Criminal records in Waupaca County, Wisconsin, are available through several channels. WaupacaCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, the state's official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the county clerk's office provide access to records—both online and in person or by mail.
How to Search Criminal Records in Waupaca
There are several ways to find criminal records in Waupaca County. Here are step-by-step instructions for each of them.
Online Search
- Through WaupacaCourt.us — enter the full name of the person or case number to find publicly available information about court criminal cases in the county.
- Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) — the state portal for court case searches, covering all Wisconsin circuit courts, including Waupaca County Circuit Court. Searches can be conducted by name, case number, or date of birth.
- WSCCA — search for Wisconsin Supreme Court and Court of Appeals cases for appellate criminal cases.
- Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) — the Wisconsin Department of Justice system for submitting online criminal background check requests.
- Offender Search — the Wisconsin Department of Corrections database allows you to check the status of individuals under supervision.
In Person
- Visit the Waupaca County Clerk of Courts office. The clerk maintains the document management system for all county courts.
- Public WCCA terminals are available in the courthouse for those without internet access.
- The Sheriff's Office Records Division operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
By Mail or Written Request
The county clerk accepts written requests for court records. Note: the clerk does not process requests for body or dashcam videos, police reports, or suspect information. For a statewide criminal background check, you can send a request to the Wisconsin Department of Justice through WORCS or by mail.
To start a search, you will need at least one of the following:
- Full name of the individual
- Date of birth
- Case number
Search Waupaca Criminal Cases by Case Number
Each case in Wisconsin circuit courts is assigned a unique number. The format of the number looks like this:
YYYY-XX-NNNNNN
- YYYY — the year the case was filed (e.g., 2024)
- XX — the case type code. For criminal cases, the most common are:
- CF — criminal felony (serious crime)
- CM — criminal misdemeanor (less serious crime)
- CT — traffic violation
- FO — local ordinance violation
- NNNNNN — the sequential case number within the year
For example, the number 2024CF000123 means: a criminal felony filed in 2024 with a sequential number of 123. If you know the case number, enter it into the WCCA portal—this is the fastest way to find a specific case without additional filters.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Waupaca
When you find a criminal case, the records contain several key elements. Below is an explanation of what each of them means.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to a specific section of the Wisconsin Criminal Code (e.g., Wis. Stat. § 943.10 — burglary) |
| Severity Level | Felony (serious crime), Misdemeanor (less serious crime), or Infraction/Forfeiture (violation) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may amend the initial charges—reduce their severity or add new counts during the trial process |
Case Status
- Open/Pending — the case is open, and a decision has not yet been made
- Active — the case is actively being considered by the court
- Disposed — the court has made a decision, and the case is concluded
- Closed — all procedures have been completed, and the case is closed
Hearings
Types of hearings typically recorded in a case:
- Initial Appearance / Arraignment — the defendant's first court appearance, charges are announced
- Preliminary Hearing — a preliminary hearing to determine the sufficiency of evidence (usually in felonies)
- Pre-Trial Conference — a pre-trial meeting between the parties
- Sentencing — sentencing after a guilty plea or conviction
- Review Hearing — a review hearing, often related to probation conditions
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted |
| Dismissed | Case closed without a verdict |
| No Contest (Nolo Contendere) | The defendant does not contest the charges but does not formally admit guilt |
| Acquitted | Acquitted by court or jury decision |
| Deferred Judgment | Judgment deferred; if court requirements are met, charges may be dropped |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Waupaca
Certified copies of criminal court records are issued by the county clerk's office. These are official documents with the court's seal, accepted by other institutions.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — visit the clerk's office in the courthouse.
- By Mail — send a written request to the clerk's office address. Include the full name of the person, date of birth, and/or case number. The clerk does not respond to requests for police reports or videos—only court documents.
- Online Criminal Background Check Request — for an official state-level check, use the WORCS system of the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
For sheriff's records, contact the sheriff's office records division.
Required Documents
- Valid photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Full name of the person for whom records are requested
- Date of birth or case number (if known)
- Payment of applicable fees
Contact Information
Waupaca County Clerk of Courts Office
Waupaca County Sheriff's Office Records Division
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Waupaca
Fees for copies and certification of records are set by Wisconsin law. Below are typical costs.
| Service | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.25 | Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10) |
| Document certification | $5.00 | Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10) |
| Criminal background check through WORCS (online) | $7.00 | Wisconsin Department of Justice |
| Criminal background check (by mail, through DOJ) | $7.00 | Wisconsin Department of Justice |
Processing Time
- Online through WCCA — results are available instantly
- WORCS — usually within a few minutes for electronic results; if manual review is required, it may take several business days
- Mail requests to the court clerk — depends on office workload, typically 5 to 10 business days
- Requests to the sheriff's office — processed during business hours; response time may vary
Exact fees may vary. Before submitting a request, it is advisable to call the relevant office to confirm the current cost and acceptable payment methods.