Portage County Court Records Lookup

The following is for information purposes only

Portage County derives its name from the portage between the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers. It was organized in 1844 and has a population estimated to be 70,281. Portage County comprises nine villages, seventeen townships, and the city of Stevens Point, which is the county seat. Additionally, Portage County is included in the Stevene Point Micrpolitan Statistical area which is one portion of the Wasau-Stevens Point-Wisconsin Rapids Combined Statistical Area. Part of the 3rd Congressional District the two courts responsible for upholding the law within the county are the Portage County Circuit Court and the Stevens Point Municipal Court.

Situated in Stevens Point, the Portage County Circuit Court has original jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters. It is also divided into specialized Divisions, with each division focusing on specific case types, such as probate, juvenile matters, small claims disputes, and traffic violations. About 3,000 to 7,000 cases are administered in the Portage Circuit Court every year. The Stevens Point Municipal Court has jurisdiction over the Village of Plover and the City of Stevens Point. This court hears cases with less severe penalties than the Circuit Court. It handles juvenile ordinance violations, minor offenses, and traffic violations. Annually, the Stevens Point Municipal Court processes between 2,000 and 4,700 cases.

The Portage County Clerk of Courts maintains both confidential and non-confidential court records for cases filed with the Circuit Court. An interested party can view court records in person by visiting the public access room and using the public access computers in the Portage County Courthouse. In addition, the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) is a separate online resource that permits users to look up cases by providing a case number, party names, or business name. Adoption, custodial paternity, medical and mental health records, and non-offender juvenile records are not available for public inspection in Portage County. If access to these types of records is needed, special permission from authorized personnel or a court order is required. The County Clerk can assist with the proper procedure in doing so.

Playing a vital role in the county's governance, the Portage County court system has the capability to handle all legal issues filed in the county. Most cases are decided in the circuit court, while the municipal court handles minor offenses and violations of ordinances. To simplify case management, Portage County makes public court records available electronically for its residents.