Clark County Criminal Records
How To Look Up Criminal Records In Clark County in 2026
Members of the public seeking criminal records in Clark County, Wisconsin may access publicly available information through official government repositories, court systems, and aggregator platforms such as ClarkWIRecords.us. This page provides guidance on locating records that may include arrest histories, court case dispositions, booking information, and related criminal justice data maintained by county and state agencies. The information presented here is drawn from publicly accessible sources and is intended for informational purposes only.
Records that may be available through official channels include:
- Arrest and booking records
- Circuit court case filings and dispositions
- Felony and misdemeanor conviction records
- Jail inmate rosters
- Active and historical warrant information
- Sex offender registration data
- Sentencing and probation records
Records can be searched through official county resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following five methods outline the primary avenues available to members of the public.
1. County Court Records
The Clark County Circuit Court maintains the official record of all proceedings that come before the county's court system. Members of the public may inspect court records in person at the Clerk of Courts office. Requestors are advised to bring a valid government-issued photo identification and, where possible, the full legal name of the subject and an approximate case filing date or case number.
Clark County Clerk of Courts
517 Court Street, Room 303
Neillsville, WI 54456
Phone: (715) 743-2208
Clerk of Courts | Clark County WI
Public access terminals are available at the courthouse during regular business hours, allowing members of the public to search case records at no charge. Staff-assisted searches and certified copies are subject to applicable fees.
2. Sheriff's Office
The Clark County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest logs, booking records, and jail inmate information. Members of the public may submit records requests directly to the Sheriff's Office. The office embraces core values of Duty, Integrity, Respect, Team, and Safety in the administration of its public-facing services.
Clark County Sheriff's Office
517 Court Street
Neillsville, WI 54456
Phone: (715) 743-3157
Clark County Sheriff's Office
Clark County Jail
517 Court Street
Neillsville, WI 54456
Jail Phone: (715) 743-5380
Jail Fax: (715) 743-4009
Jail Email: sheriffcorrections@co.clark.wi.us
County Jail | Clark County WI
Fees for copies of records are assessed in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35, which governs public records access and associated reproduction costs in Wisconsin.
3. Online Court Search
The Wisconsin Court System provides a statewide online case search portal that allows members of the public to search circuit court records across all Wisconsin counties, including Clark County. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The portal returns case summaries, filing dates, charge information, and disposition data.
Members of the public may access the Wisconsin court case search portal at no charge. Search results reflect records currently available in the electronic court management system; older or pre-digitized records may not appear.
4. State Criminal History Repository
The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains the state's central criminal history repository. Members of the public may request criminal history record information through the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS). As noted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, "Public access to criminal history record information is provided through the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS)." Requests for official background checks may require fingerprint submission and are subject to processing fees established by the Department.
5. Written/Mail Requests
Members of the public who are unable to appear in person may submit written records requests by mail to the Clark County Clerk of Courts or the Clark County Sheriff's Office at the addresses listed above. Requests must include the full legal name of the subject, date of birth, and the specific records sought. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(4), a records custodian must respond to a written request as soon as practicable and without delay.
What Is Clark County Criminal Records
A criminal record in Clark County is a documented history of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system, compiled and maintained by law enforcement agencies, courts, and state repositories. Under Wisconsin law, criminal records encompass a broad range of documents generated at each stage of the criminal justice process, from initial arrest through final disposition.
The distinction between record types is significant. An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement but does not constitute evidence of guilt or conviction. A conviction record reflects a formal finding of guilt, whether through a guilty plea, no-contest plea, or trial verdict. Felony records involve offenses classified under Wisconsin's felony statutes and carry more severe penalties; misdemeanor records involve lesser offenses. Juvenile records are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under Wis. Stat. § 938.396 and are sealed from general public access. Active warrants reflect outstanding judicial orders for an individual's arrest, while historical records document resolved matters.
