Motor Vehicles requires a reinstatement fee.
• The debt will be certified with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue for tax intercept.
• An income assignment may be ordered if the person is employed.
• A warrant may be issued for the person's arrest.

If the defendant brings his/her payment into the Clerk of Court's Office he/she will receive a receipt. If the defendant mails his/her payment to the Clerk of Court's Office no receipt will be supplied unless a self-addressed stamped envelope is included with the payment requesting that a receipt be returned.

All tickets issued for appearance at the Dodge County Clerk of Courts gets paid at 210 W. Center Street, Juneau WI 53039. The hearing date information should be addressed to the Clerk of Courts, Dodge County Justice Facility, (920) 386-3570.

A defendant with a DNR, speeding, or OWI first ticket(s) and the initial appearance court date is scheduled for a Monday, the defendant may talk with the prosecutor about resolving the citation after the court appearance. Prosecutors cannot speak with defendants prior to the initial appearance regarding these matters.

If a defendant enters a plea of not guilty at the initial appearance, the court will set a pre-trial conference at which the parties can seek to resolve the case. If we are unable to resolve the case at the pre-trial conference, the matter will be scheduled for trial.

Some questions to consider are: What are your chances of success if you do contest it? How much will it cost you? Will you lose your driving privileges? You may wish to consult an attorney about these issues. If you decide to contest the citation, you're entitled to a trial. If the case is to be resolved in Dodge County Circuit Court, a judge or commissioner will resolve it, unless you immediately request a jury and pay the required fee by the hearing date.

Demerit points are assessed to drivers when convicted of a moving violation, beginning on the date of the violation. The courts send the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Division of Motor Vehicles records of all convictions for moving traffic violations. Persons who hold a probationary license are assessed double points for the second and all subsequent points. When 12 or more demerit points are accumulated in one year, a suspension of the driver privilege is required, for a minimum of two months. Convictions remain on the driver records for five years from the date of conviction. However, alcohol related and some commercial violations remain on the record for 10 years to life. This information and much more can be found on the WisDOT web page about the traffic points system in Wisconsin. 

The dollar amount written on your ticket is actually a combination of a forfeiture and numerous surcharges and fees. The forfeiture for an offense is a relatively small part of the total penalty that you must pay. For example, if you received a speeding citation, the minimum forfeiture for this offense is $30. In addition, Wisconsin law requires the citation to include other fees and surcharges totaling $160.80. The base forfeiture ($30) and fees and surcharges ($130.80) total $160.80. This is the amount that the officer is required to write on your ticket, if you were traveling 1-15 mph above a 55 mph or less legal limit (65 mph limit has a higher minimum). It is the minimum amount that you must pay for a speeding conviction in the above range.

On a typical speeding ticket, the minimum ticket amount is broken down as follows:

• Forfeiture: $30-Goes to the county; if it's a state charge, it's split 50-50 with the state
• 26% Penalty Assessment:$7.80-Goes to the state for a law enforcement training fund
• Court Costs: $25-The state gets $15, the county gets $10
• Justice Information Fee: $12-Goes to the state for computer systems development (includes non-court systems)
• Jail Assessment Fee: $10-Goes to the Sheriff's Office for jail expansion and maintenance
• Drug Enforcement Assessment: $8-Goes to the state crime laboratory
• Court Support Fee: $68-Goes to the state; a portion is returned to counties in block grants for court-related expenditures

TOTAL: $160.80-YOU PAY THIS AMOUNT

A felony is a crime that may be punishable by confinement for more than a year in a state prison.  

