Manitowoc County court records in Wisconsin are available through several channels. ManitowocCourt.us allows you to search for public information on court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be found through the official Wisconsin state case search system, the office of the Clerk of Circuit Court, as well as through public terminals located directly in the courthouse building.
Manitowoc Court System & Jurisdictions
In the state of Wisconsin, there are no separate magistrate or district courts as they exist in some other states. Instead, the Circuit Court serves as the court of first instance with full jurisdiction — both civil and criminal.
Manitowoc County Circuit Court handles:
- Criminal cases — from felonies to misdemeanors
- Civil lawsuits, including small claims (up to $10,000)
- Family cases — divorce, custody, alimony. The county has a separate family court division that assists with the filing process
- Probate and guardianship cases — handled by the Register in Probate
- Traffic violations and municipal offenses
- Juvenile cases
If a case is appealed, it moves to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals, and then potentially to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. There is a separate WSCCA system for searching appellate cases.
Manitowoc Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of court hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week can be viewed through the CCAP (Consolidated Court Automation Programs) system, supported by the Wisconsin court system. The case search page offers a filter by date and county.
To find the schedule of Manitowoc County Circuit Court hearings:
- Go to the Wisconsin Court System case search page
- Select Manitowoc County in the appropriate field
- Use filters by party name or case number to see scheduled hearings
The court's Criminal Unit also offers the option to subscribe to text reminders about upcoming hearings. This is convenient for defendants and witnesses who need to keep track of dates.
For details on a specific hearing, contact the office of the Clerk of Circuit Court.
How to Get a Copy of a Manitowoc Court Document
Copies of court documents in Manitowoc County can be obtained in three ways: online, in person, or by mail.
Online
Through the Wisconsin eCourts system, electronic copies of many documents are available. Mandatory eFiling has been implemented in phases across all circuit courts in the state, so a significant portion of recent materials is already digitized.
In Person or by Mail
To obtain certified or uncertified copies from a court case, you need to fill out an Open Records Request form and submit it to the clerk's office. The general court information page contains instructions on filling out the form and payment.
A certified copy has the court's official seal and the clerk's signature — it is required for legal procedures. An uncertified copy is suitable for review.
Some records have restricted access: juvenile cases, sealed cases, and certain family cases are usually closed to public view.
Manitowoc Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for copies and document searches in Wisconsin courts are regulated by state statute (Wis. Stat. § 814.61). Below are the approximate rates applied by the Manitowoc County Circuit Court Clerk's office:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Uncertified copy (per page) | $1.25 |
| Certified copy (certification fee) | $5.00 |
| Record search (by name) | $5.00 |
| Copy on electronic media (if available) | Depends on volume |
Payment is usually accepted in the form of a money order or check payable to the Clerk of Circuit Court. Confirm current payment methods directly with the office, as the ability to pay by card or cash may change.
If you are sending a request by mail, include the completed Open Records Request form and payment. The clerk will notify you if the amount differs from what was expected.