Criminal records in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, are available through several channels. MilwaukeeCourt.us allows for quick access to public information about criminal cases. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state's online court portals, county law enforcement agencies, and directly from the court clerk's office — in person or by mail.
How to Search Criminal Records in Milwaukee
Start by determining the type of record you need — a circuit court case, a municipal violation, or custody information. Each of these types has a separate search tool.
Online Search
- MilwaukeeCourt.us — search for publicly available information about criminal cases. You will need a last name or case number to start.
- Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) — the Wisconsin state court system portal. Allows searching for circuit court cases by participant name, case number, or date. Covers felonies, misdemeanors, and civil cases.
- Milwaukee Municipal Court Case Search — a separate system for municipal violations (traffic fines, city ordinances). Search by last name or citation number.
- In Custody Locator — Milwaukee County Sheriff's tool to check if a person is currently in custody. A last name is required.
- Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) — criminal history check through the state Department of Justice. Suitable for statewide background checks.
In-Person Visit
The Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court provides access to court records through public terminals. You can ask a clerk to help find a specific case or order copies of documents.
Mail Request
A written request for criminal records can be sent to the circuit court clerk's office. Include the full name of the person, date of birth (if known), and case number. Add payment in the form of a money order. For a statewide criminal history check, the request is sent to the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Crime Information Bureau.
Search Milwaukee Criminal Cases by Case Number
In Wisconsin, circuit court case numbers follow a standard format:
YYYY-XX-NNNNNN
- YYYY — the year the case was filed (e.g., 2024)
- XX — case type code: CF means felony, CM — misdemeanor, CT — traffic violation, TR — also a traffic violation
- NNNNNN — the sequential number of the case within the year
For example, the number 2024-CF-003215 indicates a felony criminal case filed in 2024. If you have this number, enter it into the WCCA search — the system will immediately show the case details without needing to filter by name.
The municipal court uses its own citation numbering, which differs from the circuit court format.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Milwaukee
Each criminal case contains several key elements. Below is an explanation of each.
Charges
| Element | 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 the initial charges — reduce severity or add new counts |
Case Status
- Open / Pending — the case is active, no decision has been made yet
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all obligations fulfilled, case closed
- Reopened — the case has been reopened, usually due to a violation of conditions
Types of Hearings
- Initial Appearance / Arraignment — first court appearance, charges are announced
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed (only for felonies)
- Pre-Trial Conference — parties discuss the possibility of a plea deal or trial preparation
- Jury / Court Trial — the case is heard on its merits
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea or verdict
Court Results
| Result | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty — by court verdict or plea agreement |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted after the case is heard |
| Dismissed | The case is closed by the prosecutor or court — charges dropped |
| No Contest (Nolo Contendere) | The defendant does not admit guilt but does not contest the charges |
| Deferred Judgment | Judgment is postponed — if conditions are met, charges may be dropped |
Information about arrest warrants in the municipal court can be clarified by calling (414) 286-3800.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Milwaukee
A certified copy is a document with the court's official seal, confirming the authenticity of the record. A regular printout from WCCA is not certified.
Where to Obtain
- Clerk of Circuit Court — issues certified copies of court decisions, indictments, sentences
- Wisconsin DOJ through WORCS — official statewide criminal history check
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the court clerk's office with valid ID (driver's license or passport). Provide the case number or the full name and date of birth of the defendant.
- By Mail — send a written request with case details and a money order to the clerk's address.
- Online (WORCS) — for a statewide criminal history check. Full name and date of birth of the person are required.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Milwaukee
The amount of fees is determined by Wisconsin Statute § 814.61 and the court's internal rules. Below are approximate amounts.
| Service | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (non-certified) | $1.25 per page | According to Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10) |
| Document certification | $5.00 | Per certified document |
| Criminal history check through WORCS | $7.00 | Online payment by credit card |
| Name search at the clerk's office | $5.00 | Per name |
Processing Times
- Online (WORCS) — results usually arrive within a few minutes to two business days
- In Person — copies are often issued on the day of the request if the case is easily accessible in the system
- By Mail — processing may take one to three weeks depending on the clerk's office workload
Payment for mail requests is accepted by money order made payable to the Clerk of Circuit Court. Personal checks are not always accepted — check in advance by phone.