The Circuit Court Judge

Circuit Court Judges are responsible for conducting court hearings, bench trials, and jury trials concerning most areas of law. These areas include civil and criminal cases, probate of estates, guardianships and protective placements, mental commitments, juvenile matters, small claims, restraining orders and domestic abuse cases. Judges may conduct marriages upon request. Circuit Court Judges also oversee the management of the entire county court system by developing system policies and procedures to be implemented by the Clerk of Courts.

Richland County Circuit Court Judge Judge Lisa McDougal P.O. Box 427 Richland Center, WI 53581 (608) 647-2626

Richland County Judicial Assistant Jenifer Laue 181 W. Seminary Street Richland Center, WI 53581 (608) 647-2626

Clerk of Courts

Circuit Clerks of Court are responsible for recording court minutes, maintaining court records, case management, jury management, collection of fines, fees, forfeitures, assessments and surcharges as ordered by the court. The Clerk of Court also works in conjunction with the Circuit Court Judge(s) to ensure efficient administration of the circuit court system. The Richland County Circuit Court is dedicated to providing limited English proficient (LEP) individuals with timely and meaningful access to all court activities and programs in accordance with federal and state mandates. Language service inquiries should be directed to the following individuals for jury and court financial matters as well as criminal, traffic, forfeiture, juvenile ordinance, family, paternity, civil including name changes and restraining orders, and small claims cases.

• Clerk of Court Forms

Richland County Clerk of Circuit Court Stacy Kleist P.O. Box 655 Richland Center, WI 53581 Phone: (608) 647-3956 Fax: (608) 647-3911 Richland County Clerk of Court Mission Statement: To create, maintain, and develop access to the circuit court by responsibly managing the financial resources we’ve been allotted and to serve our customers with empathy and respect, never forgetting that an encounter with the court system may be stressful and life changing.

District Attorney

The District Attorney is charged with prosecuting criminal, juvenile delinquency and forfeiture cases. In some counties like Richland County — the District Attorney also handles Child in need of Protective Services (CHIPS) and Juvenile in need of Protective Services (JIPS) actions, as well as, Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) matters. Forfeiture actions include State and County traffic code violations, Department of Natural Resources citations, other county code violations, and vehicle and asset forfeitures.

Richland County District Attorney Jennifer Harper 181 W. Seminary Street Richland Center, WI 53581 (608) 647-3493

Richland County Assistant District Attorney Amy Forehand 181 W. Seminary Street Richland Center, WI 53581 (608) 647-3493

Victim/Witness

The Victim/Witness Office works in conjunction with the District Attorneys Office to help statutory victims of crime understand and exercise their rights. Victim/Witness advocates help victims understand the court process, provide specific case information, and assist with other matters such as restitution. The Victim/Witness Office can also provide case information and instructions to witnesses.

Victim/Witness Supervisor Andrea Fields 181 W. Seminary Street Richland Center, WI 53581 (608) 647-8564

Victim/Witness Coordinator Denise Klingaman 181 W. Seminary Street Richland Center, WI 53581 (608) 649-3490

Corporation Counsel

Corporation Counsel examines and reports liability for all claims filed against the County; drafts resolutions, ordinances, contracts and other necessary legal documents. He or she prosecutes and defends civil matters affecting the County. Corporation Counsel may represent the County in actions such as Mental and Alcohol Commitments, Guardianships/Protective Placements Child, Support Enforcement, Paternity, Zoning Enforcement/Injunctions, and Forfeitures.

Richland County Corporation Counsel Michael Windle 210 North Main Street P.O. Box 128, Westby, WI 54667

Richland County Assistant Corporation Counsel Amy Forehand 181 W. Seminary Richland Center, WI 53581 (608) 647-3493

Family Court Commissioner

The Family Court Commissioner works under the direction of the family or circuit court judge(s). The Family Court Commissioner conducts temporary hearings and enters orders regarding support, maintenance, use of property and payment of debts, custody and visitation, etc.; enforces orders and conducts contempt hearings; ensures all counseling requirements are met; conducts pre-trial conferences; conducts hearings on motions to amend temporary orders or judgments and generally aids attorneys and the public in the efficient processing of family cases.

Richland County Family Court Commissioner Debra A. Schwarze P.O. Box 671 165 Central Suite 103 Richland Center, WI 53581 (608) 647-5151

Register in Probate/Probate Registrar

The Registrar in Probate maintains records of estates, adoptions, guardianships, conservatorships, joint tenancy terminations, and summary estate proceedings. The Registrar also furnishes copies of such documents as requested by the public. The Richland County Circuit Court is dedicated to providing limited English proficient (LEP) individuals with timely and meaningful access to all court activities and programs in accordance with federal and state mandates. Language service inquiries should be directed to the following individuals for guardianship, probate, juvenile including juvenile injunctions, adoption, mental, and termination of parental rights cases.

Richland County Register in Probate Jenifer Laue 181 W. Seminary Street Richland Center, WI 53581 (608) 647-2626

Clerk of Juvenile Court

The Clerk of the Juvenile Court schedules juvenile matters, records minutes of juvenile court proceedings, and maintains juvenile court records. Juvenile records are released only upon the Courts order for good cause.

Richland County Clerk of Juvenile Court Jenifer Laue 181 W. Seminary Street Richland Center, WI 53581 (608) 647-2626

Judicial Assistant

The Judicial Assistant works under the direction of the Circuit Court Judge and directly provides all administrative and scheduling support to him or her.

Richland County Judicial Assistant Jenifer Laue 181 W. Seminary Street Richland Center, WI 53581 (608) 647-2626

Child Support Agency

The Child Support Agencies are responsible for working with families to establish and enforce child support orders. Richland County Child Support Agency is one of 72 county and 11 tribal agencies that work in conjunction with the State of Wisconsin Bureau of Child Support.

Richland County Child Support Interim Director Amy Forehand 181 W Seminary St, Rm 213 Richland Center, WI 53581 (608) 647-8663

Court Reporter

Court reporters use computer aided transcription equipment to create a verbatim record of most legal proceedings. Court reporters are responsible for ensuring a complete, accurate, and secure legal record. Accuracy is crucial since the court reporter creates the only official court transcript. Many legal proceedings, such as appeals, depend on such transcripts. Transcripts of court proceedings, with limited exception, can be requested in writing. Transcript fees are set on a per page basis as provided by statute.

Richland County Court Reporter Veronica Olson 181 W. Seminary Street Richland Center, WI 53581 (608) 649-3498