Lafayette County Jail Criminal Court Process

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Lafayette County

Criminal Court Process for Lafayette County Wisconsin

Lafayette County is a rural county in Wisconsin's old lead-mining region on the Illinois border, and its county seat is Darlington on the Pecatonica River. The Lafayette County Circuit Court is a single-branch court with one judge, sitting in the Lafayette County Courthouse on Main Street in Darlington. No municipal court in the county appears on the state's directory, so ordinance tickets from Darlington, Shullsburg and the villages are also handled by the circuit court. The elected Lafayette County District Attorney prosecutes, and the Sheriff keeps arrested adults at the Lafayette County Jail a block from the courthouse.

  • Lafayette County Circuit Court and Clerk of Circuit Court, Lafayette County Courthouse, 626 Main Street, Darlington, WI 53530; Clerk (608) 776-4832
  • Lafayette County District Attorney, 626 Main Street, Darlington, WI 53530, (608) 776-4842; victim-witness coordinator (608) 776-4846
  • Lafayette County Sheriff's Office, 138 West Catherine Street, Darlington, WI 53530, (608) 776-4870
  • Lafayette County Jail, 138 West Catherine Street, Darlington, WI 53530, (608) 776-4870
  • Wisconsin State Public Defender, Monroe office (serves Lafayette County), 1720 10th Street, Unit 106, Monroe, WI 53566, (608) 447-5170
  • Lafayette County Human Services (juvenile intake), 15701 County Road K, Suite 3, Darlington, WI 53530, (608) 776-4800

Which court hears your case. Because no Lafayette County community runs a municipal court, ordinance citations and a first-offense OWI are filed in the Lafayette County Circuit Court; in Wisconsin a first OWI is a civil forfeiture, not a criminal charge, unless a child under 16 was in the vehicle. The same court hears all misdemeanors and criminal traffic offenses, such as a second OWI or operating after revocation, and every felony, from the initial appearance and preliminary hearing to the jury trial. One judge presides over criminal, civil, family, juvenile and probate matters, with a court commissioner assisting on some hearings.

Where pretrial inmates are held. The Lafayette County Sheriff runs the Lafayette County Jail in its building at 138 West Catherine Street, Darlington. Adults arrested by deputies, by the Darlington, Shullsburg or Cuba City police, or by a village officer are booked there and stay until they are released on bail or their case is resolved. Jail staff answer questions day or night at (608) 776-4870.

Local courts in Lafayette County (circuit court and municipal courts)

Everything from a village parking ordinance to a homicide is heard in one place in Lafayette County: the circuit courtroom in the Darlington courthouse. The county belongs to the Fifth Judicial Administrative District.

Circuit court

  • Lafayette County Circuit Court (single branch), Lafayette County Courthouse, 626 Main Street, Darlington, WI 53530. Clerk of Circuit Court, open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, (608) 776-4832; Circuit Court and Register in Probate office (608) 776-4811

Municipal courts

The Wisconsin Court System's municipal court directory lists no court for any Lafayette County city, village or town. Darlington, Shullsburg, Argyle, Belmont, Benton, Blanchardville, Gratiot, South Wayne and the towns therefore send their ordinance citations to the circuit court. Cuba City and Hazel Green, which sit on the Grant County line, likewise do not appear on the list. If a community ever creates a municipal court, that court would hear only ordinance violations punished by forfeitures, with jail used only in narrow situations involving unpaid penalties, and a defendant could in some instances move the case to circuit court.

Prosecutor, public defender and youth services

  • Lafayette County District Attorney, 626 Main Street, Darlington, WI 53530, (608) 776-4842
  • State Public Defender, Monroe office (shared with Green County), 1720 10th Street, Unit 106, Monroe, WI 53566, (608) 447-5170
  • Lafayette County Human Services, 15701 County Road K, Suite 3, Darlington, WI 53530, (608) 776-4800

Law enforcement

  • Lafayette County Sheriff's Office, 138 West Catherine Street, Darlington, WI 53530, (608) 776-4870
  • Darlington Police Department (City of Darlington), (608) 776-4980
  • Cuba City Police Department, 108 North Main Street, Cuba City, WI 53807, (608) 744-3575
  • Shullsburg Police Department (City of Shullsburg)
  • Village police departments in Argyle, Belmont, Benton, Blanchardville and Hazel Green; the Sheriff's Office patrols the rest of the county

A person booked into the Lafayette County Jail on a state charge can ask the clerk at (608) 776-4832 about court dates; the jail can explain how to post bail.

