Door County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Door County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Door County may access publicly available information through official government channels, court repositories, and online databases. DoorRecords.us aggregates publicly available data related to criminal records that may assist individuals in locating relevant information. Door County maintains criminal records through several agencies, and the scope of accessible information depends on the type of record, the requesting party, and applicable Wisconsin law.
Records that may be available through official sources include:
- Arrest records and booking information
- Circuit court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Warrant information
- Sex offender registration data
- Jail roster and inmate records
- Pending criminal charges and case status
Records can be searched through official county resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary avenues available to members of the public.
1. County Court Records
The Door County Circuit Court maintains case files for all criminal matters filed within the county. Members of the public may inspect records in person at the courthouse during business hours. Requestors are advised to bring a valid government-issued photo ID and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate date of birth or case number to facilitate the search. Public access terminals are available in the clerk's office for self-service searches at no charge.
Door County Clerk of Circuit Court
421 Nebraska Street
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Phone: (920) 746-2205
Door County Clerk of Circuit Court
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
2. Sheriff's Office
The Door 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 records. The jail roster, which lists current inmates, is accessible through the Sheriff's Office.
Door County Sheriff's Office
1201 S. Duluth Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Phone: (920) 746-2400
Door County Sheriff's Office
3. Online Court Search
The Wisconsin Court System case search portal allows members of the public to search circuit court records statewide, including Door County. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney. The portal returns case type, filing date, charges, and disposition information. Sealed, expunged, or juvenile records do not appear in online results. The portal does not require registration and is available at no cost.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains the state's criminal history repository. Formal background check requests, including fingerprint-based searches, may be submitted through the Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau. Processing times and fees vary depending on the type of request. Fingerprint-based searches are required for certain employment and licensing purposes.
Wisconsin Department of Justice – Crime Information Bureau
17 West Main Street
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 266-7314
Wisconsin DOJ Crime Information Bureau
5. Written/Mail Requests
Members of the public may submit written requests for criminal records to the Door County Clerk of Circuit Court or the Sheriff's Office by mail. Requests should include the full legal name of the subject, 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, with ten business days serving as a standard benchmark.
What Is Door County Criminal Records
A criminal record in Door County is an official compilation of documented interactions between an individual and the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. Under Wisconsin law, criminal records encompass a broad range of documents generated at each stage of the criminal process, from initial arrest through final disposition.
The distinction between record types is significant for access purposes:
- Arrest records vs. conviction records: An arrest record documents that law enforcement took an individual 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: Felonies are the more serious classification, carrying potential imprisonment in a state correctional facility. Misdemeanors carry lesser penalties. Both categories are documented in circuit court records.
- Adult vs. juvenile records: Adult criminal records are subject to public access under Wisconsin's open records law. Juvenile records are confidential under Wis. Stat. § 938.396 and are not available to the general public.
- Active warrants vs. historical records: Active warrants reflect outstanding court orders for arrest. Historical records document resolved matters, including dismissed charges, acquittals, and completed sentences.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Door County include:
- Door County Sheriff's Office – arrest records, booking records, jail records
- Door County Circuit Court – court case files, charging documents, dispositions, sentencing orders
- Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau – statewide criminal history repository
- Local police departments – incident reports, arrest records within their jurisdictions
Records are created when law enforcement initiates contact and are updated as the case progresses through arraignment, plea proceedings, trial, sentencing, and any subsequent appeals or supervision. A complete criminal record may include charges, arraignments, plea agreements, trial outcomes, sentencing details, and probation or parole status.
Are Criminal Records Public In Door County
Criminal records in Door County are subject to public access under Wisconsin's open records law. Wis. Stat. § 19.31 establishes the public policy of the state, declaring that "all persons are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those officers and employees who represent them." This policy extends to criminal court records and law enforcement records maintained by county agencies.
Adult conviction records, court proceedings, charging documents, and sentencing information are accessible to members of the public. The Wisconsin Attorney General's Public Records Compliance Outline provides guidance on the scope of access and the obligations of records custodians.
Certain categories of records are restricted or exempt from public disclosure:
- Juvenile records, which are confidential under Wis. Stat. § 938.396
- Records sealed by court order
- Expunged records, which are removed from public access upon court order
- Ongoing criminal investigations, where disclosure could jeopardize law enforcement operations
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to federal privacy protections
Federal criminal records maintained by the FBI are governed by separate federal statutes and are not accessible through Wisconsin's open records framework.
How To Find Criminal Records in Door County Online?
Official County Resources
The primary online resource for Door County criminal court records is the Wisconsin Court System case search portal. This statewide tool includes Door County Circuit Court records and allows searches by party name, case number, citation number, or attorney. The portal displays case type, filing date, charges, and disposition. No registration is required. The Door County Sheriff's Office website provides access to current jail roster information for individuals currently in custody.
