What type of jurisdiction do WI Circuit Courts have in civil and criminal matters within the state?

Wisconsin Circuit Courts possess general jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters. This means they have the authority to hear a wide variety of cases, including those involving significant amounts of money, felonies, misdemeanors, and family law matters. General jurisdiction allows these courts to address almost any type of civil or criminal case that arises within their territorial boundaries, unless a specific law states otherwise.

This broad scope contrasts with limited jurisdiction courts, which can only handle specific types of cases, such as small claims or traffic violations. Exclusive jurisdiction refers to cases that can only be handled by a particular court or type of court, which is not applicable to Wisconsin Circuit Courts as they can hear many different kinds of cases. Original jurisdiction is related to the power to hear a case for the first time, which Circuit Courts do have, but the term general jurisdiction more accurately describes their overall authority over a wide range of cases within the state. Thus, the correct characterization of Wisconsin Circuit Courts is that they operate under general jurisdiction.