Manitowoc County Court Records are public documents that show every civil, criminal, and probate case filed in the county. These records come from the Wisconsin State Records portal, which pulls data from the Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP) system. As of October 2025, the database holds more than 1.3 million entries. Each record includes the case number, filing date, full legal names of people involved, and the final outcome. Users can search by docket type, judge, or attorney name. They can also download original court papers like complaints and judgments as PDF files. The Clerk of Circuit Court checks all details before posting, so the information is reliable for background checks, school research, or legal work.
How to Search Manitowoc County Court Records
Anyone can search Manitowoc County Court Records online using the Wisconsin State Records website. The search tool lets you look up cases by party name, case number, or attorney. You can filter results by case type, such as civil, criminal, or probate. The system shows key details like filing dates, charges, pleas, fines, and court orders. For example, if someone wants to check a past criminal case, they can enter the person’s name and see all related filings. The site also allows users to download full documents, including motions, orders, and sentencing reports. This makes it easy to get official copies for personal or professional use.
Clerk of Circuit Court – Role and Services
The Clerk of Circuit Court in Manitowoc County manages all court filings and records. Under Wisconsin law, this office must keep every document filed in circuit court, including complaints, motions, orders, and final judgments. The clerk also records court hearings, issues summonses, and collects fees. All money paid to the court—like fines, filing fees, or protective order costs—is logged in the County Treasurer’s ledger. The office publishes a monthly fee schedule. Civil case filings cost $41, small claims cost $25, and probate applications cost $30. Certified copies of any record cost $15 each. Lynn Zigmunt is the Department Director. She can be reached at 920-683-4025 for questions about records, certifications, or filing dates.
Types of Cases in Manitowoc County Court Records
Manitowoc County Court Records cover many types of legal cases. Civil cases include disputes over money, property, or contracts. Criminal cases involve charges like theft, drug possession, or firearm violations. Probate cases deal with wills, estates, and guardianships. Family court matters include divorce, child support, and custody. Adoption filings and name changes are also part of the public record. Each case is assigned a unique number, like 2021-CR-018732 for criminal cases or 2020-AD-004567 for adoptions. These records are stored in the Wisconsin Integrated Records System (WIRS) and can be searched by name or case number. All documents are kept for at least ten years, unless state law requires longer storage.
Redaction Rules and Privacy Protections
Since July 1, 2024, Wisconsin law requires that personal information be removed from court records before they go public. This rule, called Wis. §801.19, applies to all circuit courts, including Manitowoc County. Protected details include Social Security numbers, medical records, bank account numbers, and full birth dates. Anyone filing a document must redact this information. The Clerk’s Office offers a free template to help with redaction. Lawyers must sign a form saying they’ve removed all private data. If someone fails to follow the rule, they can be fined $250 per violation and face contempt charges. This protects people’s privacy while keeping court records open to the public.
Notable Criminal Cases in Manitowoc County
Manitowoc County Court Records include several notable criminal cases. In 2021, Arthur B. Williams, age 32, was charged with felony possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. He entered a no-contest plea and was fined $500 plus court costs, totaling $1,158. He also had to take a firearm safety course and was placed on three years of supervised release. Another case involved Leola J. Williams, age 37, who faced a second-offense THC possession charge. She pleaded no contest and was ordered to pay $200 plus costs, for a total of $969. When she didn’t pay on time, she served 19 days in county jail and gave a DNA sample for the state database. These cases show how fines, jail time, and additional penalties are recorded in the system.
Accessing Adoption and Family Court Records
Adoption records, name changes, and marriage licenses are part of Manitowoc County Court Records. These documents are stored in the WIRS system and can be searched by adoptive parents’ names or the child’s birth certificate number. For example, adoption decree #2020-AD-004567 is publicly available. Certified copies cost $15 each and can be ordered online or in person. The records are open during regular business hours at the courthouse. However, some adoption files may have limited access based on state law. If you need a copy, contact the Clerk’s Office or use the online portal to request it.
Naturalization and Citizenship Records
Old naturalization records for Manitowoc County are kept at the Cofrin Memorial Library at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. The library has microfilm copies from 1901 to 1955. To request a record, call (920) 465-2539 or email the reference desk. You’ll need to provide the person’s full name, birthdate, and if known, the federal court case number. The library will locate the certificate and send a scanned copy by email or mail. This service helps people trace family history or prove citizenship for legal purposes.
Online Tools and Payment Options
Manitowoc County offers online tools to search court records and pay fines. The Local Court Records website links directly to the county’s docket system. Users can look up cases by name or number and view full PDFs of court documents. The site also shows the weekly court calendar with hearing times for civil, family, and probate cases. Fines can be paid online through the Wisconsin Courts’ e-Payment portal. It accepts credit cards, ACH transfers, and electronic checks. This makes it easy to settle debts without visiting the courthouse.
