Criminal records in Dunn County, Wisconsin, are accessible through several channels. DunnCourt.us can help you find publicly available criminal case information for the county. You can also search through the Wisconsin Court System's online portal, the Dunn County Clerk of Courts office, and the Dunn County Sheriff's Office. Each resource provides different types of records, from court case details to custody status and statewide criminal history reports.
How to Search Criminal Records in Dunn County
There are several ways to look up criminal records in Dunn County. The method you choose depends on what information you need and how quickly you need it.
Online Search Options
- DunnCourt.us — Start here to search for publicly available court record information tied to Dunn County criminal cases.
- Wisconsin Court System Case Search (WCCA) — The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal lets you search cases filed in any Wisconsin circuit court, including Dunn County. You can search by name, case number, or date of birth.
- Dunn County Jail Current Inmate List — The Sheriff's Office publishes a current inmate listing that shows individuals currently held at the Dunn County Jail.
- Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) — Operated by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, WORCS provides name-based criminal background checks drawing from the state criminal history repository. Results include Wisconsin arrests and dispositions reported to DOJ.
In Person
Visit the Dunn County Clerk of Courts office at the Dunn County Courthouse in Menomonie. Public access terminals may be available for searching court records. Staff can assist with locating case files and providing copies.
By Mail or Written Request
- Clerk of Courts: Send a written request to the Dunn County Clerk of Courts with the subject's full name, date of birth (if known), and case number (if available). Include payment for any applicable copy or certification fees.
- State Criminal History: You can request a statewide criminal background check through the Wisconsin DOJ by submitting a name-based request via WORCS online, or by mailing a completed Record Check Request form to the Crime Information Bureau.
What You Need to Begin a Search
- Subject's full legal name (first and last; middle name helps narrow results)
- Date of birth (recommended but not always required on WCCA)
- Case number (if searching a specific case)
- County of filing (select Dunn County when using the statewide portal)
Search Dunn County Criminal Cases by Case Number
Wisconsin circuit court case numbers follow a standard format that tells you the county, year, case type, and sequence number. Understanding this format helps you locate the right case quickly.
The format is: [Year][County Code][Case Type][Sequence Number]
- Year — The two-digit year the case was filed (e.g., 25 for 2025).
- County Code — Dunn County's code is DN.
- Case Type — A two-letter code indicating the type of case. Common criminal-related codes include:
- CF — Criminal Felony
- CM — Criminal Misdemeanor
- CT — Criminal Traffic
- TR — Traffic/Civil Forfeiture
- FO — Forfeiture (ordinance violations)
- Sequence Number — A sequential number assigned as cases are filed.
For example, a case number like 2025DN000123 would indicate a case filed in 2025 in Dunn County; the case type letters between the county code and sequence number identify whether it is a felony, misdemeanor, or other matter.
If you do not have the case number, contact the Clerk of Courts office at (715) 232-2611 for help locating it.
Charges, Case Status, Hearings, and Court Results in Dunn County
Criminal case records in Dunn County contain several key data points. Here is what each one means.
Charges
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Statute Code | The Wisconsin Statutes section the defendant is charged under (e.g., Wis. Stat. § 943.10 for burglary). |
| Severity | Felony (Classes A through I), Misdemeanor (Classes A through C), or forfeiture/civil violation. |
| Original Charges | The charges initially filed by the district attorney. |
| Amended Charges | Charges modified through plea negotiations or at the court's discretion. The amended charge replaces or supplements the original. |
Case Status
- Open/Active — The case is still being adjudicated; hearings or proceedings are pending.
- Disposed — The case has reached a final resolution (conviction, dismissal, acquittal, etc.).
- Closed — All obligations (fines, probation, sentences) are satisfied and the case is administratively closed.
- Reopened — A previously disposed case has been reopened, often due to a probation revocation or post-conviction motion.
Hearing Types
- Initial Appearance — The defendant is formally advised of charges and bail is set.
- Preliminary Hearing — For felony cases; the court determines whether probable cause exists to proceed.
- Arraignment — The defendant enters a plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest).
- Pre-Trial Conference — Attorneys discuss potential resolutions, motions, and trial preparation.
- Jury/Court Trial — The case is heard and decided by a jury or judge.
- Sentencing — The court imposes a sentence after a conviction or guilty plea.
- Review Hearing — A follow-up hearing to monitor compliance with probation or other conditions.
Court Results (Dispositions)
- Guilty — The defendant was convicted, either by plea or at trial.
- Not Guilty — The defendant was acquitted at trial.
- Dismissed — The charges were dropped by the prosecution or dismissed by the court.
- Nolle Prosequi — The state elected not to prosecute.
- No Contest (Nolo Contendere) — The defendant did not contest the charges; treated as a conviction for sentencing purposes.
- Deferred Prosecution — The case is held in abeyance while the defendant completes agreed-upon conditions; charges may be dismissed upon compliance.
How to Request Certified Criminal Records in Dunn County
Certified copies of criminal court records in Dunn County are issued by the Clerk of Courts. These carry an official seal and signature confirming authenticity.
How to Submit a Request
- In Person: Visit the Clerk of Courts office at the Dunn County Courthouse. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Staff can pull the case file and prepare certified copies while you wait, depending on workload.
- By Mail: Send a written request that includes the defendant's full name, date of birth, case number, and a description of the documents you need. Include a check or money order for the applicable fees, payable to the Dunn County Clerk of Courts.
- Online (Court Records Search): You can view and print unofficial copies of case information through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system. Certified copies, however, must be obtained directly from the Clerk of Courts.
Statewide Criminal History
For a formal criminal background check covering all Wisconsin jurisdictions, submit a request through the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) operated by the Department of Justice. Fingerprint-supported checks are also available for a more definitive identification match.
Contact Information
Dunn County Clerk of Courts
What You Need
- Valid government-issued photo ID (for in-person requests)
- Full name and date of birth of the subject
- Case number (if known)
- Payment for fees
Fees, Copy Costs, and Processing Times for Criminal Records in Dunn County
Fees for criminal record copies and background checks in Dunn County are set by Wisconsin statute and local fee schedules.
| Service | Fee | Source/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Uncertified copies of court documents | $1.25 per page | Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10)(a) |
| Certified copies of court documents | $5.00 per document (plus copy fees) | Wis. Stat. § 814.61(10)(b) |
| WCCA online case search | Free | Wisconsin Court System |
| WORCS name-based background check | $7.00 per name searched | Wisconsin DOJ |
| WORCS fingerprint-based background check | $7.00 (state) + applicable FBI fee if federal check included | Wisconsin DOJ |
Processing Times
- In-person requests at the Clerk of Courts: Often processed the same day, depending on staff availability and the complexity of the file.
- Mail requests: Typically processed within 5–10 business days after receipt of the request and payment.
- WORCS online background checks: Name-based results are usually returned within minutes to a few business days. Fingerprint-based checks may take longer.
Confirm current fees directly with the Dunn County Clerk of Courts before submitting payment, as fee schedules may be updated periodically.