In Matter of Civil Contempt of Kroll

This is an appeal from an order holding Donald Kroll in civil contempt. Because Kroll timely filed a request for substitution of judge pursuant to sec. 801.68(1), Stats., the trial judge had no jurisdiction to hear the contempt proceeding, except to determine if the request was correct as to form and timely filed. We therefore vacate the order and remand the case with directions.

Initially, the trial judge was hearing a divorce matter involving Susan and Armand Bartell. Armand was not at the divorce hearing. He had vanished the year before taking with him the couple’s three children, contrary…