Functions of Court of Appeals
Like most high-volume intermediate appellate courts, the primary function of the Courtof Appeals is to correct errors that occurred at the circuit court level. The publishedopinions of the Court are binding precedent until overruled by the Supreme Court, andthe Supreme Court has recognized that the Court of Appeals has a "law defining and lawdevelopment" function. Cook v. Cook, 208 Wis. 2d 166, 188, 560 N.W.2d 246 (1997).Any citizen may appeal a final judgment or order of a circuit court. Appeals of non final judgments or orders (those that do not end the litigation) are accepted at the Court'sdiscretion.The Court generally sits in three-judge panels to decide the merits of an appeal. Severalcategories of cases, however, are decided by a single judge:
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small claims actions
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municipal ordinance violations
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traffic regulation violations
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mental health, juvenile, contempt and misdemeanor casesThe Court of Appeals issues a written decision in every case. The Court's publicationcommittee determines which decisions will be published. If a decision is published, itmay be cited as presidential authority. No testimony is taken in the Court of Appeals. The Court relies on the circuit court recordand the written briefs of the parties. The Court hears oral argument when the judges feelit would be beneficial to their decision.The Court's procedures can be found in Chapter 809 of the Wisconsin Statutes.
function of Interior Court
Interior Department systems "necessary for protection against fires or other suchthreats to life, property or national security may remain connected."
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