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Misdemeanor (for example, theft, battery, disorderly conduct, a second OWI)

The typical Lafayette County misdemeanor grows out of a traffic stop on State Highway 23 or 81, a disturbance at a tavern or county fair, a domestic call, or a theft from a farm, store or neighbor.

Release and the first hearing

Officers often cite and release, or the jail lets the person go on a signature bond after booking. A person who stays at the Lafayette County Jail appears before the judge or a court commissioner, frequently by video, where the complaint is reviewed and conditions are set. Anyone who cannot afford a lawyer and may face jail should call the State Public Defender in Monroe at (608) 447-5170 or ask for an application at the jail.

Penalty levels for Lafayette County misdemeanors

  • Class A: as much as 9 months in jail and a $10,000 fine. Battery, theft of $2,500 or less and criminal trespass to a dwelling are Class A offenses.
  • Class B: as much as 90 days and $1,000. Disorderly conduct falls here; adding a domestic abuse modifier triggers an assessment and a surcharge.
  • Class C: as much as 30 days and $500.
  • Second OWI within a decade: a criminal case carrying 5 days to 6 months of required jail, a fine, a revoked license, an assessment and an ignition interlock. A first OWI remains a forfeiture case in the Darlington courtroom, with a $150 to $300 forfeiture plus costs, 6 to 9 months of revocation, an assessment, and an interlock if the test was 0.15 or higher or the driver refused, unless a child under 16 was aboard.

How these cases wrap up

Most end through a plea, a deferred agreement or a dismissal; outcomes include fines, probation and county jail time, usually with Huber release for work or school. A jury of six is available. The county's treatment court, overseen by the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, may be an option for people whose charges stem from addiction. Lafayette County misdemeanor cases usually wrap up within two to six months.

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Felony (for example, burglary, felony theft, drug possession with intent to deliver, substantial battery)

Felonies in Lafayette County include methamphetamine cases, burglaries of rural homes and machine sheds, thefts of livestock, grain or equipment, and serious assaults. With one judge, felony hearings share the calendar with every other kind of case.

The felony sequence

  1. Complaint and initial appearance. The District Attorney files a criminal complaint. At the first appearance the court sets bail and conditions; a defendant who cannot pay remains at the Lafayette County Jail.
  2. Preliminary hearing. The court must find probable cause, generally within 10 days for a defendant held on cash they cannot raise and 20 days for others. Waivers are common.
  3. Information and arraignment. In Darlington the formal charge, called an information, is filed next, and the defendant answers it with a plea.
  4. Negotiation or trial. Most cases settle by plea. At trial, 12 jurors must agree unanimously; after a speedy trial demand in a Lafayette County felony, the trial ordinarily has to start within 90 days.
  5. Sentencing. A presentence investigation by the Department of Corrections may come first.

Maximum penalties

  • Burglary (Class F): 12 years 6 months.
  • Felony theft: Class I for more than $2,500 up to $5,000 (3 years 6 months), Class H for more than $5,000 up to $10,000 (6 years), and Class G or higher (10 years or more) above that.
  • Delivery or possession with intent: graded by drug type and weight, up to Class C (40 years) for the largest quantities of drugs such as methamphetamine.
  • Substantial battery (Class I): 3 years 6 months; aggravated battery (Class H or E): 6 or 15 years.

A prison sentence in Wisconsin is divided into initial confinement and extended supervision, and parole was eliminated for crimes after 1999; some inmates may earn early release through the Challenge Incarceration or Substance Abuse programs. Sentences under a year are served in county jail, while longer terms go to state prison. Typical felony cases last six to twelve months.

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Violent felony (for example, homicide, sexual assault, armed robbery)

Violent felonies are uncommon in Lafayette County, and the Sheriff's Office typically asks the state Division of Criminal Investigation and the State Crime Laboratory to help. Cash bail in these cases is often set high, and the 2023 constitutional amendment permits the judge to consider the risk of serious harm to others; a defendant who cannot meet the terms stays in the Lafayette County Jail.

Penalties

  • First-degree intentional homicide, Class A: mandatory life imprisonment, with the judge deciding whether and when release to extended supervision is possible.
  • Second-degree intentional homicide and first-degree reckless homicide, Class B: up to 60 years.
  • First-degree sexual assault, Class B: up to 60 years; some offenses against children carry mandatory minimum terms.
  • Armed robbery, Class C: a Lafayette County defendant faces as many as 40 years. Robbery, Class E: up to 15 years.