The steps of a felony case follow:

1. INITIAL APPEARANCE:  This is a defendant’s first appearance in court. The court informs the defendant of the charges and penalties, establishes bail or bond, and sets a date for the preliminary hearing.
2. PRELIMINARY HEARING:  A judge hears testimony to decide whether the court has probable cause to believe a crime was committed and the defendant committed it. If the judge finds probable cause exists, the case continues and is “bound over” for trial.
3. ARRAIGNMENT:  The defendant pleads guilty, not guilty, or no contest.  If there is a plea of guilty or no contest, the court sets a date for the sentencing hearing.
4. MOTIONS:  A verbal or written request that asks the judge to decide a legal question made by the prosecutor or the defense counsel before, during, or after trial.
5. IN-PERSON STATUS CONFERENCE:  A court hearing for the parties to discuss whether an agreement can be reached before the trial.  If an agreement is reached, it may become a plea and sentencing hearing.
6. TRIAL:  An official hearing in which either a jury (jury trial) or judge (bench trial) hears the facts of the case. Through physical evidence and testimony of witnesses, the prosecutor attempts to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. If the defendant is found guilty, the judge may sentence the defendant immediately or set the case for a sentencing hearing. 
7. SENTENCING:  A court hearing in which the judge decides the punishment for the defendant. A sentencing hearing follows a plea of guilty or no contest plea or a finding of guilty by a jury or judge. 

A misdemeanor is a crime that may be punishable by confinement to a county jail for one year or less.  

The steps of a misdemeanor follow:

1. INITIAL APPEARANCE:  This is a defendant's first appearance in court. The court informs the defendant of the charges and penalties, establishes bail or bond, and the defendant enters a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. In many cases the prosecutor provides the defendant with an offer describing a potential resolution of the case. If the defendant desires to accept the offer or plead guilty or no contest, the matter will be set with the judge for sentencing, potentially on the same day. If the plea is not guilty, the court will set a return date and date for a trial.
2. RETURN DATE OR IN-PERSON STATUS CONFERENCE:  These hearings inform the judge whether the case will proceed to trial or the parties reached an agreement. If the parties concluded an agreement, the hearing may proceed to plea and sentencing. 
3. MOTIONS:  A motions hearing addresses legal questions submitted by either party before, during, or after the trial.
4. TRIAL:  A jury (jury trial) or judge (bench trial) hears the facts of the case. Through physical evidence and testimony of witnesses, the prosecutor attempts to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.  If the defendant is found guilty, the judge may sentence the defendant immediately or set the case for a sentencing hearing.
5. PLEA/SENTENCING:  The judge decides the defendant’s punishment. A sentencing hearing follows a plea of guilty or no contest, or a finding of guilt by a jury or judge.

Defendants may retain an attorney to represent them in a criminal action in one of two ways, depending upon eligibility.

1. Defendants may go directly to the State Public Defender's Office (SPDO) located at 820 N. Main Street, Juneau, Wisconsin, or contact them at 920-386-5577.  The SPDO will discuss the steps needed to determine eligibility for public defender representation.
2. If a defendant is not eligible for public defender representation, the SPDO may explain the process to obtain a court-appointed attorney. 

If you have an active warrant for your arrest, regardless of jurisdiction, you can contact the Dodge County Sheriff's Office non-emergency line by calling (920) 386-3726

An appeal of a final circuit court judgment or order can be initiated with the Wisconsin Court of Appeals by filing a notice of appeal with the clerk of the circuit court for the county in which the judgment or order being appealed was entered. There is a filing fee of $195.00 payable to the Court of Appeals and a $15.00 transfer fee, made payable to the county transferring the record. You will need to familiarize yourself with the Rules of Appellate Procedure (WI Statutes Ch. 809). Appeals can be complicated, so may want to consult an attorney for legal advice. You may also consult "A Citizen's Guide to Filing an Appeal" for more information and sample forms.

If you want to review your case file, go to the Clerk of Courts at the Dodge County Courthouse. If you want to research the crimes with which you are charged, or investigate more information about your upcoming court date, such as reviewing the laws of evidence, or look into other areas of criminal law research, such as defenses or post conviction motions, visit a law library. Online, you may want to visit the legal topics section of the Wisconsin State Law Library's website.

Statutes 938-961 deal with the Criminal Code and Controlled Substances Act, while 967-980 deal with Criminal Procedure. There may be several other statutes that deal with criminal laws or procedure, such as evidence or other specific crimes. Look at the Statutes Table of Contents for more information on how Statutes are arranged.

