Wisconsin Statewide Criminal Background Check
Search Wisconsin circuit court criminal records across all 72 counties with one order.
BCS Background Screening LLC returns felonies, misdemeanors, final dispositions and full sentences, so you can hire with confidence.
Plus, every report follows the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) from disclosure to adverse action.
What a Wisconsin Statewide Criminal Background Check Covers
Wisconsin circuit courts hear every felony and misdemeanor case filed in the state.
Our Wisconsin statewide criminal background check searches those court records in all 72 counties.
As a result, one order replaces dozens of separate county searches.
Next, we match each possible record against your applicant’s full name and date of birth before it reaches your report.
Felony Cases
Class A through Class I felonies, including drug, theft, fraud and violent offenses.
Misdemeanor Cases
Class A, B and C misdemeanors, plus unclassified charges shown as “Misd. U” on court records.
Final Dispositions
Guilty, no contest, dismissed, read-in and acquitted outcomes, each with its disposition date.
Full Sentences
Prison, extended supervision, probation, jail, fines, costs and every condition the judge ordered.
Criminal Traffic
Criminal traffic cases such as second-offense OWI and operating after revocation.
Identity Matching
Name, date of birth and address history help confirm each record belongs to your applicant.
What the Search Does Not Include
Juvenile delinquency files stay confidential under Wisconsin law, so they never appear.
Likewise, clerks seal expunged cases, and those cases stay out of your report.
Local ordinance violations heard only in municipal courts also fall outside circuit court records.
Need a deeper look at one county? In that case, add a county criminal court search to the same order.
Wisconsin Court Search vs. the DOJ Criminal History Check
Wisconsin gives employers two main routes to criminal records.
First, the Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau (CIB) offers a name-based repository check.
However, the DOJ states that arrests without supporting fingerprints or related dispositions stay out of its database.
Court records, in contrast, list every filed charge along with its final outcome.
| Feature | BCS Wisconsin Court Search | Wisconsin DOJ CIB Check |
|---|---|---|
| Data source | Circuit court criminal records in all 72 counties | Fingerprint-supported state repository |
| Charges without fingerprints | Included when filed in circuit court | Not included |
| Dispositions and sentences | Full detail for every count | Depends on agency reporting |
| Read-in charges | Labeled with a plain-English note | Depends on agency reporting |
| Turnaround | Real-time search | Mail requests: allow 10 business days |
| Price | $20 per name | $12 per name by mail, plus a DHS fee for caregiver checks |
| FCRA support | Disclosure, authorization and adverse action tools | Employer handles every FCRA step alone |
For most employers, therefore, the court search gives a fuller picture at a known price.
Still, some caregiver and licensing roles require a DOJ or fingerprint check by law, so confirm your industry rules first.
Why Wisconsin Records Need a Court-Level Search
Free lookups and state repository checks each leave gaps that can mislead a hiring decision.
Free Lookups Miss Context
Since 2018, the public Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website hides fully dismissed or acquitted cases after two years.
Moreover, the site offers no identity verification and no FCRA process.
Our researchers verify each possible record and report it in a compliant format.
Read-In Charges Confuse Reviewers
A read-in charge is dismissed under a plea agreement.
Yet the judge may still consider it at sentencing under Wis. Stat. § 973.20(1g)(b).
Our reports label every read-in clearly, so reviewers never mistake it for a conviction.
Fingerprint Gaps at the State Level
The DOJ repository omits arrests that lack fingerprints or a reported disposition.
Circuit court files, by contrast, capture every charge a prosecutor actually files.
That is why court data fills the gap for employment screening.
Court Records Last for Decades
Under Supreme Court Rule chapter 72, circuit courts keep misdemeanor files for 20 years.
Felony files stay for 50 years, and Class A felony files stay for 75 years.
Consequently, older convictions often surface in a court-level search.
How Wisconsin Courts Organize Criminal Records
Wisconsin runs one unified circuit court system with 69 judicial circuits covering 72 counties.
Three circuits serve two counties each: Buffalo and Pepin, Florence and Forest, and Menominee and Shawano.
