Time for (some) fireworks!

As the Fourth of July approaches, the Wisconsin Attorney General's office has released their annual reminder about fireworks laws. 

Wisconsin Statute 167.10 addresses the regulation of fireworks in Wisconsin and lists various firework-related devices that aren't regulated, such as sparklers or toy snakes. Anyone looking for a concise summary of fireworks laws should look at the WI Dept. of Justice's summary of Wisconsin Fireworks Law (2014), which is geared towards law enforcement. This guide includes a list of items that are generally legal in Wisconsin without a permit, as well as those that are illegal without a permit throughout Wisconsin.

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It's important to note that further restrictions and enforcement rest with local authorities, so be sure to check local ordinances. Permits are generally issued by local authorities (i.e. the mayor or person designated by the mayor). The press release also covers examples of laws and practices you might see for local fireworks regulation.

Libraries Closed on July 4th

Our three library locations will be closed on Wednesday, July 4th for the Fourth of July state holiday. We will respond to questions and requests on Thursday, July 5th. To ask a question while we are closed, you can call us at (608) 267-9696 or Ask a Librarian online.

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Databases and Catalog now available

Access to databases, such as HeinOnline, and our online catalog is now working following this morning's system work. Thank you for your patience!

Please call us at 608-267-9696 if you have any issues using our databases or library catalog. 

Databases Are Unavailable

Users outside of our libraries are unable to access databases, such as HeinOnline or Index to Legal Periodicals. We are working on fixing this issue and will post again when access to these databases is working again.

If you need help accessing information from these databases, please call our reference desk at 608-267-9696.

Circuit court fee waivers

We're often asked how much it costs to file a circuit court case, and whether there are any options to waive filing fees. Most cases require a filing fee, but there is a procedure to request the court waive filing fees and costs. The court will review the request and approve, deny, or order partial payment of fees and costs. (See the WI Circuit Court fee, forfeiture, fine and surcharge tables for more information about standard fees and costs.)

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Forms

The Wisconsin Court System has created a form to request that a civil court action begin without prepayment of filing fees or costs: Petition for Waiver of Fees and Costs - Affidavit of Indigency, CV-410A, and the accompanying Order on Petition for Waiver of Fees and Costs, CV-410B. (For prisoners' use, see: CV-438 and CV-440.)

For eFiling litigants, a fee waiver can also be requested and the court has created instructions for eFiling and waiving court fees and costs. 

A fee waiver request does not include other related fees, such as service of process fees from a private process server or Sheriff's Department. Check with your local county court for information on fee waiver requests for other programs, like this Outagamie County request for waiver of family court mediation fees. Some types of cases don't require filing fees, such as most temporary restraining order petitions alleging domestic abuse or stalking. Check the WI Circuit Court fee, forfeiture, fine and surcharge tables for more information on filing fees and costs for particular types of cases. Finally, check with your local county court for more information on procedures and fees.

Catalog and databases temporarily unavailable

Due to scheduled system maintenance, our catalog and access to online databases will be unavailable on Thursday morning beginning at 6 a.m. We anticipate full access to these resources will be restored by mid-morning.

Please ask a librarian if you need help accessing the library's collection during this time. Call us at 608-267-9696.

Observing Flag Day

On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress authorized the creation of a new flag to symbolize the United States of America. 

"Resolved, That the flag of the ∥thirteen∥ United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white: that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation"
June 14, 1777, page 466, in Journals of the Continental Congress. A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875

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You can read about the history of Flag Day and a little bit of history about the American flag in the Library of Congress' "Today in History" entry for June 14. 

Our Etiquette and Protocol page links to guides and several statutes about the proper use and display of flags. 

LGBTQ Start Here guide

June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month (LGBT Pride Month) and we've put together a short resource guide to help users who are researching legal issues for LGBTQ individuals. Our guide features books from our collection, recent law review articles and journals, and a short list of useful websites.

Find our LGBTQ research guide and other Start Here guides on our website.

WSLL @ Your Service: June 2018

The June issue of WSLL @ Your Service is now online. As always, your comments are welcome. Please direct them to the editor, Carol Hassler.

In this issue:

Criminal Law Research Guides

The annual Wisconsin Court System Criminal Law & Sentencing Institute took place in early May. Librarians created several research guides for attendees. Read more

Bar Association Meeting Programs

We’re ready to speak at your next bar association meeting! Julie Tessmer, State Law Librarian, will present information about the library’s services and the materials which we provide for practicing attorneys. Read more

New Books

Our featured new resources this month are 2017 Tax Legislation: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and Renters’ Rights. Check our new book list for more new titles. Read more

Tech Tip

All drivers are aware of texting while driving laws. One way to avoid the temptation of using your phone while driving is to install an app that handles incoming calls and texts. Read more

Library News

Get information about Law Day in Dane County, staff news, and Fourth of July library closures. Read more

June Snapshot

Our new microfiche scanner is ready to use! Use it to scan, then email or save copies from microfiche or microfilm. Read more