You may not be able to expunge your record. Wisconsin law allows a judge to "expunge" a case in only two situations, both involving youthful offenders:

Misdemeanors committed by a person under 21. If the judge ordered expunction upon successful completion of the sentence, the record can be expunged. See §973.015, Wis. Stats.

Adjudication of a juvenile delinquent. A juvenile who has been adjudged delinquent can, upon reaching age 17, petition the judge for expunction of the juvenile adjudication. See §938.355, Wis. Stats. However, WI Circuit Courts Access (WCCA) database does not display juvenile adjudications because they are not public records.

An expunged case is sealed by the clerk of court and is available to be viewed only with a court order. If the judge properly orders a case expunged, any reference to it will be removed from WCCA. A judge has no other authority or power to expunge cases, and there are no similar provisions for other types of cases.

Any individual convicted of a crime in Wisconsin can also apply for a pardon from the Governor's Office. Details on pardon requirements can be found on the Governor's website.

No. Bring criminal complaints to the police department or District Attorney's office. They will in turn choose to proceed or investigate your complaints. 

If an attorney represents a defendant, the District Attorney's office will not be able to speak with the defendant; we may only speak with the attorney regarding the case. If a defendant does not have an attorney and remains unrepresented, the defendant may contact our office to schedule an appointment with the attorney assigned to your case.

Deferred Prosecution or Sentencing Fees are fees that are associated with a written agreement to settle pending charges. The agreement contains any requirements the defendant must complete or abide by, including payment of applicable fees. These fees are paid directly to the District Attorney's Office, or by choosing Pay My Deferred Prosecution Fees on the District Attorney homepage.

Records and files retained by the District Attorney’s Office are generally exempt from the Wisconsin public records and property law (Wisconsin Statutes §§ 19.31-19.39). If you are looking for information regarding a case, you may contact the Clerk of Courts.

Defendants and their counsel may view prosecutor records subject to the rules of discovery, or at the District Attorney’s discretion.

Victims of a crime may receive permission to view a file on a case-by-case basis. Contact Victim/Witness services for further information.

Victim Impact Panels provide victims of OWI tragedies an opportunity to share their stories of pain and loss with OWI offenders. The goal of the Victim Impact Panel is not to blame or judge offenders in the audience, but to reach the audience on an emotional level…a level that courts, fines and jail may not be able to reach. Listening to the personal accounts of people who have lived to tell about the grief and despair that occurs "after a crash," can help drivers understand the dangers and consequences of driving after drinking. The ultimate goal of the Victim Impact Panel is to reduce the number of people killed or injured in alcohol related crashes. 

If you are interested in participating in a Victim Impact Panel, please contact the BLANK.

1. Do NOT send anything to the court that you do not want the other party or the public to see.  With very limited exceptions, your file will be public record.
2. You are NOT allowed to have a private conversation with the judge or court commissioner about your case. This means you may not speak to them directly or send letters to them unless the other party is present or copied in on the correspondence.  Materials sent to the judge will be unread unless forwarded to all parties. 
3. If you come to court to enforce or modify your judgment or court order, bring a copy of the judgment or order that pertains to the issue.
4. If you need the testimony of other persons, have them come to court.  Letters or written statements from others are usually NOT admissible in court.
5. Only one person may speak at a time. This is especially important to remember when appearing by phone. Parties are not allowed to interrupt others except when making legal objections.
6. Legal objections may be made only if the other party attempts to introduce evidence that is not legally admissible. You cannot interrupt or object to a person’s statement just because you do not agree with it; make a note of it and give your side of the story when it’s your turn to speak.
7. At a hearing, the court generally cannot issue an order or take action unless written notice of the issue or request was given all parties ahead of time.
8. There are limits on when a parent can request a change in custody or placement of their children.  It is highly recommended that you retain a lawyer in all cases in which custody or placement is contested.
9. The Court is not able to appoint attorneys in family cases.

