757.60(3)
(3) The 3rd district consists of Jefferson, Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties.
757.60(4)
(4) The 4th district consists of Calumet, Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Sheboygan and Winnebago counties.
757.60(5)
(5) The 5th district consists of Dane, Green, Lafayette and Rock counties.
757.60(6)
(6) The 6th district consists of Adams, Clark, Columbia, Dodge, Green Lake, Juneau, Marquette, Portage, Sauk, Waushara and Wood counties.
757.60(7)
(7) The 7th district consists of Buffalo, Crawford, Grant, Iowa, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Pepin, Pierce, Richland, Trempealeau and Vernon counties.
757.60(8)
(8) The 8th district consists of Brown, Door, Kewaunee, Marinette, Oconto, Outagamie and Waupaca counties.
757.60(9)
(9) The 9th district consists of Florence, Forest, Iron, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Menominee, Oneida, Price, Shawano, Taylor and Vilas counties.
757.60(10)
(10) The 10th district consists of Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Chippewa, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Polk, Rusk, St. Croix, Sawyer and Washburn counties.
Effective date note
History: 1977 c. 449; Sup. Ct. Order, 84 W (2d) xiii (1978); Sup. Ct. Order, eff. 1-1-80;
1981 c. 317;
1995 a. 225.
757.66
757.66
Recovery of legal fees paid for indigent defendants. Whenever a county or the state has paid for legal representation of an indigent defendant and the county board or the department of justice so requires, the clerk of the court where representation for the indigent was appointed shall prepare, sign and record in the office of the register of deeds a certificate stating the name and residence of the indigent beneficiary, the amount paid by the county or the state for his or her legal representation, the date when paid, the court and county in which the case was heard and such other information as the county board directs. If a certificate is recorded within 6 months after payment is made by the county or the state it may, within the time after the recording provided by
s. 893.86, commence an action to recover from the indigent defendant, or his or her estate if the action is commenced within the time set for filing claims by creditors, the amount paid by the county or the state for his or her legal representation. In any such action
ss. 859.02 and
893.86, so far as applicable, may be pleaded in defense. The claim shall not take precedence over the allowances in
ss. 861.31,
861.33 and
861.35. The district attorney or the department of justice, as applicable, shall commence and prosecute all actions and proceedings necessary under this section to make the recovery when it appears that the indigent defendant or his or her estate is able to pay the claim.
757.66 Annotation
Recovery of legal defense fees from indigent defendants discussed. James v. Strange, 407 US 128.
757.67
757.67
Testimony of judge of kin to attorney. No judge of any court of record shall testify as to any matter of opinion in any action or proceeding in which any person related to such judge in the first degree shall be an attorney of record.
757.67 History
History: Sup. Ct. Order, 59 W (2d) R1, R4 s. 6 (1973); Stats. 1973 s. 256.67;
1977 c. 187 s.
96; Stats. 1977 s. 757.67.
757.68
757.68
Court commissioners. 757.68(1)(a)(a) Except as provided in
par. (b), counties having a population of 100,000 or more may create the office of full-time court commissioner. The county board shall establish the number of positions and set the salary for the office. Any person qualified and acting as a judicial court commissioner on August 1, 1978, shall be deemed a full-time court commissioner and shall continue in the classified county civil service but any new appointee shall be in the unclassified (exempt) civil service. The chief judge shall be the appointing and supervising authority and may terminate the employment of any such commissioner if cause is proven. The chief judge may delegate any such supervising authority. The full-time court commissioners shall be attorneys licensed to practice in this state. Each court commissioner shall take and file the official oath in the office of the clerk of the circuit court of the county for which appointed before performing any duty of the office.
757.68(1)(b)
(b) In counties having a population of 500,000 or more, the county board shall establish at least one full-time court commissioner position under
par. (a) to assist in the administration of the procedures for small claims type actions under
ch. 799. In counties having a population of less than 500,000, the county board may establish one or more part-time or full-time court commissioner positions under
par. (a) to assist in the administration of small claims type actions under
ch. 799. Any court commissioner appointed under this paragraph shall be an attorney licensed to practice in this state.
