Criminal records in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, are public documents accessible through several channels. WaukeshaCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records are available through the official Wisconsin state court system, the Waukesha County Sheriff's Office, and the Clerk of Circuit Court. Each of these sources serves different types of requests—from online searches to obtaining certified copies.
How to Search Criminal Records in Waukesha
To begin your search, you will need at least one of the following details:
- Full name of the person (first and last name)
- Date of birth
- Case number
Through WaukeshaCourt.us
Start with WaukeshaCourt.us — enter a name or case number to find publicly available data about criminal cases in Waukesha County.
Online through Official Portals
- Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) — the state portal for court case searches covers Wisconsin circuit court cases from approximately 1994 to the present. Searches are available by name, case number, or date.
- Waukesha County Court Records Page — on the official county court website, you can view information about record availability and how to obtain them.
- Inmate List — the current inmate list in the county jail is updated hourly and contains data on individuals currently in custody.
In Person
Waukesha County court records are available for viewing at the Clerk of Circuit Court's office. The Criminal and Traffic Division is located in the courthouse:
If a case cannot be found in the electronic database, records stored off-site can be ordered through the clerk's office—this usually applies to older cases.
By Mail or Written Request
A written request for copies of court documents can be sent to the Clerk of Circuit Court at the address above. To obtain incident reports or records from the sheriff, submit a request to the Sheriff's Office Records Division. Note: some data in copies may be redacted in accordance with federal DPPA law and state public records laws.
To obtain a complete state-level criminal history, a request is directed to the Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau.
Search Waukesha Criminal Cases by Case Number
A Wisconsin case number has a standard format, and each part carries specific information. A typical number looks like this:
2024CF000123
- 2024 — the year the case was filed
- CF — case type code. For criminal cases, the most common codes are:
- CF — criminal felony
- CM — criminal misdemeanor
- CT — criminal traffic
- TR — traffic
- FO — forfeiture
- 000123 — the sequential case number within the year
Knowing the full number will yield an exact result—without the need to filter out individuals with the same name. This is the fastest way to find a specific case through the WCCA portal or at the court clerk's office.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Waukesha
Charges
| Item | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific section of the Wisconsin Statutes, e.g., §943.10 — burglary |
| Severity Level | Felony (serious crime), Misdemeanor (less serious), Forfeiture (fine violation) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or reduce charges during the case—amended charges are listed separately |
Case Status
- Open / Pending — the case is active, and the court process is ongoing
- Active — the case is under consideration, and hearings may be scheduled
- Disposed / Closed — the case is completed, a decision has been made, or it has been closed
Hearings
A criminal case in Waukesha County typically goes through several stages:
- Initial Appearance — first appearance before a judge, determination of bail
- Preliminary Hearing — a preliminary hearing for felonies where the judge assesses the presence of sufficient grounds
- Arraignment — formal presentation of charges, the defendant states their plea (guilty / not guilty)
- Pre-Trial Conference — pre-trial meeting, discussion of possible agreements
- Trial — court trial
- Sentencing — issuance of the sentence
- Review Hearing — review hearing (e.g., checking compliance with probation conditions)
Court Results
| Result | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant is found guilty—either by court decision or by plea agreement |
| Not Guilty | The court or jury found the defendant not guilty |
| Dismissed | The case is closed—the charges are dropped by the prosecutor or judge |
| No Contest (Nolo Contendere) | The defendant does not admit guilt but does not contest the charges |
| Deferred Judgment | The decision is deferred, usually under the condition of meeting certain requirements (program, probation) |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Waukesha
Certified copies are official documents with a court seal that confirm the authenticity of the record. They are often required by employers, attorneys, or government agencies.
Where to Apply
Court Documents — the Clerk of Circuit Court issues certified copies of judgments, orders, and other court decisions.
Law Enforcement Reports — incident reports, accident reports, and other sheriff's documents can be requested through the Sheriff's Office Records Division.
City of Waukesha Police Reports — requests for police records are submitted through the City of Waukesha Open Records Request procedure.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the appropriate office with a valid photo ID (driver's license or state ID)
- By Mail — send a written request specifying the name, case number (if known), date of birth, and description of the needed document. Include payment by check or money order
- Online — some documents can be ordered through the WCCA portal, but certified copies usually require an in-person or mail request
To check a state-level criminal history, submit a request to the Wisconsin Department of Justice — Crime Information Bureau. This is a separate process requiring a special form and payment.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Waukesha
Fees are set in accordance with Wisconsin law. Below are the main charges:
| Service | Cost | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (uncertified) | $1.25 per page | Standard rate per Wis. Stat. §814.61(10) |
| Document certification | $5.00 | Per certified document |
| Criminal history check (DOJ) | $7.00 (online) / $13.00 (by mail) | Through Wisconsin DOJ Crime Information Bureau |
| Copies of sheriff's reports | $0.25 per page | According to state public records law |
Processing Time
- In Person — copies are usually prepared during the visit if the document is in the electronic system
- By Mail — processing requests to the court clerk's office takes from a few business days to two weeks
- Sheriff's Reports — requests are processed according to state public records law; responses usually arrive within 10 business days, though more complex requests may take longer
- DOJ Online Check — results are often available within minutes
Older cases stored off-site require additional time for retrieval—check directly with the clerk's office for timelines.