Warrant records are public in Waukesha, Wisconsin pursuant to the Wisconsin Open Records Law (Wis. Stat. § 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes that public records, including warrants, shall be accessible to members of the public with limited exceptions. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld the presumption of complete public access to public records, consistent with the conduct of governmental business.
The Waukesha County Sheriff's Department maintains warrant records as part of its official duties under Wis. Stat. § 59.27, which outlines the responsibilities of county law enforcement agencies. These records are considered public documents because they are issued by courts of competent jurisdiction and constitute official actions of government entities subject to public oversight.
Public access to warrant information serves several governmental functions:
Certain warrant information may be temporarily sealed by court order pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 968.26 if disclosure would compromise an ongoing investigation or endanger public safety.
Members of the public seeking warrant information in Waukesha County may access several official online resources:
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA): The state's official court records portal provides searchable access to warrant information issued through circuit courts. The system is maintained pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 72 governing record retention.
Waukesha County Sheriff's Department: The department maintains a database of active warrants that may be searched by name, case number, or other identifiers. The Sheriff's Department is located at:
Waukesha County Sheriff's Department
515 W. Moreland Boulevard
Waukesha, WI 53188
Phone: (262) 548-7122
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Waukesha County Circuit Court: The Clerk of Courts maintains records of all warrants issued within the county jurisdiction. Their office is located at:
Waukesha County Courthouse
515 W. Moreland Boulevard
Waukesha, WI 53188
Phone: (262) 548-7484
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
City of Waukesha Police Department: The department's Criminal Investigation Division maintains warrant information for city ordinance violations and certain criminal matters.
Individuals seeking to determine if they are subject to an active warrant in Waukesha County may utilize several official channels:
Direct Contact with Law Enforcement: Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 59.27(8), the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department maintains current warrant information and can verify warrant status upon request. Individuals may contact:
Waukesha County Sheriff's Department - Warrant Division
515 W. Moreland Boulevard
Waukesha, WI 53188
Phone: (262) 548-7142
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Online Court Records: The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system provides public access to court records including warrant information. This system is maintained pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72.
Municipal Court Verification: For warrants related to municipal ordinance violations, individuals may contact the appropriate municipal court:
City of Waukesha Municipal Court
201 Delafield Street
Waukesha, WI 53188
Phone: (262) 524-3700
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Legal Representation: Licensed attorneys may conduct warrant searches on behalf of clients through specialized access to court information systems pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 70.153.
Individuals should be prepared to provide proper identification when making inquiries about warrant status. Under Wis. Stat. § 946.42, individuals with knowledge of an active warrant are legally obligated to address the matter through proper legal channels.
The verification of outstanding warrants in Waukesha County may be accomplished through several official methods:
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Portal: Pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72, court records including warrant information are accessible through the state's official online portal. The system provides real-time information on active warrants issued by circuit courts.
In-Person Records Request: Members of the public may submit a records request in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35 at:
Waukesha County Clerk of Courts
515 W. Moreland Boulevard, Room C-112
Waukesha, WI 53188
Phone: (262) 548-7484
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Telephone Verification: The Waukesha County Sheriff's Department Warrant Division provides telephone verification of warrant status during regular business hours at (262) 548-7142.
Municipal Court Records: For warrants related to municipal ordinance violations, verification may be obtained through the appropriate municipal court. The Wisconsin Court System maintains a directory of municipal courts.
Requestors should note that pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(i), certain identifying information may be required to process warrant record requests. A nominal fee may be assessed for copies of warrant documentation in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3).
Warrant records maintained by Waukesha County authorities contain specific information as required by Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 968 governing criminal procedure. Standard warrant documentation includes:
Identifying Information:
Warrant Specifications:
Offense Information:
Procedural Elements:
Administrative Data:
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 968.04(3)(a)7, warrants must contain sufficient particularity to identify the individual subject to apprehension and the specific legal authority for the warrant's issuance.