Kenosha County Court Records
What Is Kenosha County Court Records
Kenosha County court records comprise the official documentation generated during legal proceedings within the county's court system. These records include comprehensive documentation of all court activities as defined under Wisconsin Statute § 19.32(2), which broadly defines public records to include court documents. Court records typically consist of case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing information.
Court records differ from other public records maintained by Kenosha County, such as:
- Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens)
- Vital records (birth, death, marriage certificates)
- Tax records
- Voting and election records
The Wisconsin Court System maintains various types of court records in Kenosha County through several courts:
- Circuit Court (primary trial court)
- Municipal Courts
- Probate Court (division of Circuit Court)
- Family Court (division of Circuit Court)
- Small Claims Court (division of Circuit Court)
These courts generate records for civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters. The Kenosha County Clerk of Circuit Court serves as the official custodian of these records pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 59.40, which outlines the clerk's record-keeping responsibilities.
Are Court Records Public In Kenosha County
Court records in Kenosha County are generally public under Wisconsin's Open Records Law, codified in Wisconsin Statute § 19.31-19.39, which establishes a presumption of complete public access to government records. Additionally, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has affirmed the public's right to access court records through various rules and decisions.
The following court records are typically available for public inspection:
- Most civil case files
- Criminal case files (post-charging)
- Judgments and orders
- Docket sheets
- Hearing schedules
- Court calendars
However, certain records may be sealed or redacted to protect privacy or other interests. Records that may have restricted access include:
- Juvenile proceedings (unless opened by court order)
- Mental health commitment proceedings
- Adoption records
- Certain family court matters
- Cases involving minors as victims
- Records sealed by judicial order
It is important to note that federal court records for cases heard in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin (which includes Kenosha County) are governed by federal access rules rather than state laws. These records are accessible through the federal PACER system rather than county or state systems.
How To Find Court Records in Kenosha County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Kenosha County may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents:
Online Access:
- Visit the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal
- Search by case number, party name, or attorney
- Review case summaries and available documents
- Follow instructions for requesting copies of specific documents
In-Person Requests:
- Visit the Kenosha County Clerk of Circuit Court office
- Complete a records request form
- Provide case identification information
- Pay applicable fees for copies
Clerk of Circuit Court
Kenosha County Courthouse
912 56th Street
Kenosha, WI 53140
(262) 653-2664
Kenosha County Clerk of Courts
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Written Requests:
- Submit a written request to the Clerk of Circuit Court
- Include specific case information and documents needed
- Provide contact information and preferred delivery method
- Enclose payment for applicable fees
For certified copies of court records, requestors must specify this requirement and pay additional certification fees. The Clerk of Circuit Court processes requests in the order received, with response times varying based on current workload and the complexity of the request.
How To Look Up Court Records in Kenosha County Online?
Kenosha County offers several online resources for accessing court records electronically:
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA):
- Navigate to the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access website
- Select search criteria (name, case number, citation number)
- Enter search parameters
- Review results showing case summaries
- Access available documents and case history
The WCCA system provides access to circuit court records from all 72 Wisconsin counties, including Kenosha. This system includes case information for civil, criminal, traffic, family, and small claims matters.
Kenosha County Court Case Tracker:
- Visit the Kenosha County Court Case Tracker page
- Follow links to the Wisconsin Circuit Courts Access system
- Set up RSS feeds for automatic case updates by clicking the "RSS" button on specific cases
Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals:
- Access the Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Case Search
- Search by case number, party name, or attorney
- View appellate case information and decisions
For municipal court records, users must contact the specific municipal court directly, as these records are not included in the circuit court system. Each municipality maintains its own records system.
How To Search Kenosha County Court Records for Free?
Wisconsin law guarantees the public's right to inspect court records without charge, as established in Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(1), which states that "any requester has a right to inspect any record." While inspection is free, fees may apply for copies or certified documents.
Free resources for accessing Kenosha County court records include:
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA):
- Completely free to search and view case summaries
- Available 24/7 at Wisconsin Circuit Court Access
- No registration or account required
- Provides case status, party information, and hearing dates
In-Person Inspection:
- Visit the Kenosha County Courthouse during business hours
- Request to view specific case files
- Use public access terminals available in the Clerk's office
- No fee for viewing records on-site
Wisconsin State Law Library:
- Access Wisconsin court records through the State Law Library
- Use public access computers at the library
- Obtain assistance from law librarians for complex searches
While basic searches are free, users should be aware that fees apply for:
- Printed copies ($1.25 per page)
- Certified copies ($5.00 plus copy fees)
- Record searches conducted by staff ($5.00 per name)
- Electronic document delivery (varies by document)
What's Included in a Kenosha County Court Record?
Kenosha County court records contain various documents depending on the case type. A typical court record includes:
Case Initiation Documents:
- Complaints or petitions
- Summonses
- Subpoenas
- Initial appearances
- Charging documents (in criminal cases)
Case Progression Documents:
- Motions and responses
- Briefs and memoranda
- Court orders and decisions
- Hearing notices
- Continuances
- Discovery materials (when filed with the court)
Disposition Documents:
- Judgments
- Verdicts
- Sentencing information (criminal cases)
- Settlement agreements (when filed)
- Dismissal orders
Administrative Records:
- Case docket/register of actions
- Court calendars
- Witness lists
- Exhibit logs
- Transcripts (when prepared)
Financial Information:
- Filing fees
- Court costs
- Restitution orders
- Payment records
- Fine assessments
The level of detail varies by case type. For example, criminal case records typically include charging documents, bail information, plea agreements, and sentencing details, while civil cases contain complaints, answers, motions, and judgment information.
How Long Does Kenosha County Keep Court Records?
