Need more information? Check out our guides to Wisconsin arrest records and Wisconsin background checks.

 

A criminal record is established in Wisconsin the first time a person is arrested and fingerprinted in the state. From then on, any additional arrests and/or criminal convictions will be added to the person’s Wisconsin criminal record. The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains the state’s central repository of criminal history record information.

For the most part, criminal records are public records in Wisconsin and individuals may use the fee-based Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) to perform a criminal background check on anyone.  

What is a criminal record?

A criminal record is an official document detailing a person’s criminal convictions, pending criminal cases, prior arrests, and other interactions with law enforcement agencies. Additional names for a criminal record include criminal history record, rap sheet, and a police record.  

As with marriage records and court records, criminal records are generally public records in the United States and can be accessed through a criminal background check. However, public access to specific criminal record information varies from state to state.

In the State of Wisconsin, criminal records are accessible to the general public through WORCS

What is included in a Wisconsin criminal record?

As criminal records are kept by law enforcement agencies at all levels of government in the United States, a Wisconsin criminal record may vary in format and content depending on the law enforcement database from which it is accessed.

Generally, a Wisconsin criminal record will include the following information: 

Why would someone access a criminal record?

There are many reasons to access a criminal record. Most commonly, people search criminal records as a way to run a background check on a particular person. They’re also used by law enforcement to identify or locate people involved in unsolved crimes or by the court system to determine an appropriate sentence after a conviction.  

An individual may want to access his or her own record as well. It’s not uncommon for people to request their own criminal records to see what information is public. In some cases, a record could be inaccurate or include outdated information. If that’s the case, it’s important to have the record corrected.

What’s the difference between an infraction, misdemeanor, and felony?

Arrests and convictions listed on a criminal record are separated into three categories: infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies.

To give a better understanding of the information listed on a criminal record, here’s a quick overview of each category of offense:

What is the difference between a Wisconsin arrest record and a Wisconsin criminal record?

While an arrest record is an official document including the details of a specific arrest, a criminal record is a more comprehensive document that includes a person’s entire criminal background known to law enforcement agencies. 

How do I search for a Wisconsin criminal record?

The Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) is a fee-based search service provided by the Wisconsin Department of Justice that you can use to perform a name-based criminal background check on anyone.

Here’s an overview of WORCS:

How do I obtain a physical copy of a Wisconsin criminal record?

You can obtain a hard copy of a Wisconsin criminal record by paying $5 for a certified copy of the record, or by printing the results of a WORCS search.

Why can’t I access a Wisconsin criminal record?

There are a number of reasons a WORCS search may yield a negative result. Here are some of the most common reasons:

How do I search for Wisconsin criminal case court records?

The Wisconsin Court System provides a Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Case Search tool that is free to use by members of the general public. In accordance with the state’s Open Records Law, anyone can use the search to look up Wisconsin Circuit Court records. 

Search options include:

However, dismissed and acquitted felony and misdemeanor criminal cases are not viewable using the search.  

Does Wisconsin allow criminal records to be sealed or expunged?

Wisconsin state law allows for individuals to apply for expungement of criminal charges under a number of circumstances. Charges eligible for expungement include misdemeanors and certain felonies committed by an individual under the age of 25.

An individual must make a request in court and if successful, the expungement will be passed by court order. However, information about the convictions may not be entirely removed from the Wisconsin central repository of criminal history record information, but merely sealed from public view.

View this Department of Justice Removal of Arrest Information FAQs for more information.

How can I have false information on a Wisconsin criminal record corrected?

There is an official process in Wisconsin for challenging incorrect information on a criminal record. In order to submit a challenge, the following documents must be submitted to the Wisconsin Criminal Information Bureau:

Mail all documents to the CIB at the following address:

Crime Information Bureau

P.O. Box 2718

Madison, WI 53701-2718

A challenge will take a minimum of two weeks to be processed and cannot be expedited. 

How long are Wisconsin criminal records kept on file?

Wisconsin conviction records will remain in the state’s central repository indefinitely, even if a successful request for expungement is passed. However, information about the conviction may be removed from public access.

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