What are Wisconsin court records?
Court records in Wisconsin are reputable records that have historic and frequently sensitive data. The substance of each court record will always depend on a variety of conditions, the leader between which is the kind of case the document details, civil or criminal. An illustration of a civil case court document could be a scenario between two people that includes belongings, small children, and even transgressions of constitutional rights. An illustration of a criminal case will include a minimum of one government agency or enterprise and also one individual or corporate entity. Both sorts of court records will be helpful any time information and facts are gathered.
Court Docket vs. Actual Wisconsin Court Records
When submitting paperwork with a Wisconsin court, a docket number will be given to the document. This docket number gets listed on every related record in the case. Usually, this number gets listed on the top edges of the filing. In order to guarantee that you possess the proper docket number, make certain to double-check the names listed on the documentation. In certain situations, a person may have numerous cases, each having a singular docket figure. Commonly, court dockets are offered to access via the internet. In spite of this, they don’t normally provide precise information about the case. If you have the correct docket number, you can use an actual physical court record terminal at the regional courthouse or an online website to gain access to the records.
Public Access Terminals For Wisconsin Court Records
Many courts in Wisconsin offer a community access terminal for plaintiffs, defendants, litigants, and other interested individuals to check out associated document filings in county courts. Typically located in the courthouse itself, the information contained in public access terminals contains case information, dockets, and other filings. They are available for any individual to use, enabling them to seek out criminal or other records by using a name and date of birth.
Wisconsin State Court Record Resources.
Supreme Court
Supreme Court opinions – https://wicourts.gov/opinions/supreme.jsp
Court of Appeals
Court of Appeals opinions – https://wicourts.gov/opinions/appeals.jsp
Circuit (Court Record Types – Felony, Misdemeanor, Civil, Small Claims, Juvenile, Traffic, Eviction, Domestic Relations, Estate)
Public access terminals are available at each court
Online Search – https://wcca.wicourts.gov/
Probate (Court Record Types – Probate, Estate)
Public access terminals are available at each court
Municipal (Court Record Types – Traffic, Ordinance, Juvenile, 1st time DUI)
Public access terminals are available at each court
Common Types of Wisconsin Court Records.
Wisconsin Criminal Court Records.
Each time an individual is arrested and charged with committing a crime, the judge refers to existing criminal laws and regulations for direction. Illustrations of criminal offenses can incorporate assault and battery, stealing, rape, arson, vandalism, and also homicide, as well as a great many others.
Whenever an individual is arrested and charged with a crime, their case is tried in a criminal court rather than in a civil court. When a legal matter is looked at within a criminal court, it’s the government itself that is processing the court case. The defendant is the man or woman who is accused of enacting the Wisconsin criminal offense. The government will be the prosecutor. Because innocent until proven guilty is the ruling credo for the court system, the government prosecuting department will have to substantiate that the individual is “guilty beyond a reasonable doubt” before the criminal charges will stick. In the event the individual is found guilty, there can be penalties and also jail or penitentiary time involved.
Wisconsin Civil Court Records.
When it comes to noncriminal cases in Wisconsin, the case is worked within Wisconsin civil court. When it comes to civil court, the government is really an unbiased third party to resolve conflicts between citizens and/or organizations. For example, two individuals may wish to dissolve the marriage, and this sort of court case would be looked at in civil court. Other examples of frequent civil proceedings involve contract disagreements involving two corporate organizations, car accident claims among two individuals, and disputes involving real property or personal property. In civil court, there is a plaintiff, the individual doing the suing, and also the defendant, the individual being sued. The court’s role will be to decide for the plaintiff or the defendant and award damages, if suitable.
Wisconsin Bankruptcy Court Records.
Whenever people have trouble balancing their budget or can’t fulfill their outstanding debts for any number of causes, the bankruptcy court provides a remedy. Wisconsin bankruptcy courts concentrate on bankruptcy procedures alone. Like all other federal courts, the decisions made by bankruptcy judges bind the plaintiff and defendant to agree on a result. Distinct from other courts that determine guilt or innocence, the goal of bankruptcy courts is to discover a reasonable middle ground between the plaintiff and defendants. In the matter of Chapter 7, Bankruptcy, financial obligations get absolved. In Chapter 13, Bankruptcy, both sides accept a decreased repayment plan.