757.68(2)
(2) Part-time court commissioners. In each county the circuit judges shall appoint such number of part-time court commissioners as the proper transaction of business requires subject to the following exception: in counties having a population of 200,000 or more each judge may appoint not more than 2 such commissioners and in counties having a population of less than 200,000 each judge shall, as nearly as possible, appoint an equal number of commissioners within the county. In all counties the appointments shall be subject to the approval of a majority of the circuit judges for the county. Appointments shall be in writing and shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the circuit court. All court commissioners appointed after May 16, 1978, other than official court reporters acting under
s. 814.68 (1) (b) performing duties or exercising powers specified for court reporters, shall be attorneys licensed to practice in this state. The appointing judge may remove, at will and without cause, any court commissioner appointed by the judge or the judge's predecessor in office. Unless he or she is so removed, the term of each court commissioner shall continue until the expiration of the term of the appointing judge and until the successor of the commissioner is appointed and qualified. Each court commissioner shall take and file the official oath in the office of clerk of the circuit court of the county for which appointed before performing any duty of the office.
757.68(3)
(3) Conciliators. In all counties, retired circuit judges appointed to act as conciliators pursuant to
s. 807.09 may be appointed court commissioners, in addition to those appointed under
sub. (1). The term of court commissioners appointed to act as conciliators under
s. 807.09 shall continue until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
757.68(4)
(4) Eligibility of former inferior court judges. Any former judge of an inferior court of record of this state shall be eligible to appointment as a court commissioner, by any judge authorized by this section to make such appointment, in addition to those specified in
sub. (1).
757.68(5)
(5) Fees. Part-time court commissioners appointed under
sub. (2) shall collect the fees prescribed in
s. 814.68 (1).
757.68 Annotation
Where appointing order referred only to this section, commissioner did not have authority to issue warrant. State v. Loney, 110 W (2d) 256, 328 NW (2d) 872 (Ct. App. 1982).
757.69
757.69
Powers and duties of court commissioners. 757.69(1)(1) On authority delegated by a judge, which may be by a standard order, and with the approval of the chief judge of the judicial administrative district, a court commissioner appointed under
s. 48.065,
757.68,
757.72,
767.13 or
938.065 may:
757.69(1)(a)
(a) Direct a case to the proper court if the defendant wishes to enter a plea after intelligent waiver of rights.
757.69(1)(b)
(b) In criminal matters issue summonses, arrest warrants or search warrants and conduct initial appearances of persons arrested and set bail to the same extent as a judge. At the initial appearance, the court commissioner shall, when necessary, inform the defendant in accordance with
s. 970.02 (1). If the defendant appears or claims to be unable to afford counsel, the court commissioner, in accordance with
s. 970.02 (6), may refer the person to the authority for indigency determinations specified under
s. 977.07 (1). If the court commissioner is a full-time court commissioner, he or she may conduct the preliminary examination and arraignment to the same extent as a judge and, with the consent of both the state and the defendant, may accept a guilty plea. If a court refers a disputed restitution issue under
s. 973.20 (13) (c) 4., the court commissioner shall conduct the hearing on the matter in accordance with
s. 973.20 (13) (c) 4.
757.69(1)(c)
(c) Conduct initial appearances in traffic cases and county ordinance cases, in traffic regulation cases and county ordinance cases receive noncontested forfeiture pleas, order the revocation or suspension of operating privileges and impose monetary penalties according to a schedule adopted by a majority of the judges of the courts of record within the county, and refer applicable cases to court for enforcement for nonpayment.
757.69(1)(d)
(d) In small claims actions, conduct initial return appearance and conciliation conferences.
757.69(1)(f)
(f) Issue warrants and capiases for those who do not appear as summoned.
757.69(1)(g)
(g) When assigned to the court assigned jurisdiction under
chs. 48 and
938, a court commissioner may, under
ch. 48 or
938, issue summonses and warrants, order the release or detention of children apprehended, conduct detention and shelter care hearings, conduct preliminary appearances, conduct uncontested proceedings under
ss. 48.13,
938.12,
938.13 and
938.18, enter into consent decrees and exercise the powers and perform the duties specified in
par. (j) or
(m), whichever is applicable, in proceedings under
s. 813.122 or
813.125 in which the respondent is a child. Contested waiver hearings under
s. 938.18 and dispositional hearings under
ss. 48.335 and
938.335 shall be conducted by a judge. When acting in an official capacity and assigned to the children's court center, a court commissioner shall sit at the children's court center or such other facility designated by the chief judge. Any decision by the commissioner shall be reviewed by the judge of the branch of court to which the case has been assigned, upon motion of any party. Any determination, order or ruling by the commissioner may be certified to the branch of court to which such case has been assigned upon a motion of any party for a hearing de novo.
