Wisconsin Criminal Records Search

Conducting a search on Recordsfinder.com is subject to our Terms of Service and Privacy Notice. You acknowledge that Recordsfinder.com is not a consumer reporting agency under the FCRA and the information provided cannot be used for any unlawful purpose.

How to Check for Wisconsin Criminal Records

The Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau (CIB) has a Wisconsin Criminal History Database that holds all the criminal records for the state. All types of law enforcement feed their information into this system. The only kind of search available for landlords, and the public, are name searches because they are cheaper. However, Wisconsin does offer fingerprint searches for other law enforcement and government agency searches. You can also use a third-party service to get someone’s criminal history.

Federal Records vs. Court Criminal Records in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Court System suggests the use of Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) for searching and looking up federal criminal court records. However, you can also visit the court clerk’s office during weekday hours and get copies as well. For local court documents, you can also visit the courthouse in the district where the case was processed, or you can use their website and search online for records. You can search by name, birthdate, business name, county or case number.

How Long do Felony or Misdemeanor Charges Last?

Wisconsin charges used to stay on your record forever however due to a new law, after three years, not-guilty and dismissed charges will be removed automatically. Unfortunately for convictions, it is very rare that any ever get expunged, and the defendant must request it during sentencing. The requirements are strict and very few people qualify. You must have been 25 years or younger when the charge was made. Your sentence cannot have been more than six years long, and you have to meet all the obligations of your parole or probation to qualify.

Who Can Lookup your Criminal Background?

Anyone with access to a computer and the Internet can search for and find your criminal background. This includes government agencies, gun dealers, landlords, neighbors, friends, and family. You can also look up your own criminal history pretty quickly. You can use the state resources or online databases to search for criminal records.

Why Check Someone’s Filed Criminal Charges?

Online dating has become quite popular, and sometimes people check their potential mates out online before meeting in person. Another good reason why someone would check your criminal charges is before renting property to you or asking you to watch their kids. Private companies use them for security clearances.

Types of Criminal Records

Most criminal records will show warrants, arrests, charges, sentencing, probation, parole details, sex offenses, felonies, misdemeanors, incarcerations, court details and everything else pertaining to your criminal history. The report will most likely also have general information like name, phone, address, and physical description. You might even see mug shots and fingerprints too.

How Are WI Criminal Records Created?

Wisconsin criminal records are created when a person is arrested, detained, held in jail, moved to prison, appears in court and any other event that pertains to the crime they committed. Law enforcement agents fill out mountains of paperwork that become the criminal records for the state.