Dane County Circuit Court Document Filing Requirements

Applies to

Initial pleadings

Must include

caption

Initial pleadings must include the case classification type and code in the caption.

In the initial pleadings (e.g., complaint) the caption shall include the case classification type and code.

Applies to

Initial pleadings

Must include

caption

The action title must include the full names and addresses of all parties, including persons appearing in a representative capacity.

The title of the action shall include the full names and addresses of all the parties, including persons appearing in a representative capacity (e.g., a guardian of a ward).

Applies to

Pleadings and papers

Must include

caption

All pleadings and papers must use the specified Wisconsin court caption.

All pleadings/papers shall be captioned State of Wisconsin, Dane county Branch ____, Circuit Court.

Applies to

Pleadings and papers

Must include

caption, case number

The caption must include the action title, case number, and document name.

The caption shall include the title of the action, the case number, and a name of document (e.g., answer).

Applies to

Pleading motion or other paper

Documents filed by a represented party must include the attorney's name, state bar number, telephone number, and address.

Every pleading, motion or other paper of a party represented by an attorney shall contain the name, state bar number, telephone number, and address of the attorney.

Applies to

Pleading motion or other paper

Documents filed by a self-represented party must include the party's name, signature, and address.

A party who is not represented by an attorney shall include on the pleading, motion or other paper his or her name, signature and address.

Applies to

Motion

All motions must specifically state their grounds and factual basis; nonspecific motions may be denied sua sponte with notice and leave to renew timely.

All motions must state with specificity the grounds and factual basis therefore. General assertions of violation of constitutional rights will not be considered specific. General assertions of insufficiency will not be considered specific. Such nonspecific motions may be denied sua sponte by the court with notice to the parties of such denial and with leave to renew the motions in a timely manner.

Applies to

Withdrawal order

An attorney may withdraw only with the assigned judge's consent, a proper showing of cause, and a written order allowing withdrawal.

Attorneys will not be allowed to withdraw from a case without the consent of the assigned judge. Said consent will be given only upon a proper showing of cause and the presentation of a written order allowing said withdrawal.

Applies to

Withdrawal motion

Counsel seeking withdrawal from criminal traffic, misdemeanor, or felony cases must file a written motion, except that the State Public Defender may substitute counsel in a misdemeanor case within 30 days of initial appearance.

All requests by counsel to withdraw from criminal traffic, misdemeanor and felony cases shall be done by written motion, except that in misdemeanor cases the State Public Defender can substitute counsel if that substitution takes place within 30 days of initial appearance.

Applies to

Proposed findings conclusions

In mortgage foreclosure actions, the proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law, and judgment must include a specific property description.

In mortgage foreclosure actions, the plaintiff shall include the specific property description in the proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law and judgment submitted for the court's signature.

Applies to

Pleadings and exhibits

Must include

case number

The assigned year-prefixed JD case number must appear on all later pleadings and exhibits in John Doe cases.

All John Doe cases will be assigned sequential case numbers using the year prefix and the JD designation. This number shall be noted on all further pleadings and exhibits.

Applies to

Brief

Must include

caption

Unless the court orders otherwise, typed initial and response briefs must contain all caption information required by Dane County Circuit Court Rule 107.

Unless otherwise ordered by the court, typed initial and/or response briefs of a party or guardian ad litem shall include all information required in the caption pursuant to Dane County Circuit Court Rule 107, and have the following format:

Applies to

Facsimile transmission

When a facsimile transmission relies on a page-limit exception, its first page must certify that the exception was approved.

The first page of the transmission shall certify that such an exception has been approved.

Applies to

Summary judgment brief

Summary judgment briefs must support factual assertions with citations to the record.

Summary judgment briefs shall cite to the record for factual assertions.

Applies to

Summons and complaint

Must include

caption

The caption must list each individual creditor’s name or have the “See attached for multiple plaintiffs” box checked, with an attachment listing each creditor’s claims and address information.

The individual creditor or creditors’ names must be listed in the caption, or the check box that states “See attached for multiple plaintiffs” must be checked, with the attachment listing each creditor’s individual claim(s), and their address information.

Applies to

Default judgment

After the hearing-request period expires, the plaintiff may apply for default judgment with the required affidavits.

Upon the expiration of the time to request a hearing, plaintiff may apply to the court for default judgment, accompanied by an affidavit to the court for default judgment, accompanied by an affidavit of the aforesaid notice defendant.

Applies to

Jury summons

The jury summons must state where a prospective juror with ADA concerns should call for assistance.

Information shall be included on the jury summons as to where prospective jurors with ADA concerns should call.

Applies to

Notice or warrant or subpoena

All notices, warrants, and subpoenas must contain the specified ADA assistance language.

The following language shall be included on all notices, warrants and subpoenas:

Applies to

Affidavit in support of motion to seal redact

The moving party should use the court-adopted affidavit form when supporting a motion to seal or redact eviction records.

To assist the court in considering all relevant evidence on a Motion to Seal/Redact Court Records in an eviction case, the moving party should complete the Affidavit in Support of Motion to Seal/Redact Eviction Records using the form adopted by the court.

Applies to

Affidavit in support of motion to seal redact

Failure to submit the approved affidavit, or submission of an affidavit that is unsigned or unnotarized, may result in a Zoom or telephonic hearing and a requirement of sworn testimony.

If the movant does not submit the approved affidavit, or if the movant submits the affidavit but it is not signed and notarized, the Court may hold a Zoom/telephonic hearing and may require sworn testimony in support of the Motion.

Applies to

Subsequent documents

Subsequent documents should state the first party's full name followed by “et al.”

Subsequent documents filed after the pleadings should, at a minimum, state the full name of the first party, followed by “et al.”