Criminal records in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, can be accessed through several online tools, official court systems, law enforcement agencies, and the clerk's office. EauClaireCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information for Eau Claire County. Additional access points include the Wisconsin Court System case search, the Eau Claire County Clerk of Circuit Court, the Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
How to Search Criminal Records in Eau Claire
Several methods are available for searching criminal records in Eau Claire County. The information you'll need depends on the method and source, but having the person's full legal name, date of birth, or case number will produce the most accurate results.
Online Search Options
- EauClaireCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information tied to Eau Claire County criminal cases.
- Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) — The state's official public portal for searching circuit court records across all 72 Wisconsin counties, including Eau Claire. You can search by name, case number, or date of birth.
- Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) — Run through the Wisconsin Department of Justice, WORCS lets individuals and organizations submit criminal background checks and retrieve results online. A fee applies per name searched.
- Eau Claire County Jail Roster — The Sheriff's Office publishes a listing of current inmates, updated Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 10:00 am.
- Eau Claire County Active Warrant List — The Sheriff's Office Warrant Division maintains a publicly accessible list of active warrants.
- Wisconsin Department of Corrections — Offender information for individuals under state supervision can be looked up through the DOC website.
In Person
Visit the Eau Claire County Clerk of Circuit Court office at the Eau Claire County Courthouse. Public access terminals may be available for searching case records. Bring a valid photo ID if you plan to request copies.
By Mail or Written Request
- Clerk of Circuit Court: Send a written request to the Clerk's office at the courthouse address above. Include the subject's full name, date of birth (if known), and the specific records you are requesting. Include payment for any applicable fees.
- Wisconsin DOJ: For a statewide criminal history record check, you can submit a request to the Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau by mail. A completed request form and fee are required.
Search Eau Claire Criminal Cases by Case Number
If you already have a case number, searching by that number through WCCA is the fastest way to pull up a specific record. Wisconsin circuit court case numbers follow a standardized format:
Format: YYYY-XX-######
- YYYY — The four-digit year the case was filed (e.g., 2024)
- XX — A two-letter code identifying the case type:
- CF — Criminal felony
- CM — Criminal misdemeanor
- CT — Criminal traffic
- TR — Traffic forfeiture
- FO — Forfeiture (non-traffic)
- ###### — A sequential number assigned by the court
For example, a case number like 2024-CF-000123 would indicate a felony case filed in Eau Claire County Circuit Court in 2024. Enter the full case number into the WCCA search to view charges, parties, hearing dates, and case disposition.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Eau Claire
Criminal case records in Eau Claire County contain several key data points. Here is what each one means:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute code | The specific Wisconsin statute section the defendant is charged under (e.g., Wis. Stat. § 943.10 for burglary) |
| Severity | Felony (Classes A–I), misdemeanor (Classes A–C), or forfeiture/infraction |
| Amended charges | Charges may be amended through plea negotiations or by the prosecutor; both original and amended charges typically appear in the record |
| Charge count | Each individual charge is listed as a separate count |
Case Status
- Open/Pending: The case is active and awaiting resolution
- Disposed/Closed: The case has been resolved through judgment, dismissal, or other final action
Hearing Types
- Initial appearance: First court appearance where charges are read and bail is addressed
- Preliminary hearing: For felony cases — the court determines whether probable cause exists
- Arraignment: Defendant enters a formal plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
- Pre-trial conference: Scheduling and negotiation hearing before trial
- Trial: Jury or bench trial where evidence is presented
- Sentencing: Court imposes penalties after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review hearing: Follow-up to monitor compliance with probation or other conditions
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty: Convicted at trial or by plea
- Not guilty: Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed: Charges dropped by the court or prosecutor
- No contest (nolo contendere): Defendant does not contest the charges; treated as a conviction for sentencing purposes
- Deferred prosecution: Eau Claire County participates in deferred prosecution agreements where eligible offenders complete conditions in lieu of conviction; failure to comply resumes criminal proceedings
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Eau Claire
Certified copies of criminal court records are handled by the Eau Claire County Clerk of Circuit Court. These are official copies bearing the court seal, suitable for legal proceedings, employment verification, or licensing applications.
How to Submit a Request
- In person: Visit the Clerk of Circuit Court at the Eau Claire County Courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Specify the case number or the defendant's full name and date of birth.
- By mail: Send a written request to the address below. Include the case number (if known), the defendant's full name and date of birth, a description of the documents needed, and a check or money order for the applicable fees payable to the Eau Claire County Clerk of Circuit Court.
- Statewide criminal history: For a certified criminal history report covering all Wisconsin jurisdictions, submit a request through the Wisconsin DOJ Crime Information Bureau. Fingerprint-based checks are available for a more thorough search.
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport) for in-person requests
- Written requests by mail should include the requester's name, address, and contact information
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Eau Claire
Fees for criminal record copies and background checks in Eau Claire County are set by Wisconsin statute and local fee schedules.
| Service | Fee | Source/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Uncertified copy of court document | $1.25 per page | Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10)(a) |
| Certified copy of court document | $5.00 per document plus $1.25 per page | Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10)(a) |
| WCCA online case search | Free | Wisconsin Court System |
| WORCS background check (name-based) | $7.00 per name | Wisconsin DOJ |
| DOJ fingerprint-based background check | $7.00 (state) + applicable FBI fee | Wisconsin DOJ |
Processing Times
- In-person requests: Typically processed the same day or within a few business days, depending on volume and record availability
- Mail requests: Allow 1–2 weeks for processing and return mailing
- WORCS online checks: Results are often available within minutes to a few business days
- Fingerprint-based DOJ checks: May take several weeks depending on FBI processing
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk of Circuit Court or the Wisconsin DOJ before submitting payment.