Milwaukee County
Milwaukee County is located in southeast Wisconsin. The county was created in 1834 but organized in 1835. It was named for the Milwaukee River. Milwaukee County covers a land area of 241.5 square miles and is home to more than 900,000 residents.
Municipal courts and circuit courts are the two types of courts in the Milwaukee County trial court system. Municipal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over most violations of municipal ordinances. These courts sometimes handle juvenile cases, such as alcohol violations, truancy, curfew violations, and drug offenses. If jury trials are required for municipal court cases, such cases are transferred to the circuit court.
Circuit courts in Milwaukee County have original jurisdiction in all civil and criminal cases, but they have exclusive jurisdiction over all criminal cases. Probate matters, domestic relations, general civil claims, and most juvenile matters are heard in the circuit courts.
The Milwaukee County clerk of circuit court is the official custodian of public court records in the county. Milwaukee County public court records refer to documented information, containing court proceedings in the county, such as witness testimonies, tapes, trial transcripts, court orders, motions, subpoenas, and judgments.
The office of the clerk of circuit court comprises three divisions. The criminal division at Room 117 of the Milwaukee County Safety Building, 821 W. State Street, Milwaukee administers criminal and traffic cases and records. These include records of felony, misdemeanor, domestic violence, and criminal proceedings. The civil division at Room 104 of the Milwaukee County Courthouse, 901 N. 9th Street, Milwaukee, administers civil and family cases and records, which include records of small-claims, large-claims, eviction, paternity, and divorce proceedings. The children's court division at Room 1530 of the Velvalea Phillips Youth and Family Justice Center, 10201 W. Watertown Plank Road, Wauwatosa, administers cases and records such as Children in Need of Protective Services (CHIPS), guardianship, and delinquency proceedings.
You can also get case information for court actions filed in Milwaukee County courts. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) allows users to search case information by providing case number or party name.
