Brown County Court Records
What Is Brown County Court Records
Brown County court records are official documents created and maintained by the courts operating within Brown County, Wisconsin. These records document legal proceedings, judgments, and other official actions taken by the courts. Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes § 59.40, the Clerk of Circuit Court is responsible for maintaining these records for public access and historical documentation.
Court records typically include:
• Case filings and pleadings • Court orders and judgments • Hearing transcripts • Evidence presented in court • Docket information • Case dispositions
The Brown County Clerk of Circuit Court serves as the custodian of these records and maintains them in accordance with Wisconsin state law and court administrative procedures.
Brown County Clerk of Circuit Court 100 S. Jefferson Street Green Bay, WI 54301 (920) 448-4160 Brown County Clerk of Circuit Court
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays
Are Court Records Public In Brown County
Court records in Brown County are generally considered public documents in accordance with Wisconsin's Open Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39) and the Wisconsin Supreme Court rules regarding access to court records. The public has a presumptive right to access these records with certain exceptions established by statute and court rule.
Exceptions to public access include:
• Records sealed by court order • Juvenile records (with limited exceptions) • Mental health proceedings • Adoption records • Certain family court matters involving minors • Records where disclosure would endanger public safety • Records containing sensitive personal information as defined by Wis. Stat. § 801.19
Members of the public seeking access to court records may visit the Brown County Courthouse during regular business hours or utilize online resources provided by the Wisconsin Court System. Certain confidential or sealed records may require a court order for access, and the requester may need to demonstrate a legitimate interest in viewing such records.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has established specific rules governing electronic access to court records through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) program, which provides a publicly accessible website for searching case information.
How To Find Court Records in Brown County in 2025
Members of the public may access Brown County court records through multiple channels established by the Wisconsin Court System and Brown County Government. The following methods are available for locating court records as of 2025:
In-person requests may be submitted at:
Brown County Courthouse 100 S. Jefferson Street Green Bay, WI 54301 (920) 448-4160 Brown County Government
To obtain court records in person:
• Visit the Clerk of Circuit Court office during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM) • Complete a records request form specifying the case number or party names • Present valid photo identification • Pay applicable copy fees ($1.25 per page for regular copies, $5.00 for certified copies)
For electronic access, the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website provides case information for most public cases. Users may search by:
• Case number • Party name • Attorney name • Citation number • Date range
Pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72, certain older records may be archived or stored off-site. Retrieval of these records may require additional time and fees. Requests for archived records should be submitted at least 5 business days in advance of when the records are needed.
How To Look Up Court Records in Brown County Online?
The Wisconsin Court System provides comprehensive online access to Brown County court records through its electronic case management system. Members of the public may access these records through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website, commonly known as CCAP.
To search for Brown County court records online:
• Visit the Wisconsin Court System Case Search portal • Select the appropriate search criteria (name, case number, etc.) • Specify Brown County as the jurisdiction • Review the search results and select specific cases for detailed information
The online system provides access to:
• Case summaries • Party information • Scheduled court dates • Court orders and judgments • Financial information related to the case • Case status
Users should note that pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72.01, certain information may be redacted from online records to protect privacy interests. Additionally, not all court documents are available online, and some may require in-person inspection at the Brown County Courthouse.
For specialized land records and property information, the Brown County Land Records Search Portal provides access to property records, tax information, and related documents maintained by the county.
Can You Search Brown County Court Records for Free?
Public access to basic Brown County court record information is available at no cost through several channels. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website provides free online access to case information for most public cases filed in Brown County Circuit Court. This service is provided pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72.
Free services include:
• Basic case searches by name or case number • Viewing case summaries and party information • Checking court calendars and scheduled hearings • Reviewing case status and disposition information
However, certain services related to court records do incur fees:
• Printed copies of court documents: $1.25 per page • Certified copies: $5.00 per document • Document authentication: $1.00 per document • Record searches conducted by court staff: $5.00 per name searched • Electronic document access beyond basic information: varies by document type
The Brown County Clerk of Circuit Court accepts payment by cash, check, or credit card for these services. Fee waivers may be available for indigent individuals pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 814.29, which requires filing an affidavit of indigency with the court.
