Dodge County Criminal Records
What Is Dodge County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Dodge County, Wisconsin, are official government documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition. These records are maintained by multiple agencies and serve as the authoritative source of information for background checks, legal proceedings, and public safety purposes.
Several important distinctions govern how these records are classified and accessed:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that law enforcement took an individual into custody based on probable cause. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court. Under Wisconsin law, an arrest without a subsequent conviction does not establish criminal liability, and the two record types carry different legal implications.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor: Felonies are serious offenses classified as Class A through Class I under Wisconsin statutes, carrying potential prison sentences. Misdemeanors are less severe offenses classified as Class A, B, or C, typically resulting in county jail sentences not exceeding nine months.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are generally accessible to the public. Juvenile records are presumptively confidential under Wis. Stat. § 938.396 and are sealed from public view except in limited circumstances, such as when a juvenile is tried as an adult.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect current judicial orders for an individual's arrest and remain enforceable until executed or recalled. Historical records document past arrests, charges, and dispositions that have been resolved.
The agencies responsible for maintaining Dodge County criminal records include:
- Dodge County Sheriff's Office — maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records
- Dodge County Circuit Court / Clerk of Courts — maintains case filings, court proceedings, pleas, verdicts, and sentencing records
- Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) — maintains the statewide criminal history repository
- Local municipal police departments — maintain incident and arrest reports within their respective jurisdictions
A complete criminal record may include charges filed, arraignment proceedings, entered pleas, trial records, sentencing orders, and conditions of probation or parole. Members of the public seeking court case information may access records through the Dodge County Clerk of Courts, which serves as the official custodian of all circuit court documents.
Are Criminal Records Public In Dodge County
Criminal records in Dodge County are presumptively open to the public pursuant to Wisconsin's open records law. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35, every person has a right to inspect any record maintained by a government authority, and that right is to be construed in the broadest possible manner. The statute establishes that the public interest in government transparency outweighs the interest in nondisclosure except in specifically enumerated circumstances.
The following categories of records are generally available to the public:
- Adult conviction records, including felony and misdemeanor dispositions
- Court proceedings, case filings, and sentencing orders
- Arrest logs and booking records maintained by the Sheriff's Office
- Sex offender registration information maintained by the Wisconsin DOJ
The following categories are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Juvenile records: Sealed under Wis. Stat. § 938.396 unless a court orders otherwise
- Ongoing criminal investigations: Withheld to protect investigative integrity
- Expunged records: Records that have been expunged by court order are no longer accessible to the general public
- Certain mental health and treatment records: Protected under separate statutory provisions
- Confidential informant information: Exempt to protect the safety of individuals cooperating with law enforcement
Requesters are not required to provide a reason for seeking public records under Wisconsin law, and government agencies may not condition access on the requester's stated purpose.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Dodge County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Dodge County criminal records through several official channels, depending on the type of record sought and the level of detail required. The following steps outline the process for accessing records from the principal custodial agencies.
To obtain court records from the Clerk of Courts:
- Visit the Dodge County Clerk of Courts office in person during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Submit a written public records request identifying the subject by full name and date of birth, if known.
- Pay any applicable copy fees, currently set at $1.25 per page for standard documents.
- Alternatively, use the Wisconsin Court System's online case search portal to retrieve publicly available case information at no charge.
To obtain arrest and booking records from the Sheriff's Office:
- Submit a written public records request to the Dodge County Sheriff's Office by mail, in person, or via the agency's designated request process.
- Provide the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest, if known.
- Allow the agency the statutory response period; under Wisconsin law, agencies must respond to records requests as soon as practicable and without delay.
To obtain a statewide criminal history:
- Access the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) operated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
- Create an account and submit the required identifying information.
- Pay the applicable fee for a certified background check.
Dodge County Sheriff's Office 127 N. Oak St., Juneau, WI 53039 (920) 386-3726 Dodge County Sheriff's Office
Dodge County Clerk of Courts 210 W. Center St., Juneau, WI 53039 (920) 386-3570 Clerk of Courts – Dodge County
Dodge County Clerk's Office 127 E. Oak St., Juneau, WI 53039 (920) 386-3600 County Clerk – Dodge County
How To Find Criminal Records in Dodge County Online?
Several official online portals currently provide public access to Dodge County criminal records without requiring an in-person visit. Each portal contains distinct categories of information and is subject to different access requirements.
