La Crosse County Court Records
What Is La Crosse County Court Records
La Crosse County court records are official documents created and maintained by the La Crosse County Circuit Court system that document judicial proceedings within the county's jurisdiction. These records encompass all documentation related to cases filed, heard, and adjudicated in La Crosse County courts pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 59.40, which establishes the duties of the Clerk of Circuit Court regarding record maintenance.
Court records typically include:
- Case filings and pleadings
- Court orders and judgments
- Hearing transcripts
- Evidence exhibits
- Docket entries
- Case dispositions
- Financial records related to court fees and payments
The La Crosse County Clerk of Courts serves as the official custodian of these records as mandated by Wisconsin Statutes § 59.40(2). The office is responsible for creating, maintaining, and providing public access to court records in accordance with state law and court rules.
La Crosse County Clerk of Courts 212 6th Street North, Room 1200 La Crosse, WI 54601 Phone: (608) 785-9590 La Crosse County Clerk of Courts
Are Court Records Public In La Crosse County
Court records in La Crosse County are generally considered public documents in accordance with Wisconsin's Open Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39) and the Wisconsin Supreme Court rules regarding access to court records. The presumption of openness applies to most court records, allowing members of the public to inspect and obtain copies of these documents.
However, certain exceptions and limitations to public access exist:
- Records sealed by court order
- Juvenile records (subject to restrictions under Wis. Stat. § 938.396)
- Mental health commitment proceedings
- Adoption records
- Records containing sensitive personal information as defined in Wis. Stat. § 801.19
- Cases involving victims of sensitive crimes
- Records where confidentiality is mandated by state or federal law
The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website, commonly known as CCAP, provides the primary public interface for accessing La Crosse County court records online. Access to certain case types and information may be restricted in accordance with Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72, which governs retention and maintenance of court records.
Individuals seeking access to restricted records may need to file a formal petition with the court demonstrating legitimate interest or legal authorization to access such information. The court may grant limited access or redacted copies at its discretion.
How To Find Court Records in La Crosse County in 2025
Members of the public seeking La Crosse County court records in 2025 may utilize several methods to locate and access these documents. The Wisconsin court system has implemented various access points to facilitate public record retrieval.
In-person requests may be submitted at:
La Crosse County Courthouse 212 6th Street North La Crosse, WI 54601 Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Phone: (608) 785-9590
The primary methods for locating court records include:
-
Online Access: The Wisconsin Court System case search portal provides comprehensive access to case information, including La Crosse County cases.
-
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the La Crosse County Clerk of Courts office to request physical copies of court documents. Staff can assist with locating specific case files using case numbers or party names.
-
Written Requests: Written requests for copies of court records may be submitted by mail to the Clerk of Courts office with the appropriate search information and payment for copy fees.
-
Attorney Access: Licensed attorneys may access additional case details through the attorney-specific portal of the Wisconsin Court System.
When requesting records, individuals should be prepared to provide:
- Case number (if known)
- Names of parties involved
- Approximate date of case filing
- Case type
- Valid identification for certain restricted records
Fees for copies are established pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10) and are subject to periodic adjustment. As of 2025, standard copy fees are $1.25 per page for regular copies and $5.00 for certified copies of court documents.
How To Look Up Court Records in La Crosse County Online?
La Crosse County court records are accessible online through several official digital platforms maintained by Wisconsin state and county authorities. These systems provide convenient remote access to public court information pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72.
The primary online resources include:
-
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA): This platform, accessible through the Wisconsin Court System case search portal, provides comprehensive access to circuit court records statewide, including La Crosse County cases. Users may search by case number, party name, attorney, or business name.
-
La Crosse County Court Portal: The La Crosse County Circuit Court Information page provides county-specific resources and links to relevant court record systems.
-
eFiling System: For attorneys and registered users, the Wisconsin Court System eFiling platform allows access to documents filed electronically in cases where they are participants.
When conducting online searches, users should note:
- Name searches require at least the last name and first initial
- Case searches require the complete case number in the format year-designation-number (e.g., 2025CV000123)
- Some documents may only be viewable at courthouse terminals due to privacy restrictions
- Certain case types may have limited online information available
- Document images may not be available for all cases, particularly older records
Online access is available 24 hours per day, though system maintenance may occasionally limit availability. Technical support for the Wisconsin Court System online platforms is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM at (608) 261-6679.
Can You Search La Crosse County Court Records for Free?
La Crosse County court records are available for free public search through several channels, in accordance with Wisconsin's commitment to transparent judicial proceedings. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system, pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 72.05, provides no-cost access to basic case information.
