Portage County, Wisconsin Warrant Records
Are Warrants Public Record in Portage County, Wisconsin?
Warrant records in Portage County, Wisconsin are considered public records pursuant to Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This legislation establishes the presumption that the public has the right to access government records, including warrants issued by courts within the county jurisdiction. The law operates under the principle that transparency in government operations serves the public interest by promoting accountability and informed citizenship.
In Portage County, warrant information is maintained by both the Portage County Sheriff's Office and the Portage County Clerk of Courts. These records contain details about active warrants issued for individuals charged with criminal offenses or who have failed to appear for scheduled court proceedings. While most warrant information is accessible to the public, certain exceptions apply under Wisconsin law, particularly for records related to ongoing investigations, juvenile matters, or cases sealed by court order.
Members of the public seeking warrant information should be aware that access may be restricted in cases where disclosure could compromise public safety, interfere with law enforcement proceedings, or infringe upon protected privacy interests as determined by Wisconsin statutes.
What Is Contained in Warrant Records in Portage County?
Warrant records maintained by Portage County authorities typically contain the following information:
• Full legal name of the subject (including aliases when applicable) • Date of birth and/or age of the subject • Physical description of the subject (height, weight, identifying marks) • Last known address or location information • Case number and court of issuance • Date of warrant issuance • Type of warrant (arrest, bench, search, etc.) • Nature of the alleged offense or violation • Bond amount, if applicable • Issuing judge or judicial officer • Special conditions or instructions for executing officers
The level of detail provided in publicly accessible warrant records may vary based on the nature of the case and applicable privacy restrictions under Wisconsin law. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of warrant records in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.36, which outlines specific limitations on access to public records.
How to Check For Warrants in Portage County For Free
Residents and interested parties may verify warrant status in Portage County through several no-cost methods established by county authorities:
The Wisconsin Court System provides a centralized online case search portal where members of the public may search for warrant information using a name or case number. This resource is available 24 hours per day and provides basic information about court cases, including warrant status.
Individuals may also contact the Portage County Sheriff's Office directly:
Portage County Sheriff's Office
1500 Strongs Avenue
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Phone: (715) 346-1400
Portage County Sheriff's Office
Operating hours for in-person inquiries: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays.
Additionally, the Portage County Clerk of Courts maintains public access terminals at the courthouse where individuals may conduct searches of court records, including warrant information:
Portage County Clerk of Courts
1516 Church Street, 2nd Floor
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Phone: (715) 346-1364
Portage County Clerk of Courts
Public terminal hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays.
Portage County Sheriff Warrants
The Portage County Sheriff's Office is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants issued within the county jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants in Portage County are official documents issued by a judge or court commissioner that authorize law enforcement officers to take specific actions, such as apprehending individuals or conducting searches of specified properties.
Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 968.04, arrest warrants must be supported by probable cause and contain specific information identifying the subject and the alleged offense. The Sheriff's Office maintains a database of active warrants and is responsible for their execution in accordance with legal requirements and departmental procedures.
The Sheriff's Office also maintains a "Most Wanted" list featuring individuals with outstanding warrants for serious offenses. This information is published on the Portage County website as a public safety measure and to solicit community assistance in locating these individuals.
Members of the public should be advised that attempting to apprehend wanted individuals is strictly prohibited. Persons with information regarding the whereabouts of wanted individuals should contact the Portage County Sheriff's Office at (715) 346-1400.
How to Know If You Have a Warrant in Portage County in 2025
As of 2025, Portage County has implemented several methods for individuals to verify their warrant status. Persons concerned about possible outstanding warrants may utilize the following resources:
The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal, commonly known as CCAP, provides online access to public court records, including warrant information. This system is accessible through the Wisconsin Court System website and allows searches by name or case number.
Individuals may also contact the Portage County Clerk of Courts directly:
Portage County Clerk of Courts
1516 Church Street, 2nd Floor
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Phone: (715) 346-1364
Portage County Clerk of Courts
For those who prefer to inquire in person, the Portage County Sheriff's Office provides warrant verification services during regular business hours:
Portage County Sheriff's Office
1500 Strongs Avenue
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Phone: (715) 346-1400
Portage County Sheriff's Office
Pursuant to Wisconsin law, individuals with active warrants are advised to consult with legal counsel regarding appropriate steps to resolve their legal matters. The Portage County Public Defender's Office may provide assistance to qualifying individuals.
How to Check For Outstanding Warrants in Portage County
Portage County maintains several official channels through which members of the public may verify outstanding warrant information:
The Portage County Sheriff's Office website provides a searchable database of active warrants. This resource is updated regularly and includes information about individuals with outstanding warrants issued within the county jurisdiction.
For comprehensive warrant searches, the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system offers a centralized database of court records, including warrant information. This resource is accessible through the Wisconsin Court System website.
In-person inquiries may be directed to:
Portage County Sheriff's Office
1500 Strongs Avenue
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Phone: (715) 346-1400
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Portage County Clerk of Courts
1516 Church Street, 2nd Floor
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Phone: (715) 346-1364
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
When conducting warrant searches, requestors should provide as much identifying information as possible, including full name, date of birth, and any known aliases. Pursuant to Wisconsin Public Records Law, certain fees may apply for printed copies of warrant records.
Search Warrant Records in Portage County
• Wisconsin Court System Case Search • Portage County Most Wanted List • Portage County Clerk of Courts Records • Portage County Sheriff's Office
