Office of Court Operations
The Office of Court Operations provides technical assistance to the circuit courts, often in conjunction with the district court administrators, in areas such as records management, caseload management, personnel and staffing (including assignment of reserve judges), policy analysis, and business intelligence. Court Operations also provides staff support for committees, performs research on court management, and completes special projects for the Director of State Courts Office.
Contact information
Holly Szablewski, Deputy Director of State Courts, Office of Court Operations
110 East Main Street, Suite 410
Madison, WI 53703-3356
Ph: (608) 266-3121
General Trial Court Services
Clerks of court, registers in probate, district court administrators, and judges contact Court Operations regularly for guidance on a wide range of topics. Staff assist in the development and maintenance of numerous resources used by circuit court staff, such as the schedule of court fees, fines, and forfeitures. Additionally, staff participates in orientations for new judges and clerks, coordinates the summer law clerk program, and administers reserve judge appointments and judicial assignments.
Committee of Chief Judges
Court Operations staffs the committee of chief judges and district court administrators, who meet regularly to discuss administrative matters affecting the circuit courts and the nine judicial administrative districts. Staff assists this committee in producing the OWI guidelines, the Rules of Trial Court Administration, petitions to the Supreme Court for rules changes, and any other work directed by the committee. As needed, the chief judges convene subcommittees to consider issues facing the trial courts.
Problem-Solving Courts
The problem-solving court coordinator is focused on issues involving drug, alcohol, mental health, and other treatment courts and researching, promoting, and supporting standards for evidence-based practices. Court Operations serves as a resource to assist counties in creating new problem-solving courts or implementing evidence-based practices.
Court Interpreter Program
Court Operations manages the Court Interpreter Program, which recruits, trains, tests, retains, and disciplines court interpreters, and also maintains a statewide roster of qualified and certified interpreters available for court work. The program establishes policies and procedures aimed at improving court system access for individuals and families with limited English proficiency, including complying with United States Department of Justice requirements. Staff provides ongoing education and training to judges, attorneys, and other court personnel on state and federal requirements regarding language access and effective communication, and best practices for working with interpreters.
Business Intelligence
Court Operations staff compile annual statistical reports on circuit court caseload, case flow, and types of cases filed with the court system.
STOP Grant
The Wisconsin Court System receives federal STOP Violence Against Women Act (STOP-VAWA) grant money, which is administered by the Department of Justice and managed by Court Operations. This money is used to improve domestic violence and sexual assault case processing and understanding. The majority of STOP funding supports training opportunities and resources for Wisconsin judges, court commissioners, and clerks of court and their staff.
Policy and Planning Advisory Committee (PPAC)
PPAC provides long-range planning for the courts, identifies trends and concerns, and develops responses. Court Operations staff assists this committee in tackling difficult issues such as videoconferencing, court security, court reporting, court financing, strategic planning, and effective justice strategies.
Records Management
Court Operations staffs the Records Management Committees (RMC), which provide uniform records management systems for judges, clerks, court staff, and litigants. RMC has two main subcommittees, Forms and Procedures.
Other Committees
Court Operations provides staff for large committees convened to address special topics, such as the Chief Justice’s COVID-19 Task Force, The Making the Record Committee, and eFiling. Staff provides meeting coordination, research, written reports, and training.