Criminal records of Portage County, Wisconsin, are available through several channels. PortageCourt.us allows quick access to public information about criminal cases. Additionally, records can be obtained through the Wisconsin court system, the Portage County Sheriff's Office, and the Clerk of Courts. Each of these sources provides varying levels of detail—from basic case searches to obtaining certified copies of documents.
How to Search Criminal Records in Portage
There are several ways to find criminal records in Portage County. Start with online tools, and if more detail is needed, contact in person or by mail.
Online Search
- PortageCourt.us — enter a person's name to find publicly available information about county court cases.
- Wisconsin Court System — Case Search — the official portal of the state court system. Allows searching for cases in circuit courts, the Court of Appeals, and the Wisconsin Supreme Court. At least one of the following is required for the search:
- Full first and last name of the person
- Case number
- Date of birth (optional, to narrow results)
- Active Warrant List — the Portage County Sheriff's Office publishes a list of individuals with active arrest warrants.
- Wisconsin DOC Inmate Search — a tool from the Department of Corrections for searching individuals sentenced to state-level incarceration.
In-Person Visit
The Portage County Clerk of Courts accepts requests for criminal record searches directly at the office. Public access terminals in the courthouse allow on-site case information viewing.
Portage County Clerk of Courts
Mail Request
A written request can be sent to the Clerk of Courts or the Sheriff's Office Open Records Division. Include the full name of the person, date of birth (if known), type of document requested, as well as a return address and contact phone number. For state-level criminal history records, the request is submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau.
Search Portage Criminal Cases by Case Number
Every case in the Wisconsin court system is assigned a unique number consisting of several parts. Understanding the format will help find the desired record faster.
The standard case number format is: YYYY-XX-NNNNNN
- YYYY — the year the case was filed (e.g., 2024)
- XX — case type code. For criminal cases, the most commonly used are:
- CF — criminal felony case
- CM — criminal misdemeanor case
- CT — traffic violation
- FO — forfeiture/ordinance violation
- NNNNNN — sequential case number within this type and year
For example, the number 2024CF000123 indicates a criminal felony case filed in 2024 with sequential number 123. If you know the exact number, enter it on the Wisconsin court system portal—this is the quickest way to get results without unnecessary matches.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Portage
Each criminal case record contains several key categories of information. Below is an explanation of what each means.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the specific article of the Wisconsin Statutes under which charges are brought (e.g., § 943.20 — theft) |
| Severity | Felony (serious crime), Misdemeanor (less serious), or Forfeiture (ordinance violation) |
| Class | Felonies are classified from Class A (most serious) to Class I; misdemeanors from Class A to Class C |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or reduce charges during the case—this is reflected as amended charge |
Case Status
- Open / Pending — the case is open, proceedings are ongoing
- Active — the case is active, hearings are scheduled
- Disposed / Closed — the case is completed, a decision has been made
Hearings
Typical stages of a criminal case in Portage County:
- Initial Appearance — the defendant's first appearance before a judge
- Preliminary Hearing — a preliminary hearing (for felonies) where the court determines if there is enough basis to proceed with the case
- Arraignment — formal presentation of charges, the defendant states their plea (guilty / not guilty)
- Pre-Trial Conference — pre-trial meeting to discuss agreements and prepare for trial
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review Hearing — review hearing, usually related to probation conditions
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty—by court verdict or by the defendant's plea |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted—the court or jury did not find sufficient evidence of guilt |
| Dismissed | Case closed—charges dropped by the prosecutor or court |
| No Contest (Nolo Contendere) | The defendant does not admit guilt but does not contest the charges |
| Deferred Judgment | Judgment deferred—usually under the terms of an agreement or rehabilitation program |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Portage
Certified copies of criminal records are official documents with a court seal, accepted by other institutions and organizations. Here's how to obtain them.
Clerk of Courts
The primary source for certified copies of court documents. Requests can be made:
- In person — at the courthouse at the address below
- By mail — by sending a written request with the case number, party name, and type of document needed
You must have a valid government-issued photo ID. For mail requests, include a copy of the ID and a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
Sheriff's Office — Records Division
To obtain records related to arrests, incidents, or law enforcement activities, submit an Open Records Request to the Portage County Sheriff's Office.
State-Level Criminal History
The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Crime Information Bureau processes requests for a person's full criminal history (criminal background check). Requests are submitted online or by mail through the DOJ system. Typically, the full name, date of birth, and social security number of the person are required.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Portage
Fees for copies and certification of documents in Wisconsin are regulated by state statutes, specifically § 814.61(10) Wisconsin Statutes. Specific amounts may vary depending on the type of document.
| Service | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.25 | According to Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10) |
| Certification fee | $5.00 | Per certified document |
| Criminal Background Check through DOJ | $7.00 | Online through Wisconsin DOJ; may be higher for fingerprint requests |
| Open Records Request (Sheriff's Office) | Varies | Depends on the volume of requested materials; payment for actual copying costs |
Processing Time
- Online search through CCAP — results are displayed instantly
- Certified copies from Clerk of Courts — usually 1 to 5 business days for in-person requests; mail requests may take up to 2 weeks
- DOJ online check — typically results are received within a few business days
- Requests to the Sheriff's Office — under Wisconsin's open records law (Wis. Stat. § 19.35), a response must be provided "as soon as practicable and without delay," usually within 10 business days
Payment at the Clerk of Courts is usually accepted in cash, check, or money order. Confirm credit card payment availability by calling the Clerk of Courts in advance.