Capital punishment has not existed in Wisconsin since 1853, so the harshest sentence a Lafayette County court can impose is life in prison.

What families should expect

These cases can take one to two years, and in a county this size the court may need to consider whether an impartial jury can be found locally or brought in from another county. Victims hold rights under Marsy's Law, adopted in 2020, and the victim-witness coordinator at (608) 776-4846 explains them. Qualifying defendants are represented by lawyers assigned through the State Public Defender's Monroe office.

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Juveniles (under 17) arrested in Lafayette County

Children ages 10 through 16 accused of offenses in Lafayette County come before the circuit court sitting as juvenile court in Darlington. A 17-year-old is an adult under Wisconsin criminal law and, if held, goes to the Lafayette County Jail.

Intake

Police send juvenile referrals to Lafayette County Human Services, 15701 County Road K, Darlington ((608) 776-4800). The intake worker may close the referral, arrange a deferred prosecution agreement, or recommend formal action, in which case the District Attorney's Office, which handles juvenile delinquency matters, files a petition.

Detention

The county does not operate a secure juvenile detention center. A youth who must be locked up is transported to a center that takes Lafayette County youth, commonly the Rock County Juvenile Detention Center in Janesville or the Dane County Juvenile Detention Center in Madison. A judge or juvenile court commissioner generally must hold a custody hearing within 24 hours after the decision to hold the child, not counting Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays. The State Public Defender represents juveniles regardless of family income under the adult test.

Outcomes

  • Dismissal, a deferred prosecution agreement, or a consent decree with conditions.
  • Adjudication with supervision at home, counseling, restitution or community service.
  • Out-of-home care, including a Type 2 residential placement.
  • For the most serious cases, Type 1 placement at Lincoln Hills School or Copper Lake School, or the Serious Juvenile Offender program.

Adult prosecution

The DA may seek waiver into adult court for youths generally 14 and older, depending on the offense. Adult court has original jurisdiction over a child 10 or older accused of first-degree intentional homicide, an attempt at it, first-degree reckless homicide or certain other homicides, and over some youths with prior delinquency adjudications who are accused of specific new crimes. Juvenile records are generally confidential.

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Federal cases (U.S. District Court) from Lafayette County

Lafayette County falls within the Western District of Wisconsin. A federal case from Darlington or anywhere else in the county is filed in Madison, where the district's only clerk's office is located.

  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin, 120 North Henry Street, Room 320, Madison, WI 53703, clerk (608) 264-5156
  • U.S. Attorney for the Western District, Suite 700, 222 West Washington Avenue, Madison, WI 53703, (608) 264-5158
  • Federal Defender Services of Wisconsin, Madison, 22 East Mifflin Street, Suite 1000, Madison, WI 53703, (608) 260-9900, with private Criminal Justice Act panel attorneys for conflicts

What brings a case into federal court

From rural southwest Wisconsin, the usual federal cases involve methamphetamine or other drug trafficking networks, guns held by people prohibited from having them, bank robbery, child exploitation, and fraud against banks, farmers or government programs. Lafayette County has no tribal reservation or national forest; under Public Law 280 the state courts generally have criminal jurisdiction on Wisconsin tribal lands, the Menominee Reservation being the main exception.

Inside a federal case

The first appearance is before a U.S. magistrate judge in Madison, who appoints counsel for a defendant who cannot pay. Release works differently than in state court: there is no cash bail list, and under the Bail Reform Act the judge chooses release on conditions monitored by Pretrial Services or detention, normally after a hearing within three court days if prosecutors seek it. When agents charge by complaint, a grand jury has 30 days to return an indictment, and the Speedy Trial Act then sets a 70-day target for trial that judges often extend. Most defendants plead guilty; the few who go to trial face a 12-member jury that has to reach a unanimous verdict.

At sentencing, the Madison judge works from a probation officer's presentence report and the advisory Sentencing Guidelines, and must honor any mandatory minimum. Federal inmates are not paroled; they serve about 85 percent of their time in the Bureau of Prisons before supervised release. An appeal from a Lafayette County federal case goes to the Seventh Circuit in Chicago. Prosecuting juveniles federally is rare.

Locating a federal inmate

Relatives of a Lafayette County defendant can look the person up by name or register number in the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator. Someone held before a federal trial in a county jail under a U.S. Marshals contract may also appear on that jail's inmate roster.

