Milwaukee County Court Records

According to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules 72.01, Milwaukee County court records refer to information, documents, and exhibits filed with the court clerk in connection with judicial proceedings in Milwaukee County. These records are generated and maintained by the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, the trial-level court of general jurisdiction in Wisconsin.

Under the Wisconsin Public Records Law and the Wisconsin Supreme Court, most court records are classified as public records except when specifically restricted from public access by statute or court order. This law ensures the public's access to judicial proceedings while respecting the privacy of individuals in sensitive cases, such as juvenile cases, adoptions, and sealed filings.

Are Milwaukee County Court Records Public?

Most Milwaukee County Court records are open to public inspection under the Wisconsin Public Records law (codified in Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39) and Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule Chapter 72, which governs the retention and management of these court records. The Milwaukee County Circuit Court provides access to these records as part of its responsibility of maintaining transparency and accountability in the judicial system. Below is a list of some publicly available documents in Milwaukee County:

• Civil lawsuits, including contract disputes, property cases, personal injury claims, etc
• Criminal cases, including felony and misdemeanor prosecutions
• Family law matters such as divorce, child custody, and support disputes
• Probate cases involving estates, trusts, and wills

It is, however, worth noting that Wisconsin law also recognizes the need for limiting access to protect privacy, confidentiality, and sensitive interests. Below is a list of some records restricted from public access in Milwaukee County:

• Juvenile records
• Records related to ongoing investigations
• Records whose disclosure can put lives at risk or in danger
• Sealed or expunged cases

What Information is Available in Milwaukee County Court Records?

Milwaukee County court records typically contain all details related to a legal proceeding in Milwaukee County court. Below is a list of information contained in a typical Milwaukee County court record:

• Case number
• Name of the parties involved
• Name of the attorney in charge
• Court order
• Resolution
• Judgement
• Filing dates
• Summary of hearings
• Sentencing details

Milwaukee County Court Records Search

Interested members of the public are at liberty to access Milwaukee County Court records through various options, including remote portals, in-person resources, and mail or phone requests. Even though the method of access primarily depends on the case type, the age of the records, and whether the file has been digitized, interested parties still reserve the right to access their desired resource.

Remote Access:

Court records in Milwaukee County are primarily available through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system. The Director of State Courts manages this statewide remote case management database. WCCA grants access to basic case information for more civil, criminal, prbate, family, small claims and traffic cases. Interested parties can seach by part name, case number, citation numer orattorney information. It is worth noting that even though the docket may show probate docket entries, access to probate records is limited, individuals are to visit the Clerk of Circuit Court's office at the address below:

In-Person Access:

Researchers can visit circuit court ckerk's office wehere the case filed to access on-confidential house. The Milwaukee County COurt has three basic divisions which are in charge of various records based on the division type:

• Criminal division: the criminal division is in charge of criminal and traffic records
• Civil division of the court handles all queries for familiy and probate case records
• Individuals interested in juvenile records can do so through the children's department at the Vel R. Phillips Youth and Family Justice Center

Mail and Phone Requests:

Parties unable to make in-person requests can also request access record via either phone or email. By cmpleting the record request form with the right set of information which includes details about the case record being sought and the right personal details, interested parties can get access to these records via email. It is however wrth noting that juvenile and criminal records are only available in person.

Fees for Court Records in Milwaukee County

Depending on the type of record being sought, different types of Milwaukee records require different fees for access and processing. Additionally, while accessing records at courthouse public terminals comes at no cost, nonetheless, when copies of records are required, this attracts a fee. Below are some of the standard fees for Milwaukee County records:

• Standard photocopies of court documents cost $1.25 per page as stipulated by Wisconsin law.
• Certified copies of records bearing the court's seal and attestation by the Clerk of Circuit Court attracts a charge of $5 per document plus the per-pagecharge.
• Requests that involves the clerk's office performing a record search on behalf of the requester attracts a fee of $5 per name searched.
• The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA)portal does not require any fee for access, however documents are not up for downloads, to obtain copies of documents, contact the clerk's office
• On the other hand, mail requests are required to include payment by check ormonet order where applicable.

