Supreme Court Orders
The Board of Bar Examiners issued an order, following a public
hearing, on proof of practice elsewhere. The Wisconsin Supreme Court
also has issued orders, following public hearings, on juror use and
management and on SCR 71.01 - required court reporting. The supreme
court also has issued an order regarding additional authority of the
chief judge.
In addition, the supreme court will hold public hearings on April 15
regarding venue in prisoner cases and the Clients' Security Fund balance
requirement. The supreme court also will hold a public hearing on May 6
on electronic data dissemination and required court reporting. The
hearings for both dates will be held at 1:30 p.m. in the Supreme Court
Room in the State Capitol, Madison, Wis.
Orders
Proof of practice elsewhere
Order
SCR 40.11 having provided for rule-making authority by the Board of
Bar Examiners that is consistent with Chapter 40 of the Supreme Court
Rules, and the Board of Bar Examiners having conducted a public hearing
on Jan. 21, 1997, after appropriate notice, the following regulations
under Chapter 40 of the Supreme Court Rules are amended or created as
follows:
SCR Chapter 40 Appendix
LEGAL COMPETENCE REQUIREMENT: PROOF OF PRACTICE ELSEWHERE
Create BA 5.01:
The Board authorizes its staff to close any application for
admission on proof of practice elsewhere that remains incomplete one
year following the date the application was filed with the
Board.
REQUIREMENT AS TO CHARACTER AND FITNESS TO PRACTICE LAW
Create BA 6.05:
The Board authorizes its staff to close any application for a
character and fitness certification that remains incomplete one year
following the date the application was filed with the Board.
These rules shall become effective Jan. 21, 1997.
Dated at Juneau, Wis., this 23 day of January, 1997.
By the Board of Bar Examiners:
Daniel W. Klossner, Chair
Board of Bar Examiners
Juror use and management
In the Matter of the Amendment of ss. 17.15(2), 17.16(1),
17.27(2), 23.77(1) and (3)(a) and (b), 51.20(11)(a), 59.40(2)(d),
80.24(6), 80.48(2) and(3), 345.43(1) and (3)(a), (b) and (c), 753.34(6),
ch. 756, ss. 788.03, 805.08(2) and (3), 805.09(1), 805.18(2), 879.45(5),
880.33(2)(a)1., 971.04(1)(c), 971.165 (1)(c)2. and 3., 972.01,
972.02(1), 972.03, 972.04(1), 972.10(7), 975.06 (1)(b)(Intro.),
978.05(4) and 979.05(2) and (3) - Juror Use and Management
Order 96-08
The court held a public hearing Sept. 11, 1996, on the petition of
the Judicial Council seeking implementation of the American Bar
Association Standards Relating to Juror Use and Management by amendment
of the statutes to delete statutory references to jury commissioners and
municipal jury lists, to repeal and recreate chapter 756 of the statutes
in respect to jury service, the preparation of prospective juror lists,
and the selection of juries, and to renumber and revise the provisions
for grand jury and inquest jury selection and service. The court has
considered the petition, the presentations made at the public hearing
and the materials filed with the court in the matter.
The League of Women Voters of Dane County Inc. appeared at the public
hearing and proposed that the statute, Wis. Stat. §756.04(1)(b),
specifying the contents of the list of names compiled by the Department
of Transportation for use in jury selection be amended to require the
date on which the motor vehicle operator's license or identification
card was issued to each of the names on the list. It further proposed
statutory amendments to provide that the department list subsequently
used by the clerks of circuit court to compile lists of prospective
jurors and to create a master list first be purged of the names of those
on the Department of Transportation list whose motor vehicle operator's
license or identification card has expired. Because these proposed
amendments were not part of the Judicial Council petition that was
noticed for public hearing and interested persons, including the
Department of Transportation, may not have had the opportunity to
present their views on the proposal, the court takes no action on the
proposed amendments but will consider them in a separate rule-making
proceeding, upon a petition filed by The League of Women Voters of Dane
County Inc. or others, with notice and a public hearing.
IT IS ORDERED that, effective July 1, 1997,
1. Section 17.15(2) of the statutes is repealed.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: This proposal repeals all statutory
references to jury commissioners.
2. Section 17.16(1) of the statutes is amended to read:
17.16(1) Removals from office at pleasure shall be made by order, a
copy of which shall be filed as provided by sub. (8), except that a copy
of the order of removal of a court commissioner, a jury
commissioner or family court commissioner shall be filed in the
office of the clerk of the circuit court.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: This proposal repeals all statutory
references to jury commissioners.
3. Section 17.27(2) of the statutes is repealed.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: This proposal repeals all statutory
references to jury commissioners.
4. Section 23.77(1) of the statutes is amended to read:
23.77(1) If in circuit court either party files a written demand for
a jury trial within 20 days after the court appearance date and
immediately pays the fee prescribed in s. 814.61(4), the court shall
place the case on the jury calendar. The number of jurors shall be
determined under s. 756.096(3) 756.06(2)(b). If
no party demands a trial by jury, the right to trial by jury is
permanently waived.
5. Section 23.77(3)(a) of the statutes is renumbered 23.77(3).
6. Section 23.77(3)(b) of the statutes is repealed.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: This proposal repeals all statutory
references to municipal jury lists.
7. Section 51.20(11)(a) of the statutes is amended to read:
51.20(11)(a) If before involuntary commitment a jury is demanded by
the individual against whom a petition has been filed under sub. (1) or
by the individual's counsel if the individual does not object, the court
shall direct that a jury of 6 people be drawn
selected to determine if the allegations specified in sub.
