New Lisbon, Wisconsin Public Records

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.

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.

New Lisbon residents are served by the Juneau County Circuit Court, located at 220 East State Street, Mauston, WI 53948 (phone: 608-847-9300). The Circuit Court is Wisconsin's trial court of general jurisdiction, handling felony criminal cases, misdemeanors, civil matters over $5,000, family law cases including divorce and custody, probate and estate matters, small claims up to $10,000, traffic violations, and juvenile cases. The court serves all of Juneau County including New Lisbon. For municipal ordinance violations specific to New Lisbon, the city may conduct forfeiture proceedings through the Circuit Court or handle citations administratively. Wisconsin's consolidated court system provides online access to circuit court records through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal at wcca.wicourts.gov, a free public database where users can search by name, case number, or county to view case information, parties, charges, dispositions, and court calendars for cases statewide. The Clerk of Circuit Court's office charges fees for certified copies of court documents, typically $5 for the first page and $1 for each additional page, plus certification fees of approximately $5. Marriage license applications are also processed through the Clerk of Circuit Court at the same Mauston address, with fees of $110 for the license. Court records are generally public unless sealed by court order, and historical records dating back decades are maintained by the Clerk's office.

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 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.

Property and land records for New Lisbon are maintained by Juneau County offices in Mauston. The Juneau County Assessor's Office, located at 200 Oak Street, Mauston, WI 53948 (phone: 608-847-9390), maintains property assessment records including parcel identification numbers, property classifications, assessed values, and ownership information. The county provides an online property search portal through its website at www.co.juneau.wi.gov where residents can search by address, parcel number, or owner name to view current assessments, property characteristics, assessment history, and tax information. The Juneau County Register of Deeds, located at 220 East State Street, Suite 101, Mauston, WI 53948 (phone: 608-847-9320, website: www.co.juneau.wi.gov/register-of-deeds), records and maintains all land records including warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, and other real estate instruments. Wisconsin requires recording of property transfers to establish legal ownership. The Register of Deeds office provides online access to recorded documents through a searchable database on the county website, with some services free and document copies available for fees (typically $1-2 per page). Users can search by grantor/grantee name, property address, or document type. Juneau County also offers a GIS parcel viewer through its website, providing interactive mapping with parcel boundaries, ownership information, zoning, and aerial imagery overlays for all properties including those in New Lisbon. This tool is free and allows searches by address or parcel number.

New Lisbon's economy is significantly shaped by the presence of two major state correctional facilities: the New Lisbon Correctional Institution and the Wisconsin Resource Center, both operated by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections and collectively employing several hundred staff members, making corrections the city's largest employment sector. Agriculture and related industries remain important to the local economy, with Juneau County known for cranberry production, dairy farming, and crop cultivation; New Lisbon serves as a service center for surrounding agricultural areas. Retail and service businesses along the Highway 12/16 corridor provide local shopping and services. The city's median household income is estimated at approximately $40,000-$45,000, below the state average, reflecting the rural character and public sector employment base. New Lisbon benefits from its location along major transportation routes connecting Wisconsin Rapids to the north and Madison to the southeast. Healthcare services are provided by the Mile Bluff Medical Center in nearby Mauston. The local economy has remained relatively stable, with the correctional facilities providing recession-resistant employment. Small manufacturing, construction trades, and transportation/warehousing also contribute to the employment base. Recent years have seen gradual downtown revitalization efforts and continued investment in local infrastructure. As the second-largest city in Juneau County after Mauston, New Lisbon's economy reflects the broader county trends of corrections employment, agriculture, tourism related to nearby recreational areas like Buckhorn State Park, and service industries supporting the regional population.

The New Lisbon Police Department, located at 220 East Pleasant Street, New Lisbon, WI 53950 (phone: 608-562-3206), provides primary law enforcement services within city limits. Citizens can request police reports, incident records, and accident reports by visiting the department in person or submitting written requests; fees apply for copies. The department maintains records of arrests, citations, and calls for service within the city. For areas outside city limits and countywide law enforcement, the Juneau County Sheriff's Office serves residents from its headquarters at 200 Oak Street, Mauston, WI 53948 (phone: 608-847-5649, website: www.co.juneau.wi.gov/sheriff). The Sheriff's Office handles patrol services for unincorporated areas, operates the county jail, and maintains records of arrests and incidents throughout Juneau County. To search for arrest and jail booking records, the public can access the Juneau County Jail inmate roster through the Sheriff's Office website, which displays current inmates, booking dates, charges, bond amounts, and sometimes booking photographs. Wisconsin public records requests are governed by Wisconsin Statutes Section 19.32-19.39, the state's Public Records Law, which requires agencies to provide access to records unless specifically exempted. Requesters should submit written requests identifying the specific records sought, and agencies must respond promptly. Fees for copying and staff time may apply. Both the New Lisbon Police Department and Juneau County Sheriff's Office accept public records requests under this statute.

