>Dane County Arrest Records Online

Dane County, Wisconsin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Dane County, Wisconsin?

Arrest records are public in Dane County, Wisconsin, pursuant to the 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, common law, or overriding public interest considerations. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access these records as fundamental to governmental transparency and accountability.

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Dane County may obtain them through various governmental agencies, including the Dane County Sheriff's Office and the Clerk of Courts. The Wisconsin Public Records Law stipulates that custodians of records must respond to requests "as soon as practicable and without delay," though specific response timeframes are not mandated by statute.

Certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.36, which protects confidential information such as Social Security numbers, ongoing investigation details, and juvenile records. Additionally, records related to victims of certain crimes may have identifying information withheld pursuant to Wisconsin's victim rights provisions.

Dane County Sheriff's Office
115 W. Doty Street
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 284-6800
Dane County Sheriff's Office

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Dane County?

Dane County arrest records are accessible through several online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA), commonly known as CCAP, provides the most comprehensive online access to court records, including information about criminal cases resulting from arrests. This system is maintained pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72, which governs the retention and maintenance of court records.

The Dane County Clerk of Courts maintains an electronic database of court records that includes information about arrests that led to formal charges. While not all arrest details are included, case status, hearing dates, and disposition information are typically available.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice offers the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS), which provides criminal history information for a nominal fee of $7 per search. This system is authorized under Wis. Stat. § 165.82 and includes arrest data reported to the state by local law enforcement agencies.

It should be noted that online records may not include all arrest information, particularly for:

Recent arrests not yet processed into electronic systems
Arrests that did not result in formal charges
Expunged or sealed records pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 973.015
Juvenile records protected under Wis. Stat. § 938.396

How to Look Up Dane County Arrest Records in 2025

Individuals seeking Dane County arrest records in 2025 have multiple methods available, as prescribed by Wisconsin's open records statutes and county procedures. The following options are available to members of the public:

In-person requests may be submitted at the following locations:
- Dane County Sheriff's Office Records Division
  115 W. Doty Street
  Madison, WI 53703
  Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
  (608) 284-6800
- Dane County Clerk of Courts
  215 S. Hamilton Street, Room 1000
  Madison, WI 53703
  Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM
  (608) 266-4311
Electronic access is available through:
- The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal, which provides case information for arrests that resulted in court proceedings
- The Wisconsin Online Record Check System maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Justice
- Dane County's public records portal, which accepts online requests for records not available through other electronic systems
Written requests may be submitted via mail to either the Sheriff's Office or Clerk of Courts at the addresses listed above. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(h), requests must reasonably describe the records being sought and may be denied if overly broad or burdensome.

Requestors should be prepared to provide:

Full name of the subject
Date of birth or approximate age
Approximate date of arrest
Case number (if known)
A government-issued photo ID for certain sensitive records

Fees for record retrieval are established in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3) and may include:

$0.25 per page for photocopies
$7.00 for criminal history reports through WORCS
Additional fees for certified copies or extensive searches

Contents of a Dane County Arrest Record

Dane County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Wisconsin Administrative Code § JUS 10.06, which establishes uniform reporting standards for law enforcement agencies. A typical arrest record includes the following components:

Biographical Information:

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Any known aliases or previous names
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye and hair color
Residential address at time of arrest
Gender and race (collected for statistical purposes pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 165.845)

Arrest Details:

Date, time, and specific location of arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Statutory citations for alleged violations
Classification of offense (felony, misdemeanor, or civil violation)
Incident report number and booking reference
Probable cause statement summarizing the circumstances leading to arrest

Processing Information:

Booking photographs (mugshots) taken during processing
Fingerprint records collected pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 165.84
Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
Medical screening information relevant to detention
Detention facility assignment

Case Disposition:

Bail or bond amount set by court
Pretrial release conditions if applicable
Court appearance dates
Case outcome (if resolved)
Sentence information for convictions

Certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including confidential informant identities, juvenile co-defendant information, and details that might compromise ongoing investigations as provided in Wis. Stat. § 19.36(2).

Expungement of Arrest Records in Dane County

Wisconsin law provides limited pathways for the expungement of arrest records in Dane County under specific statutory provisions. Expungement eligibility is primarily governed by Wis. Stat. § 973.015, which establishes the following criteria:

Eligibility Requirements:

The offense must be a misdemeanor or a Class H or I felony
The offender must have been under the age of 25 at the time of the offense
The maximum period of imprisonment for the offense must not exceed 6 years
The court must determine that the person will benefit and society will not be harmed by the expungement
All conditions of the sentence must be satisfied

Individuals with arrests that did not result in charges or convictions may petition for expungement under Wis. Stat. § 165.84(1), which provides that fingerprints and other identifying data shall be returned upon request if the person arrested is released without charge or cleared of the offense.

The expungement 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 if expungement criteria are met
If granted, obtaining a court order directing all relevant agencies to seal the records

Dane County District Attorney's Office
215 S. Hamilton Street, Room 3000
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-4211
Dane County District Attorney's Office

It should be noted that expungement in Wisconsin does not completely destroy records but rather seals them from public view. Certain government agencies may still access expunged records for specific purposes, including law enforcement investigations and certain employment background checks as authorized by Wis. Stat. § 111.335.

Individuals seeking expungement may wish to consult with legal counsel, as the process involves complex statutory requirements and judicial discretion. The State Bar of Wisconsin maintains a lawyer referral service for those seeking legal assistance with expungement matters.

Search Arrest Records in Dane County

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