Criminal records in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, can be accessed through several channels. FondduLacCourt.us can help find publicly available criminal case information. Additional access points include the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system, the Fond du Lac County Clerk of Circuit Court's office, local law enforcement agencies, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Each source offers different levels of detail depending on the type of record and the method of request.
How to Search Criminal Records in Fond du Lac
There are several ways to search for criminal records in Fond du Lac County. The method you choose depends on what information you already have and what type of record you need.
Online Search Options
- FondduLacCourt.us — Search for publicly available court record information related to criminal cases filed in Fond du Lac County.
- Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) — The statewide court records portal maintained by Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP). Search by name, date of birth, or case number to find circuit court case records across all Wisconsin counties, including Fond du Lac.
- Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office Inmate Roster — View current jail inmates, including names and custody status. This is useful for confirming whether someone is currently detained.
- Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) — Run a formal criminal background check through the Wisconsin Department of Justice. This returns criminal history from the state repository.
- Wisconsin DOC Offender Search — Look up individuals under the supervision of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, including those incarcerated or on community supervision.
In Person
Visit the Fond du Lac County Clerk of Circuit Court's office at the courthouse. Public access terminals may be available for searching WCCA records on-site. Staff can assist with locating case files and ordering copies.
By Mail or Written Request
You can submit a written request for court records to the Clerk of Circuit Court. For a statewide criminal history search, submit a request through the Wisconsin DOJ — either online via WORCS or by mailing a completed Record Check Request form to the Crime Information Bureau.
The Fond du Lac Police Department Records Bureau handles police report requests and can be contacted for records generated by city law enforcement. The City Attorney's office also processes public records requests under Wisconsin Public Records Law.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Full legal name of the individual
- Date of birth (strongly recommended)
- Case number (if known)
- County where the case was filed
Search Fond du Lac Criminal Cases by Case Number
Wisconsin circuit court case numbers follow a standardized format that encodes the county, year, case type, and sequence number. Understanding this format helps you locate specific cases quickly on WCCA.
The format is:
[Year][County Code][Case Type][Sequence Number]
- Year — The two-digit filing year (e.g., 25 for 2025)
- County Code — Fond du Lac County's code is FD
- Case Type — Identifies the nature of the case. Common criminal case type codes include:
- CF — Criminal felony
- CM — Criminal misdemeanor
- CT — Criminal traffic
- FO — Forfeiture
- TR — Traffic
- Sequence Number — A sequential number assigned as cases are filed
For example, a case number like 2025FD000123CF would indicate a felony case filed in Fond du Lac County in 2025. Enter the case number directly into the WCCA search to pull up charges, parties, hearings, and disposition details.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Fond du Lac
Criminal case records in Fond du Lac County contain several key data points. Here is what each one means:
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | The Wisconsin statute section the defendant is charged under (e.g., Wis. Stat. § 943.10 for burglary) |
| Severity | Felony (Classes A–I), misdemeanor (Classes A–C), or forfeiture/civil violation |
| Amended Charges | Charges may be modified through plea negotiations; the original and amended charges are both listed |
| Charge Count | Each individual charge is listed as a separate count |
Case Status
- Open/Pending — The case has been filed but not yet resolved
- Active — Proceedings are ongoing
- Disposed/Closed — The case has reached a final outcome (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.)
Hearing Types
- Initial Appearance — The defendant's first appearance before a judge; bail may be set
- Preliminary Hearing — For felonies; the court determines whether probable cause exists
- Arraignment — The defendant enters a plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
- Pre-Trial Conference — Attorneys discuss potential resolution; motions may be heard
- Jury/Court Trial — The case is tried before a jury or judge
- Sentencing — The court imposes a sentence after a guilty verdict or plea
- Review Hearing — Post-sentencing check on compliance with conditions
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — Convicted by plea or verdict
- Not Guilty — Acquitted at trial
- Dismissed — Charges dropped by the prosecution or court
- Nolle Prosequi — Prosecution declines to pursue the charge
- Deferred Prosecution — Case held in abeyance pending completion of conditions
- Not Guilty by Reason of Mental Disease or Defect — Found not responsible due to mental condition under Wis. Stat. § 971.17
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Fond du Lac
Certified copies of criminal court records are issued by the Fond du Lac County Clerk of Circuit Court. These carry an official seal and are accepted for legal proceedings, background checks, and other formal purposes.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person — Visit the Clerk of Circuit Court office at the Fond du Lac County Courthouse. Bring a valid photo ID and the case number or defendant name.
- By Mail — Send a written request that includes the case number, defendant name, your contact information, and a check or money order for the applicable fees.
- Online (State Criminal History) — For a certified criminal history record from the state repository, use the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) through the Department of Justice.
Identification Required
- Valid government-issued photo ID for in-person requests
- For self-requests through WORCS, you will need to provide your name, date of birth, and other identifying information
Contact Information
Fond du Lac County Clerk of Circuit Court
Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Fond du Lac
Fees for criminal record copies and background checks are set by statute and local policy. Below are the standard fees applicable in Fond du Lac County.
| Service | Fee | Source/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Copies of court documents (not certified) | $1.25 per page | Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10) |
| Certified copy of court record | $5.00 per document plus $1.25 per page | Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10) |
| WORCS criminal background check (name-based) | $7.00 per search | Wisconsin DOJ |
| Fingerprint-based background check (DOJ) | $7.00 state / additional for FBI | Wisconsin DOJ |
Processing Times
- In-person requests — Often processed the same day or within a few business days, depending on the complexity of the request
- Mail requests — Typically 5–10 business days after receipt
- WORCS online checks — Results are usually available within minutes to a few business days
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current amounts with the Clerk of Circuit Court or the Wisconsin DOJ before submitting payment.