Calumet County
Calumet County was established in 1836 as part of the Appleton Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county's name originates from the Native American term for a ceremonial pipe. It spans approximately 318.3 square miles and has a population of about 52,361 residents as of 2022. Chilton, the county seat, also serves as the hub for governmental and judicial activities.
Calumet County's court system is part of Wisconsin's Judicial Framework. It comprises a Circuit Court with countywide jurisdiction and several Municipal Courts located in cities and villages within the county. The Circuit Court handles all civil and criminal cases typically outside the jurisdiction of Municipal Courts. They include felonies, all jury trials, and family law disputes. It also oversees property disputes, general civil claims, and equity cases. Moreover, it has a Register in Probate Division, which manages probate cases such as wills, testamentary trusts, guardianships, and juvenile cases involving delinquency or custody issues. On the other hand, the Municipal Courts address most city or village ordinance violations, such as traffic offenses and non-jury trials for first-offense drunk driving. They also handle most juvenile cases, including truancy, alcohol, and curfew violations. These courts function within specific jurisdictions, addressing the needs of their local communities.
Calumet County court records provide detailed information on case filings, court orders, dispositions, motions, pleadings, and other trial outcomes. According to the Wisconsin Open Records Law, the Clerk of Circuit Court allows interested individuals to access non-exempted public court records. These records include:
- Civil records
- Criminal records
- Traffic case records
- Probate records
- Family law records
Public access to court records ensures the integrity and accountability of the judicial process. However, confidential records such as those of mental health proceedings, adoption, and juvenile cases, as well as sealed records containing sensitive information are restricted. Only the record owners and their legal representatives can obtain these records. Record seekers can conduct a name-based search for cases by party name, attorney, firm name, or other search criteria through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal. Alternatively, they can inspect and obtain court record copies by visiting the actual courthouse where the case trial occurred, or the Clerk of Clerks' Office at:
206 Court Street
Chilton, WI 53014
Phone: (920) 849-1414
Fax: (920) 849-1483
Toll-Free: (833) 620-2730