Meanwhile, the Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP) system links every county clerk’s office.
That shared system keeps case data consistent from Superior to Kenosha.
Reading a Wisconsin Case Number
Felony case numbers carry “CF,” while misdemeanors carry “CM” and criminal traffic cases carry “CT.”
For example, 2025CF001142 marks the 1,142nd felony case filed in that county during 2025.
In short, a trained reviewer can spot a case’s seriousness at a glance.
Sample Wisconsin Statewide Criminal Report
Below is a sample record as our Wisconsin statewide criminal background check presents it.
The subject, case numbers and court officials are fictitious, so no real person is described.
Brown County Case Number 2025CF001142: State of Wisconsin vs. Mateo Rafael Quintana Jr
The defendant Mateo Rafael Quintana Jr was found guilty of the following charge(s) in this case.
- Manuf/Deliver Amphetamine(<=3g), a Class F felony, Wisconsin Statutes 961.41(1)(e)1.
- Manuf/Deliver Amphetamine(<=3g), a Class F felony, Wisconsin Statutes 961.41(1)(e)1.
- Manuf/Deliver Amphetamine(<=3g), a Class F felony, Wisconsin Statutes 961.41(1)(e)1.
Read-In Charges
Charge(s) in this case were read in to this or other case(s).
A “read in” charge is a charge that is dismissed as part of a plea agreement, however:
- The defendant agrees to have the court consider the charge(s) when sentencing for another crime, under Wis. Stats. 973.20(1g)(b); and
- The defendant cannot be prosecuted for these charge(s) in the future.
Notice to Employers
It may be a violation of state law to discriminate against a job applicant because of an arrest or conviction record.
Generally speaking, an employer may refuse to hire an applicant on the basis of a conviction only if the circumstances of the conviction substantially relate to the particular job.
For more information, see Wisconsin Statute 111.335 and the Department of Workforce Development’s publication, Arrest and Conviction Records under the Law.
Case Summary
Charges
| Count | Statute | Description | Severity | Disposition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 961.41(1)(e)1 | Manuf/Deliver Amphetamine(<=3g) | Felony F | Guilty Due to No Contest Plea |
| 2 | 961.41(1)(e)1 | Manuf/Deliver Amphetamine(<=3g) | Felony F | Guilty Due to No Contest Plea |
| 3 | 961.41(1)(e)1 | Manuf/Deliver Amphetamine(<=3g) | Felony F | Guilty Due to No Contest Plea |
| 4 | 961.41(3g)(g) | Possession of Methamphetamine | Felony I | Charge Dismissed but Read In |
| 5 | 961.41(3g)(e) | Possession of THC | Misd. U | Charge Dismissed but Read In |
| 6 | 961.573(1) | Possess Drug Paraphernalia | Misd. U | Charge Dismissed but Read In |
| 7 | 450.11(7)(h) | Possess/Illegally Obtained Prescription | Misd. U | Charge Dismissed but Read In |
History and Details of Charges and Sentences
In plain terms: the subject has three Class F felony delivery convictions, each carrying 12 months in prison and 24 months of extended supervision.
All three sentences run concurrently, meaning at the same time.
The four remaining charges were dismissed but read in, so the judge weighed them at sentencing without a conviction.
SSN Trace Results Note
Information from the SSN Trace service is not part of the FCRA process. It is to be used for location purposes to identify names, aliases, DOBs & address history to determine FCRA county and state criminal jurisdiction searches. Please be aware that criminal searches are based on your provided input, NOT SSN Trace results. To view SSN Trace, Name, Aliases & Address History, you must be logged to your secure account. Go to “Detailed View” page for your applicant, Under Search Types, click “SSN Trace Past Address History”, a green “Complete” link will show on right-side, click to view. View how to image.
Access to SSN Trace functionality is restricted at initial registration. This feature cannot be accessed at initial signup until your organization’s business use case is verified.
Wisconsin Hiring Laws That Shape How You Use the Report
The Wisconsin Fair Employment Act bars discrimination based on arrest or conviction records.
