Milwaukee County Jail Inmate Search, Roster & Bail

Bail Is Available In Person 24/7

Bail may be posted at the Criminal Justice Facility on G-Level at 949 N. 9th Street.

Bring Current Picture ID

The person posting bail needs valid current photo identification.

Payments Under $10,000 Use the G-Level Kiosk

Milwaukee County says bail payments below $10,000 are processed through the kiosk. Cash has no kiosk fee; card payments involve processing fees.

Cashier’s Checks and Money Orders Must Be Verified

When using a cashier’s check or money order, the Sheriff’s Office verifies the issuing institution during normal banking hours. An instrument that cannot be verified is not accepted.

Cashier’s checks and money orders used directly to post bail must be payable to Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office.

$10,000 or More Requires IRS Form 8300

Milwaukee County states that federal Form 8300 must be completed for bail payments of $10,000 or more. Valid identification and a Social Security number are required for that reporting process.

Online Bail Is Not Available

The Sheriff’s Office says bail itself cannot be paid online because the surety must sign the bail forms.

Commissary Can Be Used for Self-Bail

Money can be placed in the occupant’s commissary account for the occupant to self-bail. When that happens, the occupant becomes the surety.

Mailing Money for Self-Bail

Milwaukee County also allows funds for self-bail to be mailed to the Criminal Justice Facility. The money order should be payable to the person in custody rather than to the Sheriff’s Office when it is being deposited into the occupant’s account.

Typical Refund Timing

Milwaukee County says a refundable check is generally mailed after the case closes. Criminal Court also advises allowing about three weeks after disposition before contacting the office.

Bail Over $1,000 Can Require an Affidavit

For an eligible criminal bail amount over $1,000, the person who posted the bail receives a refund notice and affidavit. After a timely accepted affidavit and case update, the refund is generally mailed in about three to four weeks.

Refund Can Be Reduced by a Fine or Judgment

If the defendant is found guilty and the court enters a fine or judgment, available bail may be applied toward that amount before any remaining balance is returned.

Failure to Appear Can Forfeit Bail

If the defendant fails to appear, the judge may order the bail forfeited and may issue a bench warrant.

An Open Case Normally Means No Final Refund Yet

When the case remains open with a future court date, the bail generally remains in place unless the court orders otherwise.

WCCA Does Not Give You the Actual Court Documents Online

Wisconsin Court System explains that WCCA displays public case information but does not display or sell the actual documents and transcripts from cases. To inspect those materials, contact or visit the courthouse where the case was filed.

Municipal Search Has a Five-Year Display Window

The Milwaukee Municipal Court website says it displays cases that remain unsatisfied or that were satisfied within the previous five years.

A Municipal Ordinance Case Is Not Automatically a Misdemeanor or Felony

Milwaukee Municipal Court explicitly explains that a municipal ordinance violation is neither a misdemeanor nor a felony.

Felony Warrant

The current Criminal Court guidance directs a person with a felony warrant to the Sheriff’s Department on G-1 of the Criminal Justice Facility at 949 N. 9th Street.

Misdemeanor Case

The current county guidance directs people with a misdemeanor matter to the customer-service window outside Room 117 of the Safety Building at 821 W. State Street to check status.

Free and Anonymous

WI VINE County Jails is operated through the Wisconsin Department of Corrections Office of Victim Services and Programs in partnership with local agencies.

Check Status Without Registering

You can use the service to check county-jail status without signing up for notifications.

Phone and Email Notifications

Users can register for automated notifications when an inmate’s custody status changes.

English, Spanish and Hmong

The Wisconsin service is available in all three languages.

Family Liaison

Family members can contact the CRC Family Liaison to check on a resident or ask questions, raise concerns and obtain information about visitation, mail and phone contact.

CRC In-Person Visits Need Advance Scheduling

Current CRC guidance requires visits to be scheduled at least 24 hours ahead.

Current Weekend Visit Framework

The CRC currently publishes Saturday and Sunday visitation from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with 30-minute visits and a maximum of two adults and two children, subject to current operational restrictions.

Create an Account and Schedule Through the Current System

The Sheriff links to the active visitation provider from its Detention Services page.