(1)(a), (ar) or (av) are true. A jury trial is deemed waived unless
demanded at least 48 hours in advance of the time set for final hearing,
if notice of that time has been previously provided to the subject
individual or his or her counsel. If a jury trial demand is filed within
5 days of detention, the final hearing shall be held within 14 days of
detention. If a jury trial demand is filed later than 5 days after
detention, the final hearing shall be held within 14 days of the date of
demand. If an inmate of a state prison, county jail or house of
correction demands a jury trial within 5 days after the probable cause
hearing, the final hearing shall be held within 28 days of the probable
cause hearing. If an inmate of a state prison, county jail or house of
correction demands a jury trial later than 5 days after the probable
cause hearing, the final hearing shall be held within 28 days of the
date of demand.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: This proposal changes "drawn" to
"selected" whenever a statute refers to choosing jurors or prospective
jurors, for statutory uniformity. Section 756.01(4) allows any method of
random selection to be used, manual or automated.
8. Section 59.40(2)(d) of the statutes is amended to read:
59.40(2)(d) Keep a minute record and, except for actions under ch.
799, write in that record a brief statement of all proceedings in open
court showing motions and orders during trial, names of witnesses,
jurors drawn selected, the officer sworn to take
them in charge, jury verdicts and openings and adjournments of court.
The clerk, in lieu of keeping a minute record, may elect to incorporate
in the appropriate court record, civil or criminal, the data which this
paragraph requires to be recorded.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: This proposal changes "drawn" to
"selected" whenever a statute refers to choosing jurors or prospective
jurors.
9. Section 80.24(6) of the statutes is amended to read:
80.24(6) If more than one appeal is taken from the award of damages
on account of any highway, the appeals shall be consolidated by the
circuit judge, and only one jury shall be impaneled
selected to reassess the damages.
10. Section 80.48(2) of the statutes is amended to read:
80.48(2) DEPOSIT OF FUNDS; NOTICE OF HEARING. (a) An order made under
sub. (1)(c) shall require the petitioners to deposit with the treasurer
of the proper municipality such sum as the authorities who made the
order consider necessary to pay the costs and expenses of the
proceedings to be held pursuant to the order. No further action shall be
had on the petition until the deposit is made. When the deposit is made,
the common council, trustees or supervisors shall make a further order
fixing the time, not less than 10 days thereafter, when and place where
a jury will be impaneled selected to pass upon
the necessity for taking the land through which the proposed street or
highway is to be laid.
(b) Notice of the time and place the jury will be
impaneled selected shall be served upon the
occupants of the land through which the proposed street or highway is to
be laid, if any, as provided in s. 80.05 not less than 6 days before the
time so fixed. If any portion of the land through which the proposed
street or highway is to be laid is not actually occupied, the notice
shall be published as a class 2 notice, under ch. 985, in the city,
village or town where the land is located. The notice shall contain a
description, as near as may be, of the premises to be taken and state
that at the time and place named in the notice a jury will be
impaneled selected for the purpose of passing
upon the necessity for taking for the public use the land described
therein.
11. Section 80.48(3) of the statutes is amended to read:
80.48(3) Jurors. At the time and place specified in the notice the
circuit judge of the county, the president of the village or the
chairperson of the town in which the land sought to be taken lies shall
issue a precept directed to the sheriff of the county or to any
constable, naming the sheriff or constable, which precept shall direct
the officer to write the names of 36 freeholders of the county who are
qualified to serve as jurors in the circuit court and to return the
list. After being sworn to perform the duties required to the best of
his or her ability, without partiality, the officer shall immediately
write the names and deliver the list thereof to the officer who issued
the precept; and from the list each party, in person or by an agent or
attorney, commencing with the petitioner, shall strike out alternately,
12 names, and if either party is absent or refuses to strike out, the
officer who issued the precept shall appoint some person to strike 12
names for the absent person. The officer shall then summon the 12
persons whose names remain on the list in the manner prescribed under s.
756.08 756.05 to appear at the time and place
mentioned in the summons for the purpose of determining the necessity of
taking for the public use the land described in the petition; if any of
the persons summoned fail to attend, others may be
drawn selected in the same mode to fill the
vacancy, and for that purpose the proceedings may be adjourned from time
to time. When 12 persons are thus secured, they shall be sworn by the
officer who issued the precept to faithfully and impartially discharge
the duties imposed upon them, which oath shall be filed with the city,
village or town clerk. The number of persons listed and summoned shall
be proportionately reduced if the jury is to consist of a number less
than 12.
12. Section 345.43(1) and (3)(a) and (b) of the statutes are amended
to read:
345.43(1) If a case has been transferred under s. 800.04(1)(d), or if
in circuit court either party files a written demand for a jury trial
within 10 days after the defendant enters a plea of not guilty under s.
345.34 and immediately pays the fee prescribed in s. 814.61(4), the
court shall place the case on the jury calendar of the circuit court.
The number of jurors shall be determined under s.
756.096(3)(b) 6. If no party demands a trial by jury, the right
to trial by jury is permanently waived.
(3)(a) If a jury is demanded, inIn counties
having a population of 500,000 or more, the jury shall be
drawn selected from the circuit court
jury panel and selected prospective juror list
as set forth under chs. 801 to 847. In all other counties,
such juries shall be selected as provided in
pars. par. (b) and (c), except that any
party may demand trial by a countywide jury and that the clerk
shall randomly select, by lot, the names of
sufficient persons qualified to serve as jurors as will provide to each
party entitled to peremptory challenges the number of challenges
specified in par. (b) 5 peremptory challenges.
(b) If a timely demand for a jury is made, the judge shall direct the
clerk of the court to select by lot at random
from the current jury panel prospective juror
list the names of a sufficient number of residents of the
county qualified to serve as prospective jurors in
courts of record, from which lists list either
party may strike 5 names. If either party neglects to strike out names,
the clerk shall strike out names for the party. The judge shall permit
voir dire examinations and challenges for cause. The clerk shall summon
a sufficient number of persons whose names are not struck out, to appear
at the time and place named in the summons.
