>Clark County Arrest Records Online

Clark County, Wisconsin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Clark County, Wisconsin?

Arrest records are public in Clark County, 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. The law operates under the principle that providing citizens with complete information regarding the affairs of government serves a vital public interest and is an essential component of representative government.

The Clark County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their official duties. Members of the public may request access to arrest records for purposes including background checks, personal information verification, or general public interest in law enforcement activities. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access these records, reinforcing transparency in governmental operations.

Certain limitations may apply to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or information that could compromise public safety if disclosed. However, the presumption under Wisconsin law remains in favor of disclosure rather than confidentiality.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Clark County?

Arrest records can be accessed online through several official Clark County and Wisconsin state platforms. The Wisconsin Court System provides a comprehensive online case search function that includes criminal cases resulting from arrests in Clark County. This system, known as CCAP (Consolidated Court Automation Programs), allows public users to search for cases by name, case number, or citation number.

The Clark County Records & Services department maintains an electronic database of arrest records that may be accessed through official channels. Pursuant to Wisconsin Open Records Law, these electronic records are maintained for public transparency while balancing privacy considerations as mandated by state statute.

Online access to these records is governed by Wis. Stat. § 19.35, which specifies that records shall be provided "as soon as practicable and without delay." Electronic access facilitates this requirement by providing immediate availability of public information while reducing administrative burden on county offices.

Clark County Sheriff's Office Records Division
517 Court Street
Neillsville, WI 54456
Phone: (715) 743-3157
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

How to Look Up Clark County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for obtaining Clark County arrest records. Interested parties may utilize the following methods to access this information:

Submit a records request directly to the Clark County Sheriff's Office either in person, by mail, or through their online portal. Requests must include the name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and purpose of the request.
Access the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal to search for criminal cases that resulted from arrests. This system provides case status, hearing dates, and disposition information.
Contact the Clark County Clerk of Courts for arrest records that have proceeded to court action. Court records often contain detailed information about the arrest circumstances.
Submit a request to the Wisconsin Department of Corrections for records pertaining to individuals who were subsequently incarcerated following conviction.
Utilize the Wisconsin State Law Library resources for historical arrest records or cases of legal significance.

Requests may require payment of reasonable fees as permitted under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), which allows agencies to charge for "the actual, necessary and direct cost" of locating and reproducing records. Current fee schedules are available at each agency's office or website.

Clark County Clerk of Courts
517 Court Street, Room 403
Neillsville, WI 54456
Phone: (715) 743-5181
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Contents of a Clark County Arrest Record

Clark County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Wisconsin Administrative Code DOC § 328.27. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases or previous identities
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citations for alleged violations and narrative description of the offense
Arresting agency information and identification of arresting officers
Booking details including processing time, temporary detention location, and property inventory
Fingerprint records and booking photographs ("mugshots") taken during processing
Bail or bond information, including amount set and conditions of release
Case disposition information if available (pending, dismissed, convicted)
Record of any medical attention provided during arrest or detention

These records are maintained in accordance with Wisconsin Public Records Retention Schedule for Law Enforcement Records (PRB-010), which requires preservation of arrest records for a minimum of 7 years after the date of arrest. Records involving felony arrests must be maintained for 75 years pursuant to state archival requirements.

The Clark County Records & Services department serves as the official custodian of these records and is responsible for their accuracy, security, and accessibility in compliance with state law.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Clark County

Under Wisconsin law, certain individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement effectively seals records from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies. The legal framework for expungement is established in Wis. Stat. § 973.015, which provides eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.

Eligibility for expungement in Clark County is generally limited to:

Individuals who were under 25 years of age at the time of the offense
Cases involving misdemeanors or Class H or I felonies
Situations where the court ordered expungement at the time of sentencing
Cases where the individual successfully completed their sentence
Arrests that did not result in charges or where charges were dismissed

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Clark County Circuit Court where the case was adjudicated. Petitioners must demonstrate that the expungement would benefit public interests and that they have satisfied all court-ordered obligations. The court maintains discretion in granting expungement based on factors including the nature of the offense, the individual's criminal history, and rehabilitation evidence.

Expunged records are removed from public databases including the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system, though they remain available to law enforcement agencies for legitimate investigative purposes. Individuals seeking expungement are advised to consult with legal counsel regarding their specific circumstances and eligibility.

Clark County Circuit Court
517 Court Street
Neillsville, WI 54456
Phone: (715) 743-5181
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Legal Implications of Arrest Records in Clark County

Arrest records in Clark County carry significant legal implications for affected individuals. These records, maintained pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 165.83, create a permanent documentation of law enforcement interactions that may impact various aspects of an individual's life.

Employment opportunities may be affected as Wisconsin law permits employers to consider arrest records in hiring decisions, though the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act (Wis. Stat. § 111.31-111.395) prohibits discrimination based solely on arrest records without convictions unless the charges are pending and substantially related to the job.

Housing applications may be impacted as landlords in Clark County frequently conduct background checks that reveal arrest histories. Federal housing programs maintain specific guidelines regarding the use of criminal history in housing determinations.

Professional licensing boards operating under Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services regulations may consider arrest records when evaluating applications for licenses in fields including healthcare, education, and financial services.

Immigration consequences can be severe, as non-citizens with arrest records may face additional scrutiny during immigration proceedings, regardless of whether the arrest resulted in conviction.

The Wisconsin Department of Corrections utilizes arrest records in supervision decisions for individuals on probation or parole, and these records may influence sentencing decisions in subsequent criminal cases.

Individuals with questions regarding the legal implications of their arrest records should consult qualified legal counsel familiar with Wisconsin criminal and administrative law.