A Wisconsin Order to Show Cause is a document used in Wisconsin courts to order a person to appear in court and explain why they should not be held in contempt. This document is typically issued when a party in a civil case fails to comply with an order of the court. There are two types of Wisconsin Order to Show Cause: a trial order and an appeal order. A trial order is issued by a trial court judge and requires the respondent to appear in court to answer for their alleged contempt. An appeal order is issued by an appellate court and requires the respondent to explain why the trial court’s order should not be enforced. Both orders require the respondent to appear in court to explain why the court’s order should not be enforced.




