Dane County Court Records
Dane County court records refer to all official documents, files, and materials generated during court proceedings within county limits. They include electronic recordings, docket entries, orders, indices, and judgments. In Dane, the creation, maintenance, and processing of these court records (typically generated in the county's circuit courts) is the official responsibility of the Dane County Clerk of Circuit Court.
Court records offer a means to educate the public about the law, actions, and consequences. Consequently, these records are considered part of Dane County Public Records and are made available to interested and eligible members of the public according to Wisconsin statutes.
Are Court Records Public in Dane County?
Yes, court records are public in Dane County. The Wisconsin Open Records Law gives members of the public the right to access and inspect all records of government bodies at every level. However, there are cases where they may be inaccessible. According to the Wisconsin Statutes §801.20, certain documents and case types are automatically treated as confidential by law in Dane County and are exempt from public access, even without a motion. These include adoption documents, filing pertaining to mental health, those containing information about a juvenile, restraining orders, and injunctions. Additionally, certain identifying information in court records is confidential under the Wisconsin Statute §801.19. These numbers are passport, driver's license, employer and tax identification, financial accounts, and social security numbers.
What Do Dane County Court Records Contain?
Dane County court records contain the following information:
- Case information (filing date, case type and status, branch ID, DA case number, and cases cross-referenced with it)
- Details of the charge (responsible official, prosecuting agency, prosecuting agency attorney, description, disposition, severity)
- Party information (defendant's name, date of birth, sex, race, aliases, address, justis ID, fingerprint ID, address, attorney's name)
- Disposition events (the judicial officer's name, plea, disposition name, judgment sentence, and converted disposition)
- Events and hearings (arraignment, hearing time, and comment)
- Financial information (payments and credits)
Where to Conduct a Dane County Court Case Lookup?
Interested members of the public may conduct a Dane County court case lookup at the following locations:
- Dane County Circuit Court
- Dane County Municipal Courts
- Wisconsin Court of Appeals
- Wisconsin Supreme Court
How to Conduct a Dane County Case Records Search
Dane County case records are available online through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access. Search criteria for performing a search includes:
- Party name or business name
- Case number
Requests for court records can also be submitted by fax at (608) 267-8859, email at dane.courtrecords@wicourts.gov, mail, or in person at the Dane County Courthouse. In-person requests can be made between 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).
Per WI Statute 814.61(10), copies of court records cost $1.25 per page. Certified copies cost $5 per document. Court record requests are typically processed between 1 and 10 business days. To access the court records at the Circuit Court, interested individuals will need the following details:
- Full name or aliases of the case party
- Full name of the requester
- Address
- Phone number
- Case number
Dane County Civil Court Case Records
Dane County civil court case records contain information about disputes between two or more parties. It pertains to land and property disputes, breaches of contracts, bankruptcy, and other non-criminal cases. In Dane County, these records are maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court.
Interested individuals may use the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access 'Advanced Search' tool to look up Dane County civil court case records - filter by case types by selecting Civil (CV) on the search function to view only civil cases. Inquirers must also provide additional information, including the party name, business name, or case number, to conduct the search. The requester can streamline the search by providing the filing and disposition dates, case status, class codes, attorney type, and the DA case number. Requesters can also search for civil case records by visiting the court in person.
Dane County Criminal Court Case Records
Criminal court case records refer to all documents received and collated by the court during a criminal hearing. In Dane County, the Clerk of the Circuit Court is the official custodian of all criminal records. These include cases like felonies, misdemeanors, and gross misdemeanors. As with the civil records, criminal court case records can be found via the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access through the advanced search feature. Under the 'Case Types' sections, the criminal record options included are Criminal Traffic (CT) and Felony (FA). Requesters must provide a name or case number to access Dane County criminal court case records. Interested individuals may also visit the court during its opening hours in person to look up criminal case records.
How to Get Court Records Online for Free
Use the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal to get court records online for free in Dane County. The Advanced search feature allows inquirers to narrow down their search using filters like the specific case type, case status, citation number, issuing agency, and filing and offense dates. On the other hand, the Simple search option is more generic and does not require information beyond the names, birth date, and case number of the individual or business. Requesters can also conduct a docketed civil judgment search and a Lien search on the site.
Courts in Dane County, Wisconsin
The addresses and contact information of courthouses in Dane County are as follows:
Dane County Courthouse
Room 1000
215 S Hamilton St.
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 266-4311
Fax: (608) 267-8859
Court of Appeals
2921 Landmark Place, Suite 415
Madison, WI 53713
Phone: (608) 266-9250
Fax: (608) 273-5705
Eastern Dane County Joint Municipal Court (Dist. 5)
P.O.Box 99
Cambridge, WI 53523
Phone: (608) 501-5010
Fax: (608) 423-3916
