Seal of Dane County County of Dane
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Dane County Clerk of Courts

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Am I supposed to behave a certain way while in Court?

Here are some general tips:

  • Be on time! The court has a very busy schedule. If you are late, your case might be postponed to another date or dismissed entirely.
  • Dress professionally, as you would for an important event. This means that your clothing should be neat and clean and that you are well-groomed.
  • Do not bring your children into court.
  • Do not chew gum.
  • Turn off electronic devices, including cell phones and pagers.
  • Be respectful to everyone in court. This includes the judge or court commissioner, court staff, the other party involved in your case, witnesses, court bailiff, and any other people in the area.
  • Address the judge as 'Your Honor'.
  • Do not use profanity, argue, or verbally react to answers given in court by the judge or commissioner, opposing party, or attorney. You will have your turn to speak.

2. Are there court forms specific to Dane County?

There are several court forms that are designed for use in Dane County only. Locate a court form here on our Court Forms page

3. Don't see your question listed?

Call (608) 266-4311 Monday-Friday between 7:45 AM and 4:30 PM. Closed all County holidays.

4. How do I access legal information?

Online, a substantial amount of Wisconsin legal information can be found by accessing the Wisconsin State Law Library's website and searching its contents. Not all legal information is available on the Internet, nor is it all available for free. You may also visit the Dane County Law Library or WI State Law Library during normal business hours. Another option is emailing your question to dclrc.ref@wicourts.gov or calling (608) 266-6316 for more information and assistance. 

5. How do I complain about an attorney?

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. Information about the OLR is on their website

6. How do I file an Out of State Subpoena?

Out Of State Subpoenas

A Wisconsin clerk of circuit court may issue a subpoena for an out-of-state litigant who has submitted a properly issued foreign subpoena to the clerk in the county in which the discovery is sought.

  1. The foreign subpoena must be accompanied by an appropriate Wisconsin subpoena which shall include the following information:
    1. List the Wisconsin county where discovery is to be conducted as the court from which the subpoena is issued;
    2. Use the title of the action and its docket number from the foreign jurisdiction;
    3. Incorporate the terms used in the foreign subpoena and include a copy of the foreign subpoena as an attachment;
    4. Contain or be accompanied by the names, addresses and telephone numbers of all attorneys of record in the proceeding to which the subpoena related and any party not represented by an attorney; and
    5. Advise the person to whom the subpoena is directed that “you have a right to petition the Wisconsin circuit court for a protective order to quash or modify the subpoena or provide other relief under s. 805.07(3).”
  2. When a party submits a foreign subpoena to the Clerk of Court’s office that is in compliance with the information required above, the clerk shall promptly sign and issue the Wisconsin subpoena for service upon the person to which the foreign subpoena is directed. There is no filing fee.
  3. The original subpoena is returned to the requester for service.  Copies of the documents are forwarded to the Appeals Clerk to be retained in a group file (GF0000__), scanned and entered on CCAP. 
  4. Alternatively, a party may retain an attorney who is licensed or otherwise authorized to practice law in Wisconsin to sign and issue the Wisconsin subpoena as an officer of the court. 
  5. Requesting issuance of a subpoena does not require an appearance in court.

GF-127A (Foreign Subpoena) (PDF)

GF-127A (Foreign Subpoena) (DOC)

GF-127A summary

Service and Enforcement of Subpoena
A subpoena issued must be served and enforced.  In issuing the subpoena, the clerk of circuit court may not collect a fee and should enter it as a group file (GF0000_) case number. The individual responsible for service shall deliver a certificate of service or affidavit to the party that requested the subpoena. The party must retain the certificate of service or affidavit and furnish a copy to any party or to the deponent upon request.

Deposition, Production and Inspection
When a subpoena issued commands a person to attend and give testimony at a deposition; produce designated books, documents, records, electronically stored information, or tangible items; or permit inspection of premises, the time and place and the manner of the taking of the deposition, the production, or the inspection must comply with Wisconsin's rules and statutes relating to discovery.

Application to Court for Protective Order
a. Special Proceedings. An application to the circuit court for a protective order or to enforce, quash, or modify a subpoena issued under this section will commence a special proceeding. Applications and all other filings in the special proceeding must comply with the applicable rules or statutes of this state, including service, and must be filed with the circuit court in the county in which discovery is to be conducted. Applications to enforce a subpoena must include proof of service of the subpoena.

b. Fees; assignment of case number.

