David W. Paulson at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Wisconsin · State
- Judicial service
- Active
David W. Paulson
Judge · Racine County Circuit Court
Biography
Professional career
- Wisconsin circuit court judge serving Branch 6 in Racine County, elected in 2015 and currently assigned to the Traffic and Misdemeanor Court as of the 2026 judicial rotation
- Judicial Service: Judge, Village of Caledonia Municipal Court (1981–2015) Elected to Racine County Circuit Court in 2015
- In summary: Judge David W. Paulson is an experienced Wisconsin jurist with over four decades in legal practice, now serving in the Traffic and Misdemeanor division of the Racine County Circuit Court, with a background in municipal, federal, and state court service
Education
- Marquette University Law School — J.D. (1971)
- Drake University — B.A.
Additional information
- Private Practice: Attorney since 1971
- Branch: Branch 6 (Traffic and Misdemeanor Court) as of the August 1, 2026 rotation
- In the 2026 rotation, Paulson moved from Civil Court to Traffic and Misdemeanor Court, assuming Scott Craig’s cases.
- Previous Branch: Civil Court (2015–2026)
- Racine County judges rotate among divisions every two years.
- Federal & State Courts: Admitted to the U.S. District Courts (Eastern & Western Districts of Wisconsin), U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and the Supreme Court of Arizona
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
Racine 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 ↗