Marinette County Court Records
What Is Marinette County Court Records
Court records in Marinette County encompass the official documentation generated by judicial proceedings within the county's court system. These records include case files, dockets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts, exhibits, and sentencing records created or filed in connection with any matter before a court of law. Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained at the county level, such as property records held by the Register of Deeds or vital records — including birth, death, and marriage certificates — maintained by the Register of Vital Records.
The Marinette County court system currently consists of two Circuit Courts and a full-time Court Commissioner. These courts maintain records across a broad range of matter types, including:
- Civil cases — contract disputes, personal injury actions, small claims matters
- Criminal cases — felony and misdemeanor prosecutions
- Family law matters — divorce, legal separation, paternity, child custody, and support proceedings
- Probate matters — estate administration, guardianship, and mental health commitments
- Traffic and ordinance violations — citations issued under state statute or local ordinance
- Juvenile matters — delinquency and child in need of protection or services (CHIPS) proceedings
Under Wis. Stat. § 59.40, the Clerk of Circuit Court is charged with maintaining all records of the circuit court, including case files and dockets, and with making those records available to the public in accordance with applicable law.
Are Court Records Public In Marinette County
Court records in Marinette County are presumptively open to the public under Wisconsin law. Wis. Stat. § 19.35 establishes the right of any person to inspect or copy public records held by a government authority, including court records, subject to specific statutory exceptions. Wisconsin's open courts doctrine, rooted in Article I, Section 9 of the Wisconsin Constitution, further reinforces the public's right of access to judicial proceedings and records.
Records that are currently available for public inspection include:
- Most civil case files and associated pleadings
- Criminal case files following the filing of a formal charge
- Judgments and court orders
- Docket sheets and case history entries
- Hearing schedules and calendars
- Traffic and ordinance case records
Certain records are exempt from public disclosure under state law. These include juvenile records, certain mental health and guardianship records, records sealed by court order, and cases involving victims of sexual assault where identifying information is protected. Members of the public should note that federal court records — maintained by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin — are governed by federal rules and accessed through the federal PACER system, which operates separately from Wisconsin's state court access portal. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has adopted rules under SCR Chapter 72 governing access to court records statewide, establishing uniform standards for what may be inspected, copied, or withheld.
How To Find Court Records in Marinette County in 2026
Members of the public seeking court records in Marinette County may obtain them through several official channels. The primary custodian of circuit court records is the Clerk of Circuit Court, located at the Marinette County Courthouse.
In-Person Access:
- Visit the Clerk of Circuit Court office during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)
- Provide the case number, party name, or other identifying information to staff
- Request to inspect records at the public counter or submit a written request for copies
- Fees for copies are set by statute; inspection of records is available at no charge
Written or Mail Requests:
- Submit a written public records request addressed to the Clerk of Circuit Court
- Include the full name of the parties involved, approximate filing date, and case type
- Specify whether copies or inspection is requested
Online Access:
- Use the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal to search case records remotely
- Access the Wisconsin Circuit Court case search links provided through the Marinette County Clerk of Circuit Court's official page
Clerk of Circuit Court — Marinette County 1926 Hall Avenue, Marinette, WI 54143 (715) 732-7450 Clerk of Circuit Court — Marinette County
How To Look Up Court Records in Marinette County Online
The primary online portal for accessing Marinette County court records is the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system, administered by the Wisconsin Court System. The Wisconsin court case search portal provides public access to records from circuit courts across all 72 Wisconsin counties, including Marinette County, as well as the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
Steps to search using WCCA:
- Navigate to the Wisconsin Court System's case search page
- Select the search type: by party name, case number, attorney, or citation number
- Enter the relevant search criteria — for name searches, enter the last name followed by the first name
- Select "Marinette" from the county filter to narrow results to local cases
- Review the case summary, which includes the case type, filing date, parties, and current status
- Select an individual case to view docket entries, charges, hearings, and dispositions
The WCCA portal currently includes civil, criminal, family, probate, small claims, traffic, and ordinance case records. Detailed case documents such as scanned pleadings and exhibits may not be available for all cases through the online portal; in such instances, in-person inspection at the Clerk of Circuit Court office is required. The Marinette County Legal Resources page maintained by the Wisconsin State Law Library also provides direct links to court forms and additional access tools.
How To Search Marinette County Court Records for Free
Wisconsin law guarantees the right of any person to inspect public records, including court records, at no cost. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1), no fee may be charged for the mere inspection of a public record; fees apply only when copies are requested. This statutory guarantee extends to court records maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court.
The following resources are currently available at no charge:
- Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA): The Wisconsin court case search portal is free to use and requires no account registration for basic case lookups
- In-person inspection: Members of the public may inspect case files at the Clerk of Circuit Court office without charge during regular business hours
- Marinette County official website: Provides links to public court records and related county services at no cost
Fees are assessed when physical or electronic copies of documents are requested. The Clerk of Circuit Court sets copy fees in accordance with state statute, and a fee schedule is available upon request at the public counter.
