Dodge County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Dodge County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Dodge County may access publicly available information through DodgeCountyRecords.org, which aggregates data drawn from official government sources. Criminal records accessible through such resources may include arrest logs, court case filings, booking records, conviction histories, and sentencing information. The availability and completeness of any given record depends on the originating agency, the nature of the case, and applicable state law governing disclosure.
Records that may be found through official and third-party channels include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Criminal court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Jail inmate rosters
- Active warrant information
- Sex offender registration data
- Probation and parole records (where publicly disclosed)
Members of the public may search criminal records in Dodge County through the following five methods:
1. County Court Records: The Dodge County Circuit Court maintains case files for criminal matters filed within the county's jurisdiction.
Dodge County Circuit Court
210 W. Center Street
Juneau, WI 53039
Phone: (920) 386-3570
Dodge County Circuit Court
Members of the public may inspect court records in person at the clerk's office during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Requestors should provide the full name of the subject and, where available, a case number or date of birth. Public access terminals are available in the courthouse for self-service case lookups.
2. Sheriff's Office: The Dodge County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking logs, and current inmate information.
Dodge County Sheriff's Office
127 E. Oak Street
Juneau, WI 53039
Phone: (920) 386-3726
Dodge County Sheriff's Office
Arrest logs and inmate rosters are available through the Sheriff's Office. Requests for records may be submitted in person or in writing. Fees may apply for copies of records.
3. Online Court Search: The Wisconsin Court System provides a statewide online case search portal known as Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA), which allows members of the public to search criminal case records by name, case number, or county. Users may filter results by county, case type, and filing date. The portal reflects case information as entered by court staff and may not include all historical records.
4. State Criminal History Repository: The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains the state's criminal history repository and processes formal background check requests.
Wisconsin Department of Justice — Crime Information Bureau
17 W. Main Street
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 266-7314
Wisconsin DOJ Crime Information Bureau
Formal criminal history requests require submission through the Wisconsin DOJ's online portal. Fingerprint-based background checks are available for authorized purposes. Processing times and fees vary by request type; at present, a name-based search costs $7.00 and a fingerprint-based search costs $13.00.
5. Written/Mail Requests: Written requests for court records may be submitted to the Dodge County Clerk of Circuit Court at 210 W. Center Street, Juneau, WI 53039. Requests should include the subject's full name, date of birth, and the nature of the records sought. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35, agencies are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time.
What Is Dodge County Criminal Records
A criminal record is an official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, encompassing arrests, charges, court proceedings, and outcomes. In Wisconsin, criminal records are created and maintained by multiple agencies throughout the criminal justice process, from initial law enforcement contact through final court disposition.
Key distinctions within criminal records include:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody; a conviction record reflects a finding of guilt by plea or verdict. An arrest without conviction does not establish criminal liability.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felonies are more serious offenses carrying potential imprisonment of more than one year; misdemeanors carry lesser penalties. Both categories are documented in court and law enforcement records.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are presumptively public under Wisconsin law. Juvenile records are subject to confidentiality protections under Wis. Stat. § 938.396 and are not accessible to the general public.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for arrest; historical records document past proceedings regardless of current warrant status.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Dodge County include:
- Dodge County Sheriff's Office — arrest records, jail booking records, inmate information
- Dodge County Circuit Court — court case files, charging documents, dispositions, sentencing orders
- Wisconsin Department of Justice, Crime Information Bureau — statewide criminal history repository
- Local police departments — incident reports, arrest records within their jurisdictions
Records are created at the point of arrest, updated through each stage of court proceedings, and finalized upon sentencing or case dismissal. A complete criminal record may include charges, arraignment information, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, and probation or parole status. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal serves as the primary public-facing resource for court-based criminal records.
Are Criminal Records Public In Dodge County
Criminal records in Dodge County are presumptively public under Wisconsin's open records law. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.31, the Wisconsin Legislature has declared that "the public is entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those officers and employees who represent them." This statutory presumption applies to criminal court records, arrest logs, and conviction histories maintained by county agencies.
Adult conviction records, court proceedings, charging documents, and sentencing information are available for public inspection. However, certain categories of records are restricted from public disclosure:
- Juvenile records, which are sealed under Wis. Stat. § 938.396
- Records subject to expungement orders
- Ongoing criminal investigations where disclosure would impede law enforcement
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records sealed by court order
The Wisconsin Department of Justice provides guidance on public records access through its open government resources. Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI are governed by separate federal statutes and are not subject to Wisconsin's open records law.
How To Find Criminal Records in Dodge County Online?
Official County Resources: The primary online resource for Dodge County criminal court records is the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal, maintained by the Wisconsin Court System. Users may search by party name, case number, attorney, or citation number. The portal provides case type, filing date, charges, and disposition information. No registration is required for basic public searches. The Dodge County Sheriff's Office website also publishes current inmate information at co.dodge.wi.us.
State-Level Resources: The Wisconsin Court System's statewide case search covers all 72 Wisconsin counties and allows cross-county searches. The Wisconsin DOJ's criminal history search portal provides access to the state's official criminal history repository for authorized background check requests.