Free search options include:
-
Online Case Searches: The Wisconsin Court System case search portal provides free access to basic case information including party names, case types, filing dates, scheduled hearings, and case outcomes.
-
Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals located at the La Crosse County Courthouse provide free on-site access to court records, including some documents not available through the public website.
-
In-Person Record Review: Members of the public may visit the La Crosse County Clerk of Courts office during regular business hours to review physical case files at no charge.
While searching records is free, fees apply for:
- Paper copies of documents ($1.25 per page)
- Certified copies ($5.00 per document)
- Electronic document copies on portable media
- Records requiring extensive staff research time
- Specialized reports or data compilations
Fee waivers may be available for qualifying individuals through the filing of a fee waiver petition pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 814.29, subject to judicial approval based on demonstrated financial hardship.
What's Included in a La Crosse County Court Record?
La Crosse County court records contain comprehensive documentation of judicial proceedings as mandated by Wisconsin Statutes § 59.40. These records provide a complete chronological account of case activities from initiation through disposition.
A typical La Crosse County court record contains:
-
Case Initiation Documents: Complaints, petitions, summonses, and other filings that commence legal proceedings.
-
Party Information: Names and contact information for plaintiffs, defendants, attorneys, witnesses, and other case participants.
-
Docket Entries: Chronological listings of all actions taken in a case, including filings, hearings, and judicial decisions.
-
Pleadings and Motions: Legal arguments and requests submitted by parties throughout the proceedings.
-
Court Orders and Judgments: Official decisions and directives issued by judges during and at the conclusion of cases.
-
Hearing Information: Dates, times, and outcomes of scheduled court appearances.
-
Financial Records: Documentation of filing fees, fines, restitution orders, and payment histories.
-
Evidence Logs: Records of exhibits and evidence presented during proceedings (actual evidence items are not typically part of the public record).
-
Transcripts: Written records of verbal proceedings, when prepared (may require separate request and additional fees).
Certain sensitive information is redacted or protected in accordance with Wisconsin Statutes § 801.19-801.21, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Financial account numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Personal identifying information of minors
- Medical information
- Information protected by court order
The completeness of records may vary based on case type, age of the case, and applicable confidentiality provisions under Wisconsin law.
How Long Does La Crosse County Keep Court Records?
La Crosse County retains court records in accordance with Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72, which establishes a comprehensive records retention schedule for all circuit courts in the state. Retention periods vary significantly based on case type, case outcome, and document classification.
Standard retention periods include:
- Felony Cases: 75 years from entry of final judgment for Class A felonies; 50 years for Class B-I felonies
- Misdemeanor Cases: 20 years from entry of final judgment
- Traffic and Ordinance Violations: 5-10 years depending on disposition
- Civil Cases: 20 years from filing for most matters
- Small Claims: 20 years from filing
- Family Cases: 30 years from entry of judgment for divorce; permanent retention for paternity cases
- Probate Matters: Permanent retention for wills and estate inventories; 75 years for guardianship cases
- Mental Health Proceedings: 7 years after termination of commitment
Case files may be converted to electronic format after specified periods, typically 1-2 years after case closure. Physical documents may be destroyed after conversion to electronic format, provided the electronic records meet Wisconsin Supreme Court standards for digital preservation.
Historical records of significant legal or community interest may be preserved indefinitely, regardless of standard retention schedules, at the discretion of the Clerk of Courts in consultation with the Wisconsin Historical Society pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 59.52(4).
Individuals seeking older records should contact:
La Crosse County Clerk of Courts - Records Division 212 6th Street North, Room 1200 La Crosse, WI 54601 Phone: (608) 785-9590
Types of Courts In La Crosse County
La Crosse County's judicial system operates within Wisconsin's unified court structure, with several distinct court divisions handling various case types. All courts in the county function under the authority of the Wisconsin Constitution Article VII and applicable state statutes.
The court structure includes:
-
Circuit Court: La Crosse County is part of the 7th Judicial Administrative District of Wisconsin and has five branches of Circuit Court. Each branch is presided over by an elected circuit court judge serving a six-year term. Circuit Courts have general jurisdiction over civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic matters.
-
Municipal Courts: Several municipalities within La Crosse County maintain municipal courts that handle ordinance violations, traffic citations, and other local matters. These courts operate independently from the county circuit court system but under the supervision of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
-
Specialized Court Programs: La Crosse County operates several problem-solving courts, including:
- Drug Court
- OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) Court
- Veterans Court
- Mental Health Court
These specialized courts focus on rehabilitation and treatment rather than traditional punitive measures for qualifying offenders.
