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Kenosha County, Wisconsin Court Records

Kenosha County court records play a crucial role in judicial transparency and accountability within the county’s court system. The Kenosha County Circuit Court and the various municipal courts within the county create these documents to evidence fairness and provide public oversight of their judicial processes. Generally, court records provide an official account of actions taken by judges, attorneys, witnesses, plaintiffs, and defendants during legal trials.

In Kenosha County, the Clerk of the Circuit Court is the primary custodian of court records. This agency provides access to the county’s court records in compliance with Section 19.31 through 19.35 of the Wisconsin Statutes and Chapter 72 of the Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule. Kenosha County’s court records interconnect with various categories of public records. For instance, Kenosha County arrest records may be incorporated into Kenosha County court records if they provide information during preliminary hearings of criminal trials within the county’s Circuit or Municipal Courts. Likewise, vital records, such as marriage, divorce, or birth certificates, may overlap with Kenosha County’s family law or probate records during family matters or probate proceedings within the Kenosha County Circuit Court.

Are Kenosha County Court Records Public?

Yes, Kenosha County court records are public. The Wisconsin Public Records Law grants individuals the right to view and copy government documents (including Kenosha County’s court records). Chapter 72 of the Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule outlines how interested persons can access court documents. However, access to these documents is not all-encompassing. While most adult criminal, civil, probate, and traffic cases are public, Unauthorized entities cannot access:

  • Juvenile court records
  • Sealed cases or protective orders
  • Certain portions of family law records, including child-related information, financial and sensitive data, and sealed or court-ordered confidential information.

What Information is Available in Kenosha County Court Records?

Wisconsin laws permit public access to court records. Hence, interested parties can view or copy publicly disclosable information about legal trials within the Kenosha County Circuit and Municipal Courts. While specific details may vary, a typical Kenosha County court record may include the following details:

Case Identification

  • Case number
  • Filing date
  • Case type
  • Court location.

Information about the Parties Involved

  • Names of plaintiffs/petitioners and defendants/respondents
  • Attorneys representing the parties
  • Guardian ad litem or other court-appointed representatives

Petitions, Complaints, and Motions

  • Initial complaints, petitions, or charges
  • Requests for court action, such as motions to dismiss, motions for temporary orders, or motions for judgment
  • Supporting documents filed by either party

Court Orders and Judgments

  • Orders issued by the judge during the case, including hearings, continuances, or temporary orders
  • Final judgments or decrees, such as sentencing in criminal cases or divorce decrees in family law cases
  • Probate orders, including wills, estate administration, or guardianship appointments

Hearing and trial records

  • Transcripts or summaries of trial hearings
  • Evidence submitted (this may be restricted in some cases)
  • Jury instructions or verdict (when applicable)

Financial and Fees Information

  • Court fees, fines, and costs
  • Payment schedule for court-ordered obligation.

Kenosha County Court Records Search

Multiple options are available for accessing Kenosha County’s court records. Interested parties can access these documents online, in person, or by mail or phone requests to the Kenosha County Clerk of Circuit Court Office.

Online Access

The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) provides online access to the state’s Circuit Court records, including those of the Kenosha County Circuit Court. Individuals seeking online access to Kenosha County’s court records can perform online searches through the WCCA portal. Record seekers can also access Kenosha County court records for free through Public Access Terminals at the Kenosha County Circuit Court.

In-Person Access

Individuals who prefer or require in-person access to Kenosha County’s arrest records should visit the Kenosha County Clerk of Circuit Court Office between 8.00 a,m, and 4,30 p,m., Mondays through Fridays (excluding holidays) at:

Kenosha County Courthouse

1000 55th Street,

Kenosha,

WI 53140

Mail and Phone Requests

The Clerk of the Kenosha County Circuit Court Office accepts phone inquiries or mails requests for records that are not available online. Interested parties should call the Kenosha County Clerk of Courts Office line at (262) 653-2664 or submit a written request that includes a self-addressed envelope and a check or money order to cover copy fees (payable to the Kenosha County Clerk of Courts Office) to:

The Kenosha County Clerk of Circuit Court

912 56th Street,

Kenosha,

WI 53140.

Fees for Court Records in Kenosha County

Individuals seeking copies of Kenosha County court records should call the Kenosha County Clerk of Circuit Court Office to confirm how much it may cost to obtain copies of the documents. The Circuit Court Clerk’s Office fees for copies of court records include:

  • $1.25 per page of document
  • $5.00 certification fee
  • $5.00 per search request fee if the requester does not provide an exact case number or identifying information.

Record seekers should note that postage and shipping costs apply if delivery is by mail. Additionally, court reporter transcripts or audio/video records are usually more expensive and priced separately.

For copies of Kenosha County vital records, record seekers should visit the Kenosha County Register of Deeds Office or mail their requests along with a self-addressed envelope and money order to:

Jennifer Mack

Kenosha County Register of Deeds

1010 56th Street,

Kenosha,

WI 53140.

The Kenosha County Register of Deeds Office charges $20.00 for the first copy of a vital record and an additional $3.00 for each subsequent copy of the same document ordered simultaneously.

Kenosha County Courthouse Locations

The Kenosha County judicial system comprises a Circuit Court and several municipal courts. Under Wisconsin’s court structure, the Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases but does not handle ordinance cases, which fall under municipal court authority. The Kenosha County Circuit Court has several Divisions handling specific case types. These include:

Criminal Division - Handles felony and misdemeanor cases, as well as criminal traffic violations.

Civil Division - Manages lawsuits involving money damages, injunctions, and administrative reviews. This includes Small Claims (cases under $10,000).

