Columbus Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Columbus, Wisconsin?
Arrest records are public in Columbus, Wisconsin pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This legislation establishes that records created or maintained by government entities shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Wisconsin Public Records Law operates under the principle that governmental transparency serves the public interest by enabling citizens to monitor the actions of their government officials and agencies. Members of the public may inspect, copy, or receive copies of public records maintained by the Columbus Police Department and other law enforcement agencies within Columbia County.
The Columbus Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official duties and makes these records available in accordance with state law. Requestors seeking arrest records may submit requests in person, by mail, or through the department's online records request portal.
How to Look Up Columbus Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Columbus, Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Public Records Law requires custodians of records to respond to requests "as soon as practicable and without delay." Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following options:
Columbus Police Department Records Division: Citizens may request arrest records directly from the Columbus Police Department located at 159 S. Ludington Street, Columbus, WI 53925. The records division is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays. Requests may be submitted in person or by calling the non-emergency number at (920) 623-5919.
Columbia County Sheriff's Office: For arrests made by county deputies within Columbus city limits, records may be requested from the Columbia County Sheriff's Office at 711 E. Cook Street, Portage, WI 53901. The records division operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Online Public Records Portal: The City of Columbus maintains an electronic records request system through which citizens may submit requests for arrest records. Processing times vary based on the volume of requests and complexity of the search.
Columbia County Circuit Court: Court records related to arrests may be accessed through the Columbia County Circuit Court located at 400 DeWitt Street, Portage, WI 53901. The clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), agencies may charge reasonable fees for locating and copying records. Current fee schedules include $0.25 per page for photocopies and actual, necessary costs for locating records when exceeding $50.00 in staff time.
Contents of a Columbus Arrest Record
Columbus arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and typically include:
Demographic Information: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and any identifying marks such as tattoos or scars.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and precise location of the arrest, the arresting officer's name and badge number, and the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest.
Criminal Charges: Specific Wisconsin statutes allegedly violated, classification of offenses (misdemeanor or felony), and brief description of the criminal activity.
Booking Information: Time of booking, booking number assigned, property inventory, and medical screening results if applicable.
Photographic Documentation: Mugshot photographs taken from front and side views during the booking process.
Biometric Data: Fingerprints collected during booking and any DNA samples if required by statute.
Case Disposition: Current status of the case, including whether the individual was released on bail, bond amount if applicable, and court appearance dates.
Prior Criminal History: References to previous arrests or convictions if relevant to the current case.
The Columbus Police Department maintains these records in accordance with departmental policies and state records retention schedules. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.36, including confidential informant identities, juvenile information, and details that would compromise ongoing investigations.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Columbus
Wisconsin law provides limited opportunities for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement in Columbus follows the provisions outlined in Wis. Stat. § 973.015, which permits the sealing of certain records from public view. The expungement process requires judicial approval and is not automatically granted.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Columbus include:
- The offense must be a misdemeanor or a Class H or I felony.
- The individual must have been under the age of 25 at the time of the offense.
- The court must have determined at sentencing that expungement would benefit the person and not harm society.
- The individual must have successfully completed their sentence, including any probationary period.
Arrests that did not result in charges or convictions may be eligible for removal from public databases under different statutory provisions. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 165.84(1), individuals may petition for the return of fingerprint records and other identifying data when criminal charges are dismissed or the person is acquitted.
The expungement petition process requires:
- Filing a petition with the court that handled the original case.
- Providing notice to the District Attorney's Office.
- Attending a hearing where a judge will determine whether expungement is appropriate.
- If granted, obtaining a court order directing all relevant agencies to seal the records.
It is important to note that expunged records in Wisconsin are sealed from public view but not physically destroyed. Law enforcement agencies and the courts retain access to these records for official purposes. Additionally, expungement in Wisconsin does not remove the record from FBI databases or private background check companies that may have previously obtained the information.
The Columbia County Circuit Court processes expungement petitions for cases that originated in Columbus. The court is located at 400 DeWitt Street, Portage, WI 53901, and can be reached at (608) 742-9644 for information regarding the expungement process.
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