Jefferson County
Jefferson County was established in 1836. It has a population of around 85,932 and covers approximately 556.5 square miles. The county is located in southeastern Wisconsin, with the county seat in Jefferson. Jefferson County's court system consists of a Circuit Court and many Municipal Courts, each serving distinct judicial functions.
Jefferson County Circuit Court is a trial court of general jurisdiction over all cases, including criminal matters such as felony and misdemeanor. The court oversees civil claims, contract disputes, and cases involving equity. It also conducts all jury trials. Moreover, it has specialized divisions with authority over various case types, including the Juvenile Court Division, which deals with minors, such as juvenile delinquency. Family law matters, including divorce, child custody, and child support, are handled by the Family Division. The Probate Court Division manages wills, estates, and other probate issues. On the other hand, Municipal Courts located in cities and villages within the county, including Lake Mills, Watertown, Jefferson, Oakland, and Palmyra, have limited jurisdiction over municipal ordinance violations, non-criminal traffic offenses, including first-time DUI cases, and other traffic infractions. It also hears juvenile matters involving cases like truancy, drug offenses, underage drinking, and curfew violations.
Jefferson County court records are official documents and information related to court cases within the county. They include motions, writs, warrants, summonses, dockets, judgments, and pleas. Under Wisconsin's Public Records Law, Jefferson County provides public access to court records to ensure transparency in the county's judicial proceedings and also to uphold public trust. Common public court records include:
- Criminal Records
- Civil Records
- Family Law Records
- Probate Records
Certain records remain confidential, such as those involving juvenile cases, sensitive family matters, mental health evaluations, and adoptions. The Clerk of Circuit Court in Jefferson County is responsible for maintaining Circuit Court records and providing online record access through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal, which allows users to search for cases by name, case number, or other criteria.
Public records are available at the Clerk's Office in the Jefferson County Courthouse. Individuals can request records by visiting, emailing, or mailing the Clerk's Office with relevant case information. However, fees may apply for document copies or certified records. The Clerk of Circuit Court's Office can be reached at:
311 S Center Ave
Jefferson, WI 53549
Phone: (920) 674-7150
