Columbia County Courthouse Court cases in Columbia County, Portage, WI
Columbia County Circuit Court in Portage, WI, is Wisconsin's trial court of general jurisdiction for Columbia County. As part of the state's circuit court system, it has original jurisdiction over nearly all civil and criminal matters arising in the county and hears appeals from municipal courts. The court conducts jury and bench trials, issues orders, and manages pretrial and post-judgment proceedings. Common case types include felony and misdemeanor criminal cases; civil actions and small claims; family matters such as divorce, paternity, child custody, and child support; juvenile delinquency and child-protection (CHIPS) cases; probate and guardianship; mental health and substance commitment proceedings; traffic and forfeiture/ordinance violations; and restraining and protective orders.
Columbia County Courthouse Contact and Location Information
| Court Type: | Circuit Court |
| County: | Columbia |
| Street Address: | 400 DeWitt St. |
| City: | Portage |
| Zip Code: | 53901 |
| Phone: | 608-742-2191 |
| Fax: | 608-742-9601 |
| Hours: | Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
| Website URL: | http://www.co.columbia.wi.us/columbiacounty/clerkofcourts/ClerkofCourtsHome/tabid/2064/Default.aspx |
| Parking: | There's a parking lot on DeWitt Street, across the street from the courthouse. |
| Forms & Filing: | Coutr Forms |
| Jury Service: | Jury Information |
| Languages: | English |
| Facebook: | https://www.facebook.com/pages/Columbia-County-Courthouse/209847702374438 |
| About / Additional Info: | 5th Judicial District |
Services and Case Types Handled in Columbia County Courthouse
Columbia County Circuit Court serves the public by adjudicating state-law matters and providing access to justice. It handles:
- Criminal: felonies, misdemeanors, probation/sentencing.
- Civil: contract, tort, small claims, landlord-tenant/evictions.
- Family: divorce, custody/parenting time, child support, paternity.
- Juvenile: delinquency and dependency/abuse-neglect.
- Probate: estates, wills, guardianships/conservatorships.
- Traffic and ordinance/violations.
Core services include:
- Case filings, docketing, records access, and certified copies through the clerk.
- Protective orders (e.g., domestic violence, stalking) intake and hearings.
- Scheduling and holding arraignments, pretrial conferences, motion hearings, trials, and sentencings.
- Jury services: summons, qualification, reporting, deferrals, and juror payment.
- Alternative dispute resolution/mediation where available.
- Payment of fines/fees and restitution.
- Language access and ADA accommodations.
- Self-help forms, calendars, and public information.