↑ Back to the top of the Lafayette County court guide

This guide to criminal cases in Lafayette County is general information and not legal advice; schedules, programs and phone numbers may change. For advice about a particular charge, contact a Wisconsin defense lawyer or the State Public Defender's Monroe office at (608) 447-5170. To learn whether someone is in custody, call the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office at (608) 776-4870.

Criminal Court Process for Lafayette County Wisconsin

Lafayette County Wisconsin Criminal Court System – Definitions

It might be helpful to define some words that will be used on this site, when explaining the Wisconsin Court System and how it works. The definitions on this site are for general information and not legal advice. It is always preferred to follow information given by your attorney or local authorities.

If you scroll down below this content, and the listing of the courts in Lafayette County, you will find a simple flowchart diagram and a video that will help you visualize the stages of the Criminal Court Process.

Arrest is when Wisconsin, Lafayette County or local police take a person into custody and start the legal process. The arrested person may or may not be immediately jailed. 

In less serious crimes, the person may only be given a citation ordering that they appear in municipal or Lafayette County court on a certain date. In cases involving more serious crimes, the person is usually placed in the county jail until an arraignment, or a judge decides the next step.

Booking is when the Lafayette County sheriff or local police gather information such as the detainee’s name, address and why the person is being arrested. Booking also includes fingerprinting, criminal history, investigation, and verification of identity. Bail for lower-level crimes may be set right after booking so the arrested can “bail or bond out” before being detained.

The prosecution, sometimes called “the government” or “the people” or “the state” is the side that presses the charges and seeks punishment for the offense. These are attorneys that work for the state of Wisconsin, Lafayette County or a city or town.  The prosecuting attorney for Lafayette County or the district is called the District Attorney or Assistant District Attorney. A U.S. Attorney prosecutes federal cases.  

Jurisdiction is an important term in the court system that means whether a court has the obligation or duty or right to handle a case.  For example, if you run a red light in your town or city, a municipal court would likely have jurisdiction over your case, but the next town or city over would not have jurisdiction over your case.  If you attempted to flee from police when they attempted to stop you after you ran the red light, it becomes a more serious crime, and the municipal court might not have jurisdiction so you might be assigned to a higher-level court that has jurisdiction over the more serious crime.  Jurisdiction varies from state to state and sometimes county to county.

Arraignment is when a judge determines whether the charges are supported by the prosecution’s initial evidence and tells the arrested what they are charged with, and the person says whether they are guilty or not guilty. At this time, the person is called the defendant, and the opposing side is called the prosecution. If there is reason to believe that the arrested is guilty, the judge will set bail conditions or send the defendant to jail or release them ROR (release on recognizances). An arraignment is not a trial, and the defendant is entitled to a trial within a reasonable amount of time after the arraignment.

Bail is money paid that is held by the Lafayette County or municipal court to make sure that the arrested does not flee the area before their trial. Bail amounts and other conditions are determined at the arraignment. Once the case is over, the bail money is returned to the defendant. If a person does not pay bail, they remain in the Lafayette County Jail until their trial.  

Bail can be denied if the court feels that the arrested would be a danger to others if released. Sometimes the court decides that there is a good chance that the arrested will show up for trial and not flee so they are released on their own promise, or recognizance without having to pay bail.

A bond proceeding is the determination of how much bail is to be paid and usually happens at the same time as an arraignment. During bond proceedings, the defendant can have an attorney present but does not have the right to an attorney. A judge or court officer in the {county extended} or municipal court sets bail. Judges in Wisconsin rely on a statewide bail schedule, which sets out a recommended range of bail amounts for different offenses. Judges can still exercise discretion in setting bail above or below the recommended range.

Wisconsin is one of a few states that does not allow posting bail for profit, meaning that a court or bondsman cannot charge a percentage of the bond as in other states.  If the defendant fails to appear in court when required to, the police or sheriff’s office will be given a warrant to arrest the defendant.

If the defendant is not released on their own recognizance, the Lafayette County court will allow the defendant, family or friend to pay up to 10% of the bail/bond amount.  If the defendant does not appear in court, the court keeps the 10% and the court could demand the full bail amount and place an arrest warrant through the sheriff’s department.

If possible, it is important to have family involvement after being arrested.  Not only can they make calls and communicate on your behalf, but family support will show the court that there are people who will make sure that the defendant makes it to court. 

