Kewaunee County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Kewaunee County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Kewaunee County may access publicly available information through official government sources, court systems, and third-party aggregators such as KewauneeRecords.us. Criminal record searches may return data related to arrests, charges, court dispositions, sentencing outcomes, and incarceration history associated with individuals who have had contact with the criminal justice system in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin. The availability and completeness of records vary depending on the source, the age of the record, and whether any legal restrictions — such as expungement or sealing — apply.
Records that may be accessible through official and public channels include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Circuit court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Bail and bond information
- Sentencing and probation records
- Active and historical warrant information
- Sex offender registration status
Records can be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary avenues available to the public.
1. County Court Records
The Kewaunee County Circuit Court maintains case files for all criminal matters filed within the county. Members of the public may inspect court records in person at the clerk's office during regular business hours. Requestors are advised to bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate case filing date or case number to facilitate the search. Public access terminals are available on-site for self-service case lookups.
Kewaunee County Clerk of Circuit Court
613 Dodge Street, Room 103
Kewaunee, WI 54216
Phone: (920) 388-7149
Kewaunee County Clerk of Circuit Court
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
2. Sheriff's Office
The Kewaunee County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and inmate information. Members of the public may submit records requests directly to the Sheriff's Office. Fees may apply for copies of records. The office processes requests in accordance with Wisconsin's open records law.
Kewaunee County Sheriff's Office
613 Dodge Street
Kewaunee, WI 54216
Phone: (920) 388-7160
Kewaunee County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search
The Wisconsin Court System provides public access to circuit court case records through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The portal returns case type, filing date, charges, and disposition information. Pending and closed cases are included; however, records subject to sealing or expungement orders do not appear in public search results.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains the state's criminal history repository. Formal background check requests may be submitted through the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS). Fingerprint-based checks are available for authorized entities. Standard processing times and applicable fees are listed on the WORCS portal. Name-based checks are available to the general public for a fee.
Wisconsin Department of Justice
17 West Main Street
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 266-1221
Wisconsin Department of Justice
5. Written/Mail Requests
Written requests for court records may be submitted by mail to the Kewaunee County Clerk of Circuit Court at 613 Dodge Street, Room 103, Kewaunee, WI 54216. Requests must include the full name of the subject, date of birth, approximate case dates if known, and a description of the records sought. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time, with a general expectation of response within ten business days.
What Is Kewaunee County Criminal Record
A criminal record in Kewaunee County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system, including arrests, charges, court proceedings, and outcomes. Under Wisconsin law, criminal records are created and maintained by multiple agencies throughout the lifecycle of a criminal case — from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition.
Key distinctions within criminal records include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; it does not indicate guilt. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by plea or verdict.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are the more serious classification, carrying potential prison sentences exceeding one year. Misdemeanors carry lesser penalties, with maximum sentences served in county jail.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are subject to public access under Wisconsin's open records law. Juvenile records are confidential under Wis. Stat. § 938.396 and are not available to the general public.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect current outstanding orders for arrest. Historical records document past criminal justice involvement regardless of current status.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Kewaunee County include the Kewaunee County Sheriff's Office (arrest and jail records), the Kewaunee County Circuit Court (case files, dispositions, and sentencing records), the Wisconsin Department of Justice (statewide criminal history repository), and local municipal police departments within the county. Records may reflect charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing terms, fines, restitution orders, and probation or parole status.
Are Criminal Records Public In Kewaunee County
Criminal records in Kewaunee County are subject to public access under Wisconsin's open records law. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.31, the Wisconsin Legislature has declared that "the public is entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those officers and employees who represent them." This statutory presumption of openness applies to criminal court records, arrest logs, and conviction histories maintained by county and state agencies.
Records that are accessible to the public include adult conviction records, court case filings, sentencing information, and records of court proceedings. Records that are restricted from public access include:
- Juvenile records (confidential under Wis. Stat. § 938.396)
- Expunged records (removed from public view upon court order)
- Sealed case records
- Records pertaining to ongoing criminal investigations
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to a court-issued protective order
Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI are governed by separate federal statutes and are not accessible through Wisconsin's open records framework. The Wisconsin Department of Justice provides guidance on the scope of public access to criminal history information under state law.
How To Find Criminal Records in Kewaunee County Online
Official County Resources
The Kewaunee County Circuit Court's case records are accessible online through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal. Users may search by the subject's full name, case number, or filing date range. The portal displays case type, charge descriptions, filing dates, and disposition information for both open and closed matters. No registration is required to conduct a basic name search. Records subject to sealing or expungement do not appear in public results.
The Kewaunee County Sheriff's Office website provides access to current inmate and booking information. In-person inspection at the Sheriff's Office is required for older arrest records not available through the online portal.
State-Level Resources
The Wisconsin Court System's statewide case search covers all circuit courts, the Court of Appeals, and the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The Wisconsin Online Record Check System provides name-based and fingerprint-based criminal history background checks through the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name as well as known aliases or name variations.