The agencies responsible for maintaining criminal records in Clark County include:
- Clark County Sheriff's Office — arrest records, booking records, jail records
- Clark County Circuit Court / Clerk of Courts — court case files, charging documents, plea agreements, sentencing orders, and dispositions
- Wisconsin Department of Justice — statewide criminal history repository
- Local police departments — incident reports and arrest records within their respective jurisdictions
Records are created at the point of arrest and updated as a case progresses through arraignment, preliminary hearings, plea negotiations, trial, sentencing, and any subsequent appeals or supervision. The Clark County Clerk of Courts serves as the official custodian of all proceedings before the Clark County Circuit Court, with a stated goal of providing prompt and efficient service to the public.
Are Criminal Records Public In Clark County
Criminal records in Clark County are subject to public disclosure under Wisconsin's open records law. Wis. Stat. § 19.31 establishes the public policy of the state, declaring that "all persons are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those officers and employees who represent them." Pursuant to this statute, adult conviction records, court proceedings, and most arrest records are presumptively open to public inspection.
Records that remain restricted or exempt from public disclosure include:
- Juvenile records, which are sealed under Wis. Stat. § 938.396
- Expunged records, which are removed from public view upon court order
- Records subject to a court-ordered sealing
- Ongoing criminal investigation files where disclosure would impede law enforcement
- Victim and witness identifying information in certain cases
- Records subject to federal privacy protections
The distinction between state and federal records is also relevant. Records maintained by federal courts or federal law enforcement agencies are governed by federal law and are not subject to Wisconsin's open records statute. Members of the public seeking federal criminal records must submit requests through the appropriate federal agency or the FBI's criminal history repository.
How To Find Criminal Records in Clark County Online?
Official County Resources
The primary online resources for Clark County criminal records are maintained at the county and state level. The Clark County Clerk of Courts office provides access to court case information, and the Clark County Sheriff's Office maintains information related to arrests and jail bookings. The Clark County Jail page provides current inmate and booking information. No registration is required to access publicly available court case data through the statewide portal.
State-Level Resources
The Wisconsin Court System's case search portal provides statewide access to circuit court records, including Clark County cases. Users may search by name, case number, or citation number. The Wisconsin Department of Justice's criminal background check system provides access to the state's central criminal history repository through WORCS.
Search Tips
- Search using the subject's full legal name as well as known aliases
- Case number searches return the most precise results
- Cross-reference multiple databases, as not all agencies share data in real time
- Be aware that records predating electronic filing may not appear in online searches
- Sealed or expunged records will not appear in public search results
Limitations
Online databases may reflect a data lag of several days to weeks following a court event. Historical records predating the implementation of electronic case management systems may not be digitized and require in-person requests. Online searches do not constitute an official background check for employment, licensing, or housing purposes.
Can You Search Clark County Criminal Records for Free?
Free Options
1. In-Person Inspection: Wisconsin law mandates that members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no charge. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1), any person has a right to inspect any record. Inspection at the Clark County Clerk of Courts and public access terminals within the courthouse is available at no cost during regular business hours. Copying fees apply to reproductions.
2. Free Online Databases: The Wisconsin Court System's case search portal is available to the public at no charge. The Clark County Sheriff's Office and jail roster information accessible through the county jail page are also available without a fee.
3. Sheriff's Logs: Daily arrest and booking reports maintained by the Clark County Sheriff's Office may be available for public inspection at no charge, subject to applicable exemptions.
What Costs Money
| Service | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copies of court records | Per-page fee set by court |
| Official state background check (WORCS) | Fee set by Wisconsin DOJ |
| Staff-assisted record searches | Variable |
| Fingerprint-based criminal history check | Fee set by Wisconsin DOJ |
| Expedited processing | Variable |
State Fee Law
Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3) governs the fees that may be charged for copies of public records, limiting charges to the actual cost of reproduction. Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances as determined by the records custodian.
What's Included in a Clark County Criminal Record?
