Middleton Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Middleton, Wisconsin?
Arrest records are public documents in Middleton, Wisconsin, pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This legislation establishes that records produced or maintained by government entities shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The law operates under the presumption that the public has a right to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of government officers and employees.
Members of the public may access arrest records maintained by the Middleton Police Department and other law enforcement agencies within the jurisdiction. These records remain public unless:
- They pertain to ongoing investigations where disclosure would impede law enforcement proceedings
- They contain information about confidential informants
- They involve juvenile offenders (subject to restrictions under Wis. Stat. § 938.396)
- They have been sealed or expunged by court order
The Wisconsin Department of Justice further clarifies that custodians of public records must provide access "as soon as practicable and without delay" upon request, in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(4)(a).
How to Look Up Middleton Arrest Records in 2025
The City of Middleton provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Pursuant to Wisconsin's commitment to government transparency, the following methods are available for obtaining arrest record information:
Online Access via the Records Request Portal: The Middleton Police Department maintains an electronic records system where certain arrest information can be requested. Users must complete the online form specifying the information sought and the purpose of the request.
In-Person Requests at the Middleton Police Department: Citizens may visit the Records Unit during regular business hours to submit requests for arrest records.
Middleton Police Department
7341 Donna Drive
Middleton, WI 53562
(608) 824-7300
Official WebsiteDane County Circuit Court Records: Court records related to arrests may be accessed through the Dane County Circuit Court.
Dane County Courthouse
215 S Hamilton Street
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-4311
Official WebsiteWritten Requests by Mail: Citizens may submit written requests for arrest records by mail to the Middleton Police Department Records Unit at the address listed above. Requests must include:
- Full name of the subject
- Date of birth (if known)
- Approximate date of arrest
- Nature of the incident
- Requestor's contact information
- Purpose of the request
Fees for record retrieval are established in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3) and may include actual, necessary, and direct costs of location, reproduction, and mailing of records.
Contents of a Middleton Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Middleton Police Department and accessible through the Records Unit typically contain the following information as mandated by Wisconsin state law and departmental policies:
Biographical Information:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Race/ethnicity (as observed by arresting officer)
- Height, weight, and other identifying physical characteristics
- Residential address at time of arrest
Arrest Details:
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Statutory violations and/or municipal ordinances allegedly violated
- Case number assigned by the arresting agency
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Agency responsible for the arrest
Processing Information:
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Fingerprint records
- Property inventory taken at booking
- Detention facility information
Case Disposition:
- Initial appearance information
- Bail/bond amount (if applicable)
- Court case number (if formally charged)
- Preliminary hearing information
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 165.83, law enforcement agencies must collect and maintain identifying data on individuals who are arrested. However, certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Information pertaining to victims of crimes
- Medical information protected under HIPAA
- Information related to confidential informants
Expungement of Arrest Records in Middleton
The expungement of arrest records in Middleton follows Wisconsin state law regarding the removal of arrest information from public access. Under Wis. Stat. § 973.015, certain records may be eligible for expungement under specific circumstances.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Middleton include:
- Cases where charges were dismissed or the individual was acquitted
- Misdemeanor convictions for offenders who were under 25 years of age at the time of the offense
- Successful completion of sentence or probation requirements
- Court determination that expungement would benefit the person and not harm society
The expungement process requires:
- Filing a petition with the Middleton Municipal Court or Dane County Circuit Court, depending on the jurisdiction of the original case
- Providing documentation of case disposition
- Demonstrating compliance with all court-ordered conditions
- Attending a hearing where a judge will make a determination
Middleton Municipal