13. Section 345.43(3)(c) of the statutes is repealed.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: This statute prescribes procedures for
the trial of "traffic regulation" forfeiture offenses. Subsection (1) is
amended to conform to the amendment of s. 756.096(3)(b) by 1995 Wis. Act
27, limiting jury size to six in such cases. Subsection (3) is amended
by incorporating the usage of revised ch. 756. Prior sub. (3)(c),
allowing use of a municipal jury list, is repealed.
14. Section 753.34(6) of the statutes is amended to read:
753.34(6) The jury commissioners of Shawano county shall
serve as jury commissioners for the circuit court for Menominee and
Shawano counties, and the jury list shall be known as the jury
list A single prospective juror list shall be prepared
for the circuit court for Menominee and Shawano counties.
15. Chapter 756 (title) of the statutes is amended to read:
CHAPTER 756
JURORS JURIES
16. Sections 756.001 to 756.03 of the statutes are repealed and
recreated to read:
756.001 State policy on jury service; opportunity and
obligation to serve as juror. (1) Trial by jury is a cherished
constitutional right.
(2) Jury service is a civic duty.
(3) No person who is qualified and able to serve as a juror may be
excluded from that service in any court of this state on the basis of
sex, race, color, sexual orientation as defined in s. 111.32(13m),
disability, religion, national origin, marital status, family status,
lawful source of income, age or ancestry or because of a physical
condition.
(4) All persons selected for jury service shall be selected at random
from the population of the area served by the circuit court. All
qualified persons shall have an equal opportunity to be considered for
jury service in this state and the obligation to serve as jurors when
summoned under this chapter for that purpose. Any manual or automated
method of selection that provides each qualified person with an equal
probability of selection for jury service or that provides each
prospective juror with an equal opportunity for assignment to a
particular trial may be used.
(5) The presiding judge of each circuit court, or, if there is none,
the circuit judge designated by the chief judge to supervise the jury
system, shall be responsible for administering the jury system in that
court and shall discharge that duty in an efficient, equitable and
cost-effective manner, in accordance with this chapter. The clerk of
circuit court, if delegated by and under the supervision of the judge
responsible for administering the jury system, may select and manage
juries under policies and rules established by the judges in that
circuit court.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: Subsections (1) and (2) are based on
prior s. 756.001(1). Subsection (3) implements ABA Standard 4 by
expanding the nondiscrimination clause of prior s. 756.01(3) to all
classes protected under the state equal rights statute, s. 101.22.
Subsection (4) implements ABA Standard 3 and is based on prior s.
756.001(2). Subsection (5), based on the same prior statute, implements
ABA Standard 10.
756.02 Juror qualifications. Every resident of the
area served by a circuit court who is at least 18 years of age, a U.S.
citizen and able to understand the English language is qualified to
serve as a juror in that circuit unless that resident has been convicted
of a felony and has not had his or her civil rights restored.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: This section, based on prior s.
756.01(1), implements ABA Standard 4.
756.03 Excuse; deferral. (1) Excuse. The court to
which a person is summoned for jury service may excuse the person from
jury service if the court determines that the person cannot fulfill the
responsibilities of a juror. The court shall not consider any structural
limitations of a facility when making that determination.
(2) deferral. The court to which a person is summoned for jury
service may, upon request of that person, defer to a later date set by
the court the period in which the person must serve if the court
determines that service as a juror would entail undue hardship, extreme
inconvenience or serious obstruction or delay in the fair and impartial
administration of justice.
(3) CLERK AUTHORIZED TO GRANT. The judge responsible for
administering the jury system in the circuit court may authorize the
clerk of circuit court to grant excuses or deferrals under this section.
The authorization may limit the grounds on which the clerk of circuit
court may grant the excuse or deferral and may require persons seeking
an excuse or deferral to document the basis for any excuse or
deferral.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: This proposal, implementing ABA Standard
6, repeals the concept of exclusions and exemptions under prior s.
756.02. Instead, it allows judicial excuses for persons who clearly
cannot fulfill the duties of a juror and deferrals for undue hardship.
Periods of required availability for jury service are set forth in s.
756.28.
17. Section 756.031 of the statutes is repealed.
18. Section 756.04 of the statutes is repealed and recreated to
read:
756.04 Prospective juror lists; number; how
compiled. (1) In this section:
(a) "Department" means the department of transportation.
(b) "Department list" means a compilation of information prepared by
the department that includes the name, address, date of birth, race and
gender of each person who is licensed as a motor vehicle operator under
ch. 343 or who has received an identification card under s. 343.50 or
343.51.
(c) "Race" means African American, American Indian or Alaskan Native,
Asian or Pacific Islander, Caucasian, Hispanic, or other racial
category.
(2) Jurors for all circuit courts, except jurors under ch. 80, shall
be selected under ss. 756.04 to 756.07.
(3) Annually, on a date established by the secretary of
transportation, the department shall transmit, without charge, to each
clerk of circuit court a department list of persons residing in the area
served by that circuit court. The department shall establish, by rule,
uniform specifications regarding the size, format and content of
computer tapes or other media used to prepare the department list.
(4) The clerk of circuit court shall compile the list of prospective
jurors by selecting names at random from the department list or from a
master list created under this subsection and sub. (5).
(5)(a) The clerk of circuit court may create a master list using the
department list and any of the following:
1. Voter registration lists.
2. Telephone and municipal directories.
3. Utility company lists.
4. Lists of payers of real property taxes.
5. Lists of high school graduates who are 18 years of age or
older.
6. Lists of persons who are receiving aid to families with dependent
children under subch. III of ch. 49.
(b) To create a master list, the clerk of circuit court shall select
randomly a sample of names from each source used. The same percentage of
names shall be selected from each source used. The department list shall
be the primary source, and the names selected from the department list
shall be compared with the names from the 2nd source. Duplicate names
shall be removed from the 2nd source sample and the remaining names
shall be combined with the names selected from the department list to
create the master list. If more than 2 source lists are used, this
process shall be repeated, using the previously compiled master list for
comparison with any additional source list.
