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Circuit court eFiling - eFiling a new case as a special prosecutor

  • Updated

    • Purpose: Attorneys acting as special prosecutors can eFile new cases (which are usually initiated by the DA’s office) on the eFiling website when necessary. Once accepted by the clerk’s office, the case appears on the special prosecutor’s My cases page on the eFiling website.

    Applicable Users: Special prosecutors

    1. Visit the eFiling website at https://efiling.wicourts.gov/ and log in. For more information see the article Logging into Wisconsin circuit court eFiling.
    2. Select file new case in the main navigation or the [File a new case] button from the bottom menu.
      Wisconsin Circuit court eFiling homepage with attention called to file new case link and button
    3. Select the county you are filing in from the County dropdown menu and the applicable class code from the Class code dropdown menu. If you are filing as a special prosecutor, select Special Prosecutor from the Which agency is this filing for? dropdown menu. Then, select the [Continue] button.
      New filing screen with attention called to county and class code dropdown as well as Which agency is this filing for? dropdown menu and Continue button
      Note: If you are unable to select felony, misdemeanor, or criminal traffic class codes from the Class code dropdown menu, contact the clerk of court’s office to ensure you have been added to the corresponding prosecuting and petitioning agency in the court system software.
    4. Select the [Add party] button to add parties to the case.
      Note: The yellow banner will tell you what party types are required for the selected class code. 
      Parties screen with attention called to Add party button
    5. Complete the New party window. Start by choosing a Party type, beginning with the filing party (e.g., Plaintiff for a CF case type). Select the [Add attorney] button to add the attorney representing the filing party on the case. The attorney you’re logged in as will appear by default.
      New party entry screen with attention called to Party type dropdown and Add attorney button
    6. You can select the [Save, and Add next party] button to add additional parties to the case.
      Is an interpreter needed? yes/no prompt with attention called to Save and Add next party button
    7. If the party you entered requires an interpreter, select [Yes] and select the language needed from the [Language] dropdown.
      Is an interpreter needed? yes/no prompt set to Yes with attention called to Language selection dropdown
    8. When all parties have been added, review for accuracy and select the [Continue] button.
      Parties screen with attention called to Continue button
    9. Select the [Upload documents] button to browse for and upload a filing document along with other documents associated with the case. Review the bulleted list to ensure your documents are properly formatted.
      Note: The yellow banner will tell you what filing document is required for the selected class code. 
      Documents screen with attention called to file requirements list and Upload documents button with informational banner noting which filing documents are required for the case type
    10. From the Document type dropdown menu, select the correct document type, and enter a descriptive title in the Document title text entry field. Select the [Continue] button.
      Documents screen with attention called to Document type dropdown menu, Document title text field and Continue button
      Note: An accurate and descriptive title is beneficial for identifying documents. The title entered displays in the View documents list on the My cases page and is visible to the courts.
    11. On the Review page, review the filing for accuracy. Select a document link to open and view any of your uploaded files. Select the [Continue] button when you are ready to proceed.
      Review filing screen with attention called to uploaded document hyperlink and Continue button
      Note: The Notes to Clerk text entry field functions like a virtual sticky note on your filing. Anything entered in this box displays to the clerk while they process your filing but is deleted once your filing is accepted. These notes are not permanently saved to the case.
    12. On the Ready to file page, select the checkbox next to the filing(s) you wish to submit or select the checkbox next to the county name to submit all filings in that county. Select the [File] button.
      Ready to file screen with attention called to selected individual case filing checkbox and File button
      Note: When filing a new case as a special prosecutor, no filing fee should be applied. If a fee amount is displayed, contact the clerk’s office to ensure proper account setup.
    13. Upon submission, the case is transmitted to the clerk of court’s office. Once the new case is processed by the circuit court, you will receive an email confirmation and the file-stamped document(s) will be visible on the My cases page of the eFiling website. The eFiling system generates an Electronic Filing Notice that must be printed and served traditionally along with other case initiating documents.
      Filings submitted success message

    Support

    Contact the eFile support center if you have further questions. Staff are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except for court holidays.

    Phone: 1-800-462-8843
    Online support form: https://www.wicourts.gov/ecourts/efilesupportform.htm
    Email: efilesupport@wicourts.gov

    Wisconsin Court Systems (Updated: )