Arrest records are public documents in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin, pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes that records produced or maintained by government entities shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Wisconsin Public Records Law applies to arrest records maintained by the Ashwaubenon Public Safety Department and other local law enforcement agencies, thereby ensuring governmental transparency and accountability to the citizenry.
Members of the public may access these records through formal requests submitted to the appropriate custodial agency. The Wisconsin Public Records Law presumes that public records shall be disclosed upon request, though certain exceptions may apply to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or personal privacy in specific circumstances as outlined in Wis. Stat. § 19.36.
Multiple methods are available to members of the public seeking to obtain arrest records in Ashwaubenon. The Ashwaubenon Public Safety Department serves as the primary custodian of local arrest records and provides several access options:
In-Person Requests: Individuals may submit open records requests in person at the Ashwaubenon Public Safety Department located at 2155 Holmgren Way, Ashwaubenon, WI 54304. Office hours for public record requests are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays.
Written Requests: Written requests may be submitted via U.S. mail to:
Ashwaubenon Public Safety Department
Attention: Records Division
2155 Holmgren Way
Ashwaubenon, WI 54304
Phone: (920) 492-2995
Official Website
Electronic Requests: The department accepts properly formatted requests via email. Requestors should include specific information about the record sought, including names, dates, and case numbers when available.
Municipal Court Records: For records related to citations and municipal violations, inquiries may be directed to:
Ashwaubenon Municipal Court
2155 Holmgren Way
Ashwaubenon, WI 54304
Phone: (920) 492-2995
Official Website
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(4), the records custodian must respond to requests "as soon as practicable and without delay." Fees for copies and search time may be assessed in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3).
Standard arrest records maintained by the Ashwaubenon Public Safety Department typically contain the following categories of information:
The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense, the arresting agency's protocols, and the stage of the criminal justice process. Records related to ongoing investigations may contain redactions pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.36(2).
Wisconsin law provides limited pathways for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 973.015, expungement may be available for certain offenses committed by persons under the age of 25. The court procedures for expungement require formal petition to the court that originally handled the case.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Ashwaubenon include:
The expungement process requires the following steps:
When expungement is granted, the court orders that the record be sealed from public view. However, certain government agencies may retain access to expunged records for law enforcement and administrative purposes. Expunged records are not physically destroyed but are removed from public access databases.
The Wisconsin Public Records Law establishes a presumption of complete public access to government records, including arrest records. However, several statutory exceptions may limit access to certain information contained within arrest records:
The Ashwaubenon Public Safety Department reviews all record requests to ensure compliance with these statutory provisions. When a record contains both disclosable and non-disclosable information, the department will redact the protected information and release the remainder of the record.
The Ashwaubenon Municipal Court adjudicates civil ordinance violations, including certain traffic offenses. Court sessions are held every Wednesday evening at 6:00 PM at 2155 Holmgren Way, Ashwaubenon, WI 54304. Records of municipal violations are maintained separately from criminal arrest records.
Municipal court records may include:
It is important to note that convictions in Ashwaubenon Municipal Court are civil ordinance violations, not misdemeanors or criminal convictions. However, these records remain accessible to the public through the municipal court clerk's office.