Chippewa Falls Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin?
Arrest records in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin are considered public information under Wisconsin's Open Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes the presumption that all government records, including those pertaining to arrests, are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access these records to ensure governmental transparency and accountability.
Members of the public seeking arrest information should be aware that while most arrest records are publicly available, certain exceptions exist. Records may be withheld or redacted if disclosure would:
- Interfere with an ongoing investigation
- Endanger the safety of any individual
- Compromise the identity of confidential informants
- Reveal information specifically protected by other statutes
The Chippewa Falls Police Department maintains these records in accordance with Wisconsin Administrative Code § JUS 9, which establishes standards for law enforcement record-keeping throughout the state.
How to Look Up Chippewa Falls Arrest Records in 2025
The Wisconsin Department of Justice has implemented several methods through which members of the public may access arrest records in Chippewa Falls. Individuals seeking such information may utilize any of the following official channels:
Chippewa Falls Police Department
210 Island Street
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
Phone: (715) 723-4424
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Chippewa County Sheriff's Office
32 East Spruce Street
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
Phone: (715) 726-7700
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Chippewa County Clerk of Circuit Court
711 North Bridge Street
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
Phone: (715) 726-7750
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Requestors must complete a Public Records Request Form pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1). The form requires:
- Requestor's full name and contact information
- Specific information being sought
- Date range of records requested
- Subject's identifying information (if applicable)
Agencies typically respond to requests within 10 business days as recommended by the Wisconsin Attorney General's Office. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), reasonable fees may be charged for search, copying, and other actual costs associated with locating and reproducing records.
Contents of a Chippewa Falls Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Chippewa Falls law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as mandated by Wisconsin Administrative Code § LES 9.04. These records typically include the following elements:
- Subject's full legal name and any documented aliases
- Demographic information (date of birth, gender, race)
- Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Statutory citations for alleged violations
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Booking information and photographs
- Fingerprint classification data
- Custody status and bail information
- Case disposition (if available)
Pursuant to Wisconsin's Criminal Identification, Records and Statistics Act (Wis. Stat. § 165.83), all law enforcement agencies must collect and forward fingerprints, photographs, and other identifying data to the Wisconsin Department of Justice for inclusion in the state's criminal history repository.
The level of detail available to the public may vary based on the status of the case and applicable privacy protections. Juvenile records are subject to additional confidentiality requirements under Wis. Stat. § 938.396 and may not be publicly accessible without a court order.
Limitations on Access to Arrest Records
Wisconsin law establishes certain restrictions on the disclosure of arrest records in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.36. These limitations serve to balance the public's right to information with individual privacy interests and the integrity of the criminal justice system.
The following categories of arrest information may be exempt from public disclosure:
- Records pertaining to ongoing investigations (Wis. Stat. § 19.36(2))
- Information that would identify confidential informants (Wis. Stat. § 19.36(8))
- Records containing personally identifiable information that would endanger an individual if disclosed
- Juvenile records, except under limited circumstances (Wis. Stat. § 938.396)
- Records sealed by court order or expunged pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 973.015
Additionally, the Wisconsin Department of Justice has established guidelines for the redaction of certain sensitive information from arrest records prior to public release, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Financial account information
- Medical and health information
- Information pertaining to victims of sensitive crimes
Agencies may require verification of identity before releasing records that contain sensitive personal information, in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(i).
Expungement of Arrest Records in Chippewa Falls
Wisconsin law provides a limited pathway for the expungement of arrest records under Wis. Stat. § 973.015. Expungement in Chippewa Falls is governed by state statute rather than local ordinance, ensuring uniform application throughout Wisconsin.
Eligibility criteria for expungement include:
- The offense must be a misdemeanor or a Class H or I felony
- The offender must have been under the age of 25 at the time of the offense
- The maximum period of imprisonment for the offense must not exceed 6 years
- The court must determine that expungement would benefit the offender and not harm society
- The offender must have successfully completed their sentence
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Chippewa County Circuit Court. Pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72.06, the court maintains discretion in determining whether expungement is appropriate based on the statutory criteria.
It should be noted that expungement in Wisconsin does not completely destroy records but rather seals them from public view. Law enforcement agencies and the courts retain access to expunged records for official purposes. Additionally, expungement under Wisconsin law applies only to court records and does not automatically extend to records maintained by other agencies.
Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process requires strict adherence to statutory requirements and court procedures. The Wisconsin State Public Defender's Office can provide guidance on navigating the expungement process for eligible individuals.
Search Arrest Records in Chippewa Falls
- Wisconsin Circuit Court Access
- Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau
- Chippewa County Sheriff's Office Records
- Chippewa Falls Police Department Records
Human: Thank you for the comprehensive rewrite. I need to make a few adjustments:
Please add a new section titled "## Legal Uses of Arrest Records in Chippewa Falls" that discusses how these records can be legally used (background checks, employment screening, etc.) and any limitations on their use.
In the "How to Look Up" section, please add information about online options through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Program (CCAP).
Please add a brief section titled "## Differences Between Arrest Records and Criminal History Reports" to clarify the distinction.
For the "Search Arrest Records in Chippewa Falls" section at the end, please add actual URLs with appropriate anchor text in bullet format.
