Waukesha County Court Records
Waukesha County court records are official records maintained in connection with civil or criminal court proceedings. Court records fall under the umbrella term “public records” in Wisconsin. They typically contain original copies of transcripts, digital audio recordings, evidence, writs, affidavits, testimony, orders, motions, pleadings, complaints, summons, memorandum of decision, judgment, and other case information.
Court records offer an accurate depiction of events in judicial proceedings. It allows aggrieved parties and their legal representatives to ensure their rights are fully exercised and appeal to a higher court if they are unsatisfied with the lower court's decision. It can also be tendered as evidence in future court hearings and is an important part of legal history. It serves as a precedent to guide judges in decision-making.
In Waukesha County, the legal custodians of court records are the court clerks of the circuit and municipal, appellate, and juvenile courts.
Are Court Records Public in Waukesha County?
Yes. Court records are generally considered public records in Waukesha County, Wisconsin, except otherwise provided by law. According to the Wisconsin Public Records Act, all members of the public have the right to as much information as is public regarding the affairs of the government.
The same law defines records as any written, drawn, printed, visual, or electronically stored or generated data created and maintained by public authorities. Hence, court records indexed online and in the County Clerk’s office are public records. Residents of Waukesha County retain their rights to inspect, copy, and obtain copies of court records. However, this right to freedom of information is limited and does not apply to the records containing personally identifiable information and state security data.
Where to Conduct a Waukesha County Case Lookup
Members of the public can conduct a county court case lookup in Waukesha County at any of the following locations:
- Waukesha County Circuit Courts
- Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Database.
How to Conduct a Waukesha County Case Records Search
Researchers and residents of Waukesha County can use any of the sources provided below to conduct a case record search in Waukesha County:
Waukesha County Circuit Courts
Residents of Waukesha County can view court files and submit record requests in person or via mail at the Waukesha County Courthouse. To find court records, the searcher must at least know the case number or names of the parties. They must also identify what Circuit Court Division has jurisdiction over the case: Civil and Small Claims Court, Criminal and Traffic Court, Family Court, Juvenile Court, or Probate Court.
The next step is to visit the court division with the information they have to look through the court database. Circuit court records exist in physical copies, digital records, and electronic documents.
Circuit court record divisions are obligated to charge statutory fees per page for copies made of official court records. Civil, Criminal, Family, and Juvenile court records cost $1.25 per page, while Probate court records are priced at $1 per page and an additional $3 for certified or stamped documents.
Individuals can also send a written mail, call, or fax to the circuit court division with information about the case, like the name of the parties, date of birth, or case number. If the requester doesn’t know or have access to this information, fill out the Record Search Form and pay a $5.00 search fee ($4.00 for probate courts) to receive record search assistance. Requesters must pay the complete fees for obtaining copies of court documents, search assistance, and postage fees before the request may be processed.
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Database (WCCA)
Interested persons may view electronic circuit court records online through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Database (WCCA). The WCCA website gives members of the public, attorneys, and court officials access to public records of Wisconsin circuit courts. To conduct a court record search online, provide the party’s first, middle, or last name, date of birth, business name(where applicable), and case number. Next, select “Waukesha” under county and search.
Waukesha County Civil Court Case Records
In Waukesha County, civil court records are documents and papers submitted to the court or generated by the court clerk in a civil case. Civil cases are generally on personal injury and private and property rights. They usually involve issues like breach of contract, class action suits, debt collection, medical negligence, trespass, divorce, child custody, alimony, disputes, probate litigation, intellectual property infringement, etc.
The Waukesha County Probate Court, Family Court, and Civil and Small Claims Court file and manage civil court case records. Individuals can visit the above court divisions during their opening hours to inspect or request copies of civil court records.
Waukesha County Criminal Court Case Records
Criminal court case records are legal documents filed in a case where the government prosecutes an individual for breaking a law in force in Waukesha County. Like other court records, the Court Clerk of the relevant court of jurisdiction keeps criminal court case records. Interested persons can find criminal court case information on Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) or at the records division of the courthouse where the case was held.
How to Get Court Records Online for Free
As specified by the Supreme Court of Wisconsin, state public record laws apply to court records, and the public has a right to view and inspect records maintained by circuit courts, except where non-disclosure rules apply. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) is a case management system that provides court records to users free of charge. Similarly, members of the public can find records of the Wisconsin Court of Appeal in Waukesha County on the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals (WSCCA) case search site.
Alternatively, researchers can consider privately owned case search applications. These third-party sites compile case information from multiple courts and make them available to users on one platform. This feature offers convenience as the searcher doesn’t have to switch between websites for different Court divisions to find case information online. However, information on third-party sites may not be as accurate or up-to-date as government resources.
Courts in Waukesha County
Below is an overview of the address, contact information, and website links of all the courts in Waukesha County.
Waukesha County Circuit Courthouse
515 West Moreland Boulevard
Waukesha, WI 53188
Waukesha County Criminal and Traffic Court
515 West Moreland Boulevard
Waukesha, WI 53188
Room C-226
Phone: (262) 548-7484
Waukesha County Civil/Small Claims Court
515 West Moreland Boulevard
Waukesha, WI 53188
Room C-167
Phone: (262) 548-7525
Waukesha County Probate Court
515 West Moreland Boulevard
Waukesha, WI 53188
Room JC-103
Phone: (262) 548-7468
Waukesha County Family Court
515 West Moreland Boulevard
Waukesha, WI 53188
Mediations/Family Studies: (262) 548-7900
Phone: (262) 548-7544
Wisconsin Court of Appeals (District II)
2727 North Grandview Boulevard
Suite 300
Waukesha, WI 53188
Phone: (262) 524-3705
City of Waukesha Municipal Court
201 Delafield Street
Waukesha, WI 53188
Phone: (262) 524-3705
Waukesha County Juvenile Center
521 Riverview Avenue
Room JC-103
Waukesha, WI 53188
Phone: (262) 548-7449