Kenosha County retains court records according to the Wisconsin Court Records Retention Schedule established by the Director of State Courts under Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72. Retention periods vary by record type:
Criminal Cases:
- Felony case files: 75 years after entry of final judgment
- Misdemeanor case files: 20 years after entry of final judgment
- Traffic/forfeiture cases: 5-10 years depending on disposition
Civil Cases:
- General civil cases: 20 years after entry of final judgment
- Small claims: 20 years after entry of final judgment
- Family cases (divorce/paternity): 30 years after entry of final judgment
Probate Cases:
- Formal and informal estates: 75 years
- Guardianships: 7 years after termination
- Trusts: 75 years
Other Records:
- Court reporter notes: 10 years after the hearing
- Exhibits: Varies by case type, generally returned after appeal period
- Indexes: Permanent retention
- Judgment and lien dockets: 30 years
After the retention period expires, records may be destroyed according to the schedule. However, certain records designated as having historical significance may be transferred to the Wisconsin Historical Society for permanent preservation rather than being destroyed.
Types of Courts In Kenosha County
Kenosha County's court system consists of several levels of courts, each with specific jurisdictions:
Kenosha County Circuit Court
Kenosha County Courthouse
912 56th Street
Kenosha, WI 53140
(262) 653-2664
Kenosha County Circuit Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The Circuit Court is divided into branches, each presided over by a circuit court judge. Currently, Kenosha County has eight circuit court branches handling various case types.
Kenosha Municipal Court
625 52nd Street, Room 108
Kenosha, WI 53140
(262) 653-4268
Kenosha Municipal Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Pleasant Prairie Municipal Court
9915 39th Avenue
Pleasant Prairie, WI 53158
(262) 694-7980
Pleasant Prairie Municipal Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Twin Lakes Municipal Court
108 E. Main Street
Twin Lakes, WI 53181
(262) 877-2858
Twin Lakes Municipal Court
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
The court hierarchy in Wisconsin proceeds from Municipal Courts to Circuit Courts, then to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, and finally to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Cases originating in Kenosha County may be appealed to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, District II, located in Waukesha.
What Types of Cases Do Kenosha County Courts Hear?
Kenosha County courts adjudicate a wide range of legal matters, with jurisdiction determined by court type:
Circuit Court:
- Felony criminal cases
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Civil actions where the amount in controversy exceeds $10,000
- Domestic relations (divorce, child custody, support)
- Probate matters (wills, estates, guardianships)
- Juvenile proceedings
- Small claims (up to $10,000)
- Traffic violations
- Mental health commitments
- Adoptions
- Termination of parental rights
Municipal Courts:
- Municipal ordinance violations
- First-offense OWI/DUI cases
- Traffic citations issued by local police
- Parking violations
- Animal control violations
- Nuisance complaints
- Building code violations
- Underage alcohol violations
- Disorderly conduct
Municipal courts have limited jurisdiction and cannot impose jail sentences exceeding 90 days or fines exceeding $5,000. More serious offenses are handled by the Circuit Court.
Cases heard in Kenosha County Circuit Court are assigned to specific branches based on case type and judicial rotation schedules. Complex civil litigation, homicide cases, and certain specialized matters may be assigned to judges with expertise in those areas.
How To Find a Court Docket In Kenosha County
Court dockets, which list scheduled court proceedings, are accessible through several methods in Kenosha County:
Online Docket Access:
- Visit the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access website
- Search by case number, party name, or date range
- View upcoming court dates and proceedings
- Check daily court calendars for specific judges or courtrooms
Kenosha County Court Calendar:
- Navigate to the Kenosha County Circuit Court website
- Select "Court Calendar" or "Daily Docket"
- Choose the specific date of interest
- View proceedings organized by courtroom or judge
In-Person Docket Review:
- Visit the Kenosha County Clerk of Circuit Court office
- Request to view the daily court calendar
- Use public terminals to access WCCA for docket information
- Inquire about specific case scheduling at the clerk's counter
Telephone Inquiry:
- Contact the Clerk of Circuit Court at (262) 653-2664
- Provide case number or party name
- Request information about upcoming court dates
For municipal court dockets, contact the specific municipal court directly, as these dockets are maintained separately from the circuit court system. Most courts post daily calendars outside courtrooms showing the day's scheduled proceedings.
Which Courts in Kenosha County Are Not Courts of Record?
In Wisconsin, a "court of record" is defined by Wisconsin Statute § 753.03 as a court that maintains formal records of proceedings, has the authority to imprison for contempt, and from which an appeal may be taken. Courts not of record typically do not maintain verbatim transcripts of proceedings and have limited jurisdiction.
In Kenosha County, the following are not courts of record:
Municipal Courts:
- Kenosha Municipal Court
- Pleasant Prairie Municipal Court
- Twin Lakes Municipal Court
- Other municipal courts within the county
These municipal courts handle ordinance violations and minor offenses. They do not typically maintain court reporters or create verbatim transcripts of proceedings. Instead, they keep written or electronic records of dispositions and judgments.
Key characteristics of courts not of record in Kenosha County include:
- No court reporter present during proceedings
- Audio recordings may be made, but no official transcript is produced
- Appeals from these courts are heard de novo (new trial) in Circuit Court
- Limited jurisdiction over ordinance violations and minor offenses
- Cannot impose penalties exceeding those specified in municipal ordinances
When a case is appealed from a municipal court to the Kenosha County Circuit Court, the circuit court conducts a new trial rather than reviewing a transcript of the municipal court proceedings, as would occur in appeals from courts of record.
Lookup Court Records in Kenosha County
Wisconsin Court System case search
Kenosha County Court Case Tracker