Wisconsin eFiling Update
Need an icebreaker?
Who doesn't after last winter—figuratively and literally, amiright?! Well, unlike the sluggish shift of seasons, the eFiling system is rapidly evolving with new case types and features to keep your water cooler convo interesting. Here's a peek at what's in store for tonight's software release and a heads up on other eFiling news of note.
Roll out of new voluntary case types
Guardianship, commitment, judgment, and lien case types are available for voluntary eFiling in almost every Wisconsin county. To see where you can eFile them, check out our Participating counties page. These case types will become mandatory on September 1, 2018.
We will also be introducing a new set of case types, including juvenile guardianship, juvenile civil commitment, adoption, juvenile adoption, and juvenile civil law and ordinance violations on a voluntary, county-by-county basis in the very near future. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.
What's on the horizon?
This evening's release includes system changes that will be evident on the eFiling website in the following ways:
- Opt in expansion. Opt-in functionality will be expanded providing attorneys with the ability to opt in when representing a victim on a criminal case.
- Court debit account enhancements. To more easily manage circuit court expenditures, you'll be able to delete or rename court debit accounts (CDAs) with a zero balance. You'll also be able to mark them as inactive, which will exclude them from the main list of CDAs available when logged into the eFiling website.
- More access to tutorials and guides. Following the release, the eFiling website will include links to "how to" guides and videos that will help you navigate and utilize the functionality offered to your greatest advantage.
- Sorting improvements. For easier caseload review, the sort options set when viewing the My cases page will be maintained when you navigate away from and back to the page during a web session.
The more you know...
There is often confusion around which user type to select when creating an eCourts account. Here is a brief run-down of the available options and how to determine which one is right for you:
- Self-represented party. If you are a self-represented litigant, not filing on behalf of a business or corporation, or if you are a court reporter, select this account type.
- Wisconsin attorney. If you are an attorney with a Wisconsin State Bar number, select this account type. If you currently have a bar admissions account and recently received admittance to the bar, you must create a new Wisconsin attorney eCourts account.
- Paralegal or legal secretary. If you are a paralegal or secretary associated with a Wisconsin attorney, select this account type. With this user type, your attorney will have the option of leveraging the File Prep feature to grant you access to view/prepare cases and filings on their behalf. There is a tutorial dedicated to creating a legal staff eCourts account that walks you through account set-up here.
- Designated filer. Select this account type if you are:
- a corporate guardian (specific to guardianship cases; a non-lawyer appointed or requesting appointment as a guardian under ch. 54, including a representative of a private corporation or other entity providing guardianship services) or,
- a lien claimant or judgment holder (a non-lawyer representative authorized to file a lien or judgment on behalf of a business or organization).
- a corporate guardian (specific to guardianship cases; a non-lawyer appointed or requesting appointment as a guardian under ch. 54, including a representative of a private corporation or other entity providing guardianship services) or,
- Local government staff. If you are non-lawyer staff at a local government agency such as child support, a social worker, or staff with corporation counsel, select this account type. Similar to the paralegal or legal secretary account type, the local government staff account type will provide attorneys that you work with the option of using the File Prep feature so that you can track and prepare cases and eFilings. Reference the guide for creating a legal staff eCourts account if you are staff for a local government office here.
- Filing agent. If you are an employee or non-lawyer representative authorized under §799.06(2) and appearing on behalf of a business or corporation, select this account type. There is a tutorial specifically for creating a filing agent eCourts account here.
- Pro hac vice attorney. If you are an attorney admitted to practice on a case under the sponsorship of a Wisconsin attorney (SCR 10.03(4)(b)), but do not have a Wisconsin State Bar number, select this account type. There is additional information about pro hac vice admission here.
- Wisconsin bar admissions applicant. If you are an individual applying for admission to the practice of law in Wisconsin, select this account type.
- Non-party filer (§801.18(3)(j)). If you are an individual or agency, and are not a party on a case, but need to eFile reports, letters, administrative agency records, or returns of service, select this account type. This account type does not receive notices of case activity or access to case documents.
- Reserve judge or part-time court commissioner. If you are a reserve judge appointed under §753.075 or part-time court commissioner who does not already have an active eCourts account, select this account type. As a reserve judge/part-time court commissioner eCourts account holder, you will be able to see your cases on the eFiling website.
Reach out to us!
Our knowledgeable staff is here to assist you. If you have questions along the way, call us at 1 (800) 462-8843, chat with us, or email us at eFileSupport@wicourts.gov. And don't forget to follow us on Twitter @ CCAP_Wisconsin!