Vital records for New Lisbon residents are managed at both county and state levels. Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Vital Records Office, located at 1 West Wilson Street, Madison, WI 53703 (phone: 608-266-1371, website: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/vitalrecords). Birth certificates cost $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy ordered simultaneously; death certificates cost the same. Processing time is typically 2-4 weeks for mail requests, though expedited service is available for additional fees. Wisconsin offers online ordering through the VitalChek service at www.vitalchek.com with credit card payment and additional processing fees. Birth records are restricted to the person named (if 18+), parents, legal guardians, or legal representatives; death records are generally public. Records date back to October 1907 when statewide registration began. Marriage licenses for New Lisbon residents must be obtained from the Juneau County Register of Deeds/Clerk's Office at 220 East State Street, Suite 101, Mauston, WI 53948 (phone: 608-847-9320). The marriage license fee is $110, and both parties must appear in person with valid photo ID and Social Security numbers. There is a 6-day waiting period after issuance, and the license is valid for 30 days. Marriage records are public and maintained by the Register of Deeds. Divorce records are court records maintained by the Clerk of Circuit Court at 220 East State Street, Mauston, WI 53948, searchable through the WCCA online portal. Certified copies require in-person or mail requests with fees.

Business licensing in New Lisbon operates at city, county, and state levels. The City of New Lisbon requires certain business licenses and permits depending on business type; inquiries should be directed to New Lisbon City Hall at 220 East Pleasant Street, New Lisbon, WI 53950 (phone: 608-562-3116). The city issues building permits, occupancy permits, and licenses for specific activities such as liquor licenses and certain home occupations. Fees and requirements vary by business type. At the county level, Juneau County administers certain permits and licenses through the Juneau County Zoning Department at 200 Oak Street, Mauston, WI 53948 (phone: 608-847-9390). Wisconsin does not require DBA (fictitious business name) registration at the county level; instead, business entity registration occurs at the state level. The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions maintains the state's business entity database for corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and other registered businesses. The searchable database is available free online at www.wdfi.org/apps/CorpSearch where users can search by business name, registered agent, or ID number to verify entity status, view registered agents, see business addresses, and check filing history. New business entities can be registered online through the same portal. UCC (Unified Commercial Code) financing statements, which establish secured interests in business assets, are filed with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions and searchable through their UCC search portal. Commercial property owners in New Lisbon can look up property tax assessments through the Juneau County Assessor's online database, which includes commercial properties with assessed values, classifications, and tax information.

New Lisbon voters are served by the Juneau County Clerk's Office, located at 220 East State Street, Mauston, WI 53948 (phone: 608-847-9390, website: www.co.juneau.wi.gov/county-clerk). This office administers all elections for New Lisbon residents including municipal, county, state, and federal contests. Wisconsin residents can register to vote online through the MyVote Wisconsin website at myvote.wi.gov, which serves as the central hub for all voter services. Voters must register at least 20 days before an election, though Wisconsin also offers same-day registration at polling places with proof of residence. Acceptable proof includes a Wisconsin driver's license, state ID, or other documents showing current address. New Lisbon municipal elections are held in spring odd-numbered years (next in April 2025 and April 2027) for mayor and city council positions. The mayor serves a two-year term, and council members serve staggered terms. To find specific candidates and local ballot measures, voters can check the MyVote Wisconsin portal or contact New Lisbon City Hall at 608-562-3116. New Lisbon residents can locate their assigned polling place by entering their address at myvote.wi.gov, which provides the exact polling location, sample ballot, and hours. Wisconsin makes extensive election records public: voter registration lists are available for inspection (though individual registrations are not published online for privacy), campaign finance reports are searchable through the Wisconsin Ethics Commission at ethics.wi.gov, candidate filings are public through county clerks, and precinct-level election results are published by the Wisconsin Elections Commission at elections.wi.gov. In the November 2024 presidential election, Juneau County recorded approximately 65-68% voter turnout with roughly 10,000-11,000 votes cast from approximately 15,500 registered voters. Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election, New Lisbon and Juneau County voters will decide several important races: the Wisconsin gubernatorial election (Governor Tony Evers' term expires in 2026), one U.S. Senate seat (Wisconsin's Class III seat held by Ron Johnson is up in 2028, but the Class I seat held by Tammy Baldwin is up in 2024, so 2026 will feature statewide races for Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer), Wisconsin State Assembly representatives (New Lisbon falls in the 50th Assembly District), Wisconsin State Senate (depending on district cycle), county offices including Juneau County Board supervisors, Sheriff, Clerk, Treasurer, Register of Deeds, and potentially judicial positions. Wisconsin voters can request absentee ballots online through myvote.wi.gov or by submitting a written request to the municipal clerk; absentee ballots must be requested by the Thursday before the election and can be returned by mail or in person, arriving no later than 8:00 PM on Election Day.