- Case number searches return the most precise results and eliminate false matches.
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as not all agencies report to the same system.
- Understand that records predating electronic filing may not appear in online searches.
- Sealed and expunged records will not appear in public online databases regardless of search method.
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court event. Historical records predating the digitization of court files may require in-person requests. Online searches do not constitute an official background check for employment, licensing, or housing purposes.
Can You Search Kewaunee County Criminal Records for Free?
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection: Wisconsin law mandates that members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35, inspection of records is free; fees may only be charged for copies. In-person inspection is available at the Kewaunee County Clerk of Circuit Court (613 Dodge Street, Room 103, Kewaunee, WI 54216) and the Kewaunee County Sheriff's Office (613 Dodge Street, Kewaunee, WI 54216).
2. Free Online Databases: The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal is available to the public at no cost. Basic name and case number searches return case-level information without a fee or registration requirement.
3. Sheriff's Logs: Current inmate and booking information maintained by the Kewaunee County Sheriff's Office is accessible through the county website at no charge.
What Costs Money
| Record Type | Approximate Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of court record | $1.25 per page (standard Wisconsin rate) |
| Official state background check (WORCS) | Fee listed on WORCS portal |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Variable, per agency policy |
| Fingerprint-based criminal history check | Fee listed on WORCS portal |
| Expedited processing | Variable |
State Fee Law
Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), agencies may charge a fee for locating, copying, and mailing records, but the fee must be limited to the actual, necessary, and direct cost of reproduction. Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances as determined by the custodial agency.
What's Included in a Kewaunee County Criminal Record
Identifying Information
A Kewaunee County criminal record includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, last known address, state identification (SID) number, and FBI number where applicable. Booking photographs (mugshots) may be included in arrest records maintained by the Sheriff's Office.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond conditions, and the jail facility where the individual was held.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court jurisdiction, filing date, statutory charges with felony or misdemeanor classification, plea entered, attorney of record, and scheduled hearing dates.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing terms (including incarceration length, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements
Criminal records may also include active or historical warrants, protective orders, sex offender registration status, OWI/DUI convictions, and pending charges.
NOT Included in Public Criminal Records
- Juvenile adjudication records
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Records from completed diversion programs where charges were dismissed
Accuracy Note
Individuals who identify errors in their criminal record may submit a correction request to the Wisconsin Department of Justice through the WORCS portal. Maintaining accurate records is essential for employment, licensing, and housing determinations.
How Long Does Kewaunee County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements
Wisconsin circuit courts are required to retain criminal case records in accordance with retention schedules established by the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Wisconsin Public Records Board. Retention periods vary by record type and offense classification.
Retention by Type
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by the circuit court and the Wisconsin Department of Justice criminal history repository.
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently at the state level; local agency retention may vary.
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained for a period determined by agency policy; may remain in state databases unless expunged.
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Retained permanently in court records to reflect the full disposition, including the dismissal or acquittal.
- Juvenile records: Confidential under Wis. Stat. § 938.396; records may be sealed upon the subject reaching adulthood and destroyed after applicable retention periods.
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution of the matter.
Agency Differences
County circuit courts retain case records permanently in accordance with Wisconsin Supreme Court rules. The Kewaunee County Sheriff's Office retains jail and arrest records per county retention schedules. The Wisconsin Department of Justice retains conviction records permanently in the statewide criminal history repository accessible through the WORCS system.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Paper records may be destroyed following scanning and digitization, with the electronic version serving as the official record of retention.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
Destruction permanently eliminates a record. Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use. Expungement, available under Wisconsin law for certain eligible offenses, removes the record from public view and directs agencies to treat the conviction as if it did not occur. Expungement eligibility in Wisconsin is governed by Wis. Stat. § 973.015, which applies to individuals who were under age 25 at the time of the offense and who have satisfied all conditions of their sentence. Expungement forms and eligibility criteria are available through the Wisconsin Court System.
Old Records Access
Pre-digital records may require special in-person requests at the Kewaunee County Clerk of Circuit Court or through the Wisconsin State Archives. Some older records have been scanned and are accessible electronically; others require manual retrieval.
Federal Records
Criminal records maintained by the FBI are subject to separate federal retention rules and are not affected by Wisconsin expungement orders. Federal records are maintained independently of state and county systems.
Practical Implications
Felony and misdemeanor convictions remain accessible on background checks indefinitely under Wisconsin law. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) are subject to a seven-year reporting limitation for certain non-conviction records, though convictions may be reported without a time limit. Professional licensing boards may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the record. Even if a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 973.015.
Lookup Criminal Records in Kewaunee County
- Wisconsin court case search — Public access to Wisconsin court records, including cases from the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and circuit courts.
- Wisconsin criminal background check portal — The Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) allows individuals and organizations to submit criminal background checks and retrieve results online.