--- title: "Kristin M. Cafferty | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kristin-m-cafferty-judge-racine-county-circuit-court-wi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-22" --- # Kristin M. Cafferty Racine County Circuit Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Racine 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/kristin-m-cafferty-judge-racine-county-circuit-court-wi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kristin-m-cafferty-judge-racine-county-circuit-court-wi", "name": "Kristin M. Cafferty | KnowJudges", "description": "Kristin M. Cafferty, Racine County Circuit Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-22", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kristin-m-cafferty-judge-racine-county-circuit-court-wi#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kristin-m-cafferty-judge-racine-county-circuit-court-wi#judge", "name": "Kristin M. Cafferty", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kristin-m-cafferty-judge-racine-county-circuit-court-wi", "jobTitle": "Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "Racine 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": "Kristin M. Cafferty", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kristin-m-cafferty-judge-racine-county-circuit-court-wi" } ] } ] } ``` ## 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. ## 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.