Criminal records of Racine County, Wisconsin, are available through several channels. RacineCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about criminal cases. Additionally, records can be obtained through the state court system, city law enforcement agencies, and the county clerk's office. Each of these resources covers different types of data — from current cases to arrest histories.
How to Search Criminal Records in Racine
Searching for criminal records begins with identifying the necessary source. Here are the main methods:
Online Search
- RacineCourt.us — enter the person's first and last name to view publicly available information about court cases in the county.
- Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) — the official portal of the state court system. Allows searches by name, case number, or date of birth. Results include cases from circuit courts throughout Wisconsin.
- Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) — the state Department of Justice system for checking criminal history. Requires full name and date of birth. Results include arrest records at the state level.
- DOC Offender Search — the Wisconsin Department of Corrections database. Here you can find individuals under supervision or serving sentences.
- Racine Police Active Warrants — a list of current arrest warrants.
In-Person Request
The Racine County Clerk of Circuit Court provides access to court records at the courthouse. Public terminals allow you to view cases on-site. If you need a specific case, prepare the case number or the full name of the defendant.
Mail Request
A written request can be sent to the county clerk's office or the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Include the person's full name, date of birth (if known), and the type of record requested. For verification through WORCS by mail, fill out the form available on the DOJ criminal background check page.
What you need to start the search:
- Full name and surname of the person
- Date of birth (recommended)
- Case number (if known)
Police Reports
To obtain copies of police reports, contact the Racine City Police Records Bureau. The bureau maintains incident and accident reports.
Search Racine Criminal Cases by Case Number
Case numbers in Wisconsin have a standard format that facilitates searching through WCCA. The typical structure looks like this:
YYYY-XX-NNNNNN
- YYYY — the year the case was filed (e.g., 2024)
- XX — the case type code. For criminal cases, the following are usually used:
- CF — felony (serious crime)
- CM — misdemeanor (less serious crime)
- CT — traffic violations
- TR — traffic offenses
- NNNNNN — the sequential case number
For example, 2024CF000123 indicates a felony case filed in 2024 with number 123. Enter this number on the WCCA portal to immediately open the desired case without browsing through the list of results.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Racine
Court records contain several key elements. Below is an explanation of each.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | Reference to the section of the Wisconsin Criminal Code (e.g., Wis. Stat. § 943.10 — burglary) |
| Severity | Felony, Misdemeanor, or Forfeiture |
| Class | Felonies are divided into classes from A to I; misdemeanors — classes A, B, C |
| Amended Charges | The prosecutor may change or drop individual charges during the case |
Case Status
- Open / Active — the case is being considered
- Pending — awaiting the next procedural action
- Disposed — the court has made a final decision
- Closed — all procedures are complete, including sentence execution
Hearings
A criminal case goes through several stages:
- Initial Appearance — first court appearance, charges announced
- Preliminary Hearing — for felonies, the judge determines if there is enough evidence
- Arraignment — the defendant pleads guilty or not guilty
- Pre-Trial Conference — parties discuss the possibility of a plea deal or trial preparation
- Trial — court hearing
- Sentencing — sentencing
Court Results
| Result | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Guilty | Found guilty — by court verdict or defendant's admission |
| Not Guilty | Acquitted after trial |
| Dismissed | Case closed — prosecutor dropped charges or court dismissed them |
| No Contest (Nolo Contendere) | The defendant does not contest the charges, equivalent to a guilty plea |
| Deferred Judgment | The court postpones the sentence; if conditions are met, charges may be dropped |
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Racine
Certified copies of court records are issued by the county clerk's office. Such documents bear an official seal and are accepted by other institutions as proof.
How to Submit a Request
- In-Person — visit the clerk's office at the courthouse
- By Mail — send a written request specifying the case number, party name, and document type
- Online — some documents can be ordered through the Wisconsin court system portal
To check criminal history at the state level, submit a request through WORCS or send a form to the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
What You Need for the Request
- Full name and date of birth of the person
- Case number (if known)
- Valid photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Payment of established fees
Racine County Clerk of Circuit Court
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Racine
Fees for copies and certification are established by Wisconsin state law (Wis. Stat. § 814.61). Below are approximate rates.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document | $1.25 per page |
| Certification | $5.00 per document |
| Criminal history check through WORCS | $7.00 per request (online) |
| Check through DOJ by mail | $7.00 per request |
Processing times depend on the submission method. Online requests through WORCS usually yield results within minutes. Mail requests to the Department of Justice may take 7 to 14 business days. Certified copies from the clerk's office are generally ready on the day of the request — provided the case is easily found in the system. More complex or older records may require additional time.