SCR 68.11

History

COMMENT Given the variations among the counties in staffing of courts, it is not practicable to establish a uniform standard for the size and configuration of support staff areas. Location of support staff adjacent to the judge's chambers not only enhances efficiency but also allows screening of persons seeking access to the judge. (4) Every court facility should provide a location where members of the public may access legal research. COMMENT Access to legal research is critical to the proper functioning of the court system. A pro se service center or space with dedicated computer terminals or interactive kiosks may provide members of the public with access to legal information and self-help resources. (5) Offices and hearing rooms of court commissioners should provide respect, privacy and function and be designed to impress upon the public and the litigants the fairness and dignity of the judicial system. COMMENT Court commissioners in Wisconsin perform a number of important roles in the judicial system and are often called upon to make key preliminary orders in a case at a time when emotions are particularly high. The importance of those roles should be emphasized in the design, configuration and furnishings of the space in which the court commissioners perform their duties. The setting in which persons appear before a court commissioner should instill respect for the authority of the court commissioner. Given the wide variations among counties across the state in the use of part-time and full-time court commissioners and the functions they perform, a uniform standard on size or features of court commissioner offices or hearing rooms is not practicable. Hearing rooms should be designed in accordance with the standards for courtrooms, with modifications to reflect the somewhat different nature of the proceedings conducted by the court commissioner.