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Wisconsin Dells Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin?

Arrest records are public documents in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, pursuant to Wisconsin's Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This legislation establishes that records produced or maintained by government agencies, including the Wisconsin Dells Police Department, are accessible to the public. The law operates under the principle that government transparency is essential to democracy, allowing citizens to monitor the actions of public officials and agencies.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld that public records laws "shall be construed in every instance with a presumption of complete public access." However, certain exceptions exist where records may be withheld or redacted:

Records pertaining to ongoing investigations
Juvenile records protected under Wis. Stat. § 938.396
Information that would compromise public safety
Records containing personally identifiable information where privacy interests outweigh public interest

Requesters seeking arrest records in Wisconsin Dells do not need to identify themselves or state the purpose of their request, as specified in Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(i).

How to Look Up Wisconsin Dells Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Wisconsin Dells have multiple avenues available for accessing this information. The Wisconsin Public Records Law mandates that custodial agencies provide reasonable access to records upon request.

In-Person Requests

The most direct method for obtaining arrest records is visiting the records custodian in person:

Wisconsin Dells Police Department
115 Miller Drive
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
Phone: (608) 253-1611
Wisconsin Dells Police Department

Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (excluding holidays)

In-person requesters should be prepared to:

Complete a records request form
Present valid identification
Pay applicable fees (typically $0.25 per page for photocopies)
Provide specific information about the record sought (name, date of arrest, case number)

Online Access Options

The City of Wisconsin Dells has implemented digital access options for certain public records:

The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Program (CCAP) provides information about criminal cases resulting from arrests
The Wisconsin Dells Police Department's online portal allows limited searches of recent arrest data
Columbia County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate lookup system that includes Wisconsin Dells arrests resulting in county jail bookings

Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(L), agencies may impose reasonable restrictions on the manner of access to original records.

Written Requests

Written requests may be submitted to:

City Clerk/Treasurer's Office
300 La Crosse Street
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
Phone: (608) 253-2100
City Clerk's Office

Written requests should include:

Requester's complete contact information
Detailed description of records sought
Preferred format for receiving records
Date range of interest

Contents of a Wisconsin Dells Arrest Record

Wisconsin Dells arrest records typically contain standardized information as prescribed by Wisconsin Administrative Code § JUS 10. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's encounter with law enforcement resulting in arrest.

Standard information found in Wisconsin Dells arrest records includes:

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 photographs ("mugshots")
Fingerprint classification data
Custody status and bail/bond information
Case disposition if available

Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 165.83, law enforcement agencies must collect and forward fingerprints, photographs, and other identifying data to the state Department of Justice for all individuals arrested for felonies and certain misdemeanors.

The Wisconsin Dells Municipal Court maintains records of ordinance violations and certain misdemeanor cases, while felony arrests are processed through the Columbia County Circuit Court system.

Legal Framework for Arrest Records in Wisconsin Dells

The management and accessibility of arrest records in Wisconsin Dells is governed by a comprehensive legal framework that balances public access with privacy protections.

State Statutes and Regulations

Wisconsin Statute § 19.31-19.39 (Public Records Law) establishes the presumption of accessibility
Wisconsin Statute § 165.83 mandates collection of identification data for certain arrests
Wisconsin Statute § 19.36(8) provides limited protection for records containing personally identifiable information
Wisconsin Administrative Code § JUS 10 standardizes arrest record formats and retention requirements

Local Ordinances

The Wisconsin Dells City Ordinances Chapter 2, Article IV establishes local procedures for records management and public access. These ordinances operate within the framework of state law but may specify local procedures for:

Fee schedules for record reproduction
Designation of records custodians
Response timelines for record requests
Electronic access provisions

Federal Regulations

Federal regulations affecting Wisconsin Dells arrest records include:

28 CFR § 20 (Criminal Justice Information Systems) governing interstate exchange of criminal history information
42 USC § 14616 (National Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact) establishing standards for interstate sharing of criminal history records
34 USC § 40316 (Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act) requiring background checks using criminal history records

Expungement of Arrest Records in Wisconsin Dells

Wisconsin law provides limited pathways for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement in Wisconsin refers to the sealing of court records rather than complete destruction of arrest documentation.

Eligibility Criteria

Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 973.015, expungement may be available when:

The offense was committed before the individual turned 25 years old
The maximum penalty for the offense does not exceed 6 years imprisonment
The court ordered expungement at the time of sentencing
The individual has successfully completed their sentence

For arrests that did not result in charges or convictions, Wisconsin Statute § 165.84(1) provides a mechanism for removal from the state's criminal history database.

Application Process

Individuals seeking expungement of Wisconsin Dells arrest records must:

File a petition with the court that handled the original case
Provide documentation showing eligibility under statutory requirements
Attend any scheduled hearings regarding the petition
If granted, ensure the expungement order is properly executed by all relevant agencies

The Wisconsin Dells Municipal Court handles expungement petitions for ordinance violations and certain misdemeanors at:

Wisconsin Dells Municipal Court
300 La Crosse Street
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
Phone: (608) 253-2100 ext. 150

Effects of Expungement

When an arrest record is expunged in Wisconsin:

Court records are sealed from public view
The case will not appear in standard background checks
The individual may legally state they were not convicted of the offense
Law enforcement and certain government agencies may still access the sealed records
The physical arrest record remains with the arresting agency but is marked as expunged

Limitations on Access to Wisconsin Dells Arrest Records

While Wisconsin's Public Records Law establishes a presumption of accessibility, certain categories of arrest records are subject to access restrictions or complete exemption from disclosure.

Protected Categories

The following arrest record information may be restricted:

Juvenile arrests (individuals under 17) pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 938.396
Records related to ongoing investigations as provided in Wis. Stat. § 19.36(4)
Information that would endanger public safety or compromise law enforcement techniques
Certain domestic violence victim information protected under Wis. Stat. § 165.68
Records sealed by court order or expunged under statutory authority
Information subject to federal privacy protections (e.g., HIPAA-protected medical details)

Redaction Practices

When processing public records requests, the Wisconsin Dells Police Department and City Clerk's Office may redact:

Social Security numbers
Driver's license numbers
Financial account information
Medical information unrelated to the arrest
Information about confidential informants
Details that would compromise victim safety

Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(4)(c), when records are redacted, the custodian must inform the requester of the reasons for redaction.