Conduct a Free Wisconsin Probation Search via Official Channels

Perform a free Wisconsin probation search today using the official databases linked in this resource or by contacting local courts outlined below.

Offenders convicted in Wisconsin are no longer eligible for release on parole partway through a jail sentence, though probation is still an option.

The difference between probation and parole is that an offender released on probation doesn’t serve jail time; rather, they’re released on a suspended sentence and must report regularly to a probation officer during their sentence period. Parole typically refers to the release of an inmate into the community under supervision before completing their full sentence.

This resource provides information about convicted offenders, individuals on probation, supervising officers, and those who have active warrants for violations in Wisconsin; it also explains how to find details about parolees.

How To Check Any Probationer’s Status (Wisconsin Probation Search Methods)

If the offender committed a crime in a different state, Wisconsin courts and jails will not have records.

The state’s Circuit Court Access Case Search Tool is the most convenient option for performing a Wisconsin supervision search.¹ This tool allows searchers to enter a person’s first, last and middle names along with their date of birth to find related court cases. If searching for someone with a middle name, consider ticking the box that says “When searching using a middle name, also show parties without a middle name.”

The search results will show any cases filed with the court, the county the court is located in and other details about the case, such as the names of any other parties involved. Clicking on a search result will provide more information, including the court ruling.

To view detailed information about sentencing, click on the Show History & Details of Charges/Sentences button. Underneath the Charge Modifier(s) table, there will be a list of sentences, their duration, and details of when the sentence began. If someone is on probation, this will be shown.

For questions/inquiries, utilize the contact form to reach out to the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) web administrator.²

Note there may be a long list of results displayed, as civil cases are also tried in the circuit courts. Filtering results by county may make it easier to find the correct case records if the offender has a common name.

If someone on probation has violated their release setting, they may be listed on a city or county-wide fugitive list, which will be provided later in this article.

Access Probation Records via County & Municipal Agencies Throughout Wisconsin

Wisconsin started using the Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP) in 1987 and introduced eFiling in 2002.³

By 2019, the majority of adult court cases in circuit courts fell under the eFiling system. This system replaces any old county court records and is utilized by courts across the state, making it a valuable tool for a Wisconsin supervision search.

This includes courts located in:

• Milwaukee County
• Dane County
• Waukesha County
• Brown County
• Racine County

A directory of the circuit courts is provided on the Wisconsin Court System website.

Each area has its own probation office which is responsible for supervising people after their release. Details of these offices is provided later in the article.

This system means the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access case search tool can be used to find records for relatively recent cases from all counties within the state. Many records predating the CCAP are now also available in the system, so it’s often possible to find information about older cases online too.

There are some exceptions to this. For example, certain cases with a disposition of dismissed or acquitted are stored in the system for only 2 years after the final order is entered.

Not all older records are available in electronic form. It’s possible to access circuit court records in person at the office of the relevant clerk of court – either on paper or using the public access terminal at the court office.⁴

The table below provides telephone numbers and addresses for some of the main county courts in the most populous parts of Wisconsin:

How To Look Up a Probationer’s Violations in Wisconsin & Contact Their Supervising Officer

Individuals who have concerns about a probationer can contact the probation department responsible for managing that person. The probation department can pass on those concerns to the relevant probation officer.

Contact details for some of the probation departments can be found in the table below:

It’s important to note that these departments are not usually able to give information about whether a person is on probation or not. It’s better to check court records to carry out a Wisconsin supervision search. However, if a victim or witness has concerns about a particular probationer’s behavior, the department can log those concerns and make the probation officer aware.

Another useful resource is the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry, maintained by the Department of Corrections.⁵

It holds information about the whereabouts of sex offenders who have been released into the community, including those who are on probation and those who have completed their supervision periods. The registry was established in 1997 and is accessible to the general public.

Users can search for an offender by name, and there is no fee for using this service.

Many county sheriffs maintain lists of active warrant. If a person is wanted by law enforcement for violation of their probation, then they may appear on one of these lists. This may help with your Wisconsin supervision search.

The Wood County Sheriff’s Department has a list of active warrants provided in alphabetical order. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office maintains a similar list, which is searchable by name and includes details of bonds and charges.⁶

How To See Which Wisconsin Residents Are on Parole

Wisconsin abolished parole release discretion for all prisoners starting in 2000. As of late 2022, only around 8% of offenders currently in custody were sentenced under the old parole system. The Wisconsin Parole Commission oversees parole hearings and decisions for the remaining eligible offenders.

The Wisconsin Parole Commission can be contacted at:

Phone: 608-240-7280
Fax: 608-240-7299
Email: parolecommission@wisconsin.gov

Information about hearings relating to crimes that took place prior to 2000 may not have been converted to electronic format. However, county courts often provide access to older public records for those who visit in person.

Anyone can look up information about prisoners in Wisconsin using the WI DOC Offender Locator.⁷ This website shows information about inmates in Wisconsin prisons. Simply enter the offender’s name (partial matches can be used) and any other information available such as their age, race or gender.

The results page will show current or former inmates matching those details. Clicking on an inmate in the results will show any known aliases, photographs, details of their height, weight, eye color and other identifying characteristics, and their current location. If the inmate has been released on Parole, this will be highlighted in the location section.

Curious residents can find more information using the instructions for accessing all Wisconsin parolee records.

When an offender is released on parole, the news can be a source of worry for victims, witnesses and others involved in the case. Victims of crime are entitled to be informed if an offender is released on parole and can enroll in the DOC NOTIS system to receive notifications. Victims may provide input into the parole process, either by attending an in-person interview or providing a written statement to be considered by the Parole Commissioner.

The Wisconsin DOC also provides support for victims, via the Office of Victim Services & Programs (OVSP).⁸ Those who are victims of a crime can contact the OVSP to learn their rights, request parole information if this applies to their case and also access any restorative justice services that may be available.

Individuals looking for information about the status of a criminal convicted on or after the start of the year 2000 would be better served by a Wisconsin probation search, as parole is not an option for recent offenses; additionally, interested parties can dig deeper by looking up WI criminal and arrest records.