(6) The clerk of circuit court shall mail to every prospective juror,
separately or together with the summons under s. 756.05, a juror
qualification form accompanied by instructions requiring the person to
complete and return the form to the clerk within 10 days after receiving
it. The form shall request all of the following:
(a) Information necessary to determine if the person is qualified to
serve as a juror in that circuit court.
(b) The race of the prospective juror.
(c) The prospective juror's declaration that the responses are true
to the best of his or her knowledge.
(7) The form under sub. (6) may request other information that the
court needs to manage the jury system in an efficient manner, including
information ordinarily sought during voir dire examination. The form
under sub. (6) shall include a notice that, if the person wilfully
misrepresents a material fact or fails to return the completed form
within 10 days after its receipt, the person may be required to forfeit
not more than $500.
(8) If a prospective juror is unable to fill out the form under sub.
(6), another person may complete the form and shall indicate why the
person has done so. If it appears that there is an omission, ambiguity
or error in a returned form, the clerk of circuit court shall return the
form to the person with instructions to correct and return the form to
the clerk within 10 days after receiving the form.
(9) During each year, the clerk of circuit court shall provide the
court with a sufficient number of names of prospective jurors to meet
the needs of the court. The clerk shall randomly select names from the
department list or master list and strike the name of any person
randomly selected whose returned juror qualification form shows that the
person is not qualified for jury service under s. 756.02. The clerk
shall certify that the names were selected in strict conformity with
this chapter. The clerk shall include a verified statement with the list
of names describing the manner in which the names were selected,
including an identification of all sources used in the preparation of
the list. The clerk shall keep a certified copy of the names of
prospective jurors, including the address of each prospective juror, for
public inspection.
(10) The clerk of circuit court shall keep computerized juror lists
secure against unauthorized access.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: This section, based on prior s. 756.04,
implements ABA Standard 2, recommending regularly maintained source
lists as inclusive as feasible of the adult population of the
district.
19. Section 756.041 of the statutes is repealed.
20. Sections 756.05 to 756.08 of the statutes are repealed and
recreated to read:
756.05 Jury summons, when and how issued. At least
12 days before the first day on which a jury is required to be present,
the clerk of circuit court shall summon sufficient prospective jurors to
appear before the court at an appropriate time for jury service. The
summons may be served by 1st class mail or another method.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: Based on prior s. 756.08, this provision
implements ABA Standard 11. Under s. 756.04(6), the qualification
questionnaire sent to prospective jurors may be sent at the same time as
the summons.
756.06 Jury selection. (1) Whenever an issue is to
be tried before a jury, the clerk of circuit court shall randomly select
names from the prospective juror list until the desired number is
obtained.
(2)(a) A jury in a felony case shall consist of 12 persons unless
both parties agree on a lesser number as provided in s. 972.02.
(am) A jury in a misdemeanor case shall consist of 6 persons.
(b) Except as provided in par. (c), a jury in a civil case shall
consist of 6 persons unless a party requests a greater number, not to
exceed 12. The court, on its own motion, may require a greater number,
not to exceed 12.
(c) A jury in a case involving an offense for which a forfeiture may
be imposed or in an inquest under s. 979.05 shall consist of 6
persons.
(d) This subsection does not apply to cases under ch. 938.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: Based on prior s. 756.096, this section
implements ABA Standard 17.
756.07 Insufficient jurors. When a sufficient number
of jurors cannot be obtained for a trial from the list supplied by the
clerk of circuit court, the court may order the sheriff to bring before
the court persons in the vicinity for determination by the court of
their qualification and ability to serve as jurors for the particular
trial.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: Based on prior s. 756.06, this allows
jurors to be chosen from those in the vicinity, whether or not
"bystanders," for a particular trial.
756.08 Oaths and affirmations. (1) The jurors
selected to try the issues in the action or proceeding shall take an
oath or affirmation to try the issues submitted to them and, unless
discharged by the court, to give a verdict according to the law and the
evidence given in court.
(2) When the issues have been submitted to the jury, a proper
officer, subject to the direction of the court, shall swear or affirm
that the officer will keep all jurors together in some private and
convenient place until they have agreed on and rendered their verdict,
are permitted to separate or are discharged by the court. While the
jurors are under the supervision of the officer, he or she may not
permit them to communicate with any person regarding their deliberations
or the verdict that they have agreed upon, except as authorized by the
court.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: This section is based on prior s.
756.098. The ABA Standards do not mention oaths or affirmations.
21. Sections 756.095 to 756.098 of the statutes are repealed.
22. Section 756.10 (title) of the statutes is renumbered 968.40
(title).
23. Section 756.10(1) of the statutes is renumbered 968.40(1) and
amended to read:
968.40 (1) SELECTION OF GRAND JURY LIST. Any judge may, in writing,
order the jury commissioner clerk of circuit
court to select a grand jury list within a specified reasonable
time. The commissioner clerk shall select,
as provided in s. 756.04, from the prospective juror
list for the county the names of not less
fewer than 75 nor more than 150 persons to constitute
such the prospective grand juror list.
They shall notify the judge in writing within the time fixed in
the order that they have complied therewith. They shall keep
the The list shall be kept secret.
24. Section 756.10(2) of the statutes is repealed.
25. Section 756.10(3) and (4) of the statutes are renumbered
968.40(3) and (4) and amended to read:
968.40(3) (title) EXAMINATION OF PANEL
PROSPECTIVE JURORS. At the time set for the
panel prospective grand jurors to appear, the
judge shall and the district attorney or other prosecuting officer may
examine the panel members prospective jurors
under oath or affirmation relative to their qualifications to
serve as grand jurors and the judge shall excuse those who are
disqualified or claim lawful exemptions, and may excuse
others for any reason which seems proper to the judge.
