FUND: GENERAL |
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & COURTS |
The Clerk of Circuit Court Office is governed by Section 59.40 of the Wisconsin
Statutes and County ordinances. The office is responsible for salaries, except
for the circuit court judges and their respective court reporters, plus all
other costs associated with the operation of the state court system in Racine
County. The State has authorized ten branches of Circuit Court, courts including
the following divisions: probate, two civil, small claims, two juvenile,
criminal, traffic, family and two felony. The Clerk of Circuit Court Office
generates revenue for the County and State through the collection and recording
of fees, fines, criminal forfeitures and guardian ad litem reimbursements. In
addition, the office serves the public and the legal community by maintaining
the Racine County Law Library.
The office met the goal of improving storage space for the department through
current microfilming of appropriate court cases to five years or less. This
department now utilizes space in central records only for court reporter notes.
The office also met its goal of Increased collections through implementation of
quarterly mailings and referrals to collection agencies for delinquent fines,
fees, costs, guardian ad litem, court appointed attorney fees, juvenile legal
fees and psychological reimbursement. The result was increased recovery of fees
to approximately 16%, compared to 7% in previous years.
In addition, although this was not stated as a goal for this year, the
department improved efficiency within the traffic and juvenile divisions as a
result of remodeling space and upgrading furniture.
