Walworth County Criminal Records
What Is Walworth County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Walworth County encompass official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 59.54, which authorizes counties to maintain law enforcement and public safety records.
Criminal records in Walworth County include several distinct categories:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of apprehensions by law enforcement agencies, which may not necessarily result in charges or convictions
- Conviction Records: Official records of guilty verdicts or pleas in criminal cases
- Felony Records: Documentation of serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of one year or more
- Misdemeanor Records: Records of less serious offenses typically punishable by less than one year of incarceration
- Adult Records: Criminal proceedings for individuals 18 and older (generally public)
- Juvenile Records: Records for individuals under 18 (typically sealed under Wisconsin Statute § 938.396)
- Active Warrants: Current orders for arrest or apprehension
- Historical Records: Documentation of past criminal justice interactions
Several agencies maintain criminal records in Walworth County:
Walworth County Sheriff's Office
1770 County Road NN
Elkhorn, WI 53121
(262) 741-4400
Walworth County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, jail records, and active warrants.
Walworth County Circuit Court
1800 County Road NN
Elkhorn, WI 53121
(262) 741-7012
Walworth County Circuit Court
The Circuit Court maintains case files including charges, arraignments, pleas, trial proceedings, verdicts, and sentencing information.
Wisconsin Department of Justice
17 W. Main Street
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-1221
Wisconsin Department of Justice
The state agency maintains comprehensive criminal history information for offenses throughout Wisconsin.
Walworth County criminal records typically include documentation of the entire criminal justice process: initial charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial proceedings, verdicts, sentencing details, and probation or parole information. These records serve as the official history of an individual's involvement with the criminal justice system in the county.
Are Criminal Records Public In Walworth County
Criminal records in Walworth County are generally considered public information under Wisconsin's Open Records Law, codified in Wisconsin Statute § 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 consistently upheld the public's right to access court records, including criminal proceedings, as noted in their administrative rules for public access to court records. However, certain categories of criminal records remain restricted from public disclosure:
- Ongoing Investigations: Active law enforcement investigations are generally exempt from disclosure until the investigation concludes
- Sealed Records: Court records that have been sealed by judicial order
- Juvenile Records: Records pertaining to individuals under 18 years of age are confidential under Wisconsin Statute § 938.396, with limited exceptions
- Expunged Records: Records that have been legally expunged pursuant to court order
- Certain Victim Information: Details that could compromise victim safety or privacy
- Mental Health Proceedings: Records related to mental health commitments
Adult conviction records are among the most accessible criminal records in Walworth County. Court proceedings, including hearings, trials, and sentencing, are generally open to the public unless specifically closed by a judge. Case information is available through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system, commonly known as CCAP.
The Walworth County Sheriff's Office maintains a public jail roster that includes current inmate information. Additionally, the Wisconsin Department of Justice provides access to criminal history information through their Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS), though fees apply for official background checks.
Members of the public seeking criminal records should note that while these records are legally accessible, practical access may require formal requests, payment of fees, or in-person visits to the appropriate agency. Additionally, the use of criminal record information is regulated by various state and federal laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act for employment purposes.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Walworth County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Walworth County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county maintains multiple systems for record retrieval, each providing different types of criminal justice information.
For online court records access, individuals may:
- Visit the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal
- Select "Walworth County" from the jurisdiction dropdown menu
- Enter the subject's name or case number
- Review the case summary information, which includes charges, court dates, and disposition
- Note that while basic case information is available online, complete case files require in-person inspection
For in-person court record inspection:
- Visit the Walworth County Clerk of Circuit Court during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM)
- Complete a record request form at the public terminal
- Provide the case number if known, or subject name and approximate date
- Pay applicable copy fees ($1.25 per page currently)
Walworth County Clerk of Circuit Court
1800 County Road NN
Elkhorn, WI 53121
(262) 741-7012
Walworth County Clerk of Circuit Court
For criminal history background checks:
- Access the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS)
- Create a user account if not already registered
- Select the type of background check needed
- Enter the subject's identifying information
- Pay the required fee ($7 per name-based search currently)
- Receive results electronically
For local arrest and jail information:
- Contact the Walworth County Sheriff's Office Records Division
- Submit a public records request form in person, by mail, or via email
- Provide specific information about the records sought
- Pay applicable fees for copies or certified records
Walworth County Sheriff's Office Records Division
1770 County Road NN
Elkhorn, WI 53121
(262) 741-4419
Walworth County Sheriff's Office
Requestors should note that response times vary based on the complexity of the request and current departmental workload. Additionally, certain records may require redaction of confidential information before release, which may extend processing time.
How To Find Criminal Records in Walworth County Online?
Walworth County residents and interested parties can access various criminal records through several online portals maintained by county and state agencies. Each system provides different types of information and search capabilities.
The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system, commonly known as CCAP, serves as the primary online resource for court records:
- Navigate to the Wisconsin Court System case search
- Select "Circuit Court" access
- Choose "Walworth County" from the county dropdown menu
- Search by name, case number, or citation number
- Review case information including charges, court dates, judgments, and sentencing
- Note that documents filed with the court are not available online and require in-person inspection
The Walworth County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate lookup system:
- Visit the Walworth County Sheriff's Office website
- Select "Jail Division" from the department menu
- Click on "Current Inmates"
- Search by last name or booking date
- View current custody status, charges, and bond information
For comprehensive criminal history information, the Wisconsin Department of Justice offers the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS):
- Access the Wisconsin Online Record Check System
- Create a user account (required for searches)
- Select "Public Criminal History Search"
- Enter the subject's name and date of birth (if known)
- Pay the required fee ($7 per name-based search)
- Receive results showing Wisconsin criminal history information
The Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry provides information on registered sex offenders:
- Visit the Wisconsin Department of Corrections Sex Offender Registry website
- Enter a Walworth County address or zip code
- View registered offenders in the specified area
- Access non-confidential information about the offender and offense
Users should be aware that online systems have certain limitations:
- Court records older than 1995 may not be available in electronic format
- Expunged or sealed records will not appear in online searches
- Juvenile records are generally not accessible online
- Some sensitive case types may have restricted online access
- Registration is required for certain systems
- Fees apply for official criminal history searches
For the most comprehensive access to criminal records, a combination of online searches and in-person requests may be necessary.