State-Level Resources
The Wisconsin Court System provides a statewide case search covering all circuit courts, the Court of Appeals, and the Wisconsin Supreme Court. The Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry, maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, is searchable online and includes individuals registered in Door County. The Wisconsin DOJ Crime Information Bureau offers a name-based criminal history search for a fee.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name and any known aliases
- Case number searches return the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as no single portal contains all records
- Note that online records reflect data as of the last system update and may not reflect same-day court activity
- Sealed and expunged records do not appear in public online searches
Limitations
Online databases reflect a data lag and do not capture all historical records. Records predating electronic filing systems may not be available online and require in-person requests. Online searches do not substitute for certified background checks required for employment, licensing, or housing purposes.
Can You Search Door 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 Door County Clerk of Circuit Court and the Door County Sheriff's Office during regular business hours.
2. Free Online Databases: The Wisconsin Court System case search portal is available at no cost and requires no registration. The Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry is also freely accessible online.
3. Sheriff's Logs: The Door County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest and booking logs that reflect recent law enforcement activity. These records are available upon request.
What Costs Money
| Record Type | Approximate Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copies of court records | $1.25 per page (standard Wisconsin rate) |
| Official state background check (name-based) | $7.00 (Wisconsin DOJ) |
| Fingerprint-based background check | $13.00 (Wisconsin DOJ) |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Variable |
| Expedited processing | Variable |
State Fee Law
Wisconsin's public records fee structure is governed by Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), which permits custodians to charge fees for locating, copying, and mailing records but prohibits fees for mere inspection. Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances; requestors should inquire directly with the records custodian.
What's Included in a Door County Criminal Record?
Identifying Information
A Door County criminal record at present includes the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, last known address, state identification number (SID), and, where applicable, an FBI number. Booking photographs (mugshots) are associated with arrest records.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document 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.
Court Case Information
Court records include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, specific charges and applicable statutes (including felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details including type and length of sentence, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision, as well as any appeals filed.
Additional Record Elements
- Outstanding warrants
- Protective or restraining orders
- Sex offender registration status
- OWI/DUI convictions
- Traffic violations adjudicated in circuit court
- Pending charges and open cases
NOT Included in Public Records
- Juvenile adjudications (confidential under Wis. Stat. § 938.396)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Completed diversion program records where charges were dismissed
Accuracy Note
Criminal records may contain errors resulting from data entry, name variations, or incomplete updates. Individuals who identify inaccuracies in their own records may petition the maintaining agency or the court for correction. The Wisconsin Court System provides procedural guidance for record correction requests.
How Long Does Door County Keep Criminal Records?
Legal Requirements
Wisconsin's public records retention schedules, established under Wis. Stat. § 16.61, govern how long government agencies must retain records. The Wisconsin Public Records Board issues retention schedules applicable to county courts and law enforcement agencies.
Retention by Record Type
| Record Type | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Felony convictions | Permanent |
| Misdemeanor convictions | Permanent |
| Arrest records (no conviction) | Minimum 7 years |
| Dismissed or acquitted cases | Permanent (disposition noted) |
| Juvenile records | Sealed at age 17; destruction timelines vary by offense |
| Pending cases | Retained until final resolution |
Agency Differences
- County Circuit Court: Court records are retained permanently per Wisconsin court records retention rules.
- Sheriff's Office/Jail: Booking and jail records are retained according to the Wisconsin Public Records Board schedule, at present a minimum of seven years for most categories.
- Wisconsin DOJ State Repository: Conviction records are retained permanently. The Wisconsin DOJ Crime Information Bureau 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 after scanning and digital preservation, but the electronic version remains accessible.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
- Destruction refers to the physical or electronic elimination of a record per a retention schedule.
- Sealing removes a record from public access but preserves it for law enforcement use.
- Expungement in Wisconsin, available under Wis. Stat. § 973.015, directs the court to expunge the record of a conviction upon successful completion of a sentence for eligible offenses. Expunged records are removed from public access but may remain accessible to law enforcement. Eligibility is limited to individuals who were under age 25 at the time of the offense and who meet statutory criteria.
Old Records Access
Records predating electronic filing systems may require special requests and may be held in physical archives. Members of the public seeking pre-digital records should contact the Door County Clerk of Circuit Court directly.
Federal Records
Records maintained by the FBI under the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) are governed by federal law and separate retention rules. These records are not accessible through Wisconsin's open records framework.
Practical Implications
Felony and misdemeanor convictions remain on record permanently and appear on background checks. Employment background checks at present examine criminal history within a 7–10 year window under the Fair Credit Reporting Act for most positions, though professional licensing boards may require full disclosure regardless of age. Even if a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged.