About Juneau County
Juneau County is located in central Wisconsin, encompassing approximately 804 square miles of diverse landscape including rolling farmland, wetlands, and the scenic Wisconsin River corridor. The county seat is Mauston, a city of approximately 4,400 residents situated along Highway 82. Juneau County was established in 1856 and named after Solomon Juneau, the founder of Milwaukee and a prominent fur trader. As of recent census estimates, the county's population hovers around 27,000 residents spread across communities including New Lisbon, Elroy, Necedah, Wonewoc, and Camp Douglas.
- The Register of Deeds office maintains land records at the same location, while the County Assessor's office handles property valuations.
The county is home to several notable landmarks including Castle Rock Lake, one of Wisconsin's largest flowages, and the historic 400 State Trail that follows the former Chicago & North Western Railway route. The area also hosts portions of the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, a critical habitat for endangered whooping cranes. Juneau County's economy historically centered on agriculture and manufacturing, with tourism playing an increasing role due to recreational opportunities on the county's waterways.
The Juneau County Courthouse is located at 220 East State Street in Mauston, housing the County Clerk's office. The county government operates under Wisconsin's county board structure with elected supervisors representing districts throughout the jurisdiction.
Sheriff, Police & Law Enforcement
Sheriff & Law Enforcement
The Juneau County Sheriff's Office is responsible for law enforcement across the unincorporated areas of the county. It oversees the operation of the county jail, processes arrests, and maintains criminal records. The office is also involved in community policing initiatives and offers programs such as drug prevention and educational outreach to enhance public safety. The Sheriff's Office plays a crucial role in coordinating with other local law enforcement agencies to address crime and ensure public safety throughout the county.
Police Departments
Law enforcement in Juneau County is provided by the Juneau County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments, including the Mauston Police Department and the New Lisbon Police Department. The Sheriff's Office handles law enforcement in rural areas and collaborates with city police departments on major crimes and emergencies. Each municipal department is responsible for policing within its city limits, focusing on community safety and crime prevention. Coordination between these agencies ensures comprehensive law enforcement coverage across the county.
Law Enforcement & Arrests
The Juneau County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary law enforcement agency for unincorporated areas and provides countywide services including operation of the county jail, court security, and civil process. Located at 200 Oak Street in Mauston, the Sheriff's Office can be reached at (608) 847-5649 and maintains a website at juneaucountywi.gov. The Juneau County Jail, operated by the Sheriff's Office at the same Oak Street location, houses pre-trial detainees and sentenced inmates.
- Citizens may submit written requests to the appropriate law enforcement agency for incident reports, arrest logs, and booking information, though certain investigatory records may be exempt during active investigations.
- Mugshots and booking photographs are generally considered public records in Wisconsin and can be requested through the Sheriff's Office, though policies on digital access vary by agency.
- Fees for copying records are limited by statute to actual, necessary, and direct costs.
- Response times for records requests typically range from several days to two weeks depending on the complexity and volume of materials requested.
Inmate roster information can typically be obtained by calling the jail directly or visiting the Sheriff's Office during business hours. Municipal police departments operate in several incorporated communities including the Mauston Police Department, New Lisbon Police Department, and Elroy Police Department, each with jurisdiction within their respective city limits. Wisconsin's public records law, specifically Wis.
Stat. § 19.31-19.39, governs access to arrest records and law enforcement reports. The county does not have tribal police jurisdictions, but state and county agencies coordinate on various public safety initiatives.
Criminal, Arrest & Jail Records
Criminal Records
The criminal records system in Juneau County encompasses records of felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The Juneau County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, which are essential for legal proceedings and background checks. Residents can request criminal records through the Wisconsin Department of Justice's Crime Information Bureau, which provides access to statewide criminal history information. The Wisconsin Bureau of Investigation offers additional resources for residents seeking detailed background checks.
Arrest Records
Arrest records in Juneau County are maintained by the Juneau County Sheriff's Office. These records include details such as the date of arrest, charges, and personal information of the arrestee. Residents and attorneys can request arrest records through the Sheriff's Office, typically requiring a formal request under the Wisconsin Open Records Law. Arrest records provide crucial information for legal proceedings and background checks, ensuring transparency and accountability in law enforcement activities within the county.
Jail & Inmate Records
The Juneau County Jail, located in Mauston, is the primary detention facility for the county. The booking process involves fingerprinting, photographing, and recording personal information of the detainee. Inmate lookup services are available through the Juneau County Sheriff's Office, allowing the public to find information about current inmates. Visitation rules are specific to the facility and typically require scheduling in advance, with certain restrictions on the number of visitors and duration of visits.
