Grant County Criminal Records
What Is Grant County Criminal Records
Criminal records in Grant 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 across the county and state, each responsible for a distinct segment of the criminal justice process.
Understanding the distinctions among record types is essential for accurate interpretation:
- 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, either through a guilty plea or a trial verdict. An arrest does not constitute a conviction.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor: Under Wisconsin law, felonies are the more serious classification and carry potential imprisonment in a state correctional facility. Misdemeanors are less severe offenses typically resulting in county jail sentences, fines, or probation.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are generally accessible to the public. Juvenile records are routinely sealed under Wisconsin statutes to protect the privacy of minors, with limited exceptions for serious offenses tried in adult court.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants represent current judicial orders authorizing law enforcement to apprehend an individual. Historical records document past arrests, charges, and dispositions that have been resolved.
The principal agencies responsible for maintaining Grant County criminal records include:
- Grant County Sheriff's Office — maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records
- Grant County Circuit Court — maintains case filings, arraignment records, pleas, trial proceedings, sentencing orders, and dispositions
- Wisconsin Department of Justice, Crime Information Bureau — maintains statewide criminal history records
- Local municipal police departments — maintain arrest and incident reports within their respective jurisdictions
Records maintained across these agencies collectively document charges filed, arraignment proceedings, entered pleas, trial outcomes, sentencing details, and any subsequent probation or parole conditions. Members of the public seeking court case information may access the Wisconsin Court System case search portal, which provides access to circuit court records statewide. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35, the public has a broad right to inspect government records, including criminal justice documents held by public agencies.
Grant County Sheriff's Office 130 W. Maple St., Lancaster, WI 53813 (608) 723-2157 Grant County Sheriff's Office
Grant County Circuit Court 130 W. Maple St., Lancaster, WI 53813 (608) 723-2675 Grant County Circuit Court
Are Criminal Records Public In Grant County
Criminal records in Grant County are presumptively public under Wisconsin's open records law. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.31, the legislature has declared that providing the public with the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of public officers and employees is an essential function of a representative government. This declaration establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access to government records, including criminal justice documents.
The following categories of records are currently accessible to the public:
- Adult conviction records, including charges, pleas, verdicts, and sentencing information
- Court proceedings and case filings in the Grant County Circuit Court
- Arrest logs and booking records maintained by the Grant County Sheriff's Office
- Sex offender registration information maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Justice
The following categories are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Ongoing criminal investigations: Records compiled as part of an active law enforcement investigation may be withheld to protect the integrity of the investigation.
- Sealed records: Courts may order specific records sealed upon a showing of good cause, removing them from public access.
- Juvenile records: Records pertaining to individuals processed through the juvenile justice system are confidential under Wisconsin statutes, with limited exceptions for cases involving serious felonies prosecuted in adult court.
- Expunged records: Records that have been expunged pursuant to court order are no longer accessible through standard public channels.
Custodians of records are permitted to redact personally identifying information or withhold records only when a specific statutory exemption applies. The burden of proof for withholding a record rests with the agency, not the requestor.
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Grant County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Grant County criminal records through several official channels, depending on the type of record sought and the level of detail required.
Step 1 — Identify the appropriate agency. Determine whether the record sought originates from a law enforcement agency (arrest/booking records), the circuit court (case filings and dispositions), or the state (comprehensive criminal history).
Step 2 — Submit an open records request to the Grant County Sheriff's Office. Requestors seeking arrest records or jail booking information should submit a written open records request to the Sheriff's Office at 130 W. Maple St., Lancaster, WI 53813. Requests may be submitted in person during public counter hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) or by mail. The request should identify the subject by full name and date of birth.
Step 3 — Access circuit court records. Case filings, dispositions, and sentencing records maintained by the Grant County Circuit Court may be inspected in person at the Clerk of Courts office, located at 130 W. Maple St., Lancaster, WI 53813, during regular business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.). The Clerk of Courts may charge a fee for copies pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), which permits agencies to charge the actual cost of reproduction.
Step 4 — Request a statewide criminal history through the Wisconsin DOJ. For a comprehensive criminal history record, individuals and organizations may submit a request through the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Background checks are processed through the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS), which allows online submission and retrieval of results.
Grant County Clerk of Courts 130 W. Maple St., Lancaster, WI 53813 (608) 723-2675 Grant County Clerk of Courts
Wisconsin Department of Justice 17 W. Main St., Madison, WI 53703 (608) 266-1221 Wisconsin Department of Justice Criminal Background Checks
How To Find Criminal Records in Grant County Online?