Can You Search Walworth County Criminal Records for Free?
Walworth County residents and members of the public have several options to access criminal records without payment, as established under Wisconsin's Open Records Law § 19.35(1), which states that "any requester has a right to inspect any record."
Free inspection options include:
-
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA): This online portal, commonly known as CCAP, provides free access to basic court case information including criminal cases. Users can search by name or case number without registration or fees at the Wisconsin Court System case search.
-
In-Person Court Record Inspection: The public may visit the Walworth County Courthouse during regular business hours to view criminal case files at no cost. While inspection is free, copy fees apply if documents are needed.
Walworth County Clerk of Circuit Court
1800 County Road NN
Elkhorn, WI 53121
(262) 741-7012
Walworth County Clerk of Circuit Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
- Walworth County Sheriff's Inmate Lookup: The Sheriff's Office maintains a free online jail roster showing current inmates, charges, and bond information.
Walworth County Sheriff's Office
1770 County Road NN
Elkhorn, WI 53121
(262) 741-4400
Walworth County Sheriff's Office
- Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals at the courthouse provide free access to court records, though printing fees may apply.
While these resources provide free access to basic criminal record information, certain limitations apply:
- Comprehensive criminal history reports from the Wisconsin Department of Justice require payment of statutory fees
- Certified copies of court documents incur fees ($5 for certification plus $1.25 per page)
- Extensive record searches may require staff assistance, which could involve fees
- Certain confidential or sealed records are not accessible regardless of payment
The Wisconsin Open Records Law allows agencies to charge "the actual, necessary and direct cost" of locating and copying records, but inspection itself must be provided without charge. Requestors seeking extensive records may encounter fees for staff time, reproduction costs, and certified copies.
For individuals conducting background checks for employment or housing purposes, the free options provide limited information and may not satisfy legal requirements for thorough screening.
What's Included in a Walworth County Criminal Record?
Criminal records in Walworth County contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records typically include several categories of information as outlined below.
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer
- Booking number and facility
- Initial charges filed
- Probable cause statement
- Bail or bond amount
- Detention facility information
- Property inventory
Court Case Information:
- Case number and filing date
- Court of jurisdiction
- Judge assigned
- Charging documents
- Statute citations and offense classifications (felony/misdemeanor)
- Plea information
- Attorney representation details
- Court appearance dates
- Preliminary hearing outcomes
- Motion filings and rulings
Disposition Information:
- Verdict or case outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentencing details:
- Incarceration length
- Probation terms
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Special conditions
- Appeal information
- Probation/parole status
- Compliance with court orders
Additional Information:
- Active warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- DUI/OWI offenses
- Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
- Pending charges in other jurisdictions
- Prior criminal history references
The comprehensiveness of criminal records varies based on the stage of proceedings and the maintaining agency. Court records typically contain the most complete documentation of case proceedings, while law enforcement records focus on arrest and booking details. The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains the official criminal history repository that aggregates information from multiple agencies across the state.
Individuals seeking complete criminal record information may need to consult multiple sources, as no single agency maintains all components of a criminal history. Additionally, certain information may be redacted from public versions of records pursuant to privacy laws and court rules.
How Long Does Walworth County Keep Criminal Records?
Walworth County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established under Wisconsin Statute § 16.61, which governs records management for state and local agencies. These retention periods vary based on record type, offense severity, and maintaining agency.
The Walworth County Circuit Court retains criminal case records according to the following schedule:
- Felony Case Files: 75 years from case filing date
- Misdemeanor Case Files: 20 years from case filing date
- Criminal Traffic Cases: 10 years from case filing date
- Case Indices: Permanent retention
- Judgment Dockets: 75 years from final entry
- Court Recordings/Transcripts: 10 years after entry of final judgment
The Walworth County Sheriff's Office maintains records according to these general timeframes:
- Arrest Records: 7 years from date of arrest
- Booking Information: 7 years from booking date
- Investigation Reports (No Arrest): 10 years from case closure
- Investigation Reports (Felony Arrest): 75 years from arrest date
- Jail Records: 7 years from release date
- Incident Reports: 7 years from incident date
- Sex Offender Registration Information: Life of the registrant
The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains criminal history information according to the following retention periods:
- Felony Convictions: Permanent retention
- Misdemeanor Convictions: 20 years from conviction date
- Arrests Without Conviction: 2 years unless prosecution is pending
- Fingerprint Cards: Permanent retention for convicted persons
These retention periods represent minimum requirements under state law. In practice, many records are maintained for longer periods, particularly with the transition to electronic record-keeping systems. Additionally, case indices and judgment information are often retained permanently for historical and research purposes.
It's important to note that record retention does not necessarily equate to public accessibility. Certain records may be sealed, expunged, or restricted from public disclosure while still being maintained by the agency for official purposes. The expungement of records, when granted by court order under Wisconsin Statute § 973.015, does not typically result in physical destruction but rather in restricted access.
Individuals seeking older criminal records should contact the maintaining agency directly to determine availability, as records beyond certain ages may be archived in formats requiring special retrieval procedures.
Lookup Criminal Records in Walworth County
Wisconsin Court System case search
Wisconsin Online Record Check System