Court records in Brown County, Wisconsin are maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court and can be accessed through online tools, official court portals, and the clerk's office. BrownCourt.us can help you find publicly available court record information for Brown County. Additional access points include the Wisconsin Court System case search, the Brown County Clerk of Circuit Court, and other government resources described below.
Brown County Court System Overview
Brown County is part of Wisconsin's 8th Judicial Administrative District. The state court system in Wisconsin operates through circuit courts, which serve as the general trial courts in each county. Brown County Circuit Court has multiple branches presided over by elected circuit court judges who handle the full range of criminal, civil, family, juvenile, and probate matters. The courthouse is located in downtown Green Bay, the county seat.
The Clerk of Circuit Court's office manages case files, processes filings, and handles public records requests. Wisconsin does not use a separate magistrate division in the same way some other states do; instead, circuit court commissioners may handle certain preliminary matters.
Courts Serving Brown County
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Brown County Circuit Court | 100 S. Jefferson St., Green Bay, WI 54301 | (920) 448-4155 |
| Green Bay Municipal Court | 100 N. Jefferson St., Room 200, Green Bay, WI 54301 | (920) 448-3130 |
| U.S. District Court – Eastern District of Wisconsin (Green Bay Division) | 125 S. Jefferson St., Suite 102, Green Bay, WI 54301 | (920) 884-3720 |
Several other municipalities within Brown County operate their own municipal courts for ordinance violations and certain forfeitures. The federal court's Green Bay Division serves Brown County along with Calumet, Door, Florence, Forest, Kewaunee, Langlade, Manitowoc, Marinette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, and Shawano counties.
What Types of Cases Brown County Courts Hear
Brown County Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction. Cases heard include:
- Felonies and misdemeanors
- Traffic and ordinance violations (also handled by municipal courts)
- Civil litigation of all dollar amounts
- Small claims (up to $10,000)
- Family law — divorce, custody, child support, paternity
- Probate — estates, guardianships, conservatorships
- Juvenile — delinquency and child protective proceedings
- Adoption and termination of parental rights
- Mental commitments
Municipal courts in the county handle forfeiture actions such as traffic citations and local ordinance violations. Federal cases — including federal criminal charges, civil rights claims, and bankruptcy — are heard in the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
District Court Cases in Brown County
In Wisconsin, the circuit court functions as the trial court of general jurisdiction — there is no separate "district court" at the county level. Brown County Circuit Court hears all felony criminal cases, from initial appearance through trial and sentencing. Civil cases of any dollar amount, including complex litigation, are filed here. The court also handles appeals from municipal court decisions. Cases are assigned to individual circuit court branches, and each branch judge manages a mixed docket of criminal and civil matters. Criminal cases typically begin with a complaint filed by the Brown County District Attorney, followed by an initial appearance before a circuit court judge or court commissioner.
Magistrate Court Cases in Brown County
Wisconsin does not have a separate magistrate court. Instead, circuit court commissioners in Brown County perform functions similar to magistrates in other states. Commissioners may preside over:
- Initial appearances in criminal cases
- Setting bail and conditions of release
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases
- Small claims actions (up to $10,000 under Wis. Stat. § 799)
- Certain family law and probate motions
Small claims cases in Wisconsin have a jurisdictional limit of $10,000. Traffic violations and municipal ordinance cases are typically handled by municipal courts rather than circuit court commissioners, though circuit court hears appeals from those decisions.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Brown County
Family Law: Divorce, legal separation, custody, child support, paternity, civil protection orders (restraining orders), and termination of parental rights are all filed in Brown County Circuit Court. The Clerk of Circuit Court maintains these case files. Statewide forms for family cases are available through the Wisconsin Court System forms page. Divorce certificates can also be requested through the Brown County Register of Deeds – Vital Records office or the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Probate: Decedent estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and trust matters are handled by designated circuit court branches. Filings go through the Clerk of Circuit Court. Wisconsin uses a formal probate process governed by Chapters 851–882 of the Wisconsin Statutes.
Juvenile: Juvenile delinquency and child protective (CHIPS) cases are heard in circuit court but are subject to strict confidentiality rules. Juvenile records are generally not open to the public. Brown County Health and Human Services is often involved in child welfare proceedings.
How Cases Move Through the Brown County Court System
- Filing/Initiation: Criminal cases begin with a complaint from the District Attorney. Civil cases start with a summons and complaint. Family and probate matters are initiated by petition.
- Initial Hearing: In criminal cases, the defendant has an initial appearance where charges are read and bail is set. Civil cases receive a scheduling order.
- Pre-Trial Phase: Parties exchange discovery, file motions, and in criminal cases may engage in plea negotiations. Family cases often involve mediation.
- Trial or Resolution: Cases proceed to jury or bench trial, or are resolved through plea agreement, settlement, stipulation, or default judgment.
- Post-Judgment: Criminal cases move to sentencing. Civil judgments may be appealed to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. Post-conviction motions are filed in circuit court.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Brown County
Brown County Circuit Court is administered under the Wisconsin Court System's 8th Judicial Administrative District. A chief judge oversees administrative operations for the district, and a district court administrator manages day-to-day functions.
- Local rules: Brown County follows the statewide Wisconsin Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure, supplemented by any local court rules posted through the Wisconsin Court System website.
- Public access: Most court records in Wisconsin are presumptively open to the public under the Wisconsin Public Records Act (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31–19.39) and Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72. Exceptions include sealed records, juvenile cases, certain mental health proceedings, and records restricted by court order.
- Attending hearings: Hearings at Brown County Circuit Court are generally open to the public. Some proceedings may be conducted by video or telephone — contact the Clerk of Circuit Court at (920) 448-4155 to confirm hearing format and courtroom assignments.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Brown County
- Court case search: The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal allows free online searches of circuit court case records statewide, including Brown County criminal, civil, family, and traffic cases.
- Municipal court records: Green Bay Municipal Court records, warrants, and court calendars are available online for cases handled by that court.
- Court forms and self-help: Download standardized circuit court forms from the Wisconsin Court System forms page. The Wisconsin Courts Self-Help Center provides guides for self-represented parties.
- Clerk of Circuit Court: For certified copies, case file reviews, or records not available online, contact the Brown County Clerk of Circuit Court directly.
- Jail inmate lookup: The Brown County Jail Inmate Lookup Tool allows searches by name or inmate number for current and released inmates.
- Wisconsin Department of Corrections: The DOC offender search covers individuals in state prison or on community supervision.
- Wisconsin sex offender registry: Maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, the registry is searchable online.
- Federal court records: Cases filed in the Eastern District of Wisconsin can be searched through PACER.
- Legal research: The Brown County Library's law and legal resources page and the Wisconsin State Law Library's Brown County resources offer additional research tools.