Kenosha County Criminal Records
What Is Kenosha County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Kenosha County encompass official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.35, which establishes the public's right to access government records.
Criminal records include several distinct categories that reflect different stages of the criminal justice process:
- Arrest Records: Documentation of when an individual is taken into custody by law enforcement, including the Kenosha County Sheriff's Office or local police departments. These records exist whether or not charges are ultimately filed.
- Conviction Records: Official documentation of criminal cases resulting in a guilty verdict or plea, representing the final determination of criminal liability.
- Felony Records: Documentation of more serious crimes punishable by imprisonment of one year or more.
- Misdemeanor Records: Records of less serious offenses typically punishable by less than one year of incarceration.
- Juvenile Records: Documentation of offenses committed by individuals under 18 years of age, which are generally sealed and not accessible to the public under Wisconsin Statute § 938.396.
- Warrant Information: Records of active warrants for arrest or bench warrants issued by courts.
Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in Kenosha County:
Kenosha County Sheriff's Office
1000 55th Street
Kenosha, WI 53140
262-605-5100
Kenosha County Sheriff's Office
The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and the county jail roster.
Kenosha County Clerk of Circuit Court
912 56th Street
Kenosha, WI 53140
262-653-2664
Kenosha County Clerk of Courts
The Clerk of Circuit Court maintains case files, court proceedings, dispositions, and sentencing information.
Wisconsin Department of Justice
17 West Main Street
Madison, WI 53703
608-266-1221
Wisconsin Department of Justice
The state DOJ maintains the central repository of criminal history information for all Wisconsin counties, including Kenosha.
Criminal records typically document the entire progression of a criminal case, including charges filed, arraignments, plea agreements, trial proceedings, verdicts, and sentencing information. For individuals placed on probation or parole, supervision records may also be maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.
Are Criminal Records Public In Kenosha County
Criminal records in Kenosha County are generally public documents pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law, codified in Wisconsin Statute § 19.31-19.39. This statute establishes that "all persons are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those officers and employees who represent them."
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access court records, including criminal proceedings, as noted in multiple decisions interpreting the state's open records laws. Under current Wisconsin law, adult criminal records are presumed to be public unless specifically exempted by statute or court order.
Public criminal records in Kenosha County include:
- Court case information for adult defendants
- Conviction records
- Sentencing information
- Court calendars and dockets
- Jail rosters and inmate information
- Sex offender registry information
However, certain categories of criminal records remain restricted from public access:
- Active criminal investigations, as disclosure could compromise law enforcement activities
- Juvenile records (with limited exceptions), protected under Wisconsin Statute § 938.396
- Records sealed by court order, including expunged cases
- Certain victim information, particularly in sensitive cases
- Records where disclosure would endanger public safety
- Mental health evaluations and certain medical information contained within criminal files
The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains the state's central repository of Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) and provides guidelines on which records may be accessed by the general public versus those requiring special authorization.
Members of the public seeking access to criminal records in Kenosha County should be aware that while the presumption favors disclosure, certain procedural requirements and limitations exist to balance transparency with privacy and public safety concerns.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Kenosha County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Kenosha County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record searches, depending on the specific information sought.
For online court record searches:
- Visit the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal, commonly known as CCAP
- Select "Kenosha County" from the county dropdown menu
- Enter the individual's name in the search fields
- Review case listings, which include criminal, traffic, and civil matters
- Select specific cases to view detailed information including charges, court dates, and disposition
For in-person court record searches:
Kenosha County Clerk of Circuit Court
912 56th Street
Kenosha, WI 53140
262-653-2664
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Kenosha County Clerk of Courts
- Visit the Clerk's office during business hours
- Complete a record search request form
- Provide the name of the individual and, if possible, date of birth
- Pay applicable fees for copies of documents ($1.25 per page currently)
- For certified copies, additional fees apply
For jail and inmate information:
- Access the Kenosha County Inmate Search portal
- Enter the individual's name to view current incarceration status
- Results include booking date, charges, and bond information
For comprehensive criminal history reports:
- Submit a request to the Wisconsin Department of Justice through the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS)
- Create an account if conducting multiple searches
- Provide the subject's name and date of birth
- Pay the required fee ($7 per record currently)
- Receive results electronically or by mail
For sex offender registry information:
- Visit the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry
- Enter search criteria including zip code or name
- Review registry information including photos and addresses of registered offenders
Requestors should note that certain records may require proper identification or notarized authorization forms if requesting records on behalf of another individual. Government-issued photo identification is typically required for in-person requests.
How To Find Criminal Records in Kenosha County Online?
Kenosha County offers several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital portals provide convenient access to various components of the criminal justice system without requiring in-person visits to government offices.
The primary online resources include:
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA)
Wisconsin Court System Case Search
This comprehensive database provides access to:
- Criminal case information for all 72 Wisconsin counties, including Kenosha
- Case status, charges, and court dates
- Judgment and sentencing information
- Court calendar and upcoming hearings
- Case history and document filing dates
To use this system:
- Enter the individual's name (last name, first name)
- Narrow results by selecting Kenosha County
- Filter by case type (criminal, traffic, etc.)
- Review case listings and select specific cases for detailed information
Kenosha County Inmate Search
Kenosha County Inmate Search
This database provides:
- Current jail population information
- Booking photos
- Charges
- Bond amounts
- Scheduled release dates (when available)
Wisconsin Department of Justice Criminal History Records
Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS)
This statewide system offers:
- Official criminal history reports
- Arrest and conviction information from all Wisconsin jurisdictions
- Disposition information
- Registration required with fees per search
Kenosha County Records Search
Kenosha County Record Search
This county-specific portal provides:
- Access to various county records
- Links to court records and property information
- Information on requesting specific document types
Wisconsin Department of Corrections Offender Search
Wisconsin Department of Corrections
This database includes:
- Information on currently incarcerated individuals
- Probation and parole status
- Offense information
- Supervision status and conditions
Users should note that while these online systems provide substantial information, they may not contain complete criminal history records. Certain documents, particularly older records or those containing sensitive information, may require in-person requests. Additionally, registration requirements and usage fees vary by system, with some offering limited free searches and others requiring payment for comprehensive reports.
Can You Search Kenosha County Criminal Records for Free?
Kenosha County residents and members of the public have several options for accessing criminal records without payment, in accordance with Wisconsin's Public Records Law § 19.35(1), which establishes the right to inspect public records without charge.
Free in-person inspection options include:
Kenosha County Clerk of Circuit Court
912 56th Street
Kenosha, WI 53140
262-653-2664
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Members of the public may visit the Clerk's office to inspect court records at no cost. While inspection is free, copying fees apply ($1.25 per page currently) if printed documents are requested.
Kenosha County Law Library
912 56th Street, Room 2E
Kenosha, WI 53140
262-653-2831
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
The law library provides public access terminals for searching court records at no charge.
Free online resources include:
-
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) - This statewide court records portal provides free access to basic case information including:
- Criminal charges and case status
- Court dates and proceedings
- Judgment and sentencing information
- Case history
-
Kenosha County Inmate Search - The county jail roster is available online at no cost, providing:
- Current inmate information
- Booking details
- Charges
- Bond information
-
Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry - The state's sex offender database is freely accessible and searchable by location or name.
-
Kenosha County Sheriff's Office Records - Limited public safety information is available on the Sheriff's website without charge.
While these resources provide substantial information at no cost, certain limitations apply:
- Free searches typically provide basic information rather than complete records
- Document copies, certified records, and comprehensive background checks generally require payment
- Some databases may limit the number of free searches per day or require registration
- Older records may not be available through free online systems
For comprehensive criminal history reports, the Wisconsin Department of Justice charges a fee of $7 per name-based search through their Wisconsin Online Record Check System. This fee is established by state statute and applies to all requestors except certain government agencies.
What's Included in a Kenosha County Criminal Record?
Criminal records in Kenosha County contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records typically include several categories of information as outlined below:
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and age
- Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color)
- Booking photographs (mugshots)
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID)
- FBI number (if applicable)
- Fingerprint classification
Arrest Information:
- Date and time of arrest
- Arresting agency (Kenosha County Sheriff, local police department)
- Booking number and facility
- Charges at time of arrest with Wisconsin statute citations
- Bail or bond amount and status
- Detention facility information
- Arresting officer information
Court Case Information:
- Case number and filing date
- Court of jurisdiction (Kenosha County Circuit Court)
- Judge assigned to the case
- Formal charges filed by the District Attorney
- Classification of charges (felony or misdemeanor)
- Wisconsin statute violations cited
- Plea information
- Attorney representation details
- Pre-trial motions and rulings
- Trial information if applicable
Disposition and Sentencing:
- Case outcome (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
- Conviction date if applicable
- Sentencing details including:
- Incarceration terms and location
- Probation conditions and duration
- Fines and court costs imposed
- Restitution orders
- Community service requirements
- Treatment program mandates
- Post-conviction motions or appeals
- Probation/parole status and violations
Additional Information:
- Active warrants or pending charges
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration requirements
- Habitual offender status
- Driving-related offenses (OWI/DUI)
- Domestic violence indicators
- Firearms restrictions
- Probation/parole officer contact information
The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains the state's central repository of criminal history information, which includes records from Kenosha County. This repository contains arrest and disposition information reported by law enforcement agencies and courts throughout the state.
Criminal records are maintained in accordance with the Wisconsin Public Records Board retention schedules, which establish how long different types of records must be preserved.
How Long Does Kenosha County Keep Criminal Records?
Kenosha County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established by the Wisconsin Public Records Board under the authority of Wisconsin Statute § 16.61. These schedules determine how long different types of criminal justice records must be preserved before they may be destroyed or transferred to archives.
The retention periods for various criminal records in Kenosha County include:
Court Records:
- Felony case files: Permanent retention
- Misdemeanor case files: 20 years after case closure
- Criminal traffic cases: 20 years after case closure
- Court recordings and transcripts: 10 years after case closure
- Search warrants: 7 years after issuance
- Court calendars and dockets: 7 years
Law Enforcement Records:
- Homicide investigation files: Permanent retention
- Felony investigation files: 50 years after case closure
- Misdemeanor investigation files: 10 years after case closure
- Arrest records: 10 years after creation
- Incident reports: 7 years after creation
- Booking photographs: 7 years after creation
- Fingerprint cards: Permanent retention (also forwarded to state and federal repositories)
Corrections Records:
- Inmate files for sentenced individuals: 7 years after release
- Jail booking records: 7 years after release
- Probation/parole supervision records: 10 years after supervision ends
Juvenile Records:
- Juvenile case files: Until the subject reaches age 25, unless ordered sealed earlier
- Juvenile detention records: Until the subject reaches age 19
It is important to note that while physical records may be destroyed after their retention period expires, electronic records and database entries may be maintained for longer periods. Additionally, records related to serious felonies, particularly those resulting in incarceration in state prison, are typically maintained for extended periods or permanently.
The Wisconsin Department of Corrections maintains records of individuals who have served state prison sentences according to their own retention schedules, which generally extend well beyond county-level retention periods.
Criminal history information maintained in the state's central repository at the Wisconsin Department of Justice is generally permanent unless a court orders expungement or sealing of specific records. Expungement in Wisconsin is governed by Wisconsin Statute § 973.015 and is limited to certain offenses committed by individuals under age 25.
Lookup Criminal Records in Kenosha County
Kenosha County Sheriff's Office Records
Kenosha County Jail Inmate Search
Kenosha County Court Records Search
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access
Wisconsin Online Record Check System
Wisconsin Criminal History Records