La Crosse County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

La Crosse County has a land area of 452 square miles in Wisconsin. It was established in 1851 and now has an estimated population of 120,216 people. The City of La Crosse serves as the county seat and is included as part of the 2nd Congressional District. The La Crosse County court system comprises both Circuit and Municipal Courts.

The Circuit Court in La Crosse County is a court of general jurisdiction. All legal proceedings involving jury trials are exclusive to the Circuit Court. Criminal cases held at the county's highest court include felony and misdemeanor trials. The court also hears civil lawsuits, including juvenile matters, civil equity cases, probate matters, general civil claims, and domestic relations. Appeals from the Municipal Courts are typically brought before the La Crosse County Circuit Court. Municipal Courts are located in the cities of Onalaska and La Crosse. These courts exercise exclusive jurisdiction over ordinance violations that occur within the cities they serve. Traffic offenses, first-offense DUI charges, alcohol violations, and curfew violations may be handled by Municipal Court judges.

La Crosse County has recorded a minimum of 3,000 crimes each year since 2018, per the Wisconsin Uniform Crime Reporting. Simple assaults and larceny thefts account for 90% of the total offenses in the county. The county's Circuit Court handles the crime rate by maintaining a 99% clearance rate between 2022 and 2023. According to the state's Caseload Statistics, the trial court finalized 1,798 out of 1,857 felony-related cases. The Clerk of Courts' Office maintains all case documents filed at the La Crosse Circuit Court. To access these files, individuals can send written requests by mail or submit them in person. Alternatively, members of the public can view Circuit Court records online using the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access platform. Court records involving juvenile cases, parental rights termination, and mental health are restricted from public view. The Court Clerk does not grant access to court records containing sensitive information and other documents confidential by state/federal laws but can assist with how to do so. Confidential files typically require a court order or special permission from authorized personnel.

In summary, La Crosse County judiciary, consisting of the Circuit Court and two Municipal Courts, functions together to achieve fairness and equity in all legal proceedings. The county courts also emphasize transparency and accountability by providing public access to court records. This accessibility fosters trust in the judicial system.