Wisconsin Court System Case Search The Wisconsin Court System maintains a statewide case search portal that provides public access to circuit court records, including those filed in Dodge County. Users may search by party name, case number, or citation number. The portal returns case type, filing date, charges, case status, and disposition information. No registration is required to conduct a basic search. Records from the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and all circuit courts are accessible through this system.
Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) The Wisconsin DOJ operates the Wisconsin Online Record Check System for individuals and organizations seeking certified criminal history reports. Users must create an account and pay a fee to retrieve results. This system is appropriate for employment screening, licensing, and other purposes requiring a certified record.
Dodge County Sheriff's Office Online Resources The Dodge County Sheriff's Office website provides access to current inmate and jail roster information. Members of the public may visit the official site to review current booking data. No registration is required to view publicly posted roster information.
Limitations of Online Access Certain records are available only through in-person inspection at the relevant agency. These include sealed case files, expunged records, and documents that have not been digitized. Older case records predating electronic filing systems may require an in-person request at the Clerk of Courts office.
Can You Search Dodge County Criminal Records for Free?
Wisconsin law mandates that members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1), inspection of records must be permitted without the imposition of a fee. Fees may only be charged for the actual, necessary cost of reproduction, not for the act of inspection itself.
The following resources are currently available at no cost:
- Wisconsin Court System case search: The statewide case search portal allows free online searches of Dodge County circuit court records, including case status, charges, and dispositions.
- In-person inspection at the Clerk of Courts: Members of the public may inspect court records in person at the Dodge County Clerk of Courts office free of charge. Copy fees apply only when physical reproductions are requested.
- Dodge County Sheriff's Office jail roster: Current inmate information posted on the Sheriff's Office website is publicly accessible at no cost.
- Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry: The Wisconsin DOJ maintains a publicly searchable sex offender registry at no charge.
Fees are assessed for certified copies of court documents, statewide criminal history reports through WORCS, and reproductions of physical records. The Clerk of Courts currently charges $1.25 per page for photocopies and $5.00 for certified copies of documents.
What's Included in a Dodge County Criminal Record?
A complete Dodge County criminal record may contain several categories of information drawn from law enforcement, court, and correctional sources.
Identifying Information
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth and physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Photograph (mugshot) taken at the time of booking
- Last known address
- State Identification (SID) number assigned by the Wisconsin DOJ
- FBI number, if applicable
Arrest Information
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, municipal police, or state agency)
- Booking number and facility where the individual was held
- Charges filed at the time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount set
- Name of the jail or detention facility
Court Case Information
- Case number and court of jurisdiction (Dodge County Circuit Court)
- Filing date and assigned judge
- Charges as filed, including applicable Wisconsin statutes and offense classification (felony class or misdemeanor class)
- Plea entered (guilty, not guilty, or no contest)
- Attorney of record, including appointed counsel if applicable
Disposition Information
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, or dismissed)
- Conviction date, if applicable
- Sentence type (incarceration, probation, extended supervision, fines, or a combination)
- Length of sentence and any conditions imposed
- Restitution orders
- Appeal filings and outcomes
- Probation or parole supervision status
Additional Record Elements
- Active or recalled arrest warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- OWI/DUI convictions and related administrative actions
- Traffic violations adjudicated in circuit court
- Pending charges not yet resolved
How Long Does Dodge County Keep Criminal Records?
Dodge County retains criminal records in accordance with the Wisconsin Public Records Board's General Records Schedule and applicable state statutes. Retention periods vary by record type and the agency responsible for custody.
- Felony conviction records: Retained permanently by the Clerk of Courts and the Wisconsin DOJ criminal history repository.
- Misdemeanor conviction records: Retained for a minimum of 20 years following the date of conviction, with many records retained permanently in electronic systems.
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained by the Sheriff's Office for a minimum of seven years; however, these records may remain in the statewide repository unless expunged by court order.
- Juvenile records: Retained until the subject reaches age 25 or for five years following the date of the last entry, whichever is later, pursuant to applicable Wisconsin administrative code provisions.
- Court case files (civil and criminal): The Clerk of Courts retains case files in accordance with the Wisconsin Supreme Court's records retention schedule. Felony case files are retained permanently; misdemeanor and ordinance violation files are retained for varying periods depending on disposition.
- Booking and jail records: The Sheriff's Office retains booking records for a minimum of seven years under the Wisconsin Public Records Board's schedule for law enforcement records.
Expungement, when granted by a court under Wis. Stat. § 973.015, results in the sealing of the record from public access, though the underlying documents are not physically destroyed and remain accessible to law enforcement and certain authorized agencies.