Milwaukee County Court Records
What Is Milwaukee County Court Records
Milwaukee County court records encompass all official documents, files, and information created, collected, or maintained by the courts during legal proceedings within Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.31, these records are considered part of the public domain and maintained for transparency in judicial proceedings. Court records typically include:
- Case files containing pleadings, motions, and other filed documents
- Docket sheets chronicling case events and proceedings
- Judgments and court orders
- Hearing and trial transcripts
- Evidence and exhibits admitted during proceedings
- Sentencing information in criminal matters
- Court calendars and scheduling information
Court records differ from other public records such as property records, vital statistics, or tax documents, as they specifically document judicial proceedings. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system serves as the primary repository for these records in Milwaukee County.
Multiple courts within Milwaukee County maintain official records, including:
- Milwaukee County Circuit Court (state trial court of general jurisdiction)
- Milwaukee Municipal Court (handling city ordinance violations)
- Federal Eastern District Court of Wisconsin (for federal cases)
- Milwaukee County Probate Court (for estate matters)
- Milwaukee County Family Court (for domestic relations cases)
- Milwaukee County Small Claims Court (for civil matters under $10,000)
These courts collectively maintain records for civil litigation, criminal prosecutions, family law matters, probate proceedings, traffic violations, and small claims disputes occurring within Milwaukee County jurisdiction.
Are Court Records Public In Milwaukee County
Court records in Milwaukee County are presumptively public under Wisconsin's Open Records Law, codified in Wisconsin Statutes §§ 19.31-19.39. This statute establishes that "all persons are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those officers and employees who represent them." The Wisconsin Supreme Court has further reinforced this principle through its rules on public access to court records.
The following court records are generally accessible to the public:
- Civil case files (with limited exceptions for sealed records)
- Criminal case files (post-charging, with certain juvenile exceptions)
- Court judgments and orders
- Docket sheets and case indices
- Court calendars and hearing schedules
- Property records related to judgments
However, certain records may be restricted from public access, including:
- Juvenile records (pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 938.396)
- Sealed records by judicial order
- Certain family court matters involving minors
- Mental health proceedings
- Records containing sensitive personal identifiers
The Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72 governs retention and maintenance of court records, while providing guidelines for public access. Federal court records for cases heard in the Eastern District of Wisconsin (which includes Milwaukee County) are governed by federal rules and accessible through the PACER system, separate from state and county record systems.
How To Find Court Records in Milwaukee County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Milwaukee County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The Wisconsin court system currently provides multiple pathways for record retrieval:
In-Person Requests:
- Visit the Milwaukee County Courthouse Records Department during regular business hours.
- Complete a records request form specifying the case number or party names.
- Present valid photo identification to court staff.
- Pay applicable copy fees ($1.25 per page for standard copies).
Milwaukee County Courthouse
901 N. 9th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233
414-278-4120
Milwaukee County Circuit Court
Online Access:
- Navigate to the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website.
- Select search parameters (name, case number, citation number).
- Review case summaries and available documents.
- Note that complete case files may not be available online.
Mail Requests:
- Submit a written request to the Clerk of Circuit Court.
- Include case information, specific documents needed, and contact information.
- Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope and payment for copy fees.
Clerk of Circuit Court
Milwaukee County Courthouse, Room G-8
901 N. 9th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233
414-278-4120
Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court
For specialized records, contact the specific court division:
Milwaukee County Probate Court
Milwaukee County Courthouse, Room 207
901 N. 9th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233
414-278-4444
Milwaukee County Probate Court
Milwaukee Municipal Court
951 N. James Lovell Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233
414-286-3800
Milwaukee Municipal Court
Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(1), record custodians must respond to requests "as soon as practicable and without delay."
How To Look Up Court Records in Milwaukee County Online?
Milwaukee County offers comprehensive online access to court records through several official portals. Each system contains different record types and requires specific search approaches:
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA):
- Visit the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal.
- Select search criteria: name, business name, or case number.
- For name searches, enter last name and first name (middle name optional).
- Narrow results by county (Milwaukee) or case type if needed.
