Criminal records in Outagamie County, Wisconsin, are accessible through several channels. OutagamieCourt.us allows for quick access to public information on criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state court system portal, the county court clerk's office, and law enforcement agencies. Below are specific steps for searching, understanding, and requesting criminal records in this county.
How to Search Criminal Records in Outagamie
There are several ways to find criminal records in Outagamie County — online, in person, or by mail.
Online Search
- OutagamieCourt.us — start here to find publicly available information on court cases in the county. You will need the person's full name or case number to search.
- Wisconsin Court System Case Search — the official portal of the Wisconsin Court System, where you can search for circuit court, appellate court, and state Supreme Court cases. Enter the last and first name, date of birth, or case number.
- Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) — the state Department of Justice system for submitting criminal background check requests. Suitable for employers, organizations, and individuals.
In-Person Visit
Visit the Outagamie County Clerk of Courts office. Public terminals are available on-site for searching court cases. The clerk can also help find older records that are not digitized.
Outagamie County Clerk of Courts
Contact information for clerks of all state counties can be checked on the county clerks contact page.
Written Request by Mail
Send a written request to the Clerk of Courts office at the address above. Include:
- The person's full name
- Date of birth (if known)
- Case number (if available)
- Type of record requested
- Return address and payment for applicable fees
For an official state-level criminal background check, submit a request through WORCS or by mail to the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
Search Outagamie Criminal Cases by Case Number
Each case in the Wisconsin court system is assigned a unique number. It looks like this:
YYYY-XX-NNNNNN
- YYYY — the year the case was filed (e.g., 2024)
- XX — case type code: CF stands for felony criminal case, CM — misdemeanor, CT — traffic violation, FO — municipal ordinance violation
- NNNNNN — sequential case number
Example: 2024-CF-000123 is a felony criminal case filed in 2024 under number 123. Knowing the exact number will yield results in seconds on any of the online portals described above.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Outagamie
When you find a criminal case, the search results typically contain several key blocks of information.
Charges
| Element | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific section of the Wisconsin Statutes, e.g., §946.49 — bail jumping |
| Severity Level | Felony (serious crime), Misdemeanor (less serious crime), Forfeiture (administrative penalty) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change the original charge to a lesser one as part of a plea deal |
Case Status
- Open / Pending — the case is active, and a decision has not yet been made
- Disposed / Closed — the case is completed: a verdict has been issued, charges have been dropped, or the case has been closed for other reasons
Hearings
Typical stages of a criminal case in the county:
- Initial Appearance — the defendant's first appearance before a judge
- Preliminary Hearing — a preliminary hearing (for felonies) where the court decides if there is enough evidence to proceed
- Arraignment — formal presentation of charges where the defendant pleads guilty or not guilty
- Pre-Trial Conference — pre-trial meeting of the parties
- Sentencing — issuance of the sentence
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Found not guilty |
| Dismissed | Charges dropped |
| No Contest (Nolo Contendere) | The defendant does not contest the charges but does not formally admit guilt |
| Deferred Judgment | Judgment deferred — usually with probationary conditions |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Outagamie
A certified copy is a document with the court's official seal, accepted by other institutions as legally significant. A regular printout from an online portal does not have this status.
Where to Apply
To obtain certified copies of court criminal cases, contact the Outagamie County Clerk of Courts:
Additional resources, including forms and links to court records, are available on the Outagamie County legal resources page of the Wisconsin State Law Library.
Ways to Submit a Request
- In Person — during the clerk's office business hours. Bring a photo ID.
- By Mail — send a written request to the address above, including the defendant's full name, case number (if known), type of document needed, and a check or money order for fee payment.
To obtain an official state-level criminal history report, use WORCS or send a request by mail to the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Crime Information Bureau.
Required Documents
- Photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Full name and date of birth of the person whose record is requested
- Case number (speeds up processing)
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Outagamie
Fees are set according to Wisconsin Statutes §814.61 and local rules. Below are typical rates.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.25 |
| Document certification fee | $5.00 per document |
| Criminal background check via WORCS (state) | $7.00 per request |
| Criminal background check by mail (DOJ) | $7.00 per request |
Processing Times
- Online via WORCS — results usually arrive within a few business days, sometimes faster
- In Person at the Clerk's Office — simple requests are often fulfilled the same day
- By Mail — expect one to three weeks depending on the complexity of the request and the office's workload
Payment for in-person requests is accepted in cash, check, or money order. Confirm with the clerk if credit cards are accepted, as this option may vary. Fees for searches through WORCS are paid online with a credit card when submitting the request.