Jackson County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Jackson County in 2026
JacksonWIRecords.us provides publicly available information related to criminal records in Jackson County, Wisconsin. Members of the public seeking criminal records may access a range of documents through official county, state, and court resources. The information available through these channels may include, but is not limited to, the following record categories:
- Arrest records and booking reports
- Circuit court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Jail inmate rosters and custody status
- Active warrants and protective orders
- Sex offender registration records
- Civil process and court-filed documents
Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary avenues available to members of the public under current Wisconsin law.
1. County Court Records: The Jackson County Circuit Court, located within the Jackson County Courthouse, maintains all court case files, including criminal charges, pleas, verdicts, and sentencing records. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the Clerk of Courts office during regular business hours. A valid photo ID is required for certain requests. Public access terminals are available on-site for case lookups at no charge.
Jackson County Clerk of Courts
307 Main Street
Black River Falls, WI 54615
Phone: (715) 284-0208
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA)
2. Sheriff's Office: The Jackson County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and jail inmate information. Members of the public may submit records requests directly to the Sheriff's Office. Fees may apply for copies of reports. The Corrections/Jail division handles inquiries related to current and former inmates.
Jackson County Sheriff's Office
307 Main Street
Black River Falls, WI 54615
Phone: (715) 284-5357
Sheriff - Jackson County, WI
3. Online Court Search: The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal allows members of the public to search statewide court records by name, case number, or citation number. Users may filter results by county, case type, and date range. The portal reflects case information as entered by court staff and may not include the most recent updates in real time.
4. State Criminal History Repository: The Wisconsin Department of Justice, Crime Information Bureau, maintains the state's central criminal history repository. Members of the public may request a name-based criminal history search online. Fingerprint-based background checks are available for employment and licensing purposes. Processing times and fees vary by request type.
Wisconsin Department of Justice – Crime Information Bureau
17 West Main Street
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 266-7314
Wisconsin DOJ Criminal History
5. Written/Mail Requests: Members of the public may submit written requests for criminal records to the Jackson County Clerk of Courts or the Sheriff's Office at 307 Main Street, Black River Falls, WI 54615. Requests must include the subject's full legal name, date of birth, and the specific records sought. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35, custodians are required to respond to public records requests within a reasonable time, not to exceed ten business days.
What Is Jackson County Criminal Record
A criminal record is an official government document that reflects an individual's history of contact with the criminal justice system. In Wisconsin, criminal records are created and maintained by multiple agencies throughout the course of criminal proceedings, from initial arrest through final disposition.
Under Wisconsin law, a criminal record may encompass arrest records, charging documents, court case files, conviction records, sentencing orders, and records of probation or parole. The distinction between record types is significant:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt by a court. An arrest without a subsequent conviction does not constitute a criminal conviction under Wisconsin law.
- Felony vs. misdemeanor records: Felony offenses carry potential imprisonment of one year or more in a state correctional facility. Misdemeanor offenses carry lesser penalties. Both categories are reflected in court records maintained by the Jackson County Circuit Court.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Records pertaining to individuals adjudicated as juveniles are subject to confidentiality protections under Wis. Stat. § 938.396 and are not accessible to the general public.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect current judicial orders for arrest. Historical records document past criminal proceedings regardless of current warrant status.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Jackson County include the Jackson County Sheriff's Office (arrest records, jail records, and booking information), the Jackson County Circuit Court (court records, case files, and dispositions), the Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau (statewide criminal history repository), and local municipal police departments operating within the county. Records are created at the point of arrest and updated at each stage of the criminal justice process, including arraignment, plea, trial, sentencing, and any subsequent appeals or modifications.
Are Criminal Records Public In Jackson County
Criminal records in Jackson County are subject to public disclosure under Wisconsin's open records law. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.31, the Wisconsin Legislature has declared that "the public is entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those officers and employees who represent them." This statutory presumption of openness applies to criminal court records, arrest logs, and conviction records maintained by county agencies.
Adult conviction records, court proceedings, charging documents, and sentencing orders are accessible to members of the public. The Wisconsin Court System provides online access to circuit court records through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal.
Certain categories of records are restricted from public disclosure, including:
- Juvenile adjudication records, which are sealed by operation of law
- Records subject to expungement orders issued by a court
- Ongoing criminal investigations, where disclosure would compromise law enforcement operations
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records sealed by specific court order
The Wisconsin Department of Justice provides guidance on open records obligations applicable to law enforcement and court agencies. Federal records maintained by the FBI are governed by separate federal statutes and are not subject to Wisconsin's open records law.
How To Find Criminal Records in Jackson County Online
Official County Resources: The Jackson County, WI official website provides access to county government services, including links to the Sheriff's Office, Corrections/Jail inmate information, and civil process records. The Clerk of Courts office maintains court case files accessible through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal. No registration is required to conduct a basic name search on the WCCA portal.