(4) (title) ADDITIONAL PANEL MEMBERS GRAND
JURORS. If after such examination less fewer
than 20 panel members 17 grand jurors remain,
additional names prospective jurors shall be
drawn selected, summoned and examined as
aforesaid. The number so drawn shall be 3 times the difference between
20 and the number remaining on the panel. This method shall be
continued until there are at least 20
17 qualified members jurors on the
panel grand jury.
26. Section 756.10(5) of the statutes is repealed.
27. Section 756.10(6) of the statutes is renumbered 968.40(6) and
amended to read:
968.40(6) Time grand jurors to serve. Grand jurors shall serve for a
period of 6 months and the judge may order them to serve for a
2nd period of 6 months but not any longer 31 consecutive
days unless more days are necessary to complete service in a particular
proceeding. The judge may discharge the grand jury at any time.
28. Section 756.10(7) and (8) of the statutes are renumbered
968.40(7) and (8).
29. Sections 756.11 to 756.14 of the statutes are renumbered 968.41
to 968.44 and amended to read:
968.41 (title) Oath or affirmation of grand
jurors. The judge shall administer the following oath
to grand Grand jurors shall, before they begin
performance of their duties: You, as grand jurors for the county
of . . . , do, solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case
may be) that you they will diligently
inquire as to all matters and things which come before
this the grand jury; that you
they will keep all matters which come before this the grand jury
secret; that youthey will indict no person for
envy, hatred or malice, neither will you; that they
will not leave any person unindicted for love, fear, favor,
affection or hope of reward; and that youthey
will indict truly, according to the best of your
their understanding; so help you God. The clerk of court
shall deliver forthwith to each grand juror a copy of such
oath.
968.42 (title) Foreman Presiding
juror and clerk. The grand jury shall select from their
number a foreman presiding juror and a clerk.
The clerk shall preserve the minutes of the proceedings before them and
all exhibits.
968.43 (title) Reporter; oath; salary;
assistant. (1) Every grand jury shall when ordered by the judge
ordering such grand jury, employ one or more competent
reporters to attend their sessions and to make and transcribe a verbatim
record of all proceedings had before them.
(2) Before assuming the duties prescribed in
under this section, each reporter shall make and file an oath
or affirmation faithfully to record and transcribe all of the
proceedings before the grand jury and to keep secret the matters
relative to the proceedings. He or she Each
reporter shall be paid out of the county treasury of the county in
which the service is rendered such sum for compensation and expenses as
shall be audited and allowed as reasonable by the court ordering the
grand jury. Each reporter may employ on his or her own account
the assistance of a competent typist a person to
transcribe the testimony and proceedings of the grand jury, but before
entering upon the duties under this section the typist
subsection, the person shall be required to make and file an oath
or affirmation similar to that required of each reporter.
(3) Every stenographic reporter and every typewriter operator
who takes and Any person who violates
the an oath or affirmation
required by this section shall, upon conviction
thereof, sub. (2) may be imprisoned not less
than one nor for not more than 5 years.
968.44 (title) Oaths to witnesses
Witnesses. The foreman presiding
juror of every grand jury, and the district attorney or other
prosecuting officer who is before the grand jury may administer all
oaths and affirmations in the manner prescribed by law to witnesses who
appear before the jury for the purpose of testifying in any matter of
which they the witnesses have cognizance. At the
request of the court, the foreman presiding
juror shall return to the court a list, under his or her hand, of
all witnesses who are sworn before the grand jury,. That and
the list shall be filed by the clerk of circuit
court.
30. Section 756.145 of the statutes is renumbered 968.45 and 968.45
(title), as renumbered, is amended to read:
968.45 (title) Witnesses Witness
rights; transcripts.
31. Section 756.147 of the statutes is renumbered 968.46.
32. Section 756.15 of the statutes is renumbered 968.47.
33. Section 756.16 of the statutes is renumbered 968.48 and amended
to read:
968.48 Attendance; absence; excuse; number required for grand
jury session; number required to concur in indictment. Each
grand juror shall attend every session of the grand jury unless excused
by foreman presiding juror The
foreman presiding juror may excuse a grand juror
from attending a grand jury session only for a reason which appears to
foremanpresiding juror in his or her discretion
as good and sufficient cause for the excuse. No business may be
transacted at any session of the grand jury at which less than 14
members of the grand jury are in attendance and no indictment may be
found by any grand jury unless at least 12 of their number shall concur
in the indictment.
34. Section 756.17 of the statutes is renumbered 968.50 and amended
to read:
968.50 Report progress and return indictments.
Said A grand jury so selected may report progress and
return indictments to the court from time to time during its session and
until discharged.
35. Sections 756.18 to 756.21 of the statutes are renumbered 968.50
to 968.53.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: Statutory provisions relating to grand
juries are renumbered into ch. 968, Commencement of Criminal
Proceedings. Various editorial changes are made to conform to usage in
revised ch. 756.
36. Section 756.22 of the statutes is repealed.
37. Section 756.23 of the statutes is repealed.
38. Section 756.24 of the statutes is repealed.
39. Section 756.25 of the statutes is repealed and recreated to
read:
756.25 Juror fees and mileage. (1) Every grand and
petit juror summoned shall receive an amount, not less than $16, as
fixed by the county board, for each day of attendance, and an amount
equal to the mileage rate set under s. 20.916(8) for each mile traveled
each day in going and returning by the most usual route. A juror may not
be paid for a day when the court is not in session unless payment is
ordered by the court.
(2) The county board may pay jurors by the half-day. The payment
shall be for 50% of the established daily pay under sub. (1) and may not
affect the payment for mileage.
