Marshall Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Marshall, Wisconsin?
Arrest records are public documents in Marshall, Wisconsin, pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This comprehensive legislation establishes the fundamental right of Wisconsin citizens to access government records, including those related to arrests and law enforcement activities. The statute explicitly states that providing citizens with the greatest possible information regarding government affairs is an "essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the routine duties of officers and employees." Consequently, residents of Marshall and other interested parties may access arrest records maintained by local law enforcement agencies, subject only to specific statutory exemptions designed to protect privacy, ongoing investigations, or public safety.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice further reinforces this public access through its interpretation guidelines, which presume that most government records, including arrest documentation, should be accessible to promote transparency and accountability in the criminal justice system. Records may only be withheld when the public interest in nondisclosure clearly outweighs the strong public interest in disclosure, as determined by the balancing test established in Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(a).
How to Look Up Marshall Arrest Records in 2025
Marshall residents and other interested parties can access arrest records through several official channels established by local and county authorities. The following methods provide lawful access to arrest information:
In-person requests at the Marshall Police Department, where designated staff can assist with locating specific arrest records during regular business hours. Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search.
Dane County Sheriff's Office maintains comprehensive arrest records for the county, including those from Marshall. Their records division processes requests for arrest information and booking details.
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Program (CCAP) provides online access to court records that often contain information about arrests that led to formal charges. This state-maintained database is accessible 24 hours per day.
Written requests submitted to the Marshall Police Department or Dane County Sheriff's Office, which must include specific information about the records being sought and the requestor's contact information.
Marshall Municipal Court maintains records of ordinance violations and related arrests within city limits. These records can be requested directly from the court clerk.
Marshall Police Department
130 S. Pardee Street
Marshall, WI 53559
(608) 655-3533
Marshall Police Department Official Website
Dane County Sheriff's Office
115 W. Doty Street
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 284-6800
Dane County Sheriff's Office Official Website
Contents of a Marshall Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Marshall law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as required by Wisconsin Administrative Code § DOJ 1.04. These records generally include:
Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and residential address at time of arrest
Arrest details documenting the date, time, and specific location where the apprehension occurred
Criminal charges filed against the individual, including statutory citations and offense descriptions
Arresting agency information identifying the law enforcement department and individual officers involved in the arrest
Booking data including the unique booking number, processing time, and initial detention location
Photographic documentation commonly referred to as "mugshots," showing frontal and profile images of the arrested individual
Biometric identifiers such as fingerprints and, in some cases, DNA samples collected during the booking process
Custody status indicating whether the individual was released on bail, personal recognizance, or remained in detention
Case disposition information if available, showing the outcome of any charges resulting from the arrest
These records are maintained in accordance with Wisconsin's records retention schedules, which typically require preservation for a minimum of seven years, though records related to felony arrests may be retained permanently.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Marshall
Wisconsin law provides limited pathways for the expungement of arrest records in Marshall through Wis. Stat. § 973.015. Individuals seeking expungement must navigate specific statutory requirements and procedural steps:
Eligibility criteria restrict expungement primarily to misdemeanors and certain Class H and I felonies committed by individuals under the age of 25 at the time of the offense.
Judicial determination must be made at the time of sentencing that society will not be harmed by the expungement and that the person will benefit from the action.
Successful completion of the sentence is required, including any probationary period, before the expungement takes effect.
Petition process requires filing formal documentation with the court that handled the original case, including evidence of eligibility and rehabilitation.
Prosecutorial notification mandates that the district attorney's office that handled the original case must receive notice of the expungement petition.
Hearing procedures may be scheduled at the court's discretion to evaluate the merits of the expungement request.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains separate administrative processes for challenging the accuracy of criminal history record information under Wis. Admin. Code § JUS 10.04. Individuals who believe their arrest records contain errors may submit a written challenge to:
Wisconsin Department of Justice
Crime Information Bureau
P.O. Box 2688
Madison, WI 53701-2688
(608) 266-7314
Wisconsin Department of Justice Official Website
It should be noted that expungement in Wisconsin does not physically destroy records but rather seals them from public view. Certain government agencies may still access expunged records for specific purposes authorized by statute.
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