>Columbia County Arrest Records Online

Columbia County, Wisconsin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Columbia County, Wisconsin?

Yes, arrest records are public in Columbia County, Wisconsin. This accessibility is mandated by the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39), which allows the public to inspect or obtain copies of most records maintained by local and state government entities. The law establishes a presumption of complete public access to government records, consistent with the conduct of governmental business. Law enforcement agencies within Columbia County maintain arrest records that are generally available for public inspection, subject to certain statutory exceptions that may limit access in specific circumstances.

Members of the public seeking arrest records may submit requests to the appropriate law enforcement agency, such as the Columbia County Sheriff's Office. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1), any requester has the right to inspect any record, except as otherwise provided by law. Agencies may charge reasonable fees for the location, reproduction, and mailing of requested records as permitted under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3).

Columbia County Sheriff's Office
711 East Cook Street
Portage, WI 53901
Phone: (608) 742-4166
Official Website

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Columbia County?

Yes, arrest records can be found online in Columbia County through several official digital platforms. The Columbia County Sheriff's Office Jail Bookings webpage provides current information about recent arrests and individuals in custody. This resource is regularly updated and serves as an official source for arrest information within the county.

Additionally, the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal, commonly known as CCAP, offers public access to court records from Wisconsin's circuit courts, including those in Columbia County. This database includes information about criminal cases resulting from arrests, though it focuses on court proceedings rather than the arrest records themselves.

For comprehensive searches, members of the public may also utilize the Columbia County Court Records database, which aggregates various public records including arrest information. These online resources facilitate public access to arrest records without requiring in-person visits to government offices, in accordance with Wisconsin's commitment to government transparency as outlined in Wis. Stat. § 19.31.

How to Look Up Columbia County Arrest Records in 2025

To obtain Columbia County arrest records in 2025, several official channels are available to members of the public. Each method provides access to different aspects of arrest information as maintained by various county agencies:

Direct Agency Contact: Individuals may submit a records request to the Columbia County Sheriff's Office. Requests can be made in person, by mail, or through electronic submission. The Sheriff's Office maintains the most comprehensive arrest records for the county.
Online Resources: The Wisconsin Court System Case Search provides electronic access to court cases related to arrests. While this system focuses on court proceedings rather than arrest records specifically, it contains valuable information about criminal cases resulting from arrests.
Clerk of Courts Office: The Columbia County Clerk of Courts maintains records of all court proceedings, including criminal cases. These records often contain information about arrests that led to court proceedings.

Columbia County Clerk of Circuit Court
400 DeWitt Street
Portage, WI 53901
Phone: (608) 742-2191
Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday
Municipal Courts: For arrests related to municipal ordinance violations, contact the appropriate municipal court, such as the Portage Municipal Court or the Eastern Columbia County Joint Municipal Court.

Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(a), requesters must provide information reasonably sufficient to identify the records sought. Agencies may require payment of fees for search, copying, and other services as permitted under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3).

Contents of a Columbia County Arrest Record

Columbia County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about individuals taken into custody by law enforcement agencies within the county. These records are maintained in accordance with Wisconsin state recordkeeping requirements and generally include the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, date of birth, gender, race, and physical description of the arrested individual
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Offense Information: Nature of the alleged offense(s), including statutory citations and severity classification (misdemeanor or felony)
Arresting Agency: Name of the law enforcement agency that conducted the arrest and the identity of the arresting officer(s)
Booking Information: Processing details, including fingerprinting, photographing, and assignment of booking numbers
Custody Status: Information regarding bail, bond amounts, and detention location
Case Disposition: Outcome of the arrest, including whether charges were filed, dismissed, or resulted in conviction
Court Information: Relevant court dates, hearing schedules, and case numbers

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with Wisconsin public records laws. While most information in arrest records is public, certain details may be redacted pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.36, which provides exceptions for confidential information, ongoing investigations, and juvenile records.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Columbia County

In Columbia County, the process of expungement is governed by Wisconsin state law, specifically Wis. Stat. § 973.015. Expungement refers to the legal process through which arrest and conviction records may be removed from public access under certain circumstances. The Wisconsin expungement statute provides limited opportunities for record expungement, primarily focusing on offenses committed by individuals under the age of 25.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Columbia County include:

The offense must be a misdemeanor or a Class H or I felony
The individual must have been under 25 years of age when the offense was committed
The maximum period of imprisonment for the offense must not exceed 6 years
The court must have determined at sentencing that expungement would benefit the person and society would not be harmed
The individual must have successfully completed their sentence, including any probationary period

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Columbia County Circuit Court where the conviction occurred. If granted, expungement removes the case from the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access public database and seals the court record. However, it is important to note that expungement in Wisconsin does not completely destroy all records of the arrest or conviction. Law enforcement agencies may still maintain access to expunged records for their internal purposes.

Individuals seeking expungement may benefit from consulting the Wisconsin State Law Library's Columbia County Legal Resources for guidance on the process and requirements.

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