Waukesha County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Founded in 1846, Waukesha County derived its name from the Native American Potawatomi word "Wauk-tsha," meaning "fox." According to the US Census Bureau, the county has more than 407,200 residents, making it the third most-populous county in Wisconsin. It occupies a land area of approximately 550 square miles in southeastern Wisconsin. The City of Waukesha serves as the county seat and is also the largest city in the county. The county's court system consists of two trial courts: the Circuit Court and the Municipal Courts.

Waukesha County has a Circuit Court, which exercises exclusive jurisdiction over felony criminal offenses, divorce, property cases, election disputes, and civil claims involving $10,000 or more. The Probate Division of the Circuit Court typically handles matters related to wills, trusts, and guardianships, while the Juvenile Division addresses cases involving minors, including child protection and delinquency matters. Waukesha County has 16 Municipal Courts located in various municipalities throughout the county. These courts preside over misdemeanor proceedings, traffic offenses, and other municipal ordinance violations. The 16 Municipal Courts in Waukesha County are located in:

• City of Brookfield
• Big Bend
• Delafield
• Muskego
• New Berlin
• City of Waukesha
• City of Pewaukee
• Lake Country
• Town of Brookfield
• Butler
• Elm Grove
• Lannon
• Menomonee Falls
• Mukwonago
• North Prairie
• Village of Pewaukee

According to the Wisconsin Uniform Crime Reporting, law enforcers in Waukesha County have reported more than 4,000 criminal offenses each year since 2019. The Circuit Court typically disposes of more than 1,500 felony cases and 2,500 misdemeanor cases. Wisconsin's caseload statistics also show that Waukesha Circuit Court concludes more than 20,000 cases every year. On the other hand, Municipal Courts altogether record a minimum of 40,000 case filings per year. All case filings and dispositions are maintained by clerks of relevant courts in Waukesha County. To obtain court documents filed in the Circuit Court, individuals can send phone or mail requests or visit the Clerk of Circuit Court. The Case Search portal also allows interested persons view Circuit Court records online. Each Municipal Court in the county has court clerks responsible for disseminating court documents. Case documents that are not available online or through the clerk's office may be sealed or confidential under state/federal laws.

In summary, Waukesha County's court system ensures just and fair criminal and civil proceedings. Implementing online access to public records also guarantees transparency and trust in the county's judicial system. Waukesha County is a model of efficient court administration in Wisconsin and remains committed to fulfilling its legal obligations.