Public access computer terminals are available at the Brown County Law Library located within the courthouse for free on-site access to electronic court records.
What's Included in a Brown County Court Record?
Brown County court records contain comprehensive documentation of legal proceedings in accordance with Wisconsin Statutes § 59.40 and Wisconsin Supreme Court Rules. These records serve as the official account of court activities and typically include several components.
Standard elements of a court record include:
• Case initiation documents (complaints, petitions, indictments) • Summonses and service information • Pleadings filed by parties • Motions and responses • Court orders and judgments • Hearing and trial transcripts (when prepared) • Evidence logs (not necessarily the evidence itself) • Financial records related to the case (fees, fines, restitution) • Case disposition information • Probation and sentencing information in criminal cases
For criminal cases, additional information may include:
• Charging documents • Bail/bond information • Pre-sentence investigation reports (access restricted) • Criminal history information (access may be restricted) • Victim impact statements
For civil cases, records typically include:
• Complaints and answers • Discovery documents filed with the court • Affidavits and declarations • Settlement agreements (if filed with the court) • Judgments and enforcement information
Certain sensitive information is redacted or sealed pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes § 801.19, including social security numbers, financial account numbers, and certain personal identifiers.
How Long Does Brown County Keep Court Records?
Brown County retains court records according to the Wisconsin Circuit Court Records Retention Schedule established by the Wisconsin Supreme Court under Supreme Court Rule 72. Retention periods vary based on case type and document significance.
Key retention periods include:
• Felony case files: 75 years after entry of final judgment • Misdemeanor case files: 20 years after entry of final judgment • Traffic and ordinance violations: 5-8 years after case closure • Civil case files: 20 years after entry of final judgment • Family cases (divorce, paternity): 30 years after entry of final judgment • Probate cases: 75 years after filing • Small claims cases: 20 years after entry of final judgment • Juvenile cases: Until the subject reaches age 38
Case index information is maintained permanently for all case types to provide a historical record of court activity. After the retention period expires, records may be destroyed pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 72.03, though records of historical significance may be transferred to the Wisconsin Historical Society for permanent preservation.
Electronic records are subject to the same retention requirements as paper records. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Automation Program (CCAP) maintains electronic records according to the established retention schedule.
Parties seeking access to older records should contact:
Brown County Clerk of Circuit Court - Records Division 100 S. Jefferson Street Green Bay, WI 54301 (920) 448-4160
Types of Courts In Brown County
Brown County's judicial system consists of several court types operating under both state and federal jurisdiction. Each court has specific authority and handles distinct categories of cases as established by Wisconsin statutes and the U.S. judicial system.
State courts operating in Brown County include:
• Circuit Court - The primary trial court with general jurisdiction over civil, criminal, family, probate, and juvenile matters. Brown County has eight circuit court branches, each presided over by an elected judge serving a six-year term.
• Municipal Courts - Limited jurisdiction courts handling ordinance violations, traffic citations, and other municipal matters. Several municipalities within Brown County maintain their own municipal courts.
Federal courts with jurisdiction over Brown County include:
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin - The federal trial court handling federal criminal prosecutions, civil cases involving federal questions, and diversity jurisdiction cases.
U.S. District Court - Green Bay Division 125 S. Jefferson Street, Room 102 Green Bay, WI 54301 (920) 884-3720 Eastern District of Wisconsin Federal Court
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court - Handles all bankruptcy proceedings for residents of Brown County.
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit - The appellate court reviewing decisions from the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Court of Appeals and Wisconsin Supreme Court, while not physically located in Brown County, have appellate jurisdiction over cases originating in Brown County Circuit Court.
What Types of Cases Do Brown County Courts Hear?
Brown County Circuit Court, as established under Wisconsin Statutes § 753.06(3)(c), exercises jurisdiction over a wide range of legal matters affecting county residents. The court's authority extends to both civil and criminal proceedings as prescribed by state law.
