Most of the state's open circuit court records are easily available online on Wisconsin’s Consolidated Court Automation Program, or C.C.A.P.

It can be used by everyone from potential employers, to landlords, to concerned parents and neighbors. It's also very useful within the court system. "I know our office, we use it constantly”, said Theresa Merriwether. “If I have a plea hearing, I will run CCAP to see if any other counties are currently prosecuting him, or maybe he's picked up a new charge in a different county I’m unaware of."

For most of the state of Wisconsin, finding open records on anything from traffic tickets to criminal records is as easy as a search online. But one thing you won't find on CCAP is anything from Portage County.

“We are the only one that is currently not on CCAP out of the 72 counties”, says Portage County Clerk of Circuit Courts, Bernadette Flatoff. “This happened back in 1988, and Portage County chose to stay on our system and enhance it as we go.”

CCAP went online in 1988, but Portage County had its own computer system for tracking records already in place, and they've stuck with it ever since. "We have a tremendously enhanced program from our I.T. department, and it functions very well for us”, said Flatoff.

She says their system provides them ease and accessibility not necessarily available with the CCAP system. But Portage County has been in talks with the state to make the move to CCAP, and hopes to complete the transfer sometime next year. "There are things that Portage County is more enhanced in, and there are things CCAP is more enhanced in”, said Flatoff. “We are trying to blend those two things together to have the best possible system we can have."

When Portage County makes the move, it should also make things much easier for surrounding counties. “It has been very difficult because they are a neighboring county”, said Merriwether. "I'm very pleased they will be a part of that system. It's very helpful to us and to law enforcement."

If you want to access open records in Portage County, you can either stop in the courthouse to do a free search on their computer system, or call the Clerk of Courts office at 715-346-1364. A link to the rest of Wisconsin’s open court records through CCAP is below.