Dane County Circuit Court cases in Dane County, Madison, WI
The Dane County Circuit Court in Madison, Wisconsin, is a circuit court-the state's trial court of general jurisdiction for Dane County. It adjudicates local state-law matters, serving as the primary forum for criminal prosecutions (felony and misdemeanor), civil actions (including small claims), family cases (divorce, paternity, custody, child support), juvenile matters (delinquency and child protection), probate and guardianship, mental health commitments, and traffic and other forfeiture/ordinance violations. The court issues warrants and injunctions, manages restraining order petitions, and conducts jury and bench trials. It also hears appeals from municipal courts and reviews certain administrative decisions by certiorari or statutory review, entering judgments, imposing sentences, and overseeing post-judgment and enforcement proceedings.
Dane County Circuit Court Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Circuit Court |
| County: | Dane |
| Street Address: | 215 S Hamilton St. |
| City: | Madison |
| Zip Code: | 53703 |
| Phone: | 608-266-4311 |
| Fax: | 608-267-8859 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday, 7:15 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website URL: | https://courts.countyofdane.com/ |
| Parking: | Parking can be a problem in the downtown area. Please attempt to park in the Capitol Square South Ramp (previously the Dane County Ramp). Meters take quarters only (approximately $1.80 for each hour.) |
| Forms & Filing: | Court Forms |
| Divisions / Services: | Pretrial Assessment Pilot Program - 608-283-1418, 608-283-1431 |
| Dockets / Schedule / Calendar: | Case Search |
| Jury Service: | Juror Information |
| Languages: | English |
| Email: | carlo.esqueda@wicourts.gov |
| Facebook: | https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dane-County-Circuit-Court/117073708315826 |
| ADA: | ADA Inquiry and Information |
| ADA Phone: | 608-267-1520 |
Services and Case Types Handled in Dane County Circuit Court
Dane County Circuit Court, Wisconsin's trial court of general jurisdiction, serves the public by: processing case filings and records (including eFiling), scheduling and conducting hearings and trials, managing juries, and providing access to forms, calendars, payments, interpreters, ADA accommodations, and self-help resources. Case types include criminal (felony/misdemeanor), civil (contracts/torts), small claims and evictions, traffic/ordinance, family (divorce, custody, paternity, child support), juvenile (delinquency, CHIPS/TPR), probate (estates and guardianships), and mental health commitments. The court also handles protective and restraining orders-for domestic abuse, harassment, child abuse, and individual-at-risk matters-through petition filing and injunction hearings. Additional functions include mediation/family court services, proceedings before court commissioners, and problem-solving courts (e.g., drug, OWI, veterans, mental health).