757.69(1)(h)
(h) Hear petitions for commitment and conduct probable cause hearings under
ss. 51.20,
51.45 and
55.06 (11), conduct reviews of guardianships and protective placements and protective services under
chs. 55 and
880, advise a person alleged to be mentally ill of his or her rights under the United States and Wisconsin constitutions and, if the person claims or appears to be unable to afford counsel, refer the person to the authority for indigency determinations specified under
s. 977.07 (1) or, if the person is a child, refer that child to the state public defender who shall appoint counsel for the child without a determination of indigency, as provided in
s. 48.23 (4).
757.69(1)(j)
(j) Hold hearings, make findings and issue temporary restraining orders under
s. 813.122.
757.69(1)(k)
(k) Exercise the power of a juvenile court commissioner appointed under
s. 48.065 or
938.065, a probate court commissioner appointed under
s. 757.72 or a family court commissioner appointed under
s. 767.13.
757.69(2)(a)
(a) The trial of an issue of fact requires the examination of an account, in which case the court commissioner may be directed to report upon any specific question of fact involved therein.
757.69(2)(b)
(b) The taking of an account is necessary for the information of the court before judgment or for carrying a judgment or order into effect.
757.69(2)(c)
(c) A question of fact other than upon the pleadings arises.
757.69(2)(d)
(d) Proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law are to be prepared pertaining to default mortgage and land contract foreclosures and mechanics liens.
757.69(3)(a)
(a) Officiate at marriage ceremonies throughout the state.
757.69(3)(b)
(b) Issue subpoenas and attachments or other process to compel the attendance of witnesses, administer oaths and affidavits, take depositions and testimony when authorized by law or rule or order, and certify and report the depositions and testimony.
757.69(3)(c)
(c) Issue the following writs returnable before a judge at a time set by the judge or the judge's clerk: habeas corpus; certiorari; ne exeat and alternative writs of mandamus.
757.69(3)(d)
(d) Supervise accountings subsequent to a sale of land under
ch. 75.
757.69(3)(g)
(g) Except as provided in
s. 767.13 (5) (c), conduct a paternity proceeding according to the procedures set out in
ch. 767 whenever a court commissioner is specifically authorized to do so.
757.69(3)(h)
(h) Conduct supplementary hearings on the present financial status of a debtor and exercise the powers of the court under
ss. 816.04,
816.08 and
816.11.
757.69(4)
(4) In addition to the duties expressly set forth in
sub. (3) (a) to
(c), a court commissioner may perform other ministerial duties as required by a court.
757.69(5)
(5) A court commissioner may transfer to a court any matter in which it appears that justice would be better served by such a transfer.
757.69(6)
(6) Every judge of a court of record has the powers and duties of a court commissioner.
757.69(7)
(7) A court commissioner shall refer to a court of record for appropriate action every alleged showing of contempt in the carrying out of the lawful decisions of the commissioner.
757.69 History
History: 1977 c. 323,
449;
1979 c. 32;
1979 c. 89;
1979 c. 209 s.
4;
1979 c. 352,
356;
1983 a. 279;
1985 a. 126,
202,
234,
332;
1987 a. 3,
27,
71,
378,
398;
1989 a. 7,
12,
31,
246; Sup. Ct. Order, 158 W (2d) xxv (1990);
1991 a. 39,
269;
1993 a. 318,
451,
481;
1995 a. 77.
757.69 Note
Judicial Council Note, 1987: Sub. (3) (h), stats., is amended to clarify that a court commissioner who conducts a hearing on the present financial status of a judgment debtor may appoint a receiver in aid of execution, direct the application of nonexempt assets to the satisfaction of the judgment, and allow fees, costs and disbursements to the judgment creditor or any party at the hearing. [87 Act 71]
Effective date note
Judicial Council Note, 1990: The amendments to subs. (1), (2) and (3) give juvenile court commissioners, probate court commissioners and family court commissioners the same authority as court commissioners appointed under s. 757.68, and allow court commissioners appointed under s. 757.68 to be delegated the authority to act as juvenile court commissioners, probate court commissioners or family court commissioners. [Re Order eff. 1-1-91]
757.69 Annotation
Failure of judge to formally authorize commissioner to issue search warrants was nothing more than judicial oversight and did not justify suppression of evidence. State v. Verkuylen, 120 W (2d) 59, 352 NW (2d) 668 (Ct. App. 1984).
