--- title: "Joe Veenstra | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/joe-veenstra-judge-la-crosse-county-circuit-court-wi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-22" --- # Joe Veenstra La Crosse County Circuit Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: La Crosse County Circuit Court - State: Wisconsin - Role: 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/joe-veenstra-judge-la-crosse-county-circuit-court-wi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/joe-veenstra-judge-la-crosse-county-circuit-court-wi", "name": "Joe Veenstra | KnowJudges", "description": "Joe Veenstra, La Crosse County Circuit Court. 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(1999–2025) — handled commercial, civil, personal injury, landlord‐tenant, municipal, employment, criminal defense, and civil rights cases La Crosse County Board Supervisor (2008–2016) Supplemental Court Commissioner, La Crosse County Circuit Court (2007–2025) Law Clerk, La Crosse County Circuit Court (1998–1999) - Veenstra emphasizes evidence‐based practices in criminal justice, respect for the rule of law, and the constitutional role of the independent judiciary - He has stated that his 25 years as a litigator and 17 years as a court commissioner give him the temperament and judgment to manage a wide range of cases fairly and efficiently - In summary: Joe Veenstra is a seasoned attorney and court commissioner now serving as a full‐time circuit court judge in Wisconsin, with a background in diverse legal practice areas and a focus on fair, evidence‐based judicial decision‐making ### Education - University of Wisconsin Law School — J.D. (1998) - in English, University of Wisconsin–Madison — B.A. (1992) ### Additional information - Joe Veenstra is the elected La Crosse County Circuit Court Judge for Branch 1, serving until April 1, 2031, and is admitted to practice in all Wisconsin state courts and the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin - Professional Memberships: La Crosse County Bar Association, State Bar of Wisconsin, and national criminal defense law associations - As a judge, he presides over cases of general jurisdiction in La Crosse County Circuit Court - His legal work has included criminal, personal injury, real estate, insurance, probate, family law, and civil rights matters ## 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.