Notably, the law covers employers of every size, not just large companies.
So before you act on any Wisconsin statewide criminal background check, apply the state’s job-relatedness test.
The “Substantially Related” Test Under Wis. Stat. § 111.335
An employer may refuse to hire because of a conviction only when its circumstances substantially relate to the job.
Similarly, a pending charge may count if it substantially relates to the position.
By contrast, an arrest with no pending charge generally cannot justify a refusal to hire.
Who Enforces Wisconsin’s Rules
The Department of Workforce Development’s Equal Rights Division handles discrimination complaints.
Applicants generally have 300 days after the alleged discrimination to file.
Ban-the-Box Rules in Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s state civil service delays criminal history questions until later in hiring.
In addition, Madison, Milwaukee and Dane County apply similar rules to public jobs.
Madison also extends its rule to certain city contractors.
For every statute, deadline and local ordinance, read our full guide to Wisconsin background screening laws.
Federal FCRA Steps Still Apply
- Give the applicant a stand-alone FCRA disclosure before you order the report.
- Get the applicant’s written authorization for the background check.
- Before any adverse action, send a copy of the report and the FCRA Summary of Rights.
- After a reasonable waiting period, send the final adverse action notice.
How to Order a Wisconsin Statewide Criminal Search
Collect Consent
Next, send the FCRA disclosure and collect the applicant’s signed authorization.
Place the Order
Then choose Wisconsin Statewide Criminal Search and enter the applicant’s full name and date of birth.
Review Results
Finally, review the verified report in your secure client portal.
Wisconsin Statewide Criminal Background Check Pricing
One flat price covers the full statewide circuit court search.
Also, you pay only for the searches you order.
What Every Search Includes
- Circuit court criminal records from all 72 Wisconsin counties
- Felony, misdemeanor and criminal traffic cases
- Final dispositions, dates and full sentences for every count
- Researcher review of each possible record
- Secure online portal with FCRA compliance forms
Every user account also offers optional Multiple Authentication Factor (MAF) sign-in for added security.
Popular Add-Ons
Wisconsin Statewide Criminal Background Check FAQs
What does a Wisconsin statewide criminal background check include?
It searches circuit court criminal records in all 72 Wisconsin counties.
Each record shows the charges, severity, final disposition, disposition date and full sentence.
Also, read-in charges carry a plain-English label.
How much does a Wisconsin statewide criminal search cost?
BCS Background Screening LLC charges $20 per name.
By comparison, a mailed Wisconsin DOJ record check costs $12 and takes about 10 business days.
How far back do Wisconsin criminal records go?
Circuit courts keep misdemeanor records for 20 years and felony records for 50 years.
Wisconsin sets no state lookback cap on reporting convictions.
However, the federal FCRA limits most non-conviction records to seven years for jobs paying under $75,000.
Is the Wisconsin DOJ record check the same as a court search?
No, the two draw on different sources.
The DOJ check covers its fingerprint-supported repository only.
In contrast, a court search reads the case records that circuit court clerks keep.
What is a “read-in” charge on a Wisconsin court record?
A read-in charge is dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Even so, the judge may consider it at sentencing, and the state cannot prosecute it later.
A read-in is not a conviction.
Can a Wisconsin employer deny a job because of a conviction?
Yes, but only when the conviction substantially relates to the particular job under Wis. Stat. § 111.335.
For details, see our Wisconsin background screening laws guide.
Why can’t I find a dismissed case on the WCCA (CCAP) website?
Since 2018, WCCA hides criminal cases after two years when every charge was dismissed or acquitted.
The court file still exists at the clerk’s office, though.
How long does a Wisconsin statewide criminal search take?
The search runs against court data in real time.
Clear results return fastest, while possible records need researcher review before release.
Order Your Wisconsin Statewide Criminal Background Check Today
Screen Wisconsin applicants across all 72 counties for $20 per name.
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The sample report above uses a fictitious subject, case numbers and court officials for illustration only. This page offers general information, not legal advice, so consult counsel about your specific hiring decisions.