757.69 Annotation
Non-lawyer court reporters cannot be delegated power to issue criminal warrants and conduct initial appearances under (1) (b).
72 Atty. Gen. 39.
757.695
757.695
Court commissioners; small claims matters. If a court commissioner has been appointed under
s. 757.68 (1) (b) to assist in the administration of small claims matters, the commissioner shall conduct the hearings and proceedings as prescribed by
ch. 799 and shall have the following additional duties and authority:
757.695(1)
(1) Grant and enter default judgments and approve stipulations.
757.695(2)
(2) Conduct conferences and hearings with the parties or their attorneys or both on the return dates and adjourned dates, if any.
757.695(3)
(3) Issue decisions in matters that come before the commissioner. The decisions shall become judgments under
s. 799.207 (2).
757.695 History
History: 1977 c. 345;
1979 c. 32 s.
92 (16).
757.70
757.70
Hearings before court commissioners. 757.70(1)
(1) All proceedings and hearings before a court commissioner shall be public and open to every citizen, except juvenile proceedings or when it is necessary for the court in which the action or proceeding is pending to impose by order restrictions under its inherent power to conduct proceedings in camera.
757.70(2)
(2) All hearings before a court commissioner shall be held in the county courthouse or other court facilities provided by law. This provision does not apply to nontestimonial proceedings, supplementary hearings on the present financial status of a debtor under
s. 757.69 (3) (h) or depositions taken before a court commissioner.
757.70 History
History: 1977 c. 323.
757.72
757.72
Office of probate court commissioner. 757.72(1)
(1) In counties having a population of 500,000 or more, there is created in the classified civil service the office of probate court commissioner. In counties having a population of at least 100,000 but not more than 500,000, the county board may create the office of probate court commissioner which may be in the classified civil service.
757.72(2)
(2) Judges assigned probate jurisdiction may assign to the probate court commissioners any matters over which the judges have jurisdiction, and the probate court commissioners may determine such matters and may sign any order or certificate required in such determination.
757.72(3)
(3) Probate court commissioners shall receive such salary and be furnished with quarters, necessary office furnishings and supplies as determined by the county board.
757.72(4)
(4) In counties having a population of 500,000 or more the chief judge of the judicial administrative district shall appoint and may remove probate court commissioners under
ss. 63.01 to
63.17. In counties having a population of at least 100,000 but not more than 500,000 the chief judge shall appoint and may remove any probate court commissioner if cause is proven. Probate court commissioners shall be attorneys licensed to practice in this state.
757.72(5)
(5) The register in probate of a county shall have the duties and powers of a probate court commissioner and shall act in that capacity when designated to do so by a judge assigned probate jurisdiction.
757.72(6)
(6) Before entering upon the performance of their duties, probate court commissioners shall take and file the official oath.
757.72(7)
(7) Probate court commissioners shall by virtue of their respective positions, and to the extent required for the performance of their duties, each have the powers of a court commissioner.
757.72(8)
(8) The probate court commissioners may administer oaths, take depositions and testimony, and certify and report the depositions and testimony, take and certify acknowledgments, allow accounts and fix the amount and approve the sufficiency of bonds.
757.72 History
History: 1977 c. 323,
449.
757.81(1)
(1) "Commission" means the judicial commission created by
s. 757.83.
757.81(2)
(2) "Court commissioner" means a court commissioner under
s. 757.68, a family court commissioner under
s. 767.13, a juvenile court commissioner under
s. 48.065 or
938.065 and a probate court commissioner under
s. 757.72.
757.81(3)
(3) "Judge" means a judge of any court established by or pursuant to
article VII, section 2 or 14, of the constitution, or a supreme court justice.
757.81(4)
(4) "Misconduct" includes any of the following:
757.81(4)(a)
(a) Wilful violation of a rule of the code of judicial ethics.
757.81(4)(b)
(b) Wilful or persistent failure to perform official duties.
757.81(4)(c)
(c) Habitual intemperance, due to consumption of intoxicating beverages or use of dangerous drugs, which interferes with the proper performance of judicial duties.