(3) Notwithstanding subs. (1) and (2), if the judges in any circuit
have established a system under s. 756.28 in which jurors are summoned
to serve for only one day or one trial, the county board may determine
the amount to be paid jurors for the first day of attendance and the
amount to be paid jurors for traveling to and from the court for the
first day of attendance.
(4) When a juror has completed his or her service, the clerk of
circuit court shall promptly initiate the procedure for payment of the
juror's fees and mileage under s. 59.64(1)(g)1.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: Based on prior ss. 756.24 and 756.25,
this section implements ABA Standard 15. The payment procedure applies
regardless of whether the juror was selected under s. 756.07 or under s.
756.08. Prior s. 756.26 is repealed as unnecessary.
40. Section 756.255 of the statutes is created to read:
756.255 Leave of absence. An employer shall grant an
employee a leave of absence without loss of time in service for the
period of jury service. For the purpose of determining seniority or pay
advancement, the status of the employee shall be considered
uninterrupted by the jury service. No employer may use absence due to
jury service as a basis for discharging an employee or for any
disciplinary action against the employee. An employer who discharges or
disciplines an employee in violation of this section may be fined not
more than $200 and may be required to make full restitution to the
aggrieved employee, including reinstatement and back pay. Except as
otherwise provided in this section, restitution shall be in accordance
with s. 973.20.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: Based on prior s. 756.25(1), this
section implements ABA Standard 15(c).
41. Section 756.26 of the statutes is repealed.
42. Section 756.27 of the statutes is repealed.
43. Section 756.28 of the statutes is repealed and recreated to
read:
756.28 Length of juror service; periods of required
availability. (1) ONE DAY OR ONE TRIAL. The judges in any
circuit may establish a system in which a person summoned under s.
756.05 may not be required to serve or attend court for prospective
service as a petit juror for more than one day in a specified period,
unless more days are necessary to complete service in a particular case.
The specified period may not be less than 2 nor more than 4 years. In
circuits where judges have established such a system, a petit juror
whose deliberation ends with a verdict may not be required to
participate in a 2nd trial even though the juror may not have completed
the first day of juror service at the time of commencement of the 2nd
trial.
(2) General 4-year eligibility. In a county where a system has not
been established under sub. (1), a person may be required to be
available for service as a grand or petit juror only once in any 4-year
period. The period for which any person may be required to be available
for service may not exceed 31 consecutive days. No person may be
required to serve, or attend court for prospective service, as a juror
for a total of more than 5 days unless more days are necessary to
complete service in a particular case.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: Based on prior s. 756.28, this section
implements ABA Standard 5. Subsection (1) is revised to allow greater
flexibility than prior statutes with respect to the length of the period
during which a juror who has served for one day/one trial cannot be
summoned again.
The amendment to sub. (2) is identical to a Supreme Court rulemaking
petition heard Oct. 11, 1995. The Judicial Council Note to the proposal
reads as follows: Subsection (2) is revised, effective Jan. 1, 1997, to
specify that a person may only be required to be available for jury
service once in any 4-year period. The maximum term of jury availability
is reduced to 31 consecutive days, and the maximum number of days of
actual court attendance is limited to five, unless more are necessary to
complete a particular trial. This change is intended to implement the
recommendations of the American Bar Association that such periods be as
short as possible, consistent with the needs of justice.
44. Section 756.30 of the statutes if created to read:
756.30 Penalties. (1) Whoever wilfully misrepresents any material
fact on a juror qualification form under s. 756.04(6) or whoever fails
to return the completed qualification form within 10 days after receipt
of the form may be required to forfeit not more than $500.
(2) If the clerk of circuit court commits any fraud in the selection
of jurors or prospective jurors, the clerk shall forfeit not more than
$500 for each offense.
(3) Any person lawfully summoned to attend as a juror who fails to
attend without any sufficient excuse shall pay a fine not exceeding $40,
which shall be imposed by the court to which the person was summoned and
shall be paid into the county treasury.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1966: Subsection (1) carries forward the
penalty in prior s. 756.04(2)(b). Subsection (2) is based on prior s.
756.041, and carries the same penalty. Subsection (3) is based on prior
s. 756.23.
45. Section 788.03 of the statutes is amended to read:
788.03 Court order to arbitrate; procedure. The
party aggrieved by the alleged failure, neglect or refusal of another to
perform under a written agreement for arbitration, may petition any
court of record having jurisdiction of the parties or of the property
for an order directing that such arbitration proceed as provided for in
such agreement. Five days' notice in writing of such application shall
be served upon the party in default. Service thereof shall be made as
provided by law for the service of a summons. The court shall hear the
parties, and upon being satisfied that the making of the agreement for
arbitration or the failure to comply therewith is not in issue, the
court shall make an order directing the parties to proceed to
arbitration in accordance with the terms of the agreement. If the making
of the arbitration agreement or the failure, neglect or refusal to
perform the same is in issue, the court shall proceed summarily to the
trial thereof. If no jury trial is demanded, the court shall hear and
determine such issue. Where such an issue is raised, either party may,
on or before the return day of the notice of application, demand a jury
trial of such issue, and upon such demand the court shall make an order
referring the issue to a jury called and impaneled as provided
in s. 756.096 summoned and selected under s. 756.06. If
the jury finds that no agreement in writing for arbitration was made or
that there is no default in proceeding thereunder, the proceeding shall
be dismissed. If the jury finds that an agreement for arbitration was
made in writing and that there is a default in proceeding thereunder,
the court shall make an order summarily directing the parties to proceed
with the arbitration in accordance with the terms thereof.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: This proposal changes "impaneled" to
"selected" whenever a statute refers to choosing jurors or prospective
jurors, for statutory uniformity.
46. Section 805.08(2) of the statutes is amended to read:
805.08(2)(title) NUMBER OF JURORS DRAWN. A
sufficient number of jurors shall be called
summoned in the action so that the number applicable under
s. 756.096(3)(b) 756.06 remains after the
exercise of all peremptory challenges to which the parties are entitled
under sub. (3). The court may order that additional jurors be
impaneled selected. In that case, if the number
of jurors remains more than required at the time of the final submission
of the cause, the court shall determine by lot which jurors shall not
initially participate in deliberations and.