Search Tips:
- Search using the subject's full legal name as well as known aliases
- Case number searches return the most precise results
- Include date of birth to distinguish between individuals with similar names
- Check both the WCCA portal and the Sheriff's inmate database, as each contains distinct record types
- Sealed and expunged records will not appear in public search results
Limitations: Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court event. Records predating the digitization of court files may not appear in online searches and may require in-person requests. Online results do not constitute an official background check and are not suitable for employment screening purposes under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Can You Search Dodge County Criminal Records for Free?
Free Options:
1. In-Person Inspection: Wisconsin law mandates that members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35, agencies may not charge a fee for the mere inspection of records. In-person inspection is available at the Dodge County Clerk of Circuit Court, 210 W. Center Street, Juneau, WI 53039, and at the Dodge County Sheriff's Office, 127 E. Oak Street, Juneau, WI 53039.
2. Free Online Databases: The following resources are available at no cost:
| Resource | Contents | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Circuit Court Access | Court case records statewide | wcca.wicourts.gov |
| Dodge County Sheriff Inmate Roster | Current jail population | co.dodge.wi.us |
| Wisconsin DOJ Sex Offender Registry | Registered sex offenders | offender.doc.wi.gov |
3. Sheriff's Logs: Daily arrest and booking reports may be available through the Dodge County Sheriff's Office upon request, subject to applicable exemptions.
What Costs Money:
- Certified copies of court records: fees set by the Clerk of Circuit Court (at present, $1.25 per page for standard copies)
- Official state criminal history background checks: $7.00 (name-based) or $13.00 (fingerprint-based) through the Wisconsin DOJ
- Staff-assisted record searches beyond routine inspection
- Expedited processing requests
State Fee Law: Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), agencies may charge for the actual, necessary, and direct cost of reproduction and transcription of records. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances as determined by the custodial agency.
What's Included in a Dodge County Criminal Record?
A Dodge County criminal record compiled through official sources may contain the following categories of information:
Identifying Information:
- Full legal name and known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color)
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Last known address
- State Identification (SID) number and FBI number (where assigned)
Arrest Information:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Booking number and jail facility
- Charges filed at arrest
- Bail or bond information
Court Case Information:
- Case number and court of jurisdiction
- Filing date and case type
- Charges as filed, including applicable statutes and felony or misdemeanor classification
- Plea entered
- Attorney of record
Disposition:
- Verdict or plea outcome
- Conviction date (if applicable)
- Sentence type, length, fines, restitution, and conditions
- Probation or parole terms
- Appeals filed or pending
Additional Record Elements:
- Active or recalled warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status (searchable through the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry)
- DUI/OWI convictions
- Pending charges
NOT Included in Public Records:
- Juvenile adjudications (sealed under Wis. Stat. § 938.396)
- Expunged or sealed adult records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Completed deferred prosecution or diversion agreements (in most cases)
Accuracy Note: Criminal records may contain data entry errors or incomplete information. Individuals who identify inaccuracies in their own records may seek correction through the originating agency or through the Wisconsin DOJ's Crime Information Bureau.
How Long Does Dodge County Keep Criminal Records?
Legal Requirements: Wisconsin public records retention is governed by schedules established under Wis. Stat. § 16.61 and administered by the Wisconsin Public Records Board. Courts and law enforcement agencies are required to follow state-mandated retention schedules.
Retention by Record Type:
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor convictions | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Minimum 7 years; varies by agency |
| Dismissed or acquitted cases | Retained with disposition noted; permanent in court system |
| Juvenile records | Sealed at age 17 or case closure; destruction timelines vary |
| Pending cases | Retained until final resolution |
Agency Differences:
- Dodge County Circuit Court: Court case records are retained permanently in accordance with Wisconsin Court System records retention rules.
- Dodge County Sheriff's Office: Jail and arrest records are retained per the Wisconsin Public Records Board schedule, at minimum several years for non-conviction records.
- Wisconsin DOJ Crime Information Bureau: Conviction records are retained permanently in the state repository. The Wisconsin DOJ maintains the authoritative statewide criminal history database.
Physical vs. Electronic Records: Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Paper documents may be destroyed following scanning and digitization, while the electronic record persists in agency databases.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement: Destruction permanently eliminates a record. Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use. Expungement, available under Wis. Stat. § 973.015 for eligible offenses, removes the record from public view but does not eliminate it from law enforcement databases. Eligibility for expungement in Wisconsin is limited to offenses committed before age 25 and requires successful completion of the sentence.
Old Records Access: Records predating electronic filing systems may exist only in paper form and may require special requests to the Clerk of Circuit Court or the Wisconsin State Archives.
Federal Records: Criminal records maintained by the FBI through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and are maintained separately from state and county records. Federal records are not subject to Wisconsin's open records statute.
Practical Implications: Permanent conviction records appear on background checks regardless of the passage of time. Commercial employment background checks are subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which limits reporting of certain records to seven to ten years for employment purposes. Professional licensing boards may require full disclosure of all convictions. Even where a county agency has destroyed physical records, electronic copies may persist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 973.015.