Records outside of the court uch as vital records are paid for depending on the fee set by Milwaukee County Register of Deeds and the Wisconsin Vital Records Office. These are the current charges of Milwaukee vital records:

• Birth and death certificates cost $20 for the first copy of each and an additional $3 for each additional copy of each.
• Marriage and divorce certificates cost $20 for the first copy of each and an additional $3 for each additional copy of each.

Milwaukee County Courthouse Locations

The Milwaukee County court system is made up of a circuit court and numerous municipal courts. The Milwaukee County Circuit Court has the largest jurisdiction which comprises of different court divisions such as civil, traffic, criminal, probate and childrens decision, together with 47 judges. Below is a detailed directory of Milwaukee courts and their addresses:

Milwaukee County Circuit Court

Municipal Courts - City

Municipal Courts - Village

Criminal Records Access in Milwaukee County

Information about arrests made in Milwaukee county (criminal hstory information) is primarily maintained by the Public Records Division of the Milwaukee County Sherrif's office. Milwaukee County criminal records can be accessed by simply sending a publicrecords request to the Public Records Division either in person, via email or simply by fax. All records request are to be sent to the address below:

Alternatively, interested parties can also request for recordsremotely by completing and submitting the remote Public Records Request form.

It is worth noting that the Sherrif's office is primarily responsible for Milwaukee County arrest records and other criminal reports relating to its jurisdiction, hence, individuals seeking information about arrests made in other jurisdiction are advised to contact the arresting law enforcement agency or contact the Wisconsin Department of Justice's (DOJ) Crime Information Bureau for a comprehensive criminal history.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) operates the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS), a statewide database that tracks detailed criminal history information. This system includes records of arrests, criminal charges, court outcomes, sentencing details, and entries or releases from state correctional facilities. Each name-based search through WORCS requires a $7 fee. For more comprehensive information, including the process and costs associated with fingerprint-based background checks (commonly known as police certificates), interested individuals can consult the DOJ's official Background Check and Criminal History Information resources and FAQs..

Milwaukee County Probate Records

The Probate Division of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court adjudicates and maintains probate records, typically records involving trusts, william guardianships, decedent's estates, protective placements and civil commitments. Milwaukee County grants access to probate recordsdating as far back as 1830s and can be accessed as follows:

• Records before 1985 can be access through the Milwaukee County's Register in Probate office in the Milwaukee County Courthouse.
• Records from 1985 through June 1, 2003 may be accessed either in person or online through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system.

Interested indviduals are at liberty to visit the Register in Probate officeduring regular business hours to review Milwaukee probate court files. It is worth noting that no fee is required for Self-service searches are free of charge, written requests submitted by mail require a $4 search fee along with a self-addressed stamped envelope.

For copies, the office charges $1 per page. If the record is closed or stored on microfilm, requesters must arrange an appointment in advance by contacting the office at (414) 278-4452.

Milwaukee County Family Court Records

Milwaukee County family court records refer to records on family law cases heard and maintained by the Milwaukee County Circuit Court's Civil Division. This typically includes divorce, paternity, legal, name changes and legal separation.

Interested parties can acces Milwaukee County family court records by visiting the Civil Records Center in person, submitting a Civil Record Request Form by mail or email to the county courthouse, or searching the statewide Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system.

Federal Court Records in Milwaukee County

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, which islocated in Milwaukee is primarily responsible for hearing all federal cases out of Milwaukee. This court has urisdiction over civil and criminal matters including bankruptcy, civil rights, immigration and cases relating to federal statutes.

These federal case files can be accessed through the Clerk of Court's Office at the address below, where the public can request docket searches, review filings, and obtain certified copies.

Additionally, remote access is also available through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records), the nationwide electronic case system. PACER allows users to search by case number, party, or date and to download documents for a per-page fee. Interested parties are to note that registration is required, though some exemptions apply for qualifying users.