The Municipal Court of Dane County was created from and superseded the city of Madison police court in 1873. In 1874 it was made a court of record and given jurisdiction concurrent with the circuit court in all crimes except murder and in appeals in criminal cases from the courts of justices of the peace. In 1901 the criminal jurisdiction of the court was extended to all offenses. A law of 1905 conferred upon the municipal court jurisdiction in all civil actions in which the amount in controversy did not exceed $5,000 (raised to $100,000 in 1917). In 1917 the municipal court became the superior court of Dane County. The municipal judge held office as superior court judge until 1923 when his term expired. In 1919 the court (now the superior court) was given concurrent jurisdiction with the county court in matters concerning the relief and support of the poor, and matters relating to neglected or abused children.
