Yes, arrest records are public in Barron County, Wisconsin. This accessibility is mandated by the Wisconsin Public Records Law, which permits the public to inspect and obtain copies of records maintained by government bodies, unless there is a specific statutory exception that restricts this access for reasons of privacy or security. Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes § 19.31-19.39, public records are presumed to be open to inspection and copying by any requester. The Barron County Public Records policy outlines the procedures for accessing these documents.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access government records, including arrest records, as a means of ensuring transparency in law enforcement activities. However, certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or the privacy of victims and witnesses as specified under Wisconsin Statutes § 19.36.
Yes, arrest records can be found online in Barron County. Various governmental and authorized third-party services provide access to these records. The availability online facilitates easier access and the ability to search records from remote locations. The Wisconsin Court System maintains a comprehensive database of court records, including those related to arrests in Barron County.
The Barron County Sheriff's Department provides online access to certain arrest information through their official website. Additionally, the Wisconsin Department of Justice offers the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS), which allows individuals and organizations to conduct criminal background checks that include arrest information.
It should be noted that while many records are available online, some older records may only be accessible in person at the relevant county offices. Furthermore, pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes § 19.35(1)(a), agencies may charge reasonable fees for the location, reproduction, and mailing of requested records.
To obtain Barron County arrest records, numerous options are available to members of the public:
Online Databases: The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal provides searchable access to court records, including those related to arrests. The Barron County Records Division also maintains electronic records that may be accessed online.
Local Sheriff's Office: Visit the Barron County Sheriff's Office, where public terminals are available to search for arrest records. The office is located at:
Barron County Sheriff's Department
1420 State Highway 25 North
Barron, WI 54812
(715) 537-3106
Official Website
Clerk of Circuit Court: The Clerk of Circuit Court maintains records of all court proceedings, including those stemming from arrests. Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes § 814.61(11), a $5.00 search fee is charged for searching files or records. The office is located at:
Barron County Clerk of Circuit Court
1420 State Highway 25 North, Room 2404
Barron, WI 54812
(715) 537-6265
Official Website
Wisconsin Department of Justice: The Wisconsin Online Record Check System allows for statewide criminal history searches that include arrest information from Barron County.
A Barron County arrest record typically includes the following information as mandated by Wisconsin Statutes § 165.83 regarding criminal identification, records and statistics:
It should be noted that pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes § 19.36(8), certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including but not limited to information related to juveniles, victims of certain crimes, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations.
Arrest records in Barron County serve multiple legitimate purposes within the legal and civil frameworks:
Employment Background Checks: Employers may utilize arrest records when conducting background checks on potential employees, particularly for positions involving security, financial responsibility, or work with vulnerable populations. However, pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes § 111.335, employers must consider the nature of the offense, the time elapsed, and its relation to the specific job.
Housing Applications: Landlords and property management companies may review arrest records as part of tenant screening processes, subject to fair housing laws and regulations.
Professional Licensing: State licensing boards for professions such as healthcare, education, and legal services may consider arrest records when evaluating applications for professional licenses or certifications.
Firearm Purchases: Federal and state laws require background checks that include review of arrest records for individuals attempting to purchase firearms.
Immigration Proceedings: Arrest records may be considered in immigration proceedings, including applications for citizenship, visas, or asylum.
The Wisconsin State Law Library provides resources regarding the legal framework governing the use of arrest records in various contexts.
While arrest records are generally public in Barron County, several statutory and procedural limitations exist:
Sealed Records: Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes § 973.015, certain records may be sealed by court order, particularly in cases involving youthful offenders or first-time, non-violent offenders who have successfully completed probation or other court-ordered programs.
Juvenile Records: Under Wisconsin Statutes § 938.396, records pertaining to juvenile arrests are subject to stricter confidentiality protections than adult records and are not generally available to the public.
Pending Investigations: Information related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld from public disclosure under Wisconsin Statutes § 19.36(4) to prevent interference with law enforcement proceedings.
Privacy Protections: Certain personal identifying information, such as social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information, is redacted from public records pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes § 19.36(10).
Expunged Records: Records that have been expunged by court order are removed from public access, though they may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes.
In Barron County, individuals may have the option to expunge their arrest records under certain conditions. Expungement is granted at the discretion of the court and typically requires that the individual has completed all terms of their sentence and has not committed further offenses. The process involves filing a petition with the court that originally handled the case, requesting the removal of the arrest record from public access.
Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes § 973.015, expungement may be available to individuals who:
The expungement process requires filing appropriate documentation with the Barron County Clerk of Circuit Court. Upon approval, expunged records are sealed from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for certain purposes. It should be noted that expungement in Wisconsin does not physically destroy records but rather seals them from public access.