- Review case summary information, including charges, dispositions, and scheduled events.
- Note that complete case files and documents are not available through this system.
Milwaukee Municipal Court Records:
- Access the Milwaukee Municipal Court Case Information System.
- Search by name, case number, or citation number.
- Enter required information and select search parameters.
- Review case status, scheduled court dates, and payment information.
- Access is limited to municipal ordinance violations within Milwaukee city limits.
Federal Court Records (PACER):
- Register for a PACER account.
- Log in and select the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
- Search by party name, case number, or filing date.
- Access dockets, pleadings, and court orders (fees apply).
- Federal cases include bankruptcy, civil rights claims, and federal criminal matters.
Milwaukee County Register of Deeds:
- Visit the Milwaukee County Register of Deeds website.
- Select "Land Records Search" for property-related court judgments.
- Search by name, document type, or property information.
- Review and purchase available documents online.
Users should note that online systems may not contain all court records, particularly older cases or sealed records. Additionally, pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72.01, certain sensitive information may be redacted from online records.
How To Search Milwaukee County Court Records for Free?
Wisconsin law guarantees public access to court records at minimal cost. Under Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(3), while reproduction fees may apply, inspection of records is available at no charge. Milwaukee County residents and interested parties can access court records without payment through several methods:
Free Online Access:
- Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) - Provides free, unlimited searches of circuit court case information, including Milwaukee County cases. No registration or fees required.
- Milwaukee Municipal Court Case Search - Offers free access to municipal ordinance violation records within Milwaukee city limits.
- Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court - Provides basic case information and court calendars at no charge.
Free In-Person Inspection:
- Visit the Milwaukee County Courthouse Records Department during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM).
- Request to view specific case files using public access terminals.
- No fee is charged for viewing records, though identification may be required.
Milwaukee County Law Library:
- Located at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, Room G-8.
- Offers public access computers with free WCCA access.
- Reference librarians can assist with record searches.
- Open Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.
Milwaukee County Law Library
901 N. 9th Street, Room G-8
Milwaukee, WI 53233
414-278-4900
Milwaukee County Law Library
While inspection is free, reproduction costs apply when requesting copies:
- Paper copies: $1.25 per page
- Certified copies: $5.00 plus $1.25 per page
- Electronic document copies: $5.00 per document
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has determined that these fees are reasonable and necessary to offset the costs of maintaining court records, as established in Wisconsin Statute § 814.61(10).
What's Included in a Milwaukee County Court Record?
Milwaukee County court records contain comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings. The specific contents vary by case type but typically include:
Case Initiation Documents:
- Complaints or petitions in civil cases
- Criminal complaints and information in criminal cases
- Summonses and subpoenas
- Initial appearance documentation
Procedural Documents:
- Docket sheets listing all case activities and filings
- Motions and responses
- Affidavits and declarations
- Discovery materials (when filed with the court)
- Scheduling orders and notices
- Continuance requests and orders
Evidentiary Materials:
- Exhibits admitted into evidence
- Witness lists and testimony summaries
- Expert reports (when filed)
- Deposition transcripts (when filed)
Judicial Documents:
- Court orders and opinions
- Findings of fact and conclusions of law
- Judgments and decrees
- Sentencing information in criminal cases
- Jury instructions and verdict forms
Post-Judgment Materials:
- Appeals documentation
- Satisfaction of judgment notices
- Probation/supervision reports
- Modification requests and orders
Administrative Records:
- Case management information
- Judge assignment details
- Court reporter logs
- Fee payment records
In accordance with Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72.03, certain sensitive information is protected from public disclosure, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Financial account numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Minors' names in sensitive cases
- Victim identification in certain cases
The Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains these records in both physical and electronic formats, with newer cases increasingly maintained in digital form through the Wisconsin Court System's electronic filing system.
How Long Does Milwaukee County Keep Court Records?