Visits Are Monitored and Recorded

Milwaukee County warns visitors that visits are monitored and recorded.

Personal Recording Is Prohibited

The Sheriff’s published policy says personally recording a visit can result in permanent loss of visiting privileges.

Online

The Sheriff’s page directs friends and family to Access Corrections.

By Phone

866-345-1884

Daily Deposit Limit

The county currently lists a maximum of $300 per day for commissary deposits.

24/7 CJF Kiosks

Kiosks are located in the Criminal Justice Facility lobby and G-Level at 949 N. 9th Street.

Retail Cash Deposits

The Sheriff’s page also explains that users can register through CashPayToday and deposit cash at participating retailers.

Allow Up to 24 Hours

The county cautions that deposits may take up to 24 hours to appear in the occupant’s account.

Complete Sender Address Is Required

Mail must contain the sender’s full name and full return address, including apartment number when applicable.

Letters and Small Non-Polaroid Photos

Occupants may receive letters and non-Polaroid photographs measuring 4 × 6 inches or smaller, subject to jail inspection and content rules.

Greeting Cards Are Not Permitted

If a greeting card arrives, the county says the occupant receives a copy while the original card is secured with the occupant’s property.

Books and Periodicals Must Come From a Commercial Source

Books, newspapers and magazines must be mailed directly from a verified publisher, distributor or other bona fide commercial source.

Books Must Be Soft Cover

The Sheriff’s current policy does not accept hard-cover books.

Mail for Someone No Longer in Custody Is Returned

This is another reason to verify live custody immediately before sending mail.

Rejected Publisher Mail Has an Appeal Process

When publisher/distributor material is rejected under the policy, the sender and occupant are notified. The publisher or commercial sender has 14 days to appeal in writing, and the Jail Commander or designee provides a written response within 10 business days of receiving the appeal.

Occupant Property Release Needs 24-Hour Advance Request

The occupant must complete a Property Release form identifying the person authorized to collect the property and request it at least 24 hours before release.

Recipient Must Be at Least 18 and Show Photo ID

The named recipient must bring valid identification such as a driver’s license, state ID or passport.

Only Listed Items Are Released

Property staff release only the property specifically authorized by the occupant.

Jury Trial Clothing Can Be Dropped Off

Clothing for a jury trial can be delivered no sooner than 48 hours before the trial date at the visiting desk at 949 N. 9th Street.

Weather-Appropriate Release Clothing

Family or friends may also drop off suitable clothing such as a coat or boots when the occupant needs weather-appropriate clothing upon release.

No Incoming Personal Calls

Friends and family cannot call the jail and ask to be transferred to an occupant.

Prepaid Calling

Money on the occupant’s account can be used for prepaid calling privileges.

Other Calls Are Collect

For collect calls, follow the automated prompts to accept the call, hear pricing or refuse the call.

Health Services

Milwaukee County states that occupants have access to medical, dental and mental-health services while incarcerated.

PREA Civilian Reporting

A civilian who has information about alleged sexual misconduct involving a Milwaukee County Jail occupant can report it through the Sheriff’s PREA process.

Examples of Sheriff’s Records

• Jail records
• Booking photos when available/releasable
• Incident reports
• Citations
• Crash reports
• Squad video
• 911 call recordings
• MCSO criminal-history information

Current Sheriff’s Public Records Fees

Milwaukee Police Reports Come From MPD

If you need the Milwaukee Police Department incident or investigative report, request it from MPD Open Records rather than asking Sheriff Public Records to create or supply an MPD record.

Current MPD Copy Charges

MPD currently lists $0.25 per page or CD and $0.50 per color photograph for applicable police-report requests. Its counter accepts cash or check.

Complex Records Can Take Longer

MPD explains that large requests and records requiring time-intensive review, including some violent-crime, video or audio records, are processed through the general backlog rather than immediately at the counter.

• Legal spelling of name
• Birth year
• Sex and age
• Height and weight
• Hair and eye information
• Custody date
• Bail or fine amount
• Court date
• Court branch
• Case details
• Correct facility or agency
• Current custody recheck