Can I have a jury trial in a small claims court case?

In Wisconsin, small claims court cases do not offer the option of a jury trial. Small claims court is a court of limited jurisdiction that handles civil claims involving relatively small amounts of money, usually up to $10,000. In most cases, the parties involved represent themselves in the proceedings, as opposed to using an attorney. The proceedings are often less formal than in higher court proceedings. In many places, Wisconsin included, there are no jury trials in small claims court. The disputes in small claims court are usually decided by a judge, or, in some cases, a magistrate or a court commissioner. The judge or magistrate will hear the evidence presented by both sides and make a decision on the merits of the case. Given that small claims courts have limited jurisdiction, the amount of time and resources involved in adjudicating small cases would be inefficient to pursue a jury trial. Instead, the judge or magistrate is able to make a decision more quickly and with fewer resources. Additionally, having a jury trial in small claims court might be difficult to arrange. Due to their limited jurisdiction, small claims court cases are not likely to attract enough attention or interest to find enough jurors to fill out a jury. Overall, although you cannot have a jury trial in small claims court in Wisconsin, the decision-making process can still be fair and impartial. The judge or magistrate hearing the case will review the evidence presented and make a decision on the merits of the case.

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Can I have a jury trial in a small claims court case?

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