Michelle A. Havas at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Wisconsin · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Michelle A. Havas
Judge · Milwaukee County Circuit Court
Biography
Professional career
- Michelle A. Havas is a judge for Branch 10 of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court in Wisconsin, serving since 2017 and re‐elected in 2023, with a background in public prosecution and legal practice
- Before joining the judiciary, Havas held the role of an Assistant District Attorney for Milwaukee County from 2002 to 2015, later returning to that role briefly in 2016–2017.
- Earlier in her career, she worked as a legal secretary (1989–1992), a parole and probation officer, and as an associate at Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C. (1999–2002) in commercial litigation and insurance defense
Education
- University of Wisconsin Law School — J.D. (1998)
Additional information
- Her current term runs until August 1, 2029.
- In April 2025, Havas recused herself from a high‐profile case involving former public defender Travis Schwantes, citing potential conflicts of interest with the defendant’s prior workplace.
- She was first appointed to the court in 2015 by then‐Governor Scott Walker to Branch 45, later elected to Branch 10 in 2017, and re‐elected in the April 4, 2023 general election.
- She was a judicial intern with the Wisconsin Court of Appeals in 1997.
- Michelle Ackerman Havas presides over Felony cases in Branch 10 of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court.
- The case was reassigned to another judge.
- She handled cases including those before the Wisconsin Supreme Court and in the Children’s Court, such as termination of parental rights matters.
- She has been active in professional organizations, including the Milwaukee Bar Association and the Association for Women Lawyers.
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
Milwaukee 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 ↗