There are exceptions to most of these guidelines. It is highly recommended that you speak with an attorney if you have additional questions. 

A divorce or paternity case is started by filing the original Summons and Petition with the Clerk of Courts and paying the filing fee.  The fee can be waived by the Court if you file a written request which shows that you are indigent. Those forms can be obtained at the Clerk of Courts office.

When you file the original Summons and Petition, the copies must be authenticated, which means stamped by the Clerk of Courts. Authenticated copies must be served on each party not later than 90 days after filing (Sec. 801.02, Wis. Stats.).

You should keep a copy of all documents pertaining to your case.

The Summons and Petition should be prepared with at least four copies. The originals are always filed with the Court.  Copies must be served on all other parties.  Two copies should be delivered to the Sheriff for service of one copy on the other party. The second copy is used by the Sheriff for the proof of service so that the sheriff can file it with the Court.  In any case in which state or federal aid is being received, the Child Support Agency should be served a copy also.

Personal service means actually delivering a copy to the person served. The only time you can use the mail for personal service of the Summons and other first documents is if the person served signs a written receipt admitting that he or she received the paper and stating when it was received.  The receipt is called an Admission of Service. You must then file that receipt or Admission of Service with the Court. Unless the other party admits service, personal service cannot be made by a party (Sec. 801.10).  That means you cannot personally serve the summons or petition on the other party to start the divorce.

Generally, personal service is done by the Sheriff or local police. However, any adult except a party may also serve papers. There are some persons called process servers who make a living serving papers. A process server will generally charge about $35 to serve a document, but it could be more depending on how many attempts they have to make and how far they have to travel.

If the Sheriff cannot find the other party or cannot make substituted service on a competent member of the family at least 14 years of age, he will sign a certificate so stating. The Court will want to be sure that a diligent effort was made to serve the respondent. Therefore, you must file the certificate from the Sheriff or other process server showing that the other party could not be found and that you have tried diligently to locate the other party and were not successful.  You may then publish the summons in a newspaper (Sec. 801.11(1)(c) and 801.02(3)(a)).  The Summons to be published is different from the regular Summons - make sure you publish the right form. You must pay the cost of publication. The Court cannot waive the newspaper's publication fee.

Service by mail, certified, registered, or otherwise, even with a return receipt, does not constitute personal service. However if service is by publication, you must mail a copy of the summons and petition to the respondent at least by the date of the first publication (Sec. 801.11(1)(c)).

Once a party is served with a Summons and Petition, he or she has 20 days to answer. (Respondent has 40 days to demand a copy of complaint if service is by publication.)  If the respondent also wants a divorce, he or she should file a counterclaim. If respondent does not file a counterclaim, respondent cannot get divorced if the petitioner fails to appear at the final hearing, or dismisses the case.

Once a party is personally served with a Summons and Petition, the Court has personal jurisdiction and that party or their attorney may be served by mail with other papers such as notices for hearings (Sec.801.14).  However, there are several exceptions in which personal service is required.  For example, enforcement of placement orders specifically requires personal service of the notice of hearing (Sec. 767.471).

If you have any other questions about starting a family case, please speak with an attorney.  The Clerk of Courts can assist you with forms and service information, but Court staff cannot give legal advice.

If any children have been born to the wife during the course of the marriage, the law presumes that the husband is the father of those children.  In other words, the husband is the child(ren)'s legal father unless or until the Court determines otherwise. 

If there is a question as to whether or not the husband is the father of any child born to the wife, the law REQUIRES that a guardian ad litem be appointed to investigate whether or not the husband is the biological father of the child.  A guardian ad litem (or GAL) is an attorney appointed by the Court to represent the best interests of the child in Court.

If the wife is PREGNANT at any time while a divorce is pending, a guardian ad litem MUST be appointed to determine the paternity of the unborn child.  The Court should be notified as soon as possible if the wife is pregnant.  Failure to do so could delay the progress of your case.

The Court is also required to appoint a guardian ad litem AT ANY TIME in a divorce or paternity case when legal custody or physical placement of a child is in dispute and mediation has been unsuccessful.

