Opinion ID: 2039068
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: supervisory writ standards

Text: ¶ 17. A writ of supervision is not a substitute for an appeal. State ex rel. Dressler v. Circuit Court for Racine County, 163 Wis. 2d 622, 630, 472 N.W.2d 532 (Ct. App. 1991). The decision whether to issue a supervisory writ is controlled by equitable principles and, in our discretion, we can consider the rights of the public and third parties. Id. A supervisory writ is considered an extraordinary and drastic remedy that is to be issued only upon some grievous exigency. Id. A petitioner seeking a supervisory writ must establish the following: A petition for a supervisory writ will not be granted unless: (1) an appeal is an inadequate remedy; (2) grave hardship or irreparable harm will result; (3) the duty of the trial court is plain and it must have acted or intends to act in violation of that duty; and (4) the request for relief is made promptly and speedily. Burnett v. Alt, 224 Wis. 2d 72, 96-97, 589 N.W.2d 21 (1999) (citing State ex rel. Oman v. Hunkins, 120 Wis. 2d 86, 91, 352 N.W.2d 220 (Ct. App. 1984); see also Dressler, 163 Wis. 2d at 630 (separating the third of these factors into two, for a total of five factors).