Criminal cases heard include:
• Felonies (Class A through I) • Misdemeanors • Criminal traffic offenses • Juvenile delinquency proceedings (pursuant to Wis. Stat. Ch. 938)
Civil matters encompass:
• Personal injury claims • Contract disputes • Property disputes • Small claims (cases valued at $10,000 or less) • Eviction proceedings • Restraining orders and injunctions
Family court jurisdiction covers:
• Divorce and legal separation • Child custody and placement • Child support and maintenance • Paternity determinations • Adoptions • Termination of parental rights
Probate court handles:
• Estate administration • Will contests • Guardianships and conservatorships • Mental health commitments • Protective placements
Case assignment within the eight branches of Brown County Circuit Court follows a rotation system established by the Chief Judge of the Eighth Judicial Administrative District. Specialized court programs include Drug Court, OWI Court, Mental Health Court, and Veterans Treatment Court, which provide alternative approaches to addressing specific categories of cases.
How To Find a Court Docket In Brown County
Court dockets in Brown County provide the official schedule of proceedings and case activities. Members of the public may access docket information through several methods established by the Wisconsin Court System and Brown County Circuit Court.
To access court dockets:
• Online: Visit the Wisconsin Court System Case Search portal and search by case number, party name, or date range. Select Brown County as the jurisdiction to view local court schedules.
• In Person: Visit the Brown County Courthouse during regular business hours to review printed docket sheets posted outside each courtroom or request docket information from the Clerk of Circuit Court office.
Brown County Courthouse 100 S. Jefferson Street Green Bay, WI 54301 (920) 448-4160
• By Phone: Contact the Clerk of Circuit Court office at (920) 448-4160 for basic docket information.
Daily court calendars are typically available by 4:00 PM for the following business day. Pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 70.153, court schedules are subject to change without notice due to settlements, continuances, or other judicial determinations.
For specific case types, specialized dockets may be maintained:
• Criminal Initial Appearances: Held daily at 2:00 PM in Branch 8 • Small Claims Returns: Tuesdays at 9:00 AM in Branch 6 • Probate Matters: Mondays and Wednesdays in Branch 7 • Family Court Hearings: Distributed among Branches 3, 4, and 5
Attorneys and parties to cases may register for electronic notifications of schedule changes through the Wisconsin Circuit Court e-filing system.
Which Courts in Brown County Are Not Courts of Record?
Municipal courts operating within Brown County are classified as non-record courts under Wisconsin law. Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes § 800.01, these courts handle ordinance violations, traffic citations, and other municipal matters but do not maintain formal transcripts of proceedings.
Brown County municipalities with non-record municipal courts include:
City of Green Bay Municipal Court 100 N. Jefferson Street, Room 109 Green Bay, WI 54301 (920) 448-3131
Village of Ashwaubenon Municipal Court 2155 Holmgren Way Ashwaubenon, WI 54304 (920) 492-2331
Village of Howard Municipal Court 2456 Glendale Avenue Green Bay, WI 54313 (920) 434-4640
Village of Bellevue Municipal Court 2828 Allouez Avenue Bellevue, WI 54311 (920) 468-5225
Characteristics of these non-record courts include:
• Proceedings are not transcribed by court reporters • Audio recordings may be maintained but are not official transcripts • Appeals from municipal court decisions are heard de novo (new trial) in Brown County Circuit Court • Judges are not required to be attorneys but must complete judicial education requirements • Jurisdiction is limited to ordinance violations with maximum penalties of $5,000 plus costs
Parties seeking to appeal municipal court decisions must file a notice of appeal with the municipal court within 20 days of judgment, pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes § 800.14. The appeal transfers the case to Brown County Circuit Court for a new proceeding.
All other courts operating in Brown County, including Circuit Court branches and federal courts, are courts of record that maintain official transcripts of proceedings.
Lookup Court Records in Brown County
Brown County Circuit Court Records
Wisconsin Court System Case Search
Brown County Land Records Search