La Crosse County court records in Wisconsin are available through several channels. LaCrosseCourt.us allows you to search for public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the state's official online court system tools, the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court, and public terminals directly in the courthouse building.
La Crosse Court System & Jurisdictions
In Wisconsin, there are no separate District Court or Magistrate Court at the county level — all first-instance jurisdiction is concentrated in the Circuit Court. La Crosse County is served by the La Crosse County Circuit Court, which operates as a court of general jurisdiction.
The Circuit Court handles a wide range of cases:
- Criminal cases — felonies and misdemeanors, including DUI/OWI
- Civil lawsuits — disputes of any amount, contract and tort cases
- Small claims — claims up to $10,000, simplified procedure
- Family law — divorce, child custody, alimony, restraining orders
- Probate — wills, estate management, adult guardianship
- Traffic violations — fines, traffic rule violations
- Juvenile cases — delinquency, child protection (access restricted)
Federal cases concerning the county are handled by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin in Madison. Federal case records are available through the PACER system.
Appeals from the Circuit Court are filed with the Wisconsin Court of Appeals (District IV).
La Crosse Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week, use the statewide case search system. On the Wisconsin Court System Case Search page, enter the party's name or case number — the results display scheduled hearing dates.
Additional ways to get information about the calendar:
- Call the Clerk of Circuit Courts office at (608) 785-9610 and ask for the date of the next hearing for a specific case.
- Visit the courthouse in person — the daily schedule is usually posted near the courtrooms.
- Check the Clerk of Courts page for the county — announcements and links to court resources are published there.
A list of active arrest warrants issued by the Circuit Court is available on the sheriff's Active Warrant List page.
How to Get a Copy of a La Crosse Court Document
The Clerk of Circuit Courts office maintains all case materials heard in the county's Circuit Court. Copies can be obtained in three ways.
Online
Through the Case Search portal, you can view basic case information for free: parties, dates, status, scheduled hearings. Full documents (petitions, decisions, transcripts) usually require a request directly to the clerk.
In Person or by Mail
- Contact the clerk's office with the case number or the full name of the party.
- Specify the document you need — for example, a court decision, indictment, or divorce certificate.
- Choose the type of copy: ordinary (uncertified) or certified. A certified copy has the clerk's seal and is accepted as an official document.
- Pay the appropriate fee.
Send a mail request to the address:
Include in the envelope a letter indicating the case number, the name of the required document, the type of copy, and a return address. Payment is usually accepted by check or money order made out to La Crosse County Clerk of Courts.
Some records have restricted access — juvenile cases, guardianship cases, sealed or expunged records are not issued without a court order.
La Crosse Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for copies and searches of court documents in Wisconsin are established according to Wis. Stat. § 814.61. Below are the main rates applicable in the La Crosse County Circuit Court.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Record search (per name search) | $5.00 |
| Ordinary copy (uncertified), per page | $1.25 |
| Document certification fee | $5.00 per document |
| Certified copy, per page + certification | $1.25/page + $5.00 |
| Electronic copy, if available | Depends on format |
These amounts are based on current provisions of Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10). Specific fees may vary — check current rates directly with the clerk's office.
Payment methods:
- In person — cash, check, money order. Some offices accept credit/debit cards — confirm in advance.
- By mail — check or money order made out to Clerk of Circuit Courts.
For state-level criminal background checks, a separate fee is charged by the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) of the Department of Justice. Additional legal resources for the county are collected on the Wisconsin State Law Library page.