Rock County was created in 1836 and named after the Rock River, which runs through it. The county has an estimated land area of 718.2 square miles and a population of 163,687. The county seat and largest city is Janesville.
Courts in Rock County
The Rock County Circuit Court and Municipal Courts serve residents of Rock County. The Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters arising from the county. Criminal cases include all felonies and misdemeanors, while examples of civil matters are money claims, real estate cases, torts, and contract disputes. The Circuit Court also handles all probate, family, and juvenile cases. Probate cases are those on wills, estates, guardianships, and related matters, while family matters include divorce, custody, and support cases. Juvenile cases include delinquency, dependency, and other matters involving minors.
Municipal Courts exercise jurisdiction within cities, towns, and villages in Rock County. Matters within their jurisdiction include ordinance violations, traffic violations, trespass, and underage alcohol violations.
Where to Find Public Court Records in Rock County
The Rock County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains all records of the Rock County Circuit Court. Anyone can request these records from the clerk’s office in person, by mail, or by calling (608) 743-2217. Circuit Court records are also available on the statewide online case search portal. Record copies cost $1.25 per page, while certification costs $5.00 per document. Also, Municipal Court records are available at the location of the relevant Municipal Court.
Types of Public Court Records in Rock County
Court records include information and documents relating to court cases. Records of most cases in Rock County are considered public, including:
- Felony cases
- Misdemeanors
- Traffic cases
- Civil claims
- Probate cases
Confidential Court Records in Rock County
Documents and material relating to certain cases or containing certain information are restricted from public access by law. Examples of such confidential records in Rock County include:
- Records of mental health commitment cases
- Guardianship case records
- Adoption records
- Records of juvenile delinquency proceedings.
Juvenile Delinquency in Rock, WI
Unfortunately, in many areas of the Rock 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 991 juvenile cases were reported for every 100,000 people age 10 to adulthood in the jurisdiction of Rock County. Of that total, 66% of those proceedings were delinquencies which equaled 657 court cases. Another 16% were dependency cases that accounted for 160 of the juvenile cases.
A lot of counties, including, Rock County, are focusing on family health and relationships rather than punishment for juvenile crimes. Future Rock County juvenile delinquency statistics will show whether or not this approach is working.
| Juvenile Cases | Number of cases |
|---|---|
| Delinquency | 5,749 |
| Dependency | 1,694 |
| Status | 5,943 |
Government of Rock County, WI
| County Seat: | Janesville |
| Government Type: | County |
| Authority: | Dillon's Rule |
| Year Organized: | 1836 |
| Total Square Miles: | 726 |
| 2019 Population: | 162,309 |
| Persons/Square Mile: | 0.00 |
| County Contact: | 51 S Main St
County Courthouse Janesville , WI 53545-3951 http://www.co.rock.wi.us |