A criminal defense attorney (also called lawyer or counsel) is hired or retained to represent the arrested as early as possible after the arrest. If there is a chance that the case might go to trial and the defendant cannot afford an attorney, the 6th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution requires that the court provide an attorney. This is called indigent representation and a public defender or assigned attorney would represent the defendant in all proceedings. Indigent representation is only available misdemeanor and felony cases that could result in jail time, juvenile cases, and certain appeal cases. 

If the arrested cannot afford a lawyer, the Wisconsin court would assign indigent representation, usually called a public defender in Wisconsin or a contracted attorney in special cases to represent the person for free or a small fee or a reduced rate. A right to an attorney is in the 6th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution; that all people that are going to be heard in trial are entitled to be represented by a lawyer and if they cannot afford one, the court will provide one. 

Indigent representation is available for juvenile cases, certain appeals, misdemeanor and felony cases that could result in jail time. In Wisconsin, a violation does not result in jail time, so the State of Wisconsin is not obligated to provide an attorney.  In Wisconsin, all indigent defense is funded by the state and not the county.   The following link will take you to the Wisconsin State Public Defender site.

For less serious cases or civil cases, there are pro bono volunteers who volunteer legal services for free or for a small fee. They often will hold clinics to teach people how to represent themselves in court or expunge their record which means to legally erase or eliminate a criminal or arrest record from public view. The State Bar of Wisconsin offers a webpage regarding pro bono and reduced rate attorney services at the following link.

Many courts will provide forms and help for people who want to represent themselves, called pro se.  Here is a link for legal self-help in Wisconsin.

The following link provides self-help information for juvenile matters.

A district court can refer to the first level of the legal system, or a minor court. District courts are in the community.  A district court can also refer to a U.S. Federal District Court that hears federal cases. There are two U.S. federal district courts in Wisconsin, with offices throughout the state. It is important that you check the address of the court you are to appear in rather than to ask someone because that person might give you directions to the wrong “district” court. Being late to court can land you in custody as well.

Pretrial proceeding is the process where both sides (prosecution and defense) gather information, interview witnesses, request records, videos etc. Pretrial proceedings also include communications with the judge assigned to the case and these appearances are either in person or by on-line conferencing. Some pretrial proceedings may not require a defendant’s appearance, allowing an attorney to appear in their place. The information that is gathered is called discovery and both sides must share the information that they have gathered.  This information does not include conversations between the arrested and their attorney.

Most cases do not go to trial because both sides reach a plea deal, where both sides try to reach a reasonable punishment based on what was learned in the pretrial proceedings.  A plea deal can only happen if the accused person admits they are guilty in exchange for a lighter punishment.  The reason they must admit guilt is because it would not be fair to punish someone who claims they are not guilty.  There are times in plea bargaining when the prosecution agrees to give a lighter sentence in exchange for information leading to the arrest of a more serious criminal related to the crime.  

Trial is where both sides share their information in front of a judge or a judge and jury. After listening to all the evidence, the judge or jury decides the verdict which is whether the person is guilty or not guilty. If a court has only a judge hearing both sides, it is called a bench trial.  If a jury is selected, it is called a jury trial.  If the defendant is found not guilty, they are released.  If they are found to be guilty, the next step is sentencing.

Sentencing is the punishment that the judge decides the person should get. This could be jail or prison time, fines, community service, probation, or a combination.

Appeal is asking for a higher court to hear the case again at an appellate court.  If the accused person thinks something went wrong at trial or has new information that was not available during the trial or that the sentence is too harsh, the defense attorney can ask for an appeal. It is not unusual for an appeal when there is a long jail sentence, but an appeal can be denied if the appellate court feels that the original trial or sentencing was fair.

Wisconsin Misdemeanor vs Felony

In Wisconsin, a misdemeanor is divided into Class A or B or C.  Examples of misdemeanors are trespassing, simple assault, petty theft and shoplifting.  

  • Class A misdemeanors have punishments of jail for up to 9 months and/or pay a fine up to $10,000.   
  • Class B misdemeanors have punishments of jail for up to 90 days and/or pay a fine up to $1000.
  • Class C misdemeanors have punishments up to 30 days and fines up to $500.

A felony crime is a more serious crime than a misdemeanor and are divided into different classes which are general guidelines and are based on the crime, prior criminal history and other factors.  Examples of felony crimes are murder, rape, theft, aggravated assault, drug trafficking, kidnapping and identity theft.  

