Wisconsin Supreme Court, State Supreme Court in Madison, United States
The Wisconsin Supreme Court sits in the East Wing of the State Capitol and serves as the highest legal authority for the state. Seven justices hear appeals and interpret the state constitution in a wood-paneled courtroom with tall windows overlooking Capitol Square.
The court was founded in 1841 when Wisconsin was still a territory, appointing three elected justices to interpret territorial law. It moved into the current State Capitol building in 1917 after fire destroyed the previous structure in 1904.
Since 1993, justices travel to towns throughout the state under the Justice on Wheels program, holding oral arguments in schools and civic centers. Students and local residents can watch real cases being argued and ask questions afterward, making the legal process more visible.
Oral arguments are held several times a year during term sessions and visitors can watch from benches inside the courtroom. Anyone wanting to see a hearing should check the online calendar in advance and arrive early, as seating is limited.
A 2015 constitutional amendment ended the seniority system for selecting the chief justice, allowing justices to vote among themselves for a two-year term. Before this change, the longest-serving justice automatically held the role and could remain chief for decades.
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