Wisconsin Constitution Article VII - Judiciary
Wisconsin Constitution – Article VII: Judiciary
Overview:
Article VII of the Wisconsin Constitution establishes the Judicial Branch of the state government. It defines the structure, jurisdiction, terms, election, and duties of Wisconsin’s courts and judges.
🔹 Key Components of Article VII:
§1 – Judicial Power
Vests the judicial power in a unified court system, including:
Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
Circuit Courts
Other courts established by the Legislature (like municipal courts).
§2 – Supreme Court
Highest court in the state.
Has appellate jurisdiction and supervisory authority over all other courts.
Comprised of 7 justices elected statewide to 10-year terms.
The Chief Justice is selected by the justices themselves (changed from seniority via 2015 amendment).
§3 – Court of Appeals
Intermediate appellate court.
Judges are elected to 6-year terms in districts established by law.
Reviews decisions of circuit courts unless otherwise specified.
§4 – Circuit Courts
Main trial courts of general jurisdiction.
Judges are elected to 6-year terms in judicial circuits (typically one per county or group of counties).
Have original jurisdiction in all civil and criminal matters not exclusively assigned to other courts.
§5 – Municipal Courts
Created by the Legislature.
Have limited jurisdiction (e.g., local ordinance violations).
§7 – Election and Tenure of Judges
All judges (Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Circuit Courts) are elected by the public.
The Governor may fill vacancies until a successor is elected.
§11 – Discipline and Removal
Judges may be removed by address of both legislative houses or through judicial commission proceedings for misconduct or inability to perform duties.
§13 – Compensation
Judicial salaries are fixed by law and cannot be reduced during the judge’s term.
🔹 Notable Features:
Elected judiciary at all levels.
Nonpartisan elections.
Establishes a Judicial Commission to investigate misconduct.
Separation of powers is preserved, with checks on judicial independence and accountability.
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