>Crawford County Arrest Records Online

Crawford County, Wisconsin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Crawford County, Wisconsin?

Arrest records are public documents in Crawford County, Wisconsin, pursuant to Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This legislation establishes the presumption that all government records, including arrest records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld that public records laws "shall be construed in every instance with a presumption of complete public access." This transparency framework enables citizens to monitor law enforcement activities and maintain governmental accountability.

Members of the public seeking arrest records may access them through the Crawford County Circuit Court or the Sheriff's Department. The Wisconsin Department of Justice also maintains certain arrest record information in compliance with state statutes. Records may be subject to redaction of confidential information as specified under Wis. Stat. § 19.36.

Crawford County Sheriff's Department
224 North Beaumont Road
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
(608) 326-0241
Official Website for Crawford County Sheriff

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Crawford County?

Crawford County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA), commonly known as CCAP, provides the primary online portal for accessing public court records, including those related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. This system is maintained pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72, which governs retention and maintenance of court records.

The Crawford County inmate lists are updated daily and provide information about current detainees in county custody. Additionally, the Wisconsin Court System case search allows users to search for criminal cases by name, case number, or citation number across all Wisconsin counties, including Crawford County.

Online access to these records is subject to the provisions of Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(1), which specifies that "any requester has a right to inspect any record." However, certain information may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections under state and federal law, particularly information related to victims, witnesses, or ongoing investigations.

How to Look Up Crawford County Arrest Records in 2025

Individuals seeking Crawford County arrest records in 2025 have multiple official channels available:

Online Database Searches: The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access provides comprehensive search capabilities for court records related to arrests and criminal proceedings. Users may search by name, case number, or citation number.
Sheriff's Department Records Request: Formal requests may be submitted through the Crawford County Sheriff's Open Records portal. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(h), the department must respond to requests "as soon as practicable and without delay."
Wisconsin Department of Justice Background Check: The Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) provides criminal history information for a fee of $7 per record. This system is authorized under Wis. Stat. § 165.82.
In-Person Requests: Records may be requested in person at:

Crawford County Clerk of Circuit Court
220 North Beaumont Road, Suite 5
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
(608) 326-0219
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Clerk of Court Office
Written Requests: Submit detailed written requests to either the Sheriff's Department or Clerk of Courts, including the subject's full name, date of birth, and case number if available. A self-addressed stamped envelope should be included for return correspondence.

Fees for record retrieval are established pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3) and may include copying costs of $0.25 per page and actual, necessary costs for locating records exceeding $50.

Contents of a Crawford County Arrest Record

Crawford County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Wisconsin Administrative Code DOJ § 1.03, which establishes uniform reporting standards. These records typically include:

Subject's full legal name and any documented aliases
Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race)
Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
Residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and location of arrest
Statutory charges and offense descriptions
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking photographs ("mugshots")
Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
Custody status and bail/bond information
Case disposition if available

Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including:

Social Security numbers
Driver's license numbers
Information about confidential informants
Juvenile records (unless waived to adult court)
Information that would compromise ongoing investigations

The Crawford County Circuit Court maintains these records in accordance with Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72, which establishes retention schedules for court records.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Crawford County

Expungement of arrest records in Crawford County follows Wisconsin Statute § 973.015, which provides a legal pathway for certain records to be removed from public access. Eligibility for expungement is primarily limited to:

Misdemeanor offenses committed by individuals under 25 years of age
Certain Class H and I felonies specified by statute
Cases where charges were dismissed or resulted in acquittal
Successful completion of deferred prosecution agreements

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Crawford County Circuit Court where the case was originally heard. Petitioners must demonstrate that the expungement will benefit public interests and that they have satisfied all court-ordered conditions. If granted, expungement does not physically destroy records but rather seals them from public view.

Wisconsin law specifically requires that expungement decisions be made at the time of sentencing for eligible cases under § 973.015. This differs from many other states where expungement may be requested after a waiting period. The Crawford County District Attorney's Office may provide input on expungement petitions, but the final determination rests with the presiding judge.

Legal assistance for expungement matters may be obtained through the Wisconsin State Law Library's Crawford County resources, which provides referrals to legal aid organizations serving the county.

Crawford County District Attorney's Office
220 North Beaumont Road
Prairie du Chien, WI 53821
(608) 326-0214
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM