Criminal records in Grant County, Wisconsin, can be accessed through several channels, including online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the Clerk of Court's office. GrantCourt.us can help you find publicly available criminal case information for Grant County. You can also search through the Wisconsin Court System's online case search, the Grant County Sheriff's Office, and the Grant County Clerk of Court at the courthouse in Lancaster.
How to Search Criminal Records in Grant County
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Grant County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and whether you need official or informal results.
Online Search Options
- GrantCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available court record information tied to Grant County criminal cases.
- Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) — The statewide case search portal maintained by the Wisconsin Court System. You can look up circuit court case records for Grant County from 1994 to the present, including criminal, traffic, and ordinance cases. Search by name, date of birth, or case number.
- Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) — Operated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, this system allows individuals and organizations to submit name-based criminal background checks and retrieve results online. This checks the state criminal history repository.
- Wisconsin DOC Offender Search — The Department of Corrections provides an offender locator for individuals currently or formerly under DOC supervision.
- Grant County Sheriff's Office — You can submit a records request through the Sheriff's Office for incident reports and arrest records. Contact them at (608) 723-2157.
In Person
Visit the Grant County Clerk of Court office at the courthouse in Lancaster. Public access terminals may be available for searching case information. The clerk's office handles court records for civil, criminal, family, traffic, and ordinance cases.
By Mail or Written Request
- Clerk of Court: Send a written request to the Grant County Clerk of Court at the address above. Include the subject's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available). Include payment for any applicable copy fees.
- State Criminal History: For a formal criminal background check, submit a request through WORCS online, or contact the Wisconsin DOJ Crime Information Bureau by mail.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Subject's full legal name (first and last; middle name helps narrow results)
- Date of birth
- Case number (if known)
- County where the case was filed
Search Grant County Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Wisconsin circuit court case numbers follow a standardized format:
Format: YYYY-XX-######
- YYYY — The four-digit year the case was filed
- XX — A two-letter code indicating the case type. For criminal cases, common codes include:
- CF — Criminal felony
- CM — Criminal misdemeanor
- CT — Criminal traffic
- TR — Traffic forfeiture
- FO — Forfeiture/ordinance violation
- ###### — A sequential number assigned to the case within that year and category
For example, a case number like 2024-CF-000045 would indicate a felony case filed in Grant County in 2024. Enter this number into the WCCA case search to pull up the full docket, including charges, hearing dates, and disposition.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Grant County
Criminal case records in Grant County contain several key data points. Here is what each one means:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The Wisconsin statute section the defendant is charged under (e.g., Wis. Stat. § 943.10 for burglary) |
| Severity | Classified as felony (Classes A–I), misdemeanor (Classes A–C), or forfeiture/ordinance violation |
| Amended charges | Charges may be amended through plea negotiations or prosecutorial discretion; both original and amended charges typically appear on the docket |
| Charge count | Each individual charge is listed separately with its own count number |
Case Status
- Open/Pending: The case is still active and awaiting resolution
- Disposed/Closed: The case has reached a final outcome — conviction, dismissal, acquittal, or other resolution
Hearing Types
- Initial appearance: The defendant is formally advised of charges and bail is set
- Preliminary hearing: For felonies — the court determines whether probable cause exists to proceed
- Arraignment: The defendant enters a plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
- Pre-trial conference: Attorneys discuss case status, evidence, and possible resolution
- Jury/court trial: The case is heard and decided
- Sentencing: The court imposes penalties after a conviction or guilty plea
- Review hearing: Follow-up hearing to check compliance with probation or other court orders
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty: Convicted at trial or by plea
- Not guilty: Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed: Charges dropped by the prosecution or dismissed by the court
- Nolle prosequi: The state declines to prosecute
- No contest (nolo contendere): The defendant does not contest the charges; treated as a conviction for sentencing
- Deferred judgment: Sentencing is delayed, often contingent on completing conditions such as probation
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Grant County
Certified copies of criminal case records carry an official court seal and can be used for legal proceedings, background verification, and other formal purposes. In Grant County, the Clerk of Court is the custodian of circuit court records.
How to Submit a Request
- In person: Visit the Clerk of Court office at the Grant County Courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Ask the clerk for certified copies of the specific case documents you need.
- By mail: Send a written request to the Clerk of Court. Include the case number, the defendant's full name, the specific documents requested, your return address, and a check or money order for the applicable fees.
- Through the Sheriff's Office: For arrest reports or incident records (not court documents), contact the Grant County Sheriff's Office to submit a records request.
State-Level Criminal History
For a formal criminal background check covering the entire state, use the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) through the Department of Justice. Fingerprint-based checks are also available for a more definitive identification.
Contact Information
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Grant County
Fees for criminal record copies in Wisconsin are governed by state statute. Under Wis. Stat. § 814.61, the following fees generally apply:
| Service | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Uncertified copy of court document | $1.25 per page | Per Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10)(a) |
| Certified copy of court document | $5.00 per document | Certification fee per Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10)(b), plus per-page copy costs |
| WORCS name-based background check | $7.00 per name | Submitted through the DOJ online system |
| DOJ fingerprint-based background check | $7.00 (state) + FBI fee if applicable | Provides fingerprint-verified results |
| Sheriff's Office records request | Varies | Contact the Sheriff's Office for current fees |
Processing Times
- WCCA online search: Immediate results
- WORCS background check: Typically returned within minutes to a few business days for name-based checks
- In-person requests at Clerk of Court: Often same day for simple requests; complex or older records may take longer
- Mail requests: Allow 5–10 business days, plus mailing time
- Sheriff's Office records: Processing times vary; contact (608) 723-2157 for estimates
Payment methods accepted at the Clerk of Court typically include cash, check, or money order. Contact the office directly to confirm accepted payment forms before visiting or mailing a request.