Identifying Information
A Clark County criminal record may include the subject's full legal name and known aliases, date of birth, physical description, photograph (mugshot), last known address, state identification number (SID), and FBI number where applicable.
Arrest Information
Arrest records document the date and time of arrest, the arresting agency, booking number, charges filed at the time of arrest, bail or bond conditions, and the jail facility where the individual was held. Current booking information for the Clark County Jail is accessible through the county jail page.
Court Case Information
Court records maintained by the Clark County Clerk of Courts include the case number, court and jurisdiction, filing date, charges and applicable statutes (including felony or misdemeanor classification), plea entered, and attorney of record.
Disposition
Disposition records reflect the verdict or outcome of a case, conviction date where applicable, sentencing details (type and length of sentence, fines, restitution, and conditions of supervision), any appeals filed, and probation or parole status.
Additional Record Elements
Records may also reflect active or recalled warrants, protective orders, sex offender registration status, DUI/OWI entries, traffic violations adjudicated in circuit court, and pending charges.
NOT Included in Public Records
- Juvenile records (sealed under Wis. Stat. § 938.396)
- Expunged or sealed records
- Records from other states or federal jurisdictions
- Records from completed diversion programs where charges were dismissed
- Ongoing investigation files
Accuracy Note
Members of the public who identify errors in their own criminal records may seek correction through the originating agency or the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Inaccurate records can affect employment, housing, and licensing outcomes, and individuals have the right to challenge incorrect information through established administrative processes.
How Long Does Clark County Keep Criminal Records?
Legal Requirements
Wisconsin's public records retention schedules, administered through the Wisconsin Public Records Board, establish minimum retention periods for criminal justice records. County agencies are required to comply with state-mandated schedules, and records may not be destroyed prior to the expiration of the applicable retention period.
Retention by Record Type
- Felony convictions: Retained permanently by the court and the state criminal history repository
- Misdemeanor convictions: Retained permanently in most circumstances
- Arrest records without conviction: Retained for a period determined by agency policy and state schedule; may remain in the state repository unless expunged
- Dismissed or acquitted cases: Retained permanently in court records to reflect the full disposition, including the dismissal
- Juvenile records: Sealed upon the subject reaching adulthood; destruction timelines are governed by Wis. Stat. § 938.396
- Pending cases: Retained until final resolution
Agency Differences
County circuit courts retain case records permanently in accordance with Wisconsin court records retention rules. The Clark County Sheriff's Office retains jail and arrest records in accordance with applicable state schedules. The Wisconsin Department of Justice retains conviction records permanently in the state criminal history repository, accessible through the criminal background check system.
Physical vs. Electronic Records
Electronic records are retained for longer periods than paper records in many instances. Paper records may be destroyed following scanning and digitization, while the electronic version is retained in accordance with the applicable schedule.
Destruction vs. Sealing vs. Expungement
Destruction refers to the permanent elimination of a record at the end of its retention period. Sealing restricts public access to a record without destroying it, leaving the record available to law enforcement and certain authorized agencies. Expungement, available under Wisconsin law for certain eligible offenses, results in the removal of a record from public view and, in some cases, from the state repository. Even if a county agency destroys physical records, electronic copies may exist in state databases unless the record has been legally expunged through a court order.
Expungement
Wisconsin's expungement statute permits eligible individuals to petition the court to expunge certain criminal records. Eligibility is subject to restrictions based on the nature of the offense, the age of the offender at the time of the offense, and the sentence imposed. Expungement does not automatically remove records from all databases, and law enforcement agencies may retain access to expunged records for authorized purposes.
Federal Records
Criminal records maintained by the FBI are subject to federal retention rules and are maintained separately from state and county records. Federal records are not subject to Wisconsin's open records law.
Practical Implications
Conviction records, including older convictions, may appear on background checks conducted for employment, housing, or professional licensing purposes. Employment background checks conducted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act are subject to a seven-to-ten-year reporting limitation for certain record types, though professional licensing and certain regulated industries may require full disclosure regardless of the age of the conviction.