Wisconsin Statewide Case Search
The Wisconsin Court System’s public portal gives access to records from all 72 counties, including Manitowoc. You can search by docket number, party name, or legal issue. Results include PDFs of opinions, orders, and docket entries going back to 1970. The system also offers an API for lawyers and researchers who need bulk data. To protect privacy, all searches are logged, and there’s a limit of 100 queries per hour per IP address. This ensures fair use while keeping the system secure.
Court Location and Contact Information
The Manitowoc County Circuit Court is located at 1010 South 8th Street, Room 105, PO Box 2000, Manitowoc, WI 54221. It’s open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except on the last Wednesday of each month when it closes at noon for staff training. The main phone number is 920-683-4030, and fax documents can be sent to 920-683-2733. Self-service kiosks let people look up case summaries, schedule hearings, and pay fees with debit or credit cards. For urgent filings, the clerk offers an “express filing” service for an extra $30, guaranteeing docket entry within two business days.
Child Support and Theft Convictions
Manitowoc County Court Records show real examples of local convictions. In 2016, Raymond Hunter, age 44, was convicted of failing to pay child support. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail, ordered to pay $4,939 in restitution, and required to give a DNA sample under state law. That same year, Amy L. Kline, age 42, was found guilty of petty theft after stealing $185 worth of merchandise. She received a $250 fine, 30 days of community service, and three years of probation. Both records include scanned copies of the judgment and pre-sentence reports, proving how detailed these files are.
How to Request Certified Copies
To get a certified copy of any Manitowoc County Court Record, contact the Clerk of Circuit Court. You can call 920-683-4025 or visit the office in person. Certified copies cost $15 each and are often needed for legal matters, employment, or background checks. Requests should include the case number, party names, and filing date if known. The office verifies each request and mails or hands over the document with an official seal. Processing usually takes 1–3 business days.
Filing Fees and Cost Breakdown
Manitowoc County charges set fees for different types of court filings. Civil cases cost $41 to file, small claims cost $25, and probate applications cost $30. If you need a certified copy, it’s $15 per document. Express filing for urgent cases costs an extra $30. All fees are listed monthly and posted online. Payments can be made by cash, check, credit card, or online through the e-Payment portal. The County Treasurer tracks all payments to ensure transparency.
Public Access and Legal Research
Manitowoc County Court Records are vital for legal research, journalism, and personal background checks. Researchers use them to study crime trends, track court outcomes, or verify legal histories. Journalists rely on these records to report on local cases accurately. Employers and landlords may request records for screening purposes. Because the data is verified by the Clerk’s Office, it’s trusted by courts, schools, and government agencies across Wisconsin.
Record Retention and State Law
Under Wisconsin Statutes § 891.01, the Clerk of Circuit Court must keep all filed documents permanently unless a specific law says otherwise. This includes every motion, order, judgment, and plea entered into the system. Records are stored digitally and on paper for backup. The law ensures that Manitowoc County Court Records remain available for future generations, supporting justice, transparency, and historical research.
Frequently Asked Questions
People often ask how to find old court cases, whether records are free, and how long it takes to get copies. Below are answers to the most common questions about Manitowoc County Court Records.
How do I search for a specific case in Manitowoc County?
You can search by visiting the Wisconsin State Records website and entering the person’s name, case number, or attorney. The system will show all matching records with details like filing date, charges, and final judgment. You can also filter by case type or judge.
Are Manitowoc County Court Records free to view?
Yes, viewing records online is free. However, downloading PDFs or getting certified copies costs $15 per document. Filing new cases also requires payment of statutory fees.
Can I remove my personal information from court records?
No, once a record is filed, it becomes public. But under Wis. §801.19, you must redact sensitive details like Social Security numbers before filing. The Clerk’s Office provides a template to help with this.
How long are court records kept in Manitowoc County?
Most records are kept permanently under state law. Some, like adoption files, may have restricted access after a certain time, but they are not destroyed.
What happens if I don’t pay a court fine on time?
If you miss a payment deadline, the court may issue a warrant, add late fees, or order jail time. For example, unpaid fines in criminal cases can lead to automatic confinement, as seen in the Leola J. Williams case.
Can I get naturalization records from Manitowoc County?
Yes, but only through the Cofrin Memorial Library at UW-Green Bay. They hold microfilm records from 1901 to 1955. Call (920) 465-2539 to request a copy.
Is there a way to pay court fines online?
Yes, use the Wisconsin Courts’ e-Payment portal. It accepts credit cards, ACH transfers, and electronic checks. You’ll need your case number to complete the payment.
Official Contact:
Manitowoc County Circuit Court
1010 South 8th Street, Room 105
PO Box 2000, Manitowoc, WI 54221
Phone: 920-683-4030
Fax: 920-683-2733
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (closed noon on last Wednesday)
