Arrest records are public in Green Bay, Wisconsin, pursuant to Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This legislation establishes that records produced or maintained by government entities shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute, common law, or overriding public interest considerations. The law operates under the presumption that public access to governmental records is an essential component of effective democracy, enabling citizens to monitor the actions of their government and its agents, including law enforcement activities.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice has affirmed that arrest records fall within the scope of public records subject to disclosure. Members of the public may inspect, copy, or receive copies of arrest records maintained by the Green Bay Police Department and other law enforcement agencies within the jurisdiction. However, certain information within these records may be redacted if disclosure would compromise ongoing investigations, reveal confidential informants, or infringe upon privacy rights protected by law.
The City of Green Bay provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records in 2025. Individuals seeking such information have several options available:
In-person requests can be submitted at the Green Bay Police Department Records Division, located at 307 S. Adams Street, Green Bay, WI 54301. The Records Division maintains public counter hours Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM, excluding holidays.
Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to: Green Bay Police Department, Records Division, 307 S. Adams Street, Green Bay, WI 54301. Requests must include specific information about the record being sought, including names, dates, and case numbers when available.
Electronic requests can be submitted through the City of Green Bay's official website. The online portal allows for submission of public records requests 24 hours a day.
Telephone inquiries may be directed to the Records Division at (920) 448-3329, though written follow-up may be required for formal requests.
For broader criminal history information, the Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains the Crime Information Bureau, which provides criminal background checks for a statutory fee. Their services can be accessed at Wisconsin Department of Justice, Crime Information Bureau, P.O. Box 2688, Madison, WI 53701-2688, or by telephone at (608) 266-7314.
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1), the custodian of records shall provide facilities for the inspection and copying of public records during established office hours. Requestors may be charged fees not exceeding the actual, necessary, and direct costs of reproduction and transcription.
Arrest records maintained by the Green Bay Police Department typically contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement. Standard components of these records include:
In accordance with Wis. Stat. § 165.83, law enforcement agencies are required to collect and maintain certain identifying data for individuals who are arrested or taken into custody for specified offenses. This information becomes part of the arrest record and is subsequently transmitted to the Wisconsin Department of Justice for inclusion in state criminal history repositories.
The Green Bay Municipal Court, located at 330 S. Jefferson Street, Green Bay, WI 54301, maintains records of cases resulting from arrests for violations of municipal ordinances. These records can be accessed through the Municipal Court Records system or by contacting the court directly at (920) 448-3131.
Wisconsin law provides limited pathways for the expungement of arrest records in Green Bay. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 973.015, expungement is available under specific circumstances, primarily for younger offenders and for certain classifications of offenses. The statutory framework establishes the following criteria and procedures:
Eligibility for expungement is generally limited to:
The expungement process requires petitioners to file formal applications with the Brown County Circuit Court, located at 100 S. Jefferson Street, Green Bay, WI 54301. The court maintains jurisdiction over expungement proceedings for cases originating within its territorial boundaries. Petitioners may contact the Clerk of Courts at (920) 448-4155 for procedural guidance.
For arrests that did not result in charges or convictions, Wis. Stat. § 165.84(1) provides that individuals may petition for the return of fingerprints, photographs, and other identifying data. Additionally, under Wis. Stat. § 19.356, individuals who are the subject of records containing personally identifiable information may challenge the release of such information under certain circumstances.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains oversight of the state's criminal history repository and implements expungement orders issued by courts of competent jurisdiction. Upon receipt of a valid expungement order, records are sequestered from public access in accordance with statutory requirements.
It should be noted that expungement under Wisconsin law does not physically destroy records but rather seals them from public view. Certain governmental agencies, including law enforcement and the courts, may retain access to expunged records for specified purposes as authorized by statute.