What's Included in a Marinette County Court Record
The contents of a court record vary by case type, but generally include the following categories of documents and information:
Civil Case Records:
- Complaint, answer, and responsive pleadings
- Motions and supporting briefs
- Court orders and judgments
- Hearing and trial transcripts
- Exhibits admitted into evidence
- Docket sheet reflecting all case activity
Criminal Case Records:
- Criminal complaint and information
- Arrest and booking information (post-charging)
- Bail and bond documents
- Plea agreements
- Sentencing records and orders
- Probation and supervision conditions
Family Law Records:
- Petitions for divorce or legal separation
- Custody and placement orders
- Child support calculations and orders
- Marital settlement agreements
- Restraining orders and injunctions
Probate Records:
- Petitions for estate administration
- Inventories and accountings
- Guardianship orders
- Wills admitted to probate
Traffic and Ordinance Records:
- Citation information
- Plea and disposition records
- Fine payment history
Small Claims Records:
- Summons and complaint
- Judgment for plaintiff or defendant
- Garnishment and collection records
How Long Does Marinette County Keep Court Records
Retention periods for court records in Marinette County are governed by the Wisconsin Public Records Board's General Records Schedule and court-specific retention schedules established under Wisconsin Administrative Code. Retention periods vary by case type and record category:
- Felony criminal cases: Permanently retained
- Misdemeanor criminal cases: Retained for a minimum of 20 years following case closure
- Civil cases: Generally retained for 20 years following final judgment
- Family law cases (divorce, custody): Permanently retained due to ongoing enforceability of orders
- Probate records: Permanently retained
- Traffic and ordinance cases: Retained for a minimum of 7 years
- Small claims cases: Retained for a minimum of 10 years
- Juvenile records: Subject to special retention and confidentiality rules; generally retained until the subject reaches age 28 or longer depending on offense type
The Wisconsin Public Records Board and the Director of State Courts jointly establish and update retention schedules applicable to all Wisconsin circuit courts. Records that have met their retention period may be destroyed in accordance with approved schedules, subject to any litigation holds or court orders requiring preservation.
Types of Courts In Marinette County
Marinette County's judicial structure is part of Wisconsin's unified court system, which operates under a four-tier hierarchy: municipal courts at the base, followed by circuit courts, the Court of Appeals, and the Wisconsin Supreme Court at the apex.
Marinette County Circuit Court (Branch I and Branch II) 1926 Hall Avenue, Marinette, WI 54143 (715) 732-7450 Clerk of Circuit Court — Marinette County Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Circuit Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction in Marinette County and handles all felony and misdemeanor criminal matters, civil cases, family law, probate, small claims, and traffic cases. A full-time Court Commissioner assists the circuit court judges with certain proceedings.
Wisconsin Court of Appeals — District III 740 Third Street, Wausau, WI 54403 (715) 848-1421 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Court of Appeals reviews decisions of the circuit courts. Marinette County falls within the jurisdiction of District III of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals.
Wisconsin Supreme Court 110 East Main Street, Madison, WI 53703 (608) 266-1880 Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court is the court of last resort for all matters arising under Wisconsin law, including cases originating in Marinette County.
Municipal Courts Several municipalities within Marinette County operate municipal courts with jurisdiction over local ordinance violations. Individual municipal court contact information is available through the respective city or village clerk's office.
What Types of Cases Do Marinette County Courts Hear
Each court within Marinette County's judicial structure handles a defined category of matters:
Marinette County Circuit Court:
- Felony criminal prosecutions
- Misdemeanor criminal cases
- Civil actions (contract, tort, property disputes)
- Family law matters (divorce, custody, support, paternity)
- Probate and estate administration
- Guardianship and protective placement
- Juvenile delinquency and CHIPS proceedings
- Small claims (currently up to $10,000)
- Traffic and ordinance violations
- Mental health commitments
- Domestic abuse and harassment injunctions
Wisconsin Court of Appeals — District III:
- Appeals from Marinette County Circuit Court decisions
- Interlocutory appeals in civil and criminal matters
Wisconsin Supreme Court:
- Discretionary review of Court of Appeals decisions
- Cases involving significant constitutional questions or matters of statewide importance
Municipal Courts:
- Local ordinance violations (e.g., zoning, noise, parking)
- Municipal forfeiture actions
- No jurisdiction over state criminal statutes
How To Find a Court Docket In Marinette County
A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, hearings, and actions taken in a case. Members of the public may access Marinette County court dockets through the following methods:
Online:
- Use the Wisconsin Circuit Court case search portal to retrieve docket entries for any case in the Marinette County Circuit Court
- Search by party name, case number, or citation number
- The docket view displays all entries in chronological order, including filing dates, document types, and hearing dates
In Person:
- Visit the Clerk of Circuit Court at 1926 Hall Avenue, Marinette, WI 54143
- Request docket information at the public counter; staff can retrieve docket sheets by case number or party name
- Public terminals may be available for self-service docket lookups
By Phone:
- Contact the Clerk of Circuit Court at (715) 732-7450 for general docket inquiries during business hours
The Marinette County Clerk of Circuit Court links page provides direct access to the Wisconsin Circuit Court website and additional docket search tools maintained by the Wisconsin Court System.
Which Courts in Marinette County Are Not Courts of Record
A court of record is a court whose proceedings are officially documented and preserved, whose acts and judicial decisions are enrolled for perpetual memory and testimony, and which has the authority to fine or imprison for contempt. Under Wisconsin law, circuit courts are courts of record, as established by Article VII, Section 8 of the Wisconsin Constitution and codified in Wis. Stat. § 753.02.
Municipal courts in Wisconsin are not courts of record. Municipal courts operating within Marinette County — such as those established by individual cities or villages — handle local ordinance violations and forfeiture matters but do not maintain the same level of permanent record-keeping required of circuit courts. Proceedings in municipal courts are not transcribed as a matter of course, and appeals from municipal court decisions are heard de novo (as new trials) in the circuit court, rather than on the record, precisely because no official record of the original proceedings is preserved.
The practical consequence for members of the public is that detailed case documentation for municipal court matters may be limited or unavailable through standard court record search tools. Individuals seeking records of municipal court proceedings should contact the relevant municipal clerk or court directly.