The court may hold the additional jurors until the verdict is
rendered or discharge them at any time.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: This proposal changes "impaneled" to
"selected" whenever a statute refers to choosing jurors or prospective
jurors, for statutory uniformity. Adding the last sentence is intended
to allow courts to keep additional jurors to replace any juror who might
not be able to complete deliberations. Deliberations would begin anew
with the additional juror in place.
47. Section 805.08(3) of the statutes is amended to read:
805.08(3) PEREMPTORY CHALLENGES. Each party shall be entitled to 3
peremptory challenges which shall be exercised alternately, the
plaintiff beginning; and when any party declines to challenge in turn,
the challenge shall be made by the clerk by lot. The parties to the
action shall be deemed 2, all plaintiffs being one party and all
defendants being the other party, except that in a case where 2 or more
defendants have adverse interests, the court, if satisfied that the due
protection of their interests so requires, in its discretion, may allow
peremptory challenges to the defendant or defendants on each side of the
adverse interests, not to exceed 3. Each side shall be entitled to one
peremptory challenge in addition to those otherwise allowed by law if
additional jurors are to be impaneled selected
under sub. (2).
48. Section 805.09(1) of the statutes is amended to read:
805.09 (1) Jury. The jury shall consist of a number of persons
determined under s. 756.096(3) 756.06(2)(b).
49. Section 805.18(2) of the statutes is amended to read:
805.18 (2) No judgment shall be reversed or set aside or new trial
granted in any action or proceeding on the ground of
drawing, selection or misdirection of the jury,
or the improper admission of evidence, or for error as to any matter of
pleading or procedure, unless in the opinion of the court to which the
application is made, after an examination of the entire action or
proceeding, it shall appear that the error complained of has affected
the substantial rights of the party seeking to reverse or set aside the
judgment, or to secure a new trial.
50. Section 879.45(5) of the statutes is amended to read:
879.45(5) Selection of jurors. Jurors and trial
juries shall be drawn selected
under ss. 756.04 to 756.096 ch. 756 and trials
by jury shall be under ss. 756.04 to 756.096 and ch.
805.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: This proposal changes "drawn" to
"selected" whenever a statute refers to choosing jurors or prospective
jurors, for statutory uniformity.
51. Section 880.33(2)(a)1. of the statutes is amended to read:
880.33(2)(a)1. The proposed ward has the right to counsel whether or
not present at the hearing on determination of competency. The court
shall in all cases require the appointment of an attorney as guardian ad
litem in accordance with s. 757.48(1) and shall in addition require
representation by full legal counsel whenever the petition contains the
allegations under s. 880.07(1m) or if, at least 72 hours before the
hearing, the alleged incompetent requests; the guardian ad litem or any
other person states that the alleged incompetent is opposed to the
guardianship petition; or the court determines that the interests of
justice require it. The proposed ward has the right to a trial by a jury
if demanded by the proposed ward, attorney or guardian ad litem, except
that if the petition contains the allegations under s. 880.07(1m) and if
notice of the time set for the hearing has previously been provided to
the proposed ward and his or her counsel, a jury trial is deemed waived
unless demanded at least 48 hours prior to the time set for the hearing.
The number of jurors shall be determined under s.
756.096(3) 756.06(2)(b). The proposed ward,
attorney or guardian ad litem shall have the right to present and
cross-examine witnesses, including the physician or psychologist
reporting to the court under sub. (1). The attorney or guardian ad litem
for the proposed ward shall be provided with a copy of the report of the
physician or psychologist at least 96 hours in advance of the hearing.
Any final decision of the court is subject to the right of appeal.
52. Section 968.49 of the statutes is created to read:
968.49 Fine for nonattendance. Any person lawfully
summoned to attend as a grand juror who fails to attend without any
sufficient excuse shall pay a fine not exceeding $40, which shall be
imposed by the court to which the person was summoned and shall be paid
into the county treasury.
53. Section 971.04(1)(c) of the statutes is repealed and recreated to
read:
971.04(1)(c) During voir dire of the trial jury;
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: This statute defines the proceedings at
which a criminal defendant has the right to be present. The prior
statute's reference to "all proceedings when the jury is being selected"
was probably intended to include only those at which the jurors
themselves were present, not the selection of names from lists which
occurs at several stages before the defendant is charged or the trial
jury picked.
54. Section 971.165(1)(c)2. and 3. of the statutes are amended to
read:
971.165(1)(c)2. If the jury is discharged prior to reaching a verdict
on the 2nd plea, the defendant shall not solely on that account be
entitled to a redetermination of the first plea and a different jury may
be drawn selected to determine the 2nd plea only.
3. If an appellate court reverses a judgment as to the 2nd plea but
not as to the first plea and remands for further proceedings, or if the
trial court vacates the judgment as to the 2nd plea but not as to the
first plea, the 2nd plea may be determined by a different jury
drawn selected for this purpose.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996. This proposal changes "drawn" to
"selected" whenever a statute refers to choosing jurors or prospective
jurors.
55. Section 972.01 of the statutes is amended to read:
972.01 Jury; civil rules applicable. The summoning
of jurors, the impaneling selection and
qualifications of the jury, the challenge of jurors for cause and the
duty of the court in charging the jury and giving instructions and
discharging the jury when unable to agree shall be the same in criminal
as in civil actions, except that s. 805.08(3) shall not apply.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: This proposal changes "impaneled" to
"selected" whenever a statute refers to choosing jurors or prospective
jurors, for statutory uniformity.