State-Level Resources: The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal at wcca.wicourts.gov provides statewide court record searches. The Wisconsin Department of Justice offers a criminal history search tool for name-based public record inquiries. The Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry is maintained by the DOJ and is searchable online.
Search Tips:
- Search using the subject's full legal name as well as known aliases
- Case number searches yield the most precise results
- Cross-reference results across the WCCA portal and the DOJ criminal history database
- Note that records predating electronic filing may not appear in online searches
- Sealed and expunged records do not appear in public online databases
Limitations: Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court event. Records from proceedings prior to the digitization of court files may require an in-person request at the Clerk of Courts office. Online searches do not constitute an official background check for employment or licensing purposes.
Can You Search Jackson County Criminal Records for Free
Free Options:
1. In-Person Inspection: Wisconsin law mandates that members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1), any person has a right to inspect any record. Copying fees may apply. In-person inspection is available at the Jackson County Clerk of Courts and the Sheriff's Office, both located at 307 Main Street, Black River Falls, WI 54615.
2. Free Online Databases: The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal provides free public access to circuit court case records statewide. The Communications/E911 division of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office may provide access to certain public safety records at no charge.
3. Sheriff's Logs: Daily arrest and booking reports maintained by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office are available as public records subject to applicable exemptions.
| Record Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| In-person inspection | Free |
| WCCA online case search | Free |
| Photocopies (paper) | Per-page fee applies |
| Certified court copies | Fee per document |
| State background check (name-based) | Fee applies |
| Fingerprint-based background check | Fee applies |
| Staff-assisted research | Fee may apply |
Wisconsin law permits agencies to charge fees for the actual cost of reproduction. Fee waivers may be available in limited circumstances as determined by the records custodian.
What's Included in a Jackson County Criminal Record
Identifying Information: A criminal record may include the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, Wisconsin State Identification (SID) number, and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information: Arrest records reflect the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond conditions, and the jail facility where the individual was held. The Jackson County Corrections/Jail maintains booking records for individuals processed through the county jail.
Court Case Information: Court records include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges and applicable statutes (with felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition: Disposition records reflect the verdict, conviction date, sentencing details (including type and length of sentence, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Records: A complete criminal record may also reflect active warrants, protective orders, sex offender registration status, OWI/DUI convictions, and pending charges.
Records NOT Included:
- Juvenile adjudication records
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states
- Federal criminal records
- Records from completed diversion programs
Accuracy Note: Individuals who identify errors in their criminal record may seek correction through the originating agency or the Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau. Maintaining accurate records is essential for employment, licensing, and housing purposes.
How Long Does Jackson County Keep Criminal Records
Legal Requirements: Wisconsin record retention schedules govern how long criminal records must be maintained by county agencies. The Wisconsin Public Records Board establishes retention requirements applicable to local government records.
Retention by Record Type:
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by the court and the state criminal history repository
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently in court records; state repository retains indefinitely
- Arrest records (no conviction): Retained for a minimum period; subject to expungement petition under Wisconsin law
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Court records are retained permanently and reflect the full disposition, including dismissal
- Juvenile records: Subject to confidentiality under Wis. Stat. § 938.396; records may be sealed upon the juvenile reaching adulthood and destroyed after applicable retention periods
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution of the matter
Agency Differences:
- County Circuit Court: Court records are retained permanently pursuant to Wisconsin court records retention rules
- Sheriff's Office/Jail: Booking and arrest records are retained according to the Wisconsin Public Records Board schedule
- State Repository: The Wisconsin DOJ Crime Information Bureau retains conviction records permanently; the Wisconsin DOJ maintains the authoritative statewide criminal history database
Physical vs. Electronic Records: Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records. Paper records may be destroyed following scanning and digitization, provided the electronic copy is preserved in accordance with applicable retention schedules.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement: Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record at the end of its retention period. Sealing restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement use. Expungement, available under Wisconsin law for certain eligible offenses, results in the removal of the record from public access, though the record may remain accessible to law enforcement agencies. Eligibility for expungement is governed by Wisconsin statute, and individuals seeking expungement must petition the sentencing court.
Old Records Access: Records predating electronic filing systems may require special in-person requests at the Clerk of Courts office or through the Wisconsin Historical Society for archived materials.
Federal Records: Criminal records maintained by the FBI are subject to federal retention rules and are maintained separately from state and county records. Federal records are not subject to Wisconsin's open records law.
Practical Implications: Felony and misdemeanor convictions may appear on background checks conducted for employment, housing, or professional licensing purposes. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act are subject to a seven-to-ten-year reporting limitation for certain record types, though this limitation does not apply to positions with salaries above applicable thresholds. Professional licensing boards may require full disclosure of criminal history regardless of the age of the conviction. Even if a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged by court order.