Code of Professional Responsibility, Courtesy & Decorum for the Circuit Courts of Dane County

In order to enhance the administration of justice, this code establishes uniform standards of courtroom decorum applicable to judges, court commissioners, attorneys, court personnel and the public in Dane County Circuit Courts.

1. Judges, court commissioners, lawyers, clerks and staff shall at all times maintain a cordial and respectful demeanor and shall be guided by a fundamental sense of integrity and fair play in all their professional activities.
2. Judges, court commissioners, lawyers, clerks and staff shall at all times be civil in their dealings with one another. All court and court related proceedings, including discovery proceedings, whether written or oral, shall be conducted with civility and respect for each of the participants.
3. Judges, court commissioners, lawyers, clerks and staff shall abstain from making disparaging, demeaning or sarcastic remarks or comments about one another, and shall not engage in any conduct that may be characterized as uncivil, abrasive, abusive, hostile or obstructive.
4. Judges, court commissioners, and lawyers shall be punctual in convening and appearing for all hearings, meetings and conferences and, if delayed, shall notify other participants, if possible.
5. Lawyers, court commissioners, judges, clerks and staff shall at all times, while in the courthouse or while participating in legal proceedings, dress in a manner showing proper respect for the court, the proceedings and the law.
6. Lawyers, court commissioners, judges, clerks and staff shall advise clients, witnesses, jurors and others appearing in court that proper conduct and attire is expected within the courthouse and shall, where possible, prevent clients, witnesses or others from creating disorder or disruption.
7. In scheduling all hearings, meetings and conferences, judges, court commissioners, lawyers, clerks and staff shall be considerate of the time schedules of the participants and shall grant reasonable extensions of time when such extensions will not adversely affect the court calendar or clients' interests.
8. Lawyers shall make all reasonable efforts to reach informal agreement on preliminary and procedural matters and shall attempt to expeditiously reconcile differences through negotiation, without needless expense and waste of time.
9. Lawyers shall not abuse the judicial process by pursuing or opposing discovery arbitrarily or for the purpose of harassment or undue delay. If an adversary is entitled to something, it shall be provided without unnecessary formalities.
10. Lawyers shall never knowingly deceive or mislead another lawyer or the court. Lawyers shall clearly identify for the court and other counsel changes he or she has made in documents submitted to him or her by counsel or the court.
11. Lawyers practicing before the courts in Dane County shall at all times act in good faith and shall honor promises or commitments to other lawyers and to the court.
12. All participants in the judicial process, whether judges, court commissioners, lawyers, clerks or staff, shall conduct themselves in a manner which demonstrates sensitivity to the necessity of preserving decorum and the integrity of the judicial process.
13. Professionalism, as defined in this code and in accordance with other relevant standards of courtesy, good manners and dignity, is the responsibility of the individual judge, court commissioner, lawyer, clerk, staff member and all other personnel of the court who assist the public.

Dane County Judges

Please visit our Judges page for a complete listing of Dane County Judges.

Circuit Court Commissioners

Please visit our Commisioners page for a complete listing of Circuit Court Commissioners.

Court Contacts

Please visit our Contacts page for a complete listing of Circuit Court Contacts.

Rules