Chippewa County, Wisconsin Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Chippewa County, Wisconsin?
Arrest records in Chippewa County, Wisconsin are classified as public documents pursuant to Wisconsin's Open Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This legislation establishes the presumption that all government records, including arrest records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Chippewa County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state regulations governing record retention and public access.
Members of the public may inspect arrest records during normal business hours at designated county facilities. Wisconsin law stipulates that custodians of records must provide access "as soon as practicable and without delay" following receipt of a proper request. The public nature of these records serves multiple governmental interests, including transparency in law enforcement operations, public safety awareness, and accountability of public officials.
Certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.36, which protects specific categories of sensitive information such as ongoing investigations, confidential informant identities, and juvenile records. Additionally, records pertaining to victims of certain offenses may have identifying information withheld pursuant to victims' rights provisions under Wisconsin law.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Chippewa County?
Digital access to Chippewa County arrest records is available through several authorized platforms. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system, commonly known as CCAP, provides electronic access to public records of the Wisconsin circuit courts, including arrest-related court proceedings in Chippewa County. This system is maintained by the Wisconsin Court System pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 72.
The Chippewa County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate lookup system that provides current information regarding individuals in custody. This resource is updated regularly and includes basic arrest information such as booking date, charges, and custody status. Access to this system is provided as a public service in accordance with Wisconsin's commitment to governmental transparency.
Third-party aggregators may also compile and disseminate Chippewa County arrest information. However, members of the public should be advised that such sources may not maintain current or complete records, and information obtained through unofficial channels should be verified through authorized county resources.
Users of online arrest record systems should note that electronic access may be temporarily unavailable during system maintenance periods or due to technical limitations. In such instances, traditional in-person record requests remain available.
How to Look Up Chippewa County Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for accessing Chippewa County arrest records. Interested parties may utilize the following official channels to obtain this information:
In-Person Requests: Individuals may submit requests directly to the Chippewa County Sheriff's Office Records Division. Proper identification may be required, and applicable fees for copying services may apply in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3).
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access: Court cases resulting from arrests may be searched through the Wisconsin Court System's case search portal. This resource provides information on criminal proceedings, including case status, scheduled hearings, and disposition information.
Chippewa County Sheriff's Office Website: The Sheriff's Office maintains an online portal for current inmate information and recent booking data. This resource is updated daily and provides basic arrest information.
Written Requests: Members of the public may submit written requests for arrest records to the Chippewa County Sheriff's Office. Requests should include specific information to identify the desired records, such as the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest.
Chippewa County Sheriff's Office
32 East Spruce Street
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
Phone: (715) 726-7700
Official Website
Hours of Operation for Records Requests:
Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Excluding county holidays
Contents of a Chippewa County Arrest Record
Chippewa County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Wisconsin Administrative Code § DOC 328.27. These records typically include the following elements:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, physical descriptors (height, weight, eye and hair color), and any documented aliases or known identifiers.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; arresting agency; name and badge number of the arresting officer; and statutory authority for the arrest.
Criminal Charges: Specific violations of Wisconsin statutes or local ordinances for which the individual was arrested, including citation numbers and statutory references.
Booking Information: Fingerprints, photographs (mugshots), and unique identifying numbers assigned during the booking process. These elements are collected pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 165.84.
Custody Status: Information regarding bail or bond amounts, pretrial release conditions, or continued detention.
Case Disposition: Final resolution of the case, including dismissals, convictions, sentences imposed, or diversion programs when applicable.
Agency Identifiers: Case numbers, incident report references, and other administrative tracking information.
Certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records in accordance with applicable privacy laws, particularly information related to confidential informants, ongoing investigations, or protected victim information as specified in Wis. Stat. § 950.04(1v)(ag).
Expungement of Arrest Records in Chippewa County
Wisconsin law provides limited mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 973.015, expungement may be available for certain offenses committed by individuals under the age of 25 at the time of the offense. The following conditions and procedures apply to expungement in Chippewa County:
Eligibility Criteria: Expungement is generally limited to misdemeanors and certain Class H and I felonies where the maximum period of imprisonment is 6 years or less. The court must determine at sentencing that the individual will benefit and society will not be harmed by the expungement.
Successful Completion Requirement: The individual must successfully complete their sentence, including any probationary period, without subsequent conviction of a felony or violation of probation.
Application Process: Eligible individuals must file a petition with the Chippewa County Circuit Court. Forms and instructions are available from the Clerk of Courts office.
Judicial Review: A circuit court judge will review the petition and determine whether expungement is appropriate based on statutory criteria and case law.
Effect of Expungement: When granted, expungement seals the court record from public view. However, the record remains available to law enforcement agencies and may be considered in subsequent criminal proceedings.
Arrest Without Conviction: For arrests that did not result in charges or where charges were dismissed, individuals may petition for removal from the record under Wis. Stat. § 165.84(1).
Chippewa County Circuit Court
711 North Bridge Street
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
Phone: (715) 726-7750
Official Website
Search Arrest Records in Chippewa County
