Criminal records in Dane County, Wisconsin, are accessible through several channels. DaneCourt.us can help you find publicly available criminal case information filed in the county. You can also search records through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system, the Dane County Clerk of Courts office, and law enforcement agencies such as the Dane County Sheriff's Office. Circuit court files and documents are generally open to the public unless sealed by the court or made confidential by law.
How to Search Criminal Records in Dane
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Dane County. The method you choose depends on what information you have and whether you need an official copy or just want to review case details.
Online Search Options
- DaneCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available court record information from Dane County. You can look up cases using a person's name or case number.
- Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) — This is the statewide court records portal. It provides public access to case information from all Wisconsin circuit courts, including Dane County. A criminal index is available online from approximately 1984 forward for Dane County.
- Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) — Operated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, this tool lets individuals and organizations submit criminal background checks and retrieve results online.
- Wisconsin DOC Offender Information — The Department of Corrections provides information on individuals currently or previously under state correctional supervision.
- Dane County Sheriff's Office Active Warrants — You can check for active warrants or contact the DCSO Warrants Division at (608) 284-6110 during business hours.
In Person
Visit the Dane County Clerk of Courts office to review circuit court case files. Public access terminals may be available at the courthouse. You can also review case files referenced by the Dane County District Attorney's Office at the Clerk of Court's office.
By Mail or Email
To request court records by mail or email, contact the Clerk of Courts at the address above or email dane.courtrecords@wicourts.gov. For other Dane County government records, you can submit a request through the County Clerk Request Form. For sheriff's office records, visit the Dane County public record requests page.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (helpful but not always required for WCCA searches)
- Case number (if known)
- County where the case was filed
Search Dane Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you have a case number, searching is faster and more precise. Wisconsin circuit court case numbers follow a standard format:
YYYY-XX-######
- YYYY — The four-digit year the case was filed
- XX — A two-letter code indicating the case type. Common criminal codes include:
- CF — Criminal felony
- CM — Criminal misdemeanor
- CT — Criminal traffic
- TR — Traffic (non-criminal)
- FO — Forfeiture
- ###### — A sequential number assigned to the case
For example, a case number like 2024-CF-001234 indicates a felony case filed in 2024. Enter the full case number into the WCCA search or provide it to the Clerk of Courts when making a records request. Using the case number eliminates ambiguity when multiple individuals share similar names.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Dane
Charges
- Statute codes — Each charge references a specific Wisconsin statute (e.g., Wis. Stat. § 943.10 for burglary)
- Severity — Charges are classified as felonies (Classes A through I), misdemeanors (Classes A through C), or forfeitures
- Amended charges — Charges may be reduced or modified through plea negotiations. The original and amended charges both appear in the case record
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Open/Pending | The case is active and awaiting resolution |
| Active | Proceedings are underway; hearings or trial scheduled |
| Disposed/Closed | The case has reached a final outcome — conviction, dismissal, or acquittal |
| Reopened | A previously closed case has been reopened, often due to a probation violation or new motion |
Hearing Types
- Initial appearance — The defendant is informed of the charges and bail is set
- Preliminary hearing — For felonies, the court determines whether probable cause exists to proceed
- Arraignment — The defendant enters a formal plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest)
- Pre-trial conference — Attorneys discuss potential plea agreements or trial preparation
- Trial — The case is heard before a judge or jury
- Sentencing — The court imposes penalties after a conviction or guilty plea
- Review hearing — Follow-up hearings to monitor compliance with conditions such as probation
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | The defendant was convicted, either by plea or verdict |
| Not guilty | The defendant was acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | The charges were dropped by the prosecution or the court |
| Nolle prosequi | The prosecutor declined to pursue the case |
| No contest (nolo contendere) | The defendant did not contest the charges; treated as a conviction for sentencing |
| Deferred judgment | Judgment is withheld pending completion of conditions such as a treatment program |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Dane
From the Dane County Clerk of Courts
The Clerk of Courts is the custodian of circuit court case files. To request certified copies of criminal case records:
- Email your request to dane.courtrecords@wicourts.gov or visit the office in person
- Include the individual's full legal name, date of birth, and case number if available
- Specify that you need a certified copy
- Pay the applicable fees (see below)
From the Wisconsin Department of Justice
For a statewide criminal history record, use the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS). This is the state criminal history repository and is commonly used for background checks. You will need the subject's name and date of birth. Results are typically available online within a few business days.
From the Dane County Sheriff's Office
For records related to arrests, incident reports, or jail bookings, submit a request through the Dane County public record requests page. Sheriff's office records are separate from court records.
Identification Requirements
- For court record requests, no government-issued ID is typically required for public records — but the clerk may ask for identifying details to locate the correct file
- For WORCS background checks, you will need the subject's name and date of birth
- Requests for your own criminal history may require a valid photo ID
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Dane
| Service | Fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Court record copies (not certified) | $1.25 per page | Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10) |
| Certified copy of court document | $5.00 per document plus $1.25 per page | Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10) |
| WORCS criminal background check (name-based) | $7.00 per search | Wisconsin DOJ |
| WORCS criminal background check (fingerprint-based) | $12.00 per search | Wisconsin DOJ |
| Sheriff's office records (incident/arrest reports) | Varies; actual cost of reproduction | Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3) |
Processing Times
- WCCA online searches — Immediate results
- WORCS background checks — Typically returned within 2–5 business days for name-based checks
- Clerk of Courts requests — Allow 5–10 business days for processing, longer for older or archived records
- Sheriff's office requests — Response times vary based on the complexity of the request; Wisconsin law requires a response without unreasonable delay
Under the Wisconsin Public Records Law, records custodians must respond to requests as soon as practicable. If a request is denied, the custodian must provide a written explanation citing the specific legal basis for the denial.