In Wisconsin, felonies are divided into 9 classes. 

  • Class A being the most serious that results in life imprisonment.  
  • Class B has a maximum sentence of 60 years in state prison. 
  • Class C has a maximum sentence of 40 years in state prison and/or $100,000 fine. 
  • Class D has a maximum sentence of 25 years in state prison and/or $100,000 fine. 
  • Class E has a maximum sentence of 15 years in state prison and/or $50,000 fine. 
  • Class F has a maximum sentence of 12 years in state prison and/or $25.000. 
  • Class G has a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison and/or $25,000 fine. 
  • Class H has a maximum sentence of 6 years in state prison and /or $10,000 fine and 
  • Class I has a maximum sentence of 3 ½ years in state prison and/or a fine of $10,000.

The Lafayette County Clerk of Court is an elected official whose responsibilities for Criminal Court’s administrative issues include receiving criminal warrants, receiving bail, creating the trial schedule, receiving fees, fines and maintaining court records.

A warrant is used to get someone to appear in court or to law enforcement.  There must be good reason to believe that the person is involved in a crime. The warrant gives authority to arrest the person and search for evidence for the investigation of the crime. 

A criminal summons is issued to request that a person appear in court at a particular time and date.  It does not involve an arrest.  A traffic ticket, summary citation or lesser misdemeanor could be considered a summons if you are given a court date.

A summary citation, commonly referred to as a ticket, is a criminal summons by a law enforcement officer either in person or via mail accusing the defendant of a minor offense, stating potential fine, listing the court having jurisdiction and instructions for addressing the issue. Defendants may or may not be required to appear in court or handle the matter by entering a plea via mail.

Fines are usually paid to the District Court or clerk of court and payment methods can be found on the District Court or Lafayette County Clerk of Court website. If you do not pay your fine on time, you can lose your driver’s license, must pay additional fees or even have a warrant for your arrest.  It is important to read the instructions on the ticket issued by the police officer or court at the time of your arrest. For a parking ticket or summary citation, the fine amount and how to send payment should be on the ticket. 

Wisconsin Criminal Court System - How it Works

Municipal courts are the same as a city or town court and handle violations of city ordinances (city laws), traffic violations, parking violations and criminal misdemeanor offenses such as disorderly conduct, underage drinking and trespassing that occur within the city or towns police jurisdiction. There are 229 municipal courts in Wisconsin and some towns use a court jointly.

Circuit courts handle misdemeanors and felonies from beginning (preliminary hearings) to end (settlement or trial).  Circuit courts also handle some traffic matters and juvenile cases.  

Specialty Courts serve people who would benefit from alcohol, drug and other rehabilitative services.  Wisconsin offers a problem-solving court that oversees specialty courts as drug treatment, OWI, mental health, juvenile, domestic violence and veterans courts. 

The Wisconsin Courts of Appeal will hear cases and correct errors or allow information from the lower courts that lead to the appeal.  They do not hear the case as if it were new.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court is like our United States’ Supreme Court because it has a panel of judges that rule on matters that have to do with someone’s constitutional rights or policies and laws. The Wisconsin State Supreme Court deals with the state constitution or laws or policies. Sometimes the Supreme Court will hear criminal cases on appeal when there is a question on the state laws or procedures that lead to the appeal.  

The criminal cases are usually referred from the district courts of appeal.

FEDERAL COURT

Federal Court deals with crimes involving violations of United States laws.  Federal crimes include federal drug trafficking, federal tax evasion and fraud that crossed state lines and include crimes that occur on federal property as post offices or federal buildings.  

Cases involving crimes that involve the FBI or DEA or Immigration agencies are federal crimes. Terrorism is a federal crime. 

There are some differences in the Federal court system as compared to the Wisconsin state court system. For example, the attorneys who work for the courts are called United States Attorneys and Federal judges are called District Court Judges (not to be confused by local state district courts).  

Federal Magistrate Judges hear the case early on, but they do not decide on the cases at a trial like the Federal District Court Judges. In a federal case, a grand jury is used for indictments.

There are two U.S. Federal Judicial Districts in Wisconsin.

Search for an Inmate or Active Arrest Warrant in Lafayette County

Human-verified information Manually curated

Every detail on this page is checked by hand, not scraped. This unofficial directory helps friends and family of incarcerated individuals find critical information — inmate lists, locations, bail resources, visitation hours, rules, and text, phone, email, and mail services — for jails, detention centers, and prisons across the United States.