Eau Claire Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Eau Claire, Wisconsin?
Arrest records in Eau Claire, Wisconsin are classified as public documents pursuant to Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes that records produced, collected, or maintained by government entities shall be accessible to members of the public upon request. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld the presumption of complete public access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies within Eau Claire County.
The public nature of these records serves multiple governmental functions, including:
- Ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations
- Facilitating public oversight of the criminal justice system
- Providing citizens with information regarding public safety concerns
- Supporting the constitutional right to information about governmental proceedings
Exceptions to public access may apply in limited circumstances as prescribed by Wis. Stat. § 19.36, particularly when disclosure would compromise ongoing investigations, reveal confidential informants, or infringe upon juvenile privacy protections under Wis. Stat. § 938.396.
How to Look Up Eau Claire Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Eau Claire County may utilize several authorized methods to obtain this information. The Wisconsin Department of Justice has established protocols for record requests that apply to all jurisdictions within the state, including Eau Claire.
In-person requests may be submitted at:
Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office
721 Oxford Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54703
Phone: (715) 839-4709
Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office
Eau Claire Police Department
721 Oxford Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54703
Phone: (715) 839-4972
Eau Claire Police Department
Requestors must complete Form DJ-LE-250, available at these locations or downloadable from the Wisconsin Department of Justice website. The following methods are available for record retrieval:
- Direct submission of written requests via U.S. mail to the appropriate agency
- Electronic submission through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Program (CCAP)
- Utilization of the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) for criminal history information
- Third-party record retrieval services, which may assess additional processing fees
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), agencies may charge reasonable fees for record reproduction and location services when the cost exceeds $50.00. Fee schedules are established by each agency and must be prominently posted at record request locations.
Contents of a Eau Claire Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Eau Claire law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as prescribed by Wisconsin Administrative Code § JUS 9.04. These official documents serve as the formal record of an individual's interaction with law enforcement resulting in detention or arrest.
Standard components of Eau Claire arrest records include:
- Subject identification information (full legal name, known aliases, date of birth)
- Demographic data (gender, race, height, weight, distinguishing physical characteristics)
- Arrest jurisdiction and agency information
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Statutory citations for alleged violations
- Arrest classification (misdemeanor or felony)
- Booking photographs ("mugshots") taken during processing
- Fingerprint impressions collected pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 165.84
- Arresting officer identification
- Detention facility information
- Case disposition status
- Court docket number when applicable
Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.36(10), including:
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Financial account information
- Home addresses of law enforcement personnel
- Information pertaining to confidential informants
- Juvenile identifying information when applicable under Wis. Stat. § 938.396
Expungement of Arrest Records in Eau Claire
Wisconsin law provides limited mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records in Eau Claire County. Expungement procedures are governed by Wis. Stat. § 973.015, which establishes specific eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.
Individuals may petition for expungement under the following circumstances:
- The arrest did not result in formal charges being filed within the statutory timeframe
- Charges were dismissed prior to trial or resulted in acquittal
- The individual was under 25 years of age at the time of the offense
- The maximum penalty for the offense did not exceed 6 years imprisonment
- The court determined at sentencing that expungement would benefit the individual and not harm society
- All conditions of the sentence have been satisfied
The expungement process requires submission of a formal petition to the Eau Claire County Circuit Court:
Eau Claire County Courthouse
721 Oxford Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54703
Phone: (715) 839-4816
Eau Claire County Circuit Court
Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate compliance with statutory requirements. If granted, expungement results in the sealing of court records and removal from public databases. However, law enforcement agencies may retain access to expunged records for official purposes pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 165.83.
Expungement does not automatically extend to records maintained by non-governmental entities or background check companies that may have previously obtained the information. Additional steps may be necessary to address these secondary records.
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