--- title: "Payal Khandhar | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/payal-khandhar-judge-dane-county-circuit-court-wi" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-22" --- # Payal Khandhar Dane County Circuit Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Dane 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/payal-khandhar-judge-dane-county-circuit-court-wi", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/payal-khandhar-judge-dane-county-circuit-court-wi", "name": "Payal Khandhar | KnowJudges", "description": "Payal Khandhar, Dane County Circuit Court. 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Reynolds’ resignation - In 2016, she became a partner at Jasti & Khandhar, a Madison-based criminal defense firm - Khandhar’s legal career began in 2009 as an assistant state public defender in Northwestern Wisconsin, later serving in Dane County ### Education ### Additional information - In April 2025, she won a nonpartisan general election for re‐election, securing a new term through August 1, 2031. - Began her judicial tenure on July 13, 2024 and initially served a term ending July 31, 2025. - Before law school, she held a position as a case manager for formerly incarcerated women and as a neighborhood-based case worker assisting low-income families. - Graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison (undergraduate and law school). - Governor Evers described her as “a highly regarded attorney... committed to service and dedicated to improving her community”. - Khandhar has said she will approach her judicial role with “kindness, humility, and humanity” and continues her mission of fostering a more just and equitable community. - Assigned Room 7105 at the Dane County Courthouse in Madison, WI. ## 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.