La Crosse County is located in the western part of Wisconsin and has a land area of about 452 square miles. Founded in 1851, the county is now home to more than 120,000 residents. The City of La Crosse is the county’s largest city and county seat.

Courts in La Crosse County

The Circuit Court has original jurisdiction over all criminal cases and civil lawsuits in La Crosse. Misdemeanor and felony criminal proceedings are exclusive to the Circuit Court. The apex court also handles other lesser criminal cases that require jury trials. The general civil division of La Crosse’s Circuit Court handles legal disputes in which financial claims exceed $10,000.

On the other hand, disputes involving below $10,000 are resolved at the small claims division. Other legal proceedings that occur in the Circuit Court include adoption cases, probate matters, guardianships, name changes, and conservatorships. County residents may approach the apex trial court to appeal decisions from La Crosse Municipal Courts.

The two Municipal Courts in La Crosse County typically preside over lesser criminal proceedings that do not require jury trials. These courts exercise exclusive jurisdiction over most ordinance violations committed within the municipality. They also preside over curfew violations, truancy, alcohol violations, and drug crimes.

Where to Find Public Court Records in La Crosse County

The La Crosse County Clerk of Courts maintains and disseminates the following court records in the Circuit Court.

• Complaints and Petitions
• Discovery Requests
• Settlement Agreements
• Court Transcripts
• Case dockets
• Trial Records
• Case Summaries
• Legal Briefs
• Writs and Agendas
• Verdicts

Record searchers may send emails or call the Circuit Court Clerk to obtain public court records in La Crosse County. They can also find public case files online via the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access. To find information on the state’s repository, requesters must provide parties’ names, birth dates, and case numbers.

Types of Public Court Records in La Crosse County

La Crosse County public court records include:

• Civil records
• Criminal records
• Records of legal claims against properties for unpaid debts or services.
• Divorce decrees
• Family records showing very limited information regarding child custody, adoption, and guardianship cases.
• Probate records
• Traffic court records and citations

Confidential Court Records in La Crosse County

Confidential court records in La Crosse County are not open for public inspection. According to Wisconsin Court Rules, the following court documents are confidential and restricted from public access:

• Individuals’ financial accounts
• Social Security numbers
• Driver’s license numbers
• Passport numbers
• Adoption records
• Medical records
• Juvenile delinquency records
• Records pertaining to ongoing investigations
• Mental health records
• Sealed records

Requesters may access these files only by getting court orders. Recordholders and their legal representatives may also access confidential records by visiting the local court where the case was filed.

Juvenile Delinquency in La Crosse, WI

Unfortunately, in many areas of the La Crosse County, juvenile delinquency crimes are on the rise. There are many reasons for the increase in youth offenders. The juvenile sentence in Wisconsin often depends on the severity of the crime, the number of offenses, and other family matters.

In 2017, a total of 231 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of La Crosse County. Of that total, 46% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 107 court cases. Another 35% were dependency cases that accounted for 80 of the juvenile cases.

A lot of counties, including, La Crosse County, are focusing on family health and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future La Crosse County juvenile delinquency statistics will show whether or not this approach is working.

Government of La Crosse County, WI

https://www.wisconsin.gov/

County Seat:	La Crosse
Government Type:	County
Authority:	Dillon's Rule
Year Organized:	1851
Total Square Miles:	480
2019 Population:	118,274
Persons/Square Mile:	0.00

La Crosse County, WI Courts