Criminal records of La Crosse County, Wisconsin, are available through several channels. LaCrosseCourt.us allows you to search publicly available information about criminal cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the Wisconsin state court system portal, the La Crosse County Clerk of Courts office, as well as through the sheriff's department and county law enforcement agencies.
How to Search Criminal Records in La Crosse
There are several ways to search for criminal records in this county. Here are the main ones:
Online Search
- LaCrosseCourt.us — start here to find publicly available information about criminal court cases.
- Wisconsin Court System Case Search — the statewide CCAP (Consolidated Court Automation Programs) portal provides access to circuit court records, the Court of Appeals, and the State Supreme Court. You need to enter the person's last name and first name or case number to search.
- Sheriff's Office Inmate Locator — allows you to check if a person is currently held in the La Crosse County Jail.
- Active Warrant List — the sheriff's office publishes a list of individuals for whom an arrest warrant has been issued by the county court.
- Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) — the state Department of Justice system allows you to request a criminal history check online.
What You Need for a Search
- Full name of the person
- Date of birth (preferable but not always necessary)
- Case number (if known)
In-Person Visit
The La Crosse County Clerk of Courts welcomes visitors who wish to review court records. Public terminals for self-search are available in the courthouse.
La Crosse County Clerk of Courts
Written Request
A request for criminal records can be sent by mail to the La Crosse County Clerk of Courts. For a statewide criminal history check, send a request to the Wisconsin Department of Justice through the WORCS system or by mail using the form available on the Department of Justice website.
Search La Crosse Criminal Cases by Case Number
Each criminal case in Wisconsin is assigned a unique number. The format looks like this:
YYYY-XX-######
- YYYY — the year the case was filed (e.g., 2024)
- XX — the case type code. For criminal cases, the most commonly used are:
- CF — felony criminal case
- CM — misdemeanor criminal case
- CT — traffic violation
- FO — local ordinance violation
- ###### — the sequential case number within the year
For example, the number 2024-CF-000123 indicates a felony criminal case filed in 2024 with the sequential number 123. Knowing this number, you can find the case directly through the CCAP portal without needing to enter a name.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in La Crosse
Criminal case records in La Crosse County contain several key data categories. Below is an explanation of what each means.
Charges
| Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the specific section of the Wisconsin Statutes under which the charge is filed (e.g., § 943.10 — burglary) |
| Severity Level | Felony (serious crime, classes A–I), Misdemeanor (offense, classes A–C), or Forfeiture (administrative violation) |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or reduce charges during the case — updated information is reflected in the record |
Case Status
- Open / Pending — the case is still under court consideration
- Active — there are scheduled hearings or unmet conditions
- Disposed / Closed — the court has made a final decision, and the case is concluded
Hearings
- Initial Appearance — the defendant's first appearance before a judge
- Preliminary Hearing — a hearing to determine the sufficiency of evidence (only for felonies)
- Arraignment — official reading of charges, the defendant pleads "guilty" or "not guilty"
- Pre-Trial Conference — a meeting of the parties before the trial begins
- Sentencing — the imposition of a sentence after a guilty verdict
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty — by court verdict or by the defendant's admission |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted after the trial |
| Dismissed | Case closed — charges dropped by the prosecutor or court |
| No Contest (Nolo Contendere) | The defendant does not contest the charges but does not formally admit guilt |
| Deferred Judgment | The court postpones the sentence on the condition that certain requirements are met |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in La Crosse
Certified copies of criminal records are needed for employment, licensing, or legal procedures. Here is where to apply.
La Crosse County Clerk of Courts
This office issues certified copies of court documents, including judgments, hearing transcripts, and other criminal case materials. Requests can be made in person or by mail. Provide the full name of the defendant, the case number (if known), and the type of document you need.
Bring a government-issued photo ID for identification.
Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ)
For a complete statewide criminal history check, use the WORCS system. Results are usually available within a few business days after submitting an online request. This option is suitable for employers, volunteer organizations, and private individuals.
Sheriff's Office
The La Crosse County Sheriff's Office can provide information about arrests and jail detentions. Call (608) 785-9630 for details.
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in La Crosse
Fees for criminal records are determined by Wisconsin state law and the internal rates of the respective agencies.
| Service | Cost | Source / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of court document (non-certified) | $1.25 per page | Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10)(a) |
| Document certification | $5.00 per document | Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10)(b) |
| Criminal history check via WORCS (DOJ) | $7.00 per request | Wisconsin DOJ — online payment |
| Criminal history check by mail (DOJ) | $7.00 per request | Wisconsin DOJ — payment by check or money order |
Processing Times
- Clerk of Courts (in-person) — copies are usually prepared on the day of the request if documents are in the electronic system
- Clerk of Courts (by mail) — 5 to 10 business days
- WORCS (online) — results are available within 2–5 business days
- WORCS (by mail) — up to 2 weeks
Note: Older cases filed before the implementation of the CCAP electronic system may require additional time for retrieval from paper archives. Confirm this with the Clerk of Courts before submitting a request.