  1. On filing an application under this section, a petitioner shall pay the large claims Civil no-money judgment filing fee.
  2. The circuit court in which the application is filed shall assign it a CV case number.

c. Reasonable attorney fees and expenses. The court in its discretion may award any prevailing party its reasonable attorney fees and expenses.

d. Appeals. A final order granting, denying, or otherwise resolving an application under this subsection is a final order for purposes of filing an appeal.

Ref:  Wis. Stats. Chapter 887.24

Revised:  2/16

7. How do I get a copy of public records of court cases or files?

Contact the Record Center in the Clerk of Courts office for copies of cases and files. A brief description of cases and index of records is contained in the WI Circuit Court Access database.

8. How do I get a court interpreter?

A court interpreter will be provided for hearings UPON REQUEST. You must make the request, in writing, with the office of the court official assigned to your case. You may also make the request at the Clerk of Courts office, located on the first floor of the Courthouse. 

9. How do I get a lawyer?

There are several ways for you to locate an attorney to assist you. One way is to call the WI State Bar Lawyer Referral and Information Service at (608) 257-4666. You could also search lawyer directories or the yellow pages. For more information, visit this topic on the Wisconsin State Law Library's Legal Topics page

10. How do I search Dane County Court Cases?

Go to Wisconsin Circuit Court Access.

11. I can't make my court date. How do I reschedule a court date?

It might not be possible to reschedule, but you can try calling. The number of the assigned judge hearing your case should be located on the notice of hearing. For Dane County Circuit Court, call (608) 266-4311Requests to adjourn small claims court hearings must be received, in writing, and a copy of the request MUST be provided to the other parties in the case.

12. If I violated a city ordinance in a city in Dane County, will the case be in Circuit Court?

If the ticket was issued by a jurisdiction that has a Municipal Court, you will probably need to appear there to answer an ordinance violation. The City of Madison has a Municipal Court located in the City County Building Room 203 on the Second Floor. Contact the Clerk of Courts if you are unsure which jurisdiction or Court you need to visit. 

13. Is the Courthouse accessible to people in wheelchairs or with other physical challenges?

Yes. The entrance has a ramp. There is a drop-off space for the wheelchair ramp on Doty Street. 

14. What are the hours of the Clerk of Courts?

7:45 AM to 4:30 PM Closed all County holidays. Customers should arrive in time to complete all business by 4:30 PM. Branch offices are also closed 12-1 PM daily.

15. What are the local court rules for Dane County?

Local court rules are policies and procedures for court actions tried in Dane County. You need to be familiar with the local court rules if you are involved in court actions, even if you are not an attorney. You can view the Dane County Circuit Court Rules

16. What happens when I arrive at the Courthouse?

You will be required to go through Weapons Screening when you arrive at the Courthouse. You will have to pass through a metal detector and all items will be sent through an X-Ray machine. The whole process is very similar to the security screening at an airport so please plan accordingly. Allow extra time to get through Security prior to your hearing. 

17. What if I can't afford an attorney?

There are several alternatives and programs that may be able to assist you. Visit the Court System's Self-Help Center legal assistance page for lists of resources and programs that offer no or low-cost legal aid and information that can help you determine if you can afford a lawyer. You may also choose to represent yourself. 

18. What if I can't afford to pay the filing fee for a court action?

You may petition the court to have filing and service fees waived. You should use the Petition for Waiver of Filing and Service fees form. 

19. Where can I complain about a Court Commissioner?

Read Supreme Court Rule (SCR) 75.06. Contact information for the chief judge may be found in the Circuit Court Administrative Districts directory. The Wisconsin Judicial Commission provides an online complaint form

20. Where can I complain about a judge?

The Wisconsin Judicial Commission investigates allegations of judicial misconduct. They provide an online complaint form

21. Where do I park when I come to the Courthouse?

Parking can be a problem in the downtown area. There are several public parking ramps close to the downtown area. There is usually little or no street parking available during the workday, but there are handicapped-accessible parking spots or areas to drop people off on Doty Street (around the corner from the main entrance). 

22. Where do I report for jury duty?

Room L1000 in the Courthouse. See the Juror Information page for more juror information. 

23. Where is the Courthouse?

The Courthouse is located at 215 S Hamilton St and is between the streets of Wilson and Doty running parallel. There is one entrance on Hamilton Street, a one-way street connecting Wilson and Doty streets. 

24. Which newspapers are certified to publish legal notices?

A list of certified newspapers by county, and their corresponding requirements, may be found here.

25. Why won't any court staff help me fill out a form, tell me how to proceed in my case, etc?

Court staff cannot give legal advice. According to Supreme Court Rule 70.41, services such as legal research or assistance filling out a form can be considered legal advice. The worst-case scenario places court staff in violation of 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.