Nov. 21, 2025
VERNON COUNTY, Wis. — On Nov. 19 Vernon County Sheriff Roy Torgerson issued a public notice warning residents that failure to respond to mandatory Juror Qualification Questionnaires for 2026 jury service could result in court-imposed consequences. The Sheriff’s Office is actively working to ensure compliance for the Clerk of Circuit Court.
The Sheriff emphasized that completing the questionnaire is “not optional,” and that those who fail to comply will “most likely” face consequences from the court. Sheriff Torgerson sees the completion of the forms as “an amazing way to honor the brave men and women who fought, bled, and died for our rights, specifically the right to a trial by jury.”
The necessity for the Sheriff’s involvement arose after the Clerk of Court had already sent two letters regarding the obligation, indicating widespread non-response among the initial pool of potential jurors.
The Sheriff’s Office has devoted staff time to address the backlog of non-compliant residents, assisting the Clerk of Court by making calls and attempting personal delivery of the notices.
As of an update provided on November 20, 2025:
- The Sheriff’s team successfully cleared 25 people from the non-compliance list within a recent 24-hour period (between Wednesday 4:00 PM and Thursday 4:30 PM).
- Despite this progress, 68 residents still need to complete the required paperwork.
The Sheriff noted that staff will continue their outreach efforts, operating with the “benefit of the doubt” to remind residents of their duty. However, a strict deadline for resolution is imminent. The names of all individuals who remain out of compliance with the mandatory paperwork obligation will be released to the community on December 15th.
Sheriff Torgerson encouraged those who received the questionnaire to use the opportunity to complete the form quickly online.
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