Criminal records in Brown County, Wisconsin, can be accessed through several online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the Clerk of Circuit Court's office. BrownCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Brown County. Additional access points include the Wisconsin Court System's statewide case search, the Brown County Sheriff's Office, and the Brown County Clerk of Circuit Court.
How to Search Criminal Records in Brown County
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Brown County. The method you choose depends on what information you have and whether you need official or certified documents.
Search Through BrownCourt.us
- Visit BrownCourt.us.
- Enter the person's name or case details in the search fields.
- Review publicly available criminal case information returned by the search.
Search Online Through Official Portals
- Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA): The Wisconsin Court System Case Search lets you look up circuit court records statewide, including Brown County criminal cases. Search by name, case number, or date of birth.
- Brown County Jail Inmate Lookup: The Brown County Jail Inmate Lookup Tool allows searches by first and last name or inmate number. You can also include released inmates in your search through the inmate database.
- Green Bay Municipal Court: For municipal-level offenses within Green Bay, the Green Bay Municipal Court records portal provides access to court records, warrants, and court calendars.
Search In Person
Visit the Brown County Clerk of Circuit Court office at the Brown County Courthouse in Green Bay. Public access terminals are typically available during business hours for searching court records. Staff can assist with locating specific case files.
Search by Mail or Written Request
- Clerk of Circuit Court: Submit a written request to the Brown County Clerk of Circuit Court with the subject's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available). Include any applicable fees.
- Wisconsin Department of Justice: For a formal state criminal history record check, submit a request to the Wisconsin Department of Justice. This is the state's criminal history repository and handles background checks that go beyond court records.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (recommended but not always required)
- Case number (if searching a specific case)
- County ID or inmate number (for jail lookups)
Search Brown County Criminal Cases by Case Number
Wisconsin circuit court case numbers follow a standardized format:
YYYY-XX-######
- YYYY — The four-digit year the case was filed.
- XX — A two-letter code indicating the case type. Common criminal codes include:
- CF — Criminal Felony
- CM — Criminal Misdemeanor
- CT — Criminal Traffic
- TR — Traffic (non-criminal)
- FO — Forfeiture
- ###### — A sequential number assigned to the case within that year and category.
For example, a case numbered 2024-CF-000123 would be a criminal felony case filed in 2024. Enter this number into the WCCA case search to pull up charges, hearing dates, parties, and disposition details for Brown County cases.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Brown County
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | References the specific Wisconsin statute violated (e.g., Wis. Stat. § 943.10 for burglary) |
| Severity | Felony (Class A through I), Misdemeanor (Class A through C), or Forfeiture/Infraction |
| Amended Charges | Original charges may be reduced or modified through plea negotiations; both original and amended charges appear in the record |
Case Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Open/Pending | Case is active and awaiting resolution |
| Active | Proceedings are ongoing; hearings or trial scheduled |
| Disposed/Closed | Case has reached a final outcome — conviction, dismissal, or acquittal |
Hearing Types
- Initial Appearance: First court appearance; charges are read, bail is set
- Preliminary Hearing: Judge determines if probable cause exists (felony cases)
- Arraignment: Defendant enters a plea
- Pre-Trial Conference: Attorneys discuss potential resolution before trial
- Trial: Bench or jury trial on the merits
- Sentencing: Court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review Hearing: Follow-up on compliance with probation or other conditions
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Defendant convicted by plea or verdict |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted at trial |
| Dismissed | Charges dropped by the court or prosecution |
| No Contest | Defendant does not contest the charges; treated as a conviction for sentencing |
| Deferred Judgment | Judgment withheld pending completion of conditions; case may be dismissed if conditions are met |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Brown County
From the Clerk of Circuit Court
The Brown County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains official records for all circuit court criminal cases. Certified copies can be requested in person, by mail, or by phone inquiry for information on the process.
- Identify the case number or provide the defendant's full name and date of birth.
- Request the specific documents needed (e.g., judgment of conviction, case disposition).
- Pay the applicable fees (see below).
- Bring a valid government-issued photo ID if requesting in person.
Standard Wisconsin circuit court forms may be required depending on the type of request.
Brown County Clerk of Circuit Court
From the Wisconsin Department of Justice
For a comprehensive state criminal history search (beyond a single case), submit a request to the Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau. This is the state repository for criminal history records and handles name-based and fingerprint-based background checks.
Federal Criminal Records
Brown County falls within the Green Bay Division of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Federal criminal case records can be accessed through PACER.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Brown County
Fees for criminal record copies in Wisconsin are set by statute. Under Wis. Stat. § 814.61, the following fees generally apply at the Clerk of Circuit Court:
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies of court documents (per page) | $1.25 |
| Certification fee (per document) | $5.00 |
| WCCA online case search | Free |
| Wisconsin DOJ name-based background check | $7.00 (online) |
| Wisconsin DOJ fingerprint-based background check | $7.00 (state) + federal fees if applicable |
Processing Times
- In-person requests: Typically processed the same day at the Clerk of Circuit Court, depending on volume.
- Mail requests: Allow 5–10 business days for processing and return mailing.
- Wisconsin DOJ online background checks: Results are usually available within a few business days.
- WCCA online searches: Results are immediate.
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk of Circuit Court or the Wisconsin Department of Justice before submitting your request. Under the Wisconsin Public Records Act, most criminal court records are generally accessible to the public, though certain records involving juveniles or sealed cases are restricted.