Criminal records in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, are public documents accessible through several channels. KenoshaCourt.us allows you to search for publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records are available through the Wisconsin state court system, the office of the Kenosha County Clerk of Courts, and Kenosha County law enforcement agencies. Below is a practical guide to searching, understanding, and obtaining criminal records in this county.
How to Search Criminal Records in Kenosha
There are several ways to find criminal records — online, in person, and by mail. Here's what you'll need to start your search:
- Full name of the individual
- Date of birth (preferably)
- Case number (if known)
Online Search
- KenoshaCourt.us — enter the name or case number to find publicly available information about court criminal cases in Kenosha County.
- Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) — the official portal of the Wisconsin state court system for searching circuit court, appellate court, and Supreme Court cases. Searchable by name, case number, or business name.
- Kenosha County Court Record Search — the clerk of court's page with information on accessing official court documents.
- Inmate Search — allows checking if a person is currently in the Kenosha County detention center.
- Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) — the Wisconsin Department of Justice system for submitting online criminal background check requests.
In-Person Visit
The Kenosha County Clerk of Courts accepts record search requests directly at the courthouse. Public terminals are available for self-searching.
Mail Request
A written request can be sent to the Clerk of Courts office or to the Wisconsin Department of Justice, which maintains the state's centralized criminal history repository. Include the full name, date of birth, and, if possible, the case number.
Search Kenosha Criminal Cases by Case Number
The case number is the most accurate way to find a specific record. In Wisconsin, circuit court case numbers have a standard format:
YYYY-XX-NNNNNN
- YYYY — the year the case was filed (e.g., 2024)
- XX — the case type code. For criminal cases, this is usually:
- CF — felony
- CM — misdemeanor
- CT — traffic violation
- FO — forfeiture
- NNNNNN — the sequential case number
For example, the number 2024CF000123 indicates a felony criminal case filed in 2024 with the sequential number 123. This number is entered directly into the search field on the WCCA portal or through the Court Case Tracker page of Kenosha County, where you can also subscribe to automatic case status updates via RSS.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Kenosha
Charges
Each charge in a case includes a reference to a specific Wisconsin statute. Severity is classified as follows:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Felony | A serious crime — from Class I (least serious) to Class A (most serious, including life imprisonment) |
| Misdemeanor | A minor crime — Classes A, B, C; maximum punishment up to 9 months in jail |
| Forfeiture | A civil offense punishable by a monetary fine |
Charges may be amended by the prosecutor during the case — for example, a felony may be reduced to a misdemeanor as part of a plea agreement.
Case Status
- Open / Pending — the case is active, and a decision has not yet been made
- Disposed — the case is concluded, and a final decision has been made by the court
- Closed — all obligations have been fulfilled, and the case is closed
- Reopened — the case has been reopened (e.g., due to probation violations)
Types of Hearings
- Initial Appearance — the defendant's first appearance before a judge
- Preliminary Hearing — the judge determines if there is enough evidence to proceed with the case (felonies only)
- Arraignment — formal presentation of charges; the defendant enters a plea of guilty or not guilty
- Pre-Trial Conference — discussions between parties before the trial
- Trial — the court hearing of the case
- Sentencing — the issuance of a sentence
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty after trial |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict |
| No Contest (Nolo Contendere) | The defendant does not contest the charges but does not formally admit guilt |
| Deferred Judgment | Judgment is deferred; if court requirements are met, the charge may be dismissed |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Kenosha
Certified copies of court records are issued by the office of the Kenosha County Clerk of Courts. These copies bear the official court seal and are accepted by government agencies and employers.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the clerk's office at the courthouse
- By Mail — send a written request specifying the full name, case number, and type of document
- Online — some documents can be ordered through the Record Search portal of the county
What You Need for the Request
- Full name of the party in the case
- Case number (if known)
- Valid photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Payment of applicable fees
For an official state-level criminal background check, use the WORCS system of the Wisconsin Department of Justice. This check covers records from all counties in the state.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Kenosha
Fees for court records in Wisconsin are governed by Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10). Below are the basic rates:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.25 |
| Document certification | $5.00 per document |
| Criminal background check via WORCS (online) | $7.00 per request |
| Criminal background check via WORCS (by mail) | $13.00 per request |
Processing Times
- Online search via WCCA — results are available instantly
- Check via WORCS (online) — usually within a few minutes to one business day
- Certified copies (in person) — typically on the day of request
- Mail requests — 5 to 10 business days depending on the volume of the request
Payment at the clerk's office is accepted in cash, check, or money order. For online requests via WORCS, credit and debit cards are accepted. Specific fees may vary — check directly with the Clerk of Courts office for current information.