The parents of the child(ren) will generally be required to pay the guardian at litem's fees, including an initial deposit and payments once the matter is completed.

The law requires a waiting period of at least 120 days before your divorce can be finalized.  In the meantime, issues of custody, support, property division and maintenance while the action is pending can be addressed in a "temporary order hearing."  Temporary orders are issued by the Family Court Commissioner.  If the parties can agree on all or any of the issues, they should put their agreement in writing, signed by both parties, and file it with the Clerk of Courts.  If the Family Court Commissioner has no objection to the stipulation, a temporary order will be issued in accordance with the agreement.  If circumstances change while the case is pending, either spouse can request additional temporary order hearings.  Paperwork to request a temporary order hearing - or to record a stipulation for temporary orders - can be obtained from the Clerk of Courts.  Temporary orders remain in effect only until the final hearing.

At the end of the 120-day waiting period, your case will be scheduled for a "return date" with the Family Court Commissioner (FCC).  The FCC can finalize your divorce at the return date if you and your spouse agree the marriage is "irretrievably broken," and have fully completed a Marital Settlement Agreement.  Fill-in-the-blank Marital Settlement Agreement forms can be obtained from the Clerk of Courts.

If you and your spouse cannot agree on any of the issues in the Marital Settlement Agreement, your case will need to be set for further proceedings in front of the judge.  At your return date, the FCC will then schedule your case with the judge's office.

At or after your final divorce hearing, you and your spouse (or your attorney if you have one) will need to complete and file the Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Judgment (also known as a divorce judgment).  You can obtain fill-in-the-blank FFCLJ forms from the Clerk of Courts.

If you wish to appeal a decision of the Family Court Commissioner, you may file a request for "de novo review" with the Clerk of Courts.  A de novo review is a new hearing of the matter in front of the judge.  Requests for de novo review in a family case must be filed with the Clerk of Courts within 30 days of the FCC's decision.  You cannot request a de novo review if the decision was based on a stipulation (agreement by the parties) or default (you didn't show up for your hearing).

Decisions of a judge can be appealed to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals.  You are strongly advised to retain an attorney if you wish to pursue action in the Court of Appeals.

If the other party is not following a Court order, you may have several options.

First, we always recommend that you speak with an attorney about the issue if possible.

If the other party is not following an order regarding child support or medical expenses for your child, you should contact Dodge County Child Support. They can often take enforcement actions on your behalf, or provide other assistance.

If the other party is not following a restraining order, or a specific order regarding custody or placement, you should contact your local law enforcement agency.

If your current order is vague or subject to different interpretations, you may need to have the order clarified.  Stop at the Clerk of Courts office to file a motion to modify the order, or to request mediation for custody or placement issues.

If the other party is deliberately violating a specific Court order, you may file an Order to Show Cause and Affidavit to request that they found in contempt of court.  Contempt paperwork can be obtained on the Wisconsin Court System webpage or from the Clerk of Courts office.  You will need to have your paperwork served on the other party by the Sheriff's Department or other process server.

There are two ways to change a judgment or order.

If both parties agree to the change, they can put the agreement in writing, sign it and file it with the Clerk of Courts.  The stipulation does not become the new order unless or until it is approved by the judge or Family Court Commissioner.

If the parties do not agree to change the judgment or order, either party can file a motion to modify it with the Clerk of Courts.  Paperwork to request a modification can be obtained from the Clerk of Courts office.  The legal requirements for changing custody or placement are strict and we do NOT recommend that you attempt to change custody or placement without a lawyer.

If you wish to modify a CHILD SUPPORT order, we recommend that you contact Dodge County Child Support. They may be able to file a motion on your behalf, or give you additional assistance.  The Court generally cannot change PAST child support, so it is important to contact the Child Support Agency or file a motion as soon as possible if placement or financial circumstances have changed.

Child support continues until the child TURNS 18 AND GRADUATES from high school.  (If the child is still in high school or a similar program, support may continue until he or she turns 19.)  If any of those events is coming up, please contact the Child Support Agency.