Family Division - Oversees divorce, legal separation, paternity, child support, and custody disputes.

Probate & Juvenile Division - Handles the administration of estates, wills, guardianships, and mental health commitments, as well as juvenile delinquency and "Child in Need of Protection" (CHIPS) cases.

Traffic & Ordinance Division - Deals with non-criminal traffic tickets and county ordinance violations.

Interested parties can locate the Kenosha County Circuit Court and the county’s municipal courts at the following addresses.

Kenosha County Circuit Court

912 56th Street,

Kenosha,

WI 53140

Phone: (262) 653-2664

Kenosha County Municipal Courts

City of Kenosha Municipal Court,

625 52nd Street,

Kenosha,

WI 53140

Phone: (262) 653-4220

Village of Pleasant Prairie Municipal Court,

9915 39th Avenue,

Pleasant Prairie,

WI 53158,

Phone: (262) 694-8923

Village of Bristol Municipal Court

19801 83rd Street,

Bristol,

WI 53104,

Phone: (262) 857-2368

Town/Village of Somers (Joint) Municipal Court

7511 12th Street,

Somers,

WI 53144,

Phone: (262) 859-2822

Village of Twin Lakes Municipal Court

108 East Main Street,

Twin Lakes,

WI 53181,

Phone: (262) 877-2269

Village of Salem Lakes Municipal Court

9814 Antioch Road,

Salem,

WI 53168

Phone: (262) 843-2759

Village of Paddock Lake Municipal Court

6969 236th Avenue,

Salem Lakes,

WI 53168,

Phone: (262) 843-2713

Town of Wheatland Municipal Court

34315 Geneva Road,

P.O. Box 797,

New Munster,

WI 53152

(262) 537-4340.

Criminal Records Access in Kenosha County

The best way to access Kenosha County’s criminal records depends on the type of document. Kenosha County arrest records are accessible at the county and state levels. The Kenosha County Clerk of Courts maintains criminal records as part of criminal case files, which are accessible online through the Wisconsin Court Case Access portal or through official requests to the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office.

Kenosha County criminal records are also accessible at the state level through the Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau. This agency is the official statewide central repository where individuals can access criminal reports submitted by law enforcement agencies across the state. While court clerk’s offices may provide access to case files on criminal trials within their jurisdictions, the Crime Information Bureau compiles arrest and conviction information reported by law enforcement agencies and courts across Wisconsin (including Kenosha County). Through the Wisconsin Crime Information Bureau, entities can request official statewide criminal history checks that contain:

  • Arrest records submitted by law enforcement
  • Criminal charges and case outcomes
  • Convictions and sentencing information
  • Identifying details associated with the record.

Interested entities can request name-based criminal background checks through the Wisconsin Online Record Check System.

Kenosha County Probate Records

Kenosha County probate records consist of legal documents concerning the estates of deceased persons or the affairs of individuals unable to manage their own affairs. The Kenosha County Circuit Court generates these records to document estate filings, trust administrations, guardianships, and conservatorships.

Throughout the probate process, the court maintains a variety of essential filings. These include petitions to open estates, original wills, and trust agreements. The court also issues formal orders appointing personal representatives or guardians and authorizing the distribution of assets. Furthermore, the record includes detailed asset inventories, statements of debt, and periodic accounting reports submitted by fiduciaries. To ensure transparency, the court files notices to heirs and creditors alongside receipts and affidavits of administration.

While most probate records remain public in Kenosha County, certain sensitive files remain confidential by law. For instance, unauthorized individuals cannot access:

  • Mental health and protective services filings
  • Financial account information
  • Records involving minors
  • Court-sealed probate documents.

Record seekers can access recent probate filings and summaries through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Portal. However, those seeking complete case files, supporting exhibits, or historical probate records must visit the Kenosha County Clerk of Courts Office in person. This office serves as the primary custodian for all original documentation and verified court records.

Kenosha County Family Court Records

Kenosha County family court records are legal documents on the adjudication of family relationships and domestic issues. This includes case files on:

  • Divorce
  • Legal separation
  • Child custody and placement
  • Child support
  • Paternity
  • Adoption.

In Kenosha County, the Circuit Court handles family law matters while the Clerk’s Office maintains the resulting records. Generally, Kenosha County’s family court records are public. However, the law restricts public access to certain family law records due to the confidential nature of cases in this category. For example, the following categories of Kenosha County’s family law records are not open to public scrutiny:

  • Adoption records
  • Juvenile and minor-related records
  • Child abuse or neglect information
  • Financial information in support cases
  • Sealed or confidential family court filings.

Basic information about Kenosha County’s family law proceedings is accessible through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal or Public Access Terminals at the Kenosha County Courthouse. However, access to certified copies of Kenosha County’s family court records requires an in-person or mail-in request through the Kenosha County Clerk of Courts Office at:

Kenosha County Clerk of Circuit Court,

Kenosha County Courthouse,

912 56th Street,

Kenosha,

WI 53140.

Federal Court Records in Kenosha County

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin handles federal cases originating in Kenosha County. This includes:

  • Federal criminal cases
  • Civil cases involving federal laws
  • Diversity jurisdiction cases
  • Bankruptcy matters
  • Appeals from federal agencies.

U.S. federal court records are public. In contrast to Kenosha County’s case records, which are accessible through the Wisconsin Circuit Access Portal and the Kenosha County Clerk of Courts Office, the public accesses District Court records through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). This system provides paid access to federal court documents, charging users $0.10 per page with a maximum cost of $3.00 per single document search.