Criminal records in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, are available through several channels. WinnebagoCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the Wisconsin state court system, the Winnebago County Clerk of Courts office, and law enforcement agencies, including the Sheriff's Office. Below is a practical guide to searching, understanding, and requesting criminal records in this county.
How to Search Criminal Records in Winnebago
There are several ways to find criminal records in Winnebago County. Start by determining what specific information you are looking for — court cases, arrests, inmate information, or a criminal history check.
Online Search
- WinnebagoCourt.us — search publicly available information about county court cases.
- Wisconsin CCAP (Consolidated Court Automation Programs) — the official portal of the state court system. Allows you to search circuit court cases, appellate court, and Wisconsin Supreme Court cases by party name, case number, or citation number.
- Current Inmate List — a PDF file listing individuals currently in the Winnebago County jail. Updated regularly.
- Wisconsin DOC Offender Information — search for individuals sentenced to incarceration in state correctional facilities.
- Wisconsin DOJ Criminal Background Check — check criminal history through the centralized database (CCH) of the Department of Justice.
In-Person Visit
The Winnebago County Clerk of Courts office maintains all official court records. You can use public terminals in the courthouse to conduct your search.
Written Request
Requests for police reports and official documents can be sent to the Records Division of the Sheriff's Office. For a complete state-level criminal history, submit a request to the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
To start your search, you will need:
- Full name of the individual (last and first name)
- Date of birth (preferably)
- Case number (if known)
- Citation number (for traffic and municipal cases)
Search Winnebago Criminal Cases by Case Number
Searching by case number is the most accurate way to find a specific criminal case. In Wisconsin, circuit court case numbers follow a standard format:
YYYY-XX-NNNNNN
- YYYY — the year the case was filed (e.g., 2024)
- XX — the case type code. For criminal cases, the most common codes are:
- CF — criminal case (felony)
- CM — criminal case (misdemeanor)
- CT — criminal traffic
- TR — traffic citations
- FO — municipal violations (forfeiture)
- NNNNNN — the sequential case number within the year and category
For example, the number 2024CF000123 indicates a felony case filed in 2024 with the sequential number 123. Enter the full number into the CCAP system to obtain case details, including parties, charges, hearing dates, and outcome.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Winnebago
Each criminal case in Winnebago County contains several key elements. Here's what they mean in practice.
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 crime), Forfeiture (municipal violation) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or reduce charges during the case (amended charges) |
Case Status
- Open / Pending — the case is active, and a decision has not yet been made
- Active — hearings are scheduled or ongoing
- Disposed / Closed — the court has rendered a final decision
Hearings
Typical stages of a criminal case:
- Initial Appearance / Arraignment — the defendant's first appearance in court, charges are announced
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed (felonies only)
- Pre-Trial Conference — discussion between parties before trial
- Trial — court trial (bench trial or jury trial)
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty verdict
- Review Hearing — review of compliance with probation or sentence conditions
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict |
| No Contest (Nolo Contendere) | The defendant does not contest the charges but does not formally admit guilt |
| Deferred Judgment | Judgment is deferred; charges may be dismissed if conditions are met |
| Acquitted | Acquitted after trial |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Winnebago
Certified copies are officially authenticated documents with legal force. Depending on the type of record, contact the appropriate agency.
Court Records
The Winnebago County Clerk of Courts issues certified copies of court documents — judgments, hearing transcripts, court decisions. Requests can be made in person or by mail.
What you need for the request:
- Full name of the defendant and case number
- Specification of the document needed
- Valid ID (for in-person visits)
- Payment of applicable fees
Police Reports and Arrest Records
The Records Division of the Sheriff's Office processes requests for police reports and other documents where the Sheriff's Office is the responsible agency.
State-Level Criminal History Check
To obtain a complete criminal history of an individual, submit a request through the Wisconsin DOJ criminal history check system. Information is stored in the Centralized Criminal History (CCH) database. You need to provide the full name and date of birth of the individual.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Winnebago
Fees for copies and certification are set according to Wisconsin state law. Below are approximate rates.
| Service | Cost | Source / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.25 | Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10) |
| Document certification | $5.00 | Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10) |
| Criminal history check (Wisconsin DOJ, online) | $7.00 | Wisconsin DOJ — per name request |
| Police report (Sheriff's Office) | Depends on volume | Contact Records Division |
Processing Time
- Online search via CCAP — results are immediate
- Check via Wisconsin DOJ (online) — usually within minutes
- Certified copies from Clerk of Courts — often same day for in-person visits; mail requests may take 5–10 business days
- Police reports — processing time depends on the complexity of the request; contact Records Division for details
All fees are subject to change. We recommend confirming current rates by calling the relevant office before submitting a request. Public access to records is governed by the Wisconsin Public Records Law, and some records may be restricted depending on the case type or individual's status.