Why not? Trial by jury is a cherished constitutional right. Every resident of an area served by a circuit court who is at least 18 years of age, a U.S. citizen, and able to understand the English language, is qualified to serve as a juror.

No person who is qualified and able to serve may be excluded on the basis of sex, race, color, sexual orientation, disability, religion, national origin, marital status, family status, income, age, ancestry, or physical condition.

A person selected for jury service is selected at random from a master listing using the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's list of people with motor vehicle licenses or identification cards who live in Dodge County.

Yes - in most instances. The law requires all qualified state citizens be available to serve as jurors. Not all persons summoned actually serve as a juror. A person may not be selected as a result of a process known as "voir dire" (pronounced vwa deer) whereby the judge and the parties in the case ask questions to determine a potential juror's qualifications or degree of impartiality to serve on a particular trial.

The court may excuse a person from jury service if the court determines the person cannot fulfill the responsibilities of a juror. If the court determines jury service would entail undue hardship, extreme inconvenience, serious obstruction or delay of justice, the court may defer service to a later date set by the court. The court may require a person document the basis for any excuse or deferral.

Jury service is a civic duty. State law protects your job. Your employer can't fire you, demote you, threaten nor intimidate you because of jury service.

There is no prescribed dress code.  Please dress comfortably and be mindful that you will be attending an official court proceeding.  Some courtrooms are colder than others.  You may want to bring a second layer.

Resolving legal disputes can be complex and unpredictable work. Often, cases are settled at the very last minute. When the jury is ready to hear the case, the parties often work out a last-minute compromise rather than gamble on what the jury will decide. These settlements may seem very inconvenient to you, but such settlements usually save time for all trial participants and saves the taxpayers' money.  You may want to bring something to read.

If you have a disability which will require an accommodation by the court to allow you to serve as a juror, please contact the Jury Clerk at 920-386-3930 as soon as possible.

Most trials last only one day, but may go into the evening.  When a trial does last longer than one day, the judge usually adjourns so that you can return home each day at a reasonable hour.  However, there does remain the possibility of being sequestered.

Now that you may actually have the opportunity to serve on a jury, you may be wondering just how to act and what exactly is expected of our as a juror. Your are in a position of responsibility. You are expected to conduct yourself in way that no one may question your impartiality and integrity as a juror.

The court has developed ten basic, yet very important, rules for jurors to follow. They are intended to help maintain order, fairness and impartiality in court proceedings.

Your most important qualifications are fairness and impartiality.  Please review the following ten rules:

1. Listen carefully and observe. — Weigh the credibility of witnesses and evaluate exhibits. You must base your decision on all the evidence presented to you.
    
2. Keep an open mind. — Do not form hasty opinions or conclusions. Wait until all the evidence is presented and closing arguments are made.
    
3. Control your emotions. — You may be presented with exhibits or testimony that make you uncomfortable. Be prepared. You should not give any visual or audible indication that you have been affected.
    
4. Do not discuss the case. — During the trial, you should not talk about the case to anyone, including other jurors. Such discussion could cause you to form conclusions before all the evidence has been presented.
    
5. Do not read, view, or listen to media accounts. — Newspaper, radio, television reports or social media accounts might present a biased or unbalanced view of the case. You must make your decision based on the evidence presented in court.
    
6. Do not talk with anyone related to the case. — You should not talk to attorneys, parties, witnesses, or anyone connected to the case. This might be perceived as an attempt to influence your verdict.
    
7. Do not investigate the case on your own. — Since the only evidence you can consider is that presented in court, you are not allowed to make an independent investigation or to inspect the places involved in the case on your own.
    
8. Report problems to the court. — If you become aware of anything that causes you concern, whether inside or outside the courtroom, the court should be made aware of it. Report your concern to the bailiff outside of the hearing of other jurors. Do not discuss the matter with other jurors.
    
9. Report emergencies to the court. — If an emergency or illness affects your jury service during the trial, inform the bailiff.
    