Milwaukee County retains court records according to schedules established by the Wisconsin Supreme Court under Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72. These retention periods vary by record type and case classification:
Felony Cases:
- Class A felonies (including homicide): Permanent retention
- Class B-I felonies: 75 years after entry of final judgment
- Related exhibits: Until all appeals are exhausted plus 20 years
Misdemeanor Cases:
- Case files: 20 years after entry of final judgment
- Related exhibits: Until all appeals are exhausted plus 1 year
Civil Cases:
- General civil litigation: 20 years after entry of final judgment
- Small claims: 20 years after final disposition
- Related exhibits: Until all appeals are exhausted plus 1 year
Family Cases:
- Divorce/annulment records: 30 years after filing
- Paternity determinations: 50 years after judgment
- Child support orders: Until the youngest child reaches age 33
- Domestic violence restraining orders: 50 years after issuance
Probate Matters:
- Formal estate proceedings: 75 years after filing
- Informal estate proceedings: 30 years after filing
- Guardianship records: 7 years after termination of guardianship
- Trusts: 75 years after filing
Traffic and Ordinance Violations:
- Non-alcohol related: 6 years after final disposition
- Alcohol-related: 50 years after final disposition
Court Administrative Records:
- Indexes to cases: Permanent retention
- Court calendars: 7 years
- Judge's notes: Not official records; retention at judge's discretion
The Wisconsin Public Records Board oversees these retention schedules in conjunction with the Director of State Courts. After the retention period expires, records may be destroyed or transferred to the Wisconsin Historical Society for archival preservation, pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 59.52(4).
Types of Courts In Milwaukee County
Milwaukee County's judicial system consists of several courts with distinct jurisdictions and record-keeping systems:
Milwaukee County Circuit Court
901 N. 9th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233
414-278-4000
Milwaukee County Circuit Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
The Circuit Court is Wisconsin's trial court of general jurisdiction, divided into specialized divisions:
Civil Division
Milwaukee County Courthouse, Room 609
901 N. 9th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233
414-278-4471
Civil Division
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Criminal Division
Milwaukee County Safety Building
821 W. State Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233
414-278-4538
Criminal Division
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Family Division
Milwaukee County Courthouse, Room 707
901 N. 9th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233
414-278-5362
Family Division
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Children's Division
Vel R. Phillips Juvenile Justice Center
10201 W. Watertown Plank Road
Wauwatosa, WI 53226
414-257-7700
Children's Division
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Probate Division
Milwaukee County Courthouse, Room 207
901 N. 9th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233
414-278-4444
Probate Division
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Milwaukee Municipal Court
951 N. James Lovell Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233
414-286-3800
Milwaukee Municipal Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Wisconsin
Federal Courthouse
517 E. Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53202
414-297-3372
Eastern District of Wisconsin
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
The court hierarchy in Wisconsin proceeds from Municipal Courts (handling ordinance violations) to Circuit Courts (primary trial courts), to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, and finally to the Wisconsin Supreme Court as the court of last resort.
What Types of Cases Do Milwaukee County Courts Hear?
Milwaukee County's court system adjudicates a wide spectrum of legal matters, with each court handling specific case types according to jurisdictional authority:
Milwaukee County Circuit Court - Civil Division:
- General civil litigation (claims exceeding $10,000)
- Contract disputes and business litigation
- Personal injury and tort claims
- Property disputes and real estate matters
- Civil appeals from municipal courts
- Small claims (cases under $10,000)
- Eviction proceedings
- Civil restraining orders and injunctions
Milwaukee County Circuit Court - Criminal Division:
- Felony prosecutions
- Misdemeanor cases
- Criminal traffic offenses (OWI/DUI)
- Preliminary hearings and arraignments
- Bail hearings
- Probation revocation proceedings
- Criminal appeals from municipal courts
Milwaukee County Circuit Court - Family Division:
- Divorce and legal separation
- Child custody and placement determinations
- Child support establishment and enforcement
- Paternity actions
- Adoption proceedings
- Name changes
- Domestic violence injunctions
- Maintenance (alimony) matters
Milwaukee County Circuit Court - Children's Division:
- Juvenile delinquency proceedings
- Children in need of protection or services (CHIPS)
- Termination of parental rights
- Juvenile guardianships
- Juvenile restraining orders
- Truancy cases
Milwaukee County Circuit Court - Probate Division:
- Estate administration
- Will probate and contests
- Trust administration
- Adult guardianships and conservatorships
- Mental health commitments
- Protective placements
Milwaukee Municipal Court:
- Municipal ordinance violations
- First-offense OWI/DUI cases
- Traffic citations issued by Milwaukee Police
- Parking violations
- Building code violations
- Public nuisance cases
- Disorderly conduct citations
U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Wisconsin:
- Federal criminal prosecutions
- Civil rights litigation
- Bankruptcy proceedings
- Patent and copyright disputes
- Federal question cases
- Diversity jurisdiction cases (over $75,000 between parties from different states)
- Habeas corpus petitions
Case assignment within the Milwaukee County Circuit Court system is governed by Wisconsin Statute § 751.03, which authorizes the Chief Judge to establish specialized divisions and assign judges accordingly.
