Wisconsin Court Records

Federal and territorial courts recorded many early court cases. Some of the territorial court actions have been published. Other Wisconsin courts that kept records of genealogical value were established as follows:

1800s–present Circuit courts have countywide jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases and some appeals. Cases can be transferred to a court of appeals.

1836– present Justice of the peace courts have civil and criminal jurisdiction.

1836–present Municipal courts have citywide jurisdiction over misdemeanors and ordinance violations.

1836–present The supreme court serves as the statewide appellate court.

1839–1849 Probate courts were established in each county. These were abolished in 1849 and the county courts took their place in handling probate cases.

1848–present County courts have countywide jurisdiction concurrently with circuit courts for criminal and civil cases and have exclusive jurisdiction for probates, juvenile matters, dependency, and neglect matters. From 1854 to 1913, the county courts handled probate matters but did not have jurisdiction over civil and criminal cases.

The Family History Library does not have copies of Wisconsin civil and criminal court records. They are available at the clerk's office in the various county courthouses and at archival repositories.