Wisconsin circuit courts

The Wisconsin circuit courts are the general trial courts in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. There are currently 261 judicial seats and 69 circuits in the state circuit court system, with circuit boundaries largely matching county boundaries. The 69 circuits are divided into 9 judicial administrative districts. Circuit court judges hear and decide both civil and criminal cases.

Each circuit court judge is elected for a six-year term; there is no term limit or mandatory retirement age for Wisconsin circuit court judges. Judicial vacancies are filled by gubernatorial appointment without any need for legislative confirmation; appointed judges serve a temporary term that expires after the next spring election. The circuit court judiciary is also supplemented by retired reserve judges, who often fill in for vacancies, illnesses, or when the caseload necessitates additional resources; reserve judges are appointed and assigned at the sole discretion of the Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.