--- title: "Carl Ashley | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/carl-ashley-judge-milwaukee-county-circuit-court-wi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Carl Ashley Milwaukee County Circuit Court · Chief Judge ## Profile - Court: Milwaukee County Circuit Court - State: Wisconsin - Role: Chief Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-08-22 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### camera notice Scope: statewide Wisconsin SCR 61 asks media to give the trial judge advance notice before bringing cameras or recording equipment into the courtroom. Evidence excerpt: the trial judge shall be given notice, at least 3 days in advance [Wisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/scrule/DisplayDocument.html?content=html&seqNo=1099) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### courtroom equipment control Scope: statewide Wisconsin SCR 61 leaves courtroom equipment placement, lighting, and use subject to trial-judge control. Evidence excerpt: Only equipment approved by the trial judge in advance of the court proceeding may be used [Wisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/scrule/DisplayDocument.html?content=html&seqNo=1099) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote hearing notice Scope: statewide Wisconsin's court system instructs parties that courts will notify them when a hearing is remote and provide joining instructions. Evidence excerpt: The court will send you instructions on how to join your remote hearing by video or by phone. [Wisconsin Court System: Zoom hearing resources](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/zoom.htm) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### remote hearing technology Scope: statewide Wisconsin remote-hearing guidance tells participants to contact the clerk promptly if they lack reliable internet or phone access. Evidence excerpt: Contact the clerk of circuit court as soon as possible. [Wisconsin Court System: Zoom hearing resources](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/zoom.htm) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/circuit/judges.htm) - [Official roster](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/circuit/judges.htm) - [Wisconsin Court System official judicial roster](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/circuit/judges.htm) - [Wisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/scrule/DisplayDocument.html?content=html&seqNo=1099) - [Wisconsin Court System: Zoom hearing resources](https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/zoom.htm) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/carl-ashley-judge-milwaukee-county-circuit-court-wi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/carl-ashley-judge-milwaukee-county-circuit-court-wi", "name": "Carl Ashley | KnowJudges", "description": "Carl Ashley, Milwaukee County Circuit Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-10-07", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/carl-ashley-judge-milwaukee-county-circuit-court-wi#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/carl-ashley-judge-milwaukee-county-circuit-court-wi#judge", "name": "Carl Ashley", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/carl-ashley-judge-milwaukee-county-circuit-court-wi", "jobTitle": "Chief Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "Milwaukee County Circuit Court" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.wicourts.gov/courts/circuit/judges.htm" ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Wisconsin", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/wisconsin" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Carl Ashley", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/carl-ashley-judge-milwaukee-county-circuit-court-wi" } ] } ] } ``` ## Biography ### Professional career - Carl Ashley has been Chief Judge of the 1st Judicial District since April 15, 2023, appointed by the Wisconsin Supreme Court - Judicial Service: Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge (1999–present) - The Chief Judge of Wisconsin’s First Judicial District (Milwaukee County) and has held the role of a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge since 1999 - Early Career: Public defender (1983–1992), then private practice (1992–1997), administrative law judge (1997–1999) ### Education - B.S. in 1979, J.D. (1983) from Marquette University School of Law ### Additional information - His current judicial term ends in 2029. - He was first elected in 1999 and has been re‐elected in 2005, 2011, 2017, and 2023. - Charles L. Goldberg Distinguished Service Award (2019) - Leaders in the Law Award (2013) - Judge of the Year (State Bar of Wisconsin, 2011) - Innovator of the Year (2003) - Ashley has presided over every major division in the Milwaukee Circuit Court, including misdemeanor, felony, family, large civil claims, children’s court, adult drug treatment court, veterans treatment court, and domestic violence court. - Also Chair of the Milwaukee Community Justice Council and serves on multiple judicial and legal committees, including the Supreme Court’s Planning and Policy Subcommittee on Effective Justice Strategies. - His term as Chief Judge runs for two years and can be renewed up to three consecutive terms. - Born: Milwaukee, Wisconsin - He is married to Felita Daniels Ashley and has two adult children. ## Published courtroom rules ### Shared court rules - [Wisconsin SCR Chapter 61: Electronic Media and Still Photography Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-36fa3f826227447b1512eede) — 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](https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/scrule/DisplayDocument.html?content=html&seqNo=1099). Collected 2026-07-26.