56. Section 972.02(1) of the statutes is amended to read:
972.02(1) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, criminal
cases shall be tried by a jury drawn selected as
prescribed in s. 756.096(3)(a) or (am), whichever is applicable,
and ch. 805 805.08, unless the defendant waives a jury
in writing or by statement in open court or under s. 967.08(2)(b), on
the record, with the approval of the court and the consent of the
state.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: This proposal changes "drawn" to
"selected" whenever a statute refers to choosing jurors or prospective
jurors, for statutory uniformity.
57. Section 972.03 of the statutes is amended to read:
972.03 Peremptory challenges. Each side is entitled
to only 4 peremptory challenges except as otherwise provided in this
section. When the crime charged is punishable by life imprisonment, the
state is entitled to 6 peremptory challenges and the defendant is
entitled to 6 peremptory challenges. If there is more than one
defendant, the court shall divide the challenges as equally as
practicable among them; and if their defenses are adverse and the court
is satisfied that the protection of their rights so requires, the court
may allow the defendants additional challenges. If the crime is
punishable by life imprisonment, the total peremptory challenges allowed
the defense shall not exceed 12 if there are only 2 defendants and 18 if
there are more than 2 defendants; in other felony cases 6 challenges if
there are only 2 defendants and 9 challenges if there are more than 2.
In misdemeanor cases, the state is entitled to 3 peremptory challenges
and the defendant is entitled to 3 peremptory challenges, except that if
there are 2 defendants, the court shall allow the defense 4 peremptory
challenges, and if there are more than 2 defendants, the court shall
allow the defense 6 peremptory challenges. Each side shall be allowed
one additional peremptory challenge if additional jurors are to be
impaneled selected under s. 972.04(1).
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: This proposal changes "impaneled" to
"selected" whenever a statute refers to choosing jurors or prospective
jurors, for statutory uniformity.
58. Section 972.04(1) of the statutes is amended to read:
972.04(1) The number of jurors impaneled
selected shall be prescribed in s. 756.096(3)
756.06(2)(a) or (am), whichever is applicable, unless a lesser
number has been stipulated and approved under s. 972.02(2) or the court
orders that additional jurors be impaneled
selected. That number, plus the number of peremptory challenges
available to all the parties, shall be called initially and maintained
in the jury box by calling others to replace jurors excused for cause
until all jurors have been examined. The parties shall thereupon
exercise in their order, the state beginning, the peremptory challenges
available to them, and if any party declines to challenge, the challenge
shall be made by the clerk by lot.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: This proposal changes "impaneled" to
"selected" whenever a statute refers to choosing jurors or prospective
jurors, for statutory uniformity.
59. Section 972.10(7) of the statutes is amended to read:
972.10(7) If additional jurors have been impaneled
selected under s. 972.04(1) and the number remains more than
required at final submission of the cause, the court shall determine by
lot which jurors shall not participate in deliberations and discharge
them.
JUDICIAL COUNCIL NOTE, 1996: This proposal changes "impaneled" to
"selected" whenever a statute refers to choosing jurors or prospective
jurors, for statutory uniformity.
60. Section 975.06(1)(b) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to
read:
975.06(1)(b)(intro.) The hearing shall be to a jury, unless the
defendant waives a jury. The number of jurors shall be determined under
s. 756.096(3) 756.06(2)(b). The procedure shall
be substantially like a jury trial in a civil action. The judge may
instruct the jurors in the law. No verdict is valid or received unless
agreed to and signed by five-sixths of the jurors. At the time of
ordering a jury to be summoned, the court shall fix the date of hearing,
which date shall be not less than 30 days nor more than 40 days after
the demand for the jury was made. The court shall submit to the jury the
following form of verdict:
61. Section 978.05(4) of the statutes is amended to read:
978.05(4) Grand jury. When requested by a grand jury under s.
756.15 968.47, attend the grand jury for the
purpose of examining witnesses in their presence; give the grand jury
advice in any legal matter; draw bills of indictment; and issue
subpoenas and other processes to compel the attendance of witnesses.
62. Section 979.05(2) and (3) of the statutes are amended to
read:
979.05(2) The inquest shall be conducted before a jury unless the
district attorney, coroner or medical examiner requests that the inquest
be conducted before the judge or court commissioner only. If the inquest
is to be conducted before a jury, a sufficient number of names of
potential prospective jurors shall be
drawn from the master tumbler containing the names of jurors who
will be drawn for petit juries in the circuit courts of
selected from the prospective juror list for the county in which
the inquest is to be held by the clerk of circuit court in the manner
provided in s. 756.04(3), except that the reserve panel and time
requirements do not apply 756.06. The judge or court
commissioner conducting the inquest shall summon the persons
drawn as prospective jurors to appear before the judge
or court commissioner at the time fixed in the summons. The summons may
be served by mail, or by personal service if the judge, court
commissioner or district attorney determines personal service to be
appropriate. The summons shall be in the form used to summon petit
jurors in the circuit courts of the county. Any person who fails to
appear when summoned as an inquest juror is subject to a forfeiture of
not more than $40. The inquest jury shall consist of 6 jurors. If 6
jurors do not remain from the number originally summoned after
establishment of qualifications, the judge or court commissioner
conducting the inquest may require the clerk of the circuit court to
draw select sufficient additional jurors' names.
Those persons shall be summoned forthwith by the sheriff of the
county.
(3) The judge or court commissioner shall examine on oath or
affirmation each person who is called as a juror to discover whether
the juror is related by blood or marriage to the decedent, any member of
the decedent's family, the district attorney, any other attorney
appearing in the case, any members of the office of the district
attorney or any other attorney appearing in the case or has expressed or
formed any opinion regarding the matters being inquired into or is aware
of or has any bias or prejudice concerning the matters being inquired
into in the inquest. If any potential
prospective juror is found to be not indifferent or is found to
have formed an opinion which cannot be laid aside, that juror shall be
excused. The judge or court commissioner may impanel
sel