Criminal records in Chippewa County, Wisconsin, are accessible through several channels. ChippewaCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information filed in the county. Beyond that resource, the Wisconsin Court System's online case search portal, the Chippewa County Clerk of Circuit Court's office, local law enforcement agencies, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice all serve as access points for criminal record searches and requests.
How to Search Criminal Records in Chippewa
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Chippewa County. The method you choose depends on what you need and how quickly you need it.
Online Search Options
- ChippewaCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available criminal court case information from Chippewa County.
- Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) — The state court system's public portal lets you search circuit court records statewide, including all Chippewa County criminal cases. You can search by name, date of birth, or case number.
- Wisconsin DOJ Criminal Background Check — The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains the state's central criminal history repository. You can submit a name-based background check request online through their system.
- Wisconsin Department of Corrections — Use their offender locator to check whether an individual is currently under DOC supervision or incarcerated.
In Person
- Visit the Chippewa County Clerk of Circuit Court office at the courthouse in Chippewa Falls. Public access terminals may be available for searching court records on-site.
- The Chippewa Falls Police Department may provide limited local records or direct you to the appropriate agency.
By Mail or Written Request
- Send a written request to the Chippewa County Clerk of Circuit Court for copies of specific case records. Include the defendant's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number.
- For a formal statewide criminal history search, submit a request to the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Their background check system accepts both online and mail-in requests.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Defendant's full legal name
- Date of birth (recommended but not always required)
- Case number (if available)
- County where the case was filed
The Chippewa County Legal Resources page through the Wisconsin State Law Library can also help with locating criminal background and arrest records.
Search Chippewa Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching is straightforward. Wisconsin circuit court case numbers follow a standard 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 (non-traffic)
- ###### — A sequential number assigned to the case
For example, a case number like 2024-CF-000123 would indicate a felony case filed in 2024. Enter the full case number in the WCCA search portal to pull up charges, parties, hearing dates, and disposition details. Chippewa County cases are filed under county code "09" in the state system.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Chippewa
Criminal case records in Chippewa 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. § 943.20 for theft) |
| Severity | Felony (Classes A–I), misdemeanor (Classes A–C), or forfeiture/infraction |
| Amended charges | Charges may be reduced or changed through plea negotiations; both original and amended charges typically appear on the record |
| Charge count | The number of individual counts filed against the defendant |
Case Status
- Open/Pending — Case is active and awaiting resolution
- Active — Proceedings are ongoing
- Disposed/Closed — Case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
Hearing Types
- Initial appearance — First court appearance where charges are read and bail may be set
- Preliminary hearing — For felonies; the court determines whether probable cause exists
- Arraignment — Defendant enters a formal plea
- Pre-trial conference — Scheduling and negotiation hearing
- Jury/court trial — The case is tried before a jury or judge
- Sentencing — Court imposes penalties after a conviction or guilty plea
- Review hearing — Follow-up hearing to monitor compliance with probation or other conditions
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — Convicted by plea or trial
- Not guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the prosecution or court
- Nolle prosequi — Prosecution declines to pursue the case
- Deferred judgment — Judgment is withheld pending completion of conditions (e.g., treatment court)
- No contest (nolo contendere) — Defendant does not contest the charges; treated as a conviction for sentencing purposes
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Chippewa
Certified copies of criminal records carry an official court seal and are accepted for legal, employment, and licensing purposes. In Chippewa County, the Clerk of Circuit Court handles these requests.
How to Submit a Request
- In person — Visit the Clerk of Circuit Court office at the Chippewa County Courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID.
- By mail — Send a written request that includes the defendant's full name, date of birth, case number (if known), a description of the documents needed, and a return address. Include payment by check or money order payable to the Chippewa County Clerk of Circuit Court.
- Online — Some circuit court forms are available through the Wisconsin Court System website. Contact the clerk's office to confirm which request forms they accept.
Statewide Criminal History
For a comprehensive criminal history report covering all Wisconsin counties, submit a request through the Wisconsin DOJ criminal background check system. This searches the state's central Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) repository.
Chippewa County Clerk of Circuit Court
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Chippewa
Fees for criminal record copies in Wisconsin are established by statute. The following table reflects standard fees under Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10) and related provisions:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Uncertified copy of court document (per page) | $1.25 |
| Certified copy of court document | $5.00 per document |
| Certificate of good standing or no record | $5.00 |
| Wisconsin DOJ name-based background check | $7.00 (online) |
| Wisconsin DOJ fingerprint-based background check | $12.00 (plus FBI fee if applicable) |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often processed the same day or within 1–2 business days, depending on volume.
- Mail requests — Typically 5–10 business days after receipt, though older or archived records may take longer.
- Wisconsin DOJ online background checks — Results are usually returned within 2–5 business days.
Contact the Chippewa County Clerk of Circuit Court to confirm current fees before submitting payment. Fees may be updated periodically by statute or court order.