Ozaukee County court records in the state of Wisconsin are maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court's office and are accessible through online tools, official court portals, and directly at the court office. OzaukeeCourt.us will help you find publicly available information about county court cases. Additionally, you can use the Wisconsin Court System case search portal, contact the Clerk of Circuit Court office, or submit a record request.
Ozaukee Court System Overview
Ozaukee County is part of the Third Judicial Administrative District of Wisconsin. The general jurisdiction court — Ozaukee County Circuit Court — handles civil, criminal, family, probate, juvenile cases, and traffic violations. The court is located in the Justice Center in Port Washington.
Information about circuit court judges and auxiliary resources can be found on the Ozaukee County Legal Resources page of the Wisconsin State Law Library.
Courts Serving Ozaukee
Residents of the county are served by several courts of different levels of jurisdiction.
Ozaukee County Circuit Court
Wisconsin Court of Appeals — District II
U.S. District Court — Eastern District of Wisconsin
U.S. Bankruptcy Court — Eastern District of Wisconsin
Municipal Courts
Several municipalities in Ozaukee County have their own municipal courts that handle violations of local ordinances. These include the municipal courts of Cedarburg, Mequon, Grafton, and Port Washington. Contact information for a specific municipal court can be clarified through the respective city administration.
What Types of Cases Ozaukee Courts Hear
The Ozaukee County Circuit Court is a court of general jurisdiction. This means it hears virtually all categories of cases provided by Wisconsin state law:
- Felonies and misdemeanors
- Traffic and ordinance violations
- Civil lawsuits (including large claims and small claims)
- Family law: divorce, custody, child support, paternity
- Probate: estate administration, guardianship, trust management
- Juvenile matters: offenses, child protection
- Adoption and termination of parental rights
District Court Cases in Ozaukee
In Wisconsin, there is no separate "district court" at the state level — instead, the Circuit Court operates as the court of first instance with general jurisdiction. The Ozaukee County Circuit Court hears all serious criminal cases (felonies), civil lawsuits without monetary limits, appeals from municipal courts, and post-conviction proceedings.
A criminal case usually begins with a complaint filed by the District Attorney. A circuit court judge presides over all stages — from the initial hearing to sentencing. Cases are assigned to judges according to the court's internal rules. Documents can be filed in person at the Justice Center or through the eFiling system.
Magistrate Court Cases in Ozaukee
In Wisconsin, the functions performed by magistrate courts in other states are carried out by court commissioners of the circuit court. In Ozaukee County, a court commissioner may conduct preliminary hearings in criminal cases, consider motions for temporary restraining orders, and handle some family matters.
Small claims in Wisconsin are limited to $10,000. Civil cases involving larger amounts are heard by a circuit court judge. Traffic and ordinance violations are often handled by municipal courts, but appeals from their decisions go to the Circuit Court. Cases of operating while intoxicated (OWI) are also heard by the circuit court.
Family Law, Probate, and Juvenile Matters in Ozaukee
Family Law
Divorce, child custody, child support, paternity establishment, protective orders, and termination of parental rights are all handled by the Ozaukee County Circuit Court. Claims are filed through the Clerk of Circuit Court office. Forms for self-filing are available on the Wisconsin Court System website.
Probate
The circuit court also handles probate matters: estate administration, appointment of guardians and conservators, and trust management issues. These cases are registered in the same clerk's office.
Juvenile Matters
Juvenile matters — offenses, child protection — are confidential under Wisconsin law. Access to these records is restricted. For information, contact the court office directly at (262) 238-8409.
How Cases Move Through the Ozaukee Court System
- Filing a claim or complaint. A criminal case begins with a prosecutor's complaint; a civil case starts with filing a complaint or petition. Documents are submitted in person at the court clerk's office or electronically through the eFiling system.
- Judge assignment. The case is assigned to circuit court judges according to the internal schedule.
- Initial hearings. In criminal cases — arraignment. In civil cases — scheduling conference.
- Pre-trial stage. Parties exchange evidence (discovery), file motions. In criminal cases, plea negotiations may occur.
- Trial or settlement. The case may end with a jury verdict, judge's decision, settlement, or plea agreement.
- Post-judgment. The convicted is sentenced. Parties may appeal to the Court of Appeals, District II. In civil cases — enforcement of the judgment.
Court Administration, Local Rules, and Public Access in Ozaukee
Court administration in the county is conducted under the leadership of the chief judge of the circuit court and the Third Judicial Administrative District court administrator. Local court rules are published on the Wisconsin Court System portal.
Public access to court records is governed by Wis. Stat. § 19.31–19.39 (public records law) and Supreme Court Rule 72 regarding access to circuit court records. Most court cases are public, but confidential categories — juvenile cases, some family matters, mental health records — are closed to general access.
Hearings can be attended in person at the Justice Center. Some hearings may be conducted remotely at the judge's discretion — check the participation procedure upon receiving a summons or contact the office.
Court Records and Related Court Resources in Ozaukee
- Online court case search. Through Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA), you can view public records of state circuit courts, including Ozaukee County cases. Confidential case categories are not displayed.
- Court record request. Submit a record request by email, phone (262-284-8420), fax, or in person.
- Criminal history check. Use the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) of the Department of Justice to check criminal backgrounds.
- County jail inmate search. Inmate Lookup on the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office website allows you to check if a person is in the local detention center.
- State-level inmate search. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections provides information about individuals serving sentences in state facilities.
- Arrest warrant check. The county's warrants page explains how to check for an active warrant through WCCA or the sheriff's office.
- Sheriff's records and open records. To obtain copies of police reports or other sheriff's records, submit an Open Records Request form.
- Vital records. Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates can be ordered through the Ozaukee County Register of Deeds or the Wisconsin Vital Records Office.
- Property records. Research real estate records is available through the Tapestry system, which contains registered county documents.
- Land information. The Land Information Office provides mapping data and land parcel information.
- Electronic document filing. Attorneys and parties in a case can file documents through the eFiling system of the Wisconsin Court System.
- General reference page. The Look Up page contains links for inmate search, property records, and answers to frequently asked questions by county residents.