10. Be on time for court. — Since each juror must hear all the evidence, tardiness causes delay and wastes everyone's time.

Lunch will be provided to those selected as a juror for the trial.  You may also bring in your own lunch if you choose.

You may bring in reading material.  Cell phones, tablets, laptops, etc. may be brought in, but must be turned off before going into the courtroom.  If you are selected to be a juror for the trial, your electronic device (including smart watches, Fitbits, etc.) will be turned over to the bailiff.  Please do not bring beverages into the Courthouse. 

You will be paid $30 per day and .510 cents per mile round trip to the Courthouse for each day you are required to report. It is important that you inform the Jury Clerk or bailiff of your mileage so that you can be reimbursed properly.

Ample parking in front of the Dodge County Courts building is available.  The address is 210 W. Center Street, Juneau, WI 53039.

If you provided your e-mail address and/or your cell phone number on the Juror Qualification Questionnaire, you will receive updates via e-mail and/or text message.  These updates will commence the Friday before your assigned week. 

The Wisconsin Court System has an excellent suite of services for jurors. Visit the Services for Jurors page.

To initiate a Small Claims case, go to the Self-Help Small Claims Website to obtain and fill out the forms. If the case involves a consumer transaction, it should be filed in the county where the customer lives, or where the purchase was made, or where the collateral is located. For other types of cases, it should be filed in the county where the claim arose, or where the property is located, or where the defendant lives or does substantial business.

The limit is $10,000 for money judgments, replevins, attachments, garnishments and $5,000 for personal injury, tort, and third party complaints. You're restricted to the small claims jurisdiction per defendant. Anything over the limit amount is a large claims civil case.

It is your choice whether to retain an attorney. Representation is not required.

Various fees must be paid, and many are subject to change. Presently the filing fee is $94.50.

Complete the contempt form at the Clerk of Courts office. The clerk will schedule the hearing with the next available judge on the appropriate schedule. You must have the defendant personally served.

If the debtor appears at the hearing, they will be instructed to complete the financial disclosure form. If the creditor does not appear at the hearing (or does not provide proof of service), the contempt can be dismissed. If the debtor does not file the financial disclosure statement prior to the hearing or appear at the hearing, the judge may issue a bench warrant.

Here is a short overview of the steps needed:

1. File for an eviction in Small Claims court.

2. Win the eviction action and obtain a judgment.

3. Pay a $5 docketing fee to have the Small Claims Court put a lien on person's property and pay a $5 fee for a writ of assistance for the Sheriff to serve so you can obtain possession of the premises.

4. File a motion for additional damages form with Clerk of Courts for your additional rent and damages within 90 days of the date that the judgment of eviction was granted.

5. Obtain an amended judgment for additional expenses if your motion is granted by the court.

A creditor who is trying to collect an unsatisfied civil court judgment against a debtor may start a garnishment action to recover the money owed. This may include interest and other costs, which are deducted from earnings payable to the debtor. The employer, who makes payment directly to the creditor, is called the garnishee. For example, if a court finds that you (debtor) owe a former landlord (creditor) back rent, the landlord can ask the court to order your employer (garnishee) to pay part of the rent you owe directly to the landlord. There are limits to the amount that can be taken out of each paycheck. More garnishment information is in the Guide to Small Claims Court.

If you win a money judgment, the Small Claims Court will order the party owing money under the decision to fill out a financial disclosure form and send it to you within 15 days after the judgment was filed. If the defendant doesn't pay, you may docket the judgment at the Clerk of Courts office. The docketed judgment then acts as a lien on the defendant's real estate owned in Dodge County. If the defendant fails to file the required financial disclosure form, you can ask the court to hold the defendant in contempt. One of several ways to try to enforce a judgment is by "garnishment." Garnishment is an action to withhold part of a person's wages or bank accounts to pay off the judgment. A garnishment can be filed in Small Claims Court, just as the original case was. Part of the judgment debtor's wages are exempt from garnishment.