Waukesha County
Waukesha County was a New England settlement initially home to indigenous tribes, including the Menomonie, Ojibiwe, Potawatomi, and Ho-Chunk. Initially part of Milwaukee County in 1834, it became separate and established in 1846. Currently, the population is 410,434, covering an area of 549.7 square miles. Waukesha County has seven cities, eleven towns, and nineteen villages.
Waukesha's court system is under the Wisconsin Court of Appeals District II. The county has a 3rd District Circuit Court and Municipal Court. District Circuit Court is the highest trial court within the county. It operates in five areas: Criminal and Traffic, Civil / Small Claims, Family, Juvenile, and Probate Court. The Criminal, Civil, and Family courts would be heard at the County Courthouse. The Juvenile and probate courts are heard at the Juvenile Centre. It is also worth noting the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin has jurisdiction over the County. Appeals from the Eastern District also go to the United States Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit.
Court records are documents that are produced during case proceedings. They include pleas, decrees, witness testimonies, opening statements, dockets, court case minutes, judgments, and appeals. Court records are typically open to public viewing or inspection unless they are exempted by law. Juveniles, domestic relations, and mental health cases are considered confidential. Court records can be accessed from the Circuit Court Division where the case was filed. They can do this in person, by phone, or via mail. The Circuit court does charge $1.25 per page for copies of court files. It goes to a rate of $5 if they are certified.
The circuit district court provides access to the following case types
- Criminal Cases
- Civil Cases
- Probate Cases
- Traffic Cases
- Small Claims Cases
Interested parties can utilize the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access page to view records. Alternatively, requesters can use the Wisconsin Court System Case Search platform to access electronic court documentation.