The La Crosse County Circuit Court is located at:
La Crosse County Courthouse 212 6th Street North La Crosse, WI 54601 Phone: (608) 785-9590
Municipal courts maintain separate facilities within their respective municipalities. Information about specific municipal court locations can be obtained through the La Crosse County Government website.
What Types of Cases Do La Crosse County Courts Hear?
La Crosse County courts adjudicate a diverse range of legal matters in accordance with jurisdictional authority granted by Wisconsin Statutes Chapters 751-758. The Circuit Court, as a court of general jurisdiction, processes cases spanning multiple legal categories.
Case types heard in La Crosse County courts include:
-
Criminal Cases:
- Felonies (Class A through I)
- Misdemeanors
- Criminal traffic offenses
- Juvenile delinquency proceedings (pursuant to Wis. Stat. Ch. 938)
-
Civil Litigation:
- Personal injury claims
- Contract disputes
- Property disputes
- Small claims (cases valued at $10,000 or less)
- Civil commitments
- Restraining orders and injunctions
-
Family Law Matters:
- Divorce and legal separation
- Child custody and placement
- Child support and maintenance
- Paternity determinations
- Adoptions
- Name changes
- Guardianships
-
Probate Proceedings:
- Estate administration
- Will contests
- Trust administration
- Adult guardianships and conservatorships
-
Traffic and Ordinance Violations:
- Non-criminal traffic citations
- Municipal ordinance violations
- Parking infractions
- DNR violations
-
Specialized Proceedings:
- Foreclosures
- Evictions
- Tax appeals
- Mental health commitments
- Juvenile in need of protection services (JIPS)
Case assignment is determined through a rotation system among the five circuit court branches, with certain specialization by branch for efficiency. Court forms for various proceedings are available through the Wisconsin Court System Circuit Court Forms portal.
How To Find a Court Docket In La Crosse County
Court dockets in La Crosse County provide the official schedule of proceedings and chronological case histories. These records are maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes § 59.40(2)(c) and are accessible through multiple channels.
To locate court docket information:
-
Online Access: The Wisconsin Court System case search portal provides docket information for cases filed in La Crosse County. Users can search by case number or party name to view docket entries, which include filing dates, document titles, and scheduled hearings.
-
Daily Court Calendar: Current court schedules are published on the La Crosse County Circuit Court Information page. This resource displays upcoming hearings organized by court branch, judge, and time.
-
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the La Crosse County Clerk of Courts office during business hours to request docket information for specific cases. Staff can provide printed docket sheets upon request.
-
Telephone Inquiries: Basic docket information may be obtained by calling the Clerk of Courts office at (608) 785-9590. Due to staff limitations, this method is best for simple inquiries.
When searching for docket information, users should be prepared to provide:
- Case number (if known)
- Full names of parties involved
- Approximate date range for case activity
- Case type (if known)
Docket information is updated continuously as new filings and court actions occur. However, there may be a brief delay between court actions and their appearance in electronic docket systems. For the most current information, direct contact with the Clerk of Courts office is recommended.
Which Courts in La Crosse County Are Not Courts of Record?
In La Crosse County, municipal courts operate as non-record courts pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 800. Unlike circuit courts, these tribunals do not maintain verbatim transcripts of proceedings as part of their standard operation, though they do maintain case records and dispositions.
Municipal courts within La Crosse County include:
-
City of La Crosse Municipal Court 400 La Crosse Street La Crosse, WI 54601 Phone: (608) 789-7760
-
City of Onalaska Municipal Court 415 Main Street Onalaska, WI 54650 Phone: (608) 781-9530
-
Village of Holmen Municipal Court 421 South Main Street Holmen, WI 54636 Phone: (608) 526-4336
-
Village of West Salem Municipal Court 175 South Leonard Street West Salem, WI 54669 Phone: (608) 786-1858
These municipal courts handle:
- Local ordinance violations
- First-offense OWI/DUI cases
- Traffic citations issued by local police
- Juvenile citations for curfew violations, underage drinking, and similar offenses
- Parking violations
- Animal control violations
- Building code violations
Key characteristics of these non-record courts include:
- Proceedings are not automatically recorded verbatim
- Judges are not required to be attorneys (though many are)
- Appeals from municipal court decisions are heard de novo (as new cases) in Circuit Court
- Defendants have the right to request a digital recording of proceedings for a fee
- Court sessions are typically held evenings or specific days of the month
- Fines and forfeitures collected generally remain with the municipality
Individuals with cases in municipal courts who wish to preserve a record of proceedings must make specific arrangements in advance. Appeals from municipal court decisions must be filed within 20 days of judgment pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 800.14.
Lookup Court Records in La Crosse County
Wisconsin Court System case search
La Crosse County Circuit Court Information