- The bond and bail process in Wisconsin allows for the posting of bail to secure the release of an inmate, with specific procedures outlined by the county jail.
Mugshots & Booking Photos
Mugshots in Juneau County are taken and retained by the Juneau County Sheriff's Office as part of the booking process. These booking photos are used for identification and legal purposes. Individuals seeking to view or obtain mugshots can do so through the Sheriff's Office, often requiring a formal request. Wisconsin does not have specific mugshot removal laws, meaning that once a mugshot is part of the public record, it may remain accessible unless expunged through legal proceedings.
Courts & Case Records
The Juneau County Circuit Court, part of Wisconsin's unified court system, is located at 220 East State Street in Mauston and serves as the trial court of general jurisdiction handling criminal, civil, family, probate, juvenile, and traffic matters. The court can be reached at (608) 847-9300. Juneau County falls within Wisconsin's Sixth Judicial District.
- Copies of court documents can be obtained from the Clerk of Circuit Court with fees set by statute at $1.25 per page for standard copying.
- Certified copies of judgments, orders, and other official court documents require an additional certification fee.
- The Register in Probate, a function of the Clerk of Circuit Court, maintains estate files, guardianship proceedings, and mental health commitments.
The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system provides free online access to circuit court case information at wcca.wicourts.gov, allowing the public to search by name, case number, or other criteria for most case types, though certain sensitive cases involving juveniles or sealed records may not appear. Municipal courts in cities like Mauston and New Lisbon handle local ordinance violations, traffic citations, and other municipal matters within their respective jurisdictions. Wisconsin's public access policy for court records is codified in Wis.
Stat. § 758.19 and Supreme Court Rule 61.02, establishing a presumption of public access to court records with narrow exceptions for sealed documents, juvenile proceedings, and certain protected information. In-person access to court files is available during regular business hours at the courthouse, and staff can assist with locating specific case files, though they cannot provide legal advice.
Property & Public Records
The Juneau County Register of Deeds, located at 220 East State Street in Mauston, maintains official land records including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, satisfactions, liens, easements, plat maps, surveys, and other instruments affecting real property titles. The office can be reached at (608) 847-9390 and operates during standard business hours Monday through Friday.
- The Register of Deeds office provides an online land records search system accessible through the county website, allowing users to search by grantor/grantee name, document type, parcel number, and date range.
- Document images can typically be viewed and printed for a per-page fee, with certified copies available upon request.
- Fees for certified copies of recorded documents are established by Wisconsin statute at $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page.
Wisconsin law requires that most documents affecting title to real property be recorded in the county where the land is situated, creating a comprehensive public record of property ownership and encumbrances dating back to the county's establishment. The Juneau County Assessor's office, accessible at (608) 847-9340, maintains property assessment records used for taxation purposes, including property characteristics, valuations, and classification data. An online Geographic Information System (GIS) parcel viewer is available through the county website, displaying parcel boundaries, ownership information, assessed values, and tax data.
This mapping tool integrates aerial photography with property data layers useful for research and planning. The county Treasurer's office handles tax payment records and delinquent tax listings.
Vital Records
Vital records for events occurring in Juneau County are maintained by both the Juneau County Register of Deeds office and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Vital Records Office. Birth and death certificates for events occurring from October 1, 1907 forward are kept on file, though the Register of Deeds office at 220 East State Street in Mauston can provide certified copies for events occurring in the county. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services online ordering system at dhs.wisconsin.gov.
- The fee for a certified birth or death certificate is $20.00, with additional copies of the same record ordered simultaneously costing $3.00 each.
- Processing time for mail requests typically ranges from two to four weeks, while in-person requests at the county office may be fulfilled the same day if records are readily available.
- Eligible requesters include the registrant, immediate family members, legal representatives, and others with property or personal rights dependent on the record.
- The marriage license fee is established by state law, and there is a six-day waiting period after issuance before the ceremony can be performed.
- Divorce records are maintained as part of circuit court case files and can be accessed through the Clerk of Circuit Court.
Business & Licensing
Business licensing and registration in Juneau County involves multiple levels of government depending on the type of business activity. The Juneau County Clerk's office at 220 East State Street in Mauston processes registration of fictitious business names (doing business as or DBA filings) and certain local permits, reachable at (608) 847-9375. These trade name registrations are public records searchable at the county level.
- The state maintains a free online business entity search database at www.wdfi.org/apps/CorpSearch where users can look up registered businesses, view formation dates, registered agents, and current status.
