Kristin M. Cafferty at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Wisconsin · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Kristin M. Cafferty
Judge · Racine County Circuit Court
Biography
Professional career
- The Racine County Clerk of Circuit Court lists Cafferty as Branch 5 Judge since 2021
- Judge on the Racine County Circuit Court in Wisconsin’s Second Judicial District, appointed by Governor Tony Evers in 2021 and serving in Branch 5
- Before joining the bench, Cafferty was a partner at Habush, Habush & Rottier, S.C. in Racine for 16 years, starting as an associate in 2004.
Education
- Marquette University Law School — J.D. (1994)
- Marquette University — B.S. (1991)
Additional information
- Appointed: February 2, 2021 (effective April 9, 2021) by Governor Tony Evers, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of Hon. Michael J. Piontek
- Admitted to the State Bar of Wisconsin (1994) and to the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Wisconsin (1994)
- Certified civil trial specialist and has represented individuals in personal injury cases
- handling claims, trials, and appeals.
- In her legal career, Cafferty handled 20–30 active personal injury cases at a time
- representing diverse clients across Wisconsin and in federal court.
- As a judge, she presides over civil, small claims, family, and other matters, including domestic violence, landlord‐tenant, and consumer debt cases.
- She also previously worked at Hostak, Henzl & Bichler, S.C..
- In summary: Kristin M. Cafferty is an experienced attorney turned judge, serving in Racine County’s civil and family divisions, with a background in personal injury litigation and a long-standing career in Racine’s legal community.
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 ↗