Ashley J. Morse at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Wisconsin · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Ashley J. Morse
Judge · Rock County Circuit Court
Biography
Professional career
- Appointed to the Rock County Circuit Court on March 25, 2022, filling the vacancy created by Judge Daniel T. Dillon’s resignation
- Judge on Branch 4 of the Rock County Circuit Court in Wisconsin, appointed by Governor Tony Evers in 2022, and is the first woman of color to serve on the Rock County bench
- Before becoming a judge, Morse held a position as an assistant state public defender with the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office from 2010, joining the Janesville office in 2014.
Education
- J.D., University of Wisconsin Law School (2009) Admitted to the Wisconsin Bar (2009) and Illinois Bar (2010).
- in History, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — B.A. (2006)
Additional information
- In May 2026, Morse received the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Diversity & Inclusion Trailblazer Award for her work advancing equity and inclusion in the legal profession.
- Later elected to the position in 2023.
- She presides over cases in family, civil, and criminal matters in Rock County’s Fifth Judicial District.
- She represented children in delinquency and juvenile protection cases, parents facing termination of parental rights, and adults in criminal and civil matters.
- She also served on the Rock County Trauma Task Force and the Youth Justice Racial Disparities Committee, and was an Ambassador for Racial Justice with the National Juvenile Defender Center.
- Morse was raised primarily by a single mother and has spoken publicly about her family’s challenges, including her biological father’s struggles with addiction and her stepfather’s death in the line of duty.
- She is the first in her family to attend college and law school.
- She is recognized for her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion while serving on the bench.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Camera Notice
Statewide
Wisconsin SCR 61 asks media to give the trial judge advance notice before bringing cameras or recording equipment into the courtroom.
the trial judge shall be given notice, at least 3 days in advanceWisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings ↗
Courtroom Equipment Control
Statewide
Wisconsin SCR 61 leaves courtroom equipment placement, lighting, and use subject to trial-judge control.
Only equipment approved by the trial judge in advance of the court proceeding may be usedWisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings ↗
Remote appearances
Statewide
Wisconsin's court system instructs parties that courts will notify them when a hearing is remote and provide joining instructions.
The court will send you instructions on how to join your remote hearing by video or by phone.Wisconsin Court System: Zoom hearing resources ↗
Statewide
Wisconsin remote-hearing guidance tells participants to contact the clerk promptly if they lack reliable internet or phone access.
Contact the clerk of circuit court as soon as possible.Wisconsin Court System: Zoom hearing resources ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Wisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings
Rock County Circuit Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked August 22, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Wisconsin Court System official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 22, 2026
View Wisconsin Court System official judicial roster ↗Wisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Wisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings ↗Wisconsin Court System: Zoom hearing resources
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Wisconsin Court System: Zoom hearing resources ↗