How To Find a Court Docket In Milwaukee County
Court dockets in Milwaukee County provide chronological listings of all proceedings and filings in a case. Members of the public can access these records through several methods:
Online Docket Access:
- Visit the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website.
- Enter search criteria (case number, party name, or business name).
- Select Milwaukee County from the jurisdiction dropdown.
- Review case summary information, which includes the docket entries.
- Note that while basic docket information is available, full document content may require in-person retrieval.
Milwaukee Municipal Court Dockets:
- Access the Milwaukee Municipal Court Case Information System.
- Search by defendant name, case number, or citation number.
- Review case events, hearing dates, and disposition information.
- For upcoming court dates, select the "Court Calendar" option.
In-Person Docket Review:
- Visit the appropriate Milwaukee County Courthouse division.
- Request docket information from the clerk's office.
- Provide case number or party names to facilitate search.
- Review docket sheets on public access terminals.
Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court
Room G-8, Milwaukee County Courthouse
901 N. 9th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233
414-278-4120
Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court
Daily Court Calendars:
- Visit the Milwaukee County Circuit Court website.
- Select "Court Calendars" from the navigation menu.
- Choose the specific court division of interest.
- Review daily hearing schedules by courtroom or judge.
For federal cases in Milwaukee County:
- Access the PACER system.
- Select the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
- Search by case number or party name.
- Review docket sheets showing all case activity.
Pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 70.38, court administrators must maintain accurate and accessible docket information for public inspection. Docket information is updated daily, though there may be a slight delay between court proceedings and online updates.
Which Courts in Milwaukee County Are Not Courts of Record?
In Wisconsin's judicial system, "courts of record" maintain comprehensive verbatim transcripts of proceedings and have the authority to establish legal precedent. Conversely, "courts not of record" do not maintain official transcripts and their decisions have limited precedential value. According to Wisconsin Statute § 753.01, circuit courts are designated as courts of record, while municipal courts are not.
The following courts in Milwaukee County are not courts of record:
Milwaukee Municipal Court
951 N. James Lovell Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233
414-286-3800
Milwaukee Municipal Court
South Milwaukee Municipal Court
2424 15th Avenue
South Milwaukee, WI 53172
414-768-8060
South Milwaukee Municipal Court
Wauwatosa Municipal Court
1700 N. 116th Street
Wauwatosa, WI 53226
414-471-8430
Wauwatosa Municipal Court
West Allis Municipal Court
7525 W. Greenfield Avenue
West Allis, WI 53214
414-302-8200
West Allis Municipal Court
As courts not of record, these municipal courts:
- Do not maintain verbatim transcripts of proceedings
- Have decisions that can be appealed de novo (completely new trial) to Circuit Court
- Handle only ordinance violations, not state law violations
- Cannot impose jail sentences exceeding 90 days
- Do not create binding legal precedent
Appeals from these non-record courts are governed by Wisconsin Statute § 800.14, which provides that any person convicted in municipal court may appeal to the circuit court for a new trial. The appeal must be filed within 20 days of judgment, and the circuit court conducts a completely new proceeding rather than reviewing the municipal court's decision.