Several official online portals currently provide access to Grant County criminal records without requiring an in-person visit.
Wisconsin Court System Case Search The Wisconsin Court System case search portal provides public access to circuit court records statewide, including Grant County. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal contains case type, filing date, charges, case status, and disposition information. No registration is required to conduct a basic name search. Note that the portal reflects court records only and does not include law enforcement arrest records that did not result in court filings.
Grant County Land Records Web Portal The Grant County Web Portal provides online access to parcel records and permit information. While primarily a property records resource, this portal may be useful for locating address history associated with individuals of interest.
Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) The Wisconsin Online Record Check System is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Justice and allows individuals and organizations to submit criminal background check requests and retrieve results online. Registration is required to submit a request. A fee applies per subject searched. Results reflect statewide criminal history data compiled by the Crime Information Bureau.
Wisconsin Department of Corrections Offender Locator The Wisconsin Department of Corrections maintains an online offender locator tool that allows members of the public to search for individuals currently under DOC supervision, including those on probation, parole, or extended supervision. No registration is required to use the offender locator.
Records that are available only through in-person inspection include sealed case documents, certain law enforcement investigative reports, and original paper filings predating electronic court records systems.
Can You Search Grant County Criminal Records for Free?
Wisconsin law currently mandates that members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1), any person has a right to inspect any record. Fees may only be assessed for the actual cost of reproduction when copies are requested, not for inspection alone.
The following resources are available at no cost:
- Wisconsin Court System case search — Free name-based searches of circuit court records, including Grant County cases, are available through the Wisconsin Court System case search portal. No account or payment is required.
- In-person inspection at the Clerk of Courts — Members of the public may inspect court records in person at the Grant County Clerk of Courts office free of charge. Fees apply only if paper copies are requested.
- In-person inspection at the Sheriff's Office — Arrest logs and booking records may be inspected in person at the Grant County Sheriff's Office at no cost. Reproduction fees may apply for printed copies.
- Wisconsin DOC Offender Locator — The offender search tool on the Wisconsin Department of Corrections website is available to the public at no charge.
Fees are assessed for statewide criminal background checks processed through WORCS, as the Wisconsin Department of Justice charges a per-subject fee for compiled criminal history reports. This fee structure applies to background checks requested for employment, licensing, or volunteer screening purposes.
What's Included in a Grant County Criminal Record?
A comprehensive Grant County criminal record may contain information drawn from multiple agencies and record systems. The specific data elements present in any given record depend on the nature of the offense and the stage of the criminal justice process reached.
Identifying Information
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Last known address
- State Identification Number (SID) assigned by the Wisconsin Crime Information Bureau
- FBI Number, if applicable
Arrest Information
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, municipal police department)
- Booking number and facility
- Charges filed at the time of arrest
- Bail or bond amount set
- Jail facility where the individual was held
Court Case Information
- Case number and court jurisdiction (Grant County Circuit Court)
- Filing date and case type
- Charges and applicable Wisconsin statutes, including felony or misdemeanor classification
- Entered plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
- Attorney of record and prosecuting agency
Disposition Information
- Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed)
- Conviction date, if applicable
- Sentencing details, including type and length of sentence, fines, restitution ordered, and conditions of supervision
- Appeals filed and outcomes
- Probation or parole terms and supervising agency
Additional Record Elements
- Active or recalled 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 Grant County Keep Criminal Records?
Grant County and the State of Wisconsin maintain criminal records according to established retention schedules that vary by record type and agency. Under Wisconsin administrative rules and the Wisconsin Public Records Board retention schedules, the following general periods currently apply:
- Felony conviction records: Retained permanently by the Wisconsin Crime Information Bureau and the circuit court.
- Misdemeanor conviction records: Retained permanently at the state level; circuit court records are retained for a minimum of 20 years following case closure.
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained by law enforcement agencies for a minimum of seven years; may be subject to expungement upon court order.
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Circuit court records are retained for a minimum of seven years following dismissal.
- Juvenile records: Retained until the subject reaches age 25 or for a minimum of five years following the last court action, whichever is later, unless sealed or expunged by court order.
- Probation and parole records: Maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections for the duration of supervision and for a minimum of seven years following discharge.
State law mandates that agencies adhere to the retention schedules established by the Wisconsin Public Records Board. Individual agencies may retain records beyond the minimum periods specified. Records subject to active litigation or pending appeals must be retained until all proceedings are concluded, regardless of the standard retention period.