Wisconsin Small Claims Court Records.
Each state features a small claims court, which gives recourse to recuperate less significant costing losses. A small claims court can be utilized if the claim being issued is under a certain dollar amount. The Wisconsin Small Claims Court was created to unclog the court system by relocating smaller cases more quickly and to offer resolution to citizens to enable them to recuperate their losses rapidly and at low costs.
Wisconsin Family Court Records.
Wisconsin family court, commonly known as domestic relations or domestic court, is the court that has jurisdiction over such household affairs as custody of the children and assistance, separation and divorce, and domestic violence with various other family law situations.
Wisconsin Traffic Court Records.
Traffic courts in Wisconsin are in fascinating crossbreed. They unite both civil and criminal law into a single justice system. With respect to the dynamics of traffic infringement, offenders can be susceptible to fines, penalty charges, and potentially even jail time. Major violations like careless operation, endangerment, extreme speeding, or vehicular assault can result in felonies, suspension of driving liberties, or prolonged probation durations.
Wisconsin Probate Court Public Records.
If an individual dies, their will (as long as they left a will) will need to then be lawfully validated and disbursed. Wisconsin probate courts solely handle will validating and execution within the oversight of the civil court system. State regulations enable individual states to create their unique protocols for the way probate is carried out. Yet, you will frequently find some overarching similarities between one state’s probate system and another.
Wisconsin Court Structure Explained.

Wisconsin Supreme Court
Within every state, there’s a Wisconsin court structure. At the summit of that chain of command is the state supreme court. However, each state may give its supreme court a special title. Any time a case is appealed or slipups in the managing of a case are identified, the case shifts from the lower (or lower) state court where it was initially observed, and it is transferred to the state’s supreme court for a resolution.
Wisconsin Appellate / Appeals Court
Appellate courts in Wisconsin are also, at times, called appeals courts. In between the lower (or inferior) courtrooms and the state’s supreme court sits the appellate court. Quite often, an appellate court will have no less than two presiding judges and frequently more than that. Appeals courts exclusively listen to appeals from prior cases. Outcomes of cases heard in appellate courts become part of the legal precedent to govern upcoming court cases. These types of new precedents will be contained in the bigger body of case legislation or judge-manufactured guidelines.
US District Courts
The Federal district courts will be the workhorses of the federal judiciary. A district court is part of the United States Federal Court System, in which a large part of cases transpire. Each state possesses a minimum of one district court. A district court may try civil and criminal matters, provided they meet specific preferences.
Wisconsin Circuit Courts
Circuit courts in Wisconsin are standard jurisdiction trial courts with judges who hear a wide range of concerns on a daily basis. Circuit courts have the authority to try civil and criminal cases of virtually any kind. Civil incidents are affairs involving two or more private parties. However, criminal cases have to have the prosecuting Commonwealth’s Attorney, along with the local police divisions, accusing an individual of an offense and pursuing a lawsuit.
Wisconsin County Courts
Wisconsin county courts sit under circuit courts and may observe cases and even assist administrator functions for the court system. County courts, from time to time, see misdemeanor criminal court appeals.
Wisconsin Municipal Court
Municipal courts in Wisconsin have jurisdiction rules across a limited district, city, local community, or municipality. They’re unable to preside over cases or criminal activity that took place outside their jurisdictional radius. Municipal courts address numerous cases, such as traffic criminal activity, civil court cases, and misdemeanor infractions.
Good examples are that they don’t really traditionally preside over Wisconsin juvenile offender conduct or offenses or truly serious misdemeanors like those identified to be “Class A.” Class A misdemeanors consist of DWI/DUI, basic attack, burglary, conspiracy, combating police arrest, perjury, prostitution, obscenity, possession of a controlled substance, thievery, submitting bogus reports, criminal damage, and breaking a safety order.
Neighboring States.
Illinois Court Records, Iowa Court Records, Michigan Court Records, Minnesota Court Records