Wisconsin Courthouse Dress Code & Attire Rules (2026)

Short answer: Clean, non-ripped dark jeans are generally accepted for jurors and traffic court visitors, but shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, and slides are prohibited across nearly all 10 courthouses in Wisconsin. Updated 2026-11-04

All 10 county courthouses in Wisconsin enforce judicial decorum dress codes: shorts, flip-flops, tank tops, halter tops, pajamas, and hats are prohibited in courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may refuse entry or reset your hearing if you are improperly dressed. Wisconsin Circuit Courthouses (Milwaukee, Dane, Waukesha, Brown, Racine) allow visitors and jurors to bring silenced cell phones past security screening.

County Courthouse	City	Courtroom dress code	Phone Lockers	Juror Parking
Milwaukee County Milwaukee County Courthouse (Milwaukee) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Milwaukee County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."”	Milwaukee	Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats	No lockers	Free Validated
Dane County Dane County Courthouse (Madison) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Dane County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."”	Madison	Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats	No lockers	Free Validated
Waukesha County Waukesha County Courthouse (Waukesha) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Waukesha County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."”	Waukesha	Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats	No lockers	Free Validated
Brown County Brown County Courthouse (Green Bay) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Brown County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."”	Green Bay	Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats	No lockers	Free Validated
Racine County Racine County Courthouse (Racine) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Racine County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."”	Racine	Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats	No lockers	Free Validated
Outagamie County Outagamie County Courthouse (Appleton) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Outagamie County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."”	Appleton	Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats	No lockers	Free Validated
Winnebago County Winnebago County Courthouse (Oshkosh) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Winnebago County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."”	Oshkosh	Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats	No lockers	Free Validated
Kenosha County Kenosha County Courthouse (Kenosha) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Kenosha County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."”	Kenosha	Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats	No lockers	Free Validated
Rock County Rock County Courthouse (Janesville) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Rock County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."”	Janesville	Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats	No lockers	Free Validated
Marathon County Marathon County Courthouse (Wausau) “Courtroom Decorum Order (Marathon County): "Business casual required. No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, pajamas, or clothing with offensive graphics. Hats must be removed upon entering courtrooms. Judges and bailiffs may deny entry or reschedule appearances for inappropriate attire."”	Wausau	Strict decorum: No shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, or hats	No lockers	Free Validated

Going to Court Without a Lawyer?

Skip the Security Line & Protect Your Record in WI

If you have a Traffic Ticket, Speeding/CDL Violation, DUI, Misdemeanor, or Family Court hearing in WI, a licensed local attorney can often appear in court on your behalf—saving you from missing work, risking a bench warrant, or taking points on your license.

Your Full Name Phone Number Email Address County State Case Type Upcoming Court Date Need

Brief Case Details (optional)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you wear jeans or shorts to court in Wisconsin?

Clean, non-ripped dark jeans are generally accepted for jurors and traffic court visitors, but shorts, tank tops, flip-flops, and slides are prohibited across nearly all 10 courthouses in Wisconsin.

How is this courthouse policy data verified?

We verify every county against official Court Administrative Orders (.gov), Jury Commissioner instructions, and Sheriff Court Security directives. Last verified 2026-11-04.