- Sales tax certificates and employer identification numbers are processed through the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
For formal business entity registration including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships, and other statutory entities, filing occurs with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Corporate & Consumer Services. Professional licenses for occupations such as real estate agents, contractors, cosmetologists, and healthcare providers are issued by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, with searchable databases available online. The Juneau County Zoning Department handles land use permits, conditional use permits, and certain development approvals, while building permits for construction are issued by local municipalities or the county depending on location.
The Juneau County Planning and Zoning office can be reached at (608) 847-9385. The Mauston Area Chamber of Commerce serves the county seat region and can be contacted for information about local business climate and networking opportunities. Various municipalities within Juneau County may require separate business licenses or occupational tax certificates for operations within city limits.
Elections & Voter Records
Elections in Juneau County are administered by the Juneau County Clerk's office, located at 220 East State Street in Mauston, which can be reached at (608) 847-9375. The County Clerk serves as the chief election official for the county, coordinating with municipal clerks in each city, village, and town to conduct federal, state, and local elections. Wisconsin voters can register online through the MyVote Wisconsin website at myvote.wi.gov, which provides comprehensive voter services including registration, polling place lookup, ballot viewing, and absentee ballot requests.
- Wisconsin law requires absentee ballot requests to be received no later than 5:00 p.m.
- Transparency in elections is robust, with citizens able to request copies of poll lists, inspector certifications, canvass statements, and ballot applications under Wisconsin's open records law.
- The Wisconsin Elections Commission website at elections.wi.gov provides statewide voter data and campaign finance information.
Voter registration in Wisconsin can occur up to and including Election Day, though online and mail registration close 20 days before an election; in-person registration at the municipal clerk's office or polling place remains available through Election Day with proper identification. Wisconsin's voter ID law requires voters to present an approved photo identification document when voting in person. To find your specific polling place in Juneau County, voters can use the MyVote Wisconsin polling place finder by entering their residential address.
Election records that are public under Wisconsin law include voter registration lists (with certain protected information redacted), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and committees, candidate declaration forms, and certified election results by ward and county. Juneau County, like most Wisconsin counties, typically sees voter turnout between 65-75% in presidential election years and 50-60% in midterm elections, with the 2024 general election reflecting strong civic engagement. The next major election is November 3, 2026, featuring Wisconsin's U.S.
Senate race, all U.S. House seats including Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District which includes Juneau County, state constitutional offices, and state legislative seats. Absentee ballots can be requested through the MyVote Wisconsin website, by contacting your municipal clerk directly, or by submitting a written request to the clerk in the county where you reside; absentee ballots can be requested for a single election or for all elections in a calendar year.
on the Thursday before the election, with in-person absentee voting available until the Sunday before Election Day.
Economy & Demographics
Juneau County's economy reflects a blend of traditional rural industries and evolving recreational tourism sectors. Agriculture remains foundational to the county's economic base, with dairy farming, corn and soybean cultivation, and vegetable production representing significant portions of agricultural output. Potato farming has historically been important in the sandy soils of the county's central region. Manufacturing facilities in communities like Mauston and New Lisbon provide employment in sectors including food processing, metal fabrication, and plastics manufacturing.
- The median household income in Juneau County is approximately $53,000, somewhat below the Wisconsin state median, reflecting the rural character and wage scales in primary industries.
The correctional sector represents a substantial employer, with the New Lisbon Correctional Institution and other Department of Corrections facilities providing hundreds of jobs. Tourism and recreation have grown in economic importance, driven by Castle Rock Lake, Petenwell Lake, and the Wisconsin River, which attract seasonal visitors for fishing, boating, and camping. The county experiences typical seasonal employment fluctuations with higher activity during summer recreation months.
Recent unemployment rates have generally tracked state averages, ranging between 3-5% in normal economic conditions. Retail trade and healthcare services centered in Mauston and New Lisbon serve both residents and visitors. The Necedah National Wildlife Refuge contributes to eco-tourism, particularly related to whooping crane recovery efforts.
Economic development initiatives focus on broadband expansion, downtown revitalization in county communities, and leveraging recreational assets to attract investment in hospitality and service sectors.
Transparency Score
Court Records: ✅ Online | Property: ✅ Free Search Available | Arrest/Jail: ⚠️ Phone/In-Person | Vital Records: ⚠️ In-Person or Mail | Business: ✅ Online (State) | Elections: ✅ Online | Overall Score: 7.5/10 — Juneau County provides good access to property and court records online through state systems, though some local records require direct agency contact.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Cities & Towns in Juneau County
Explore public records for 10 cities and communities in Juneau County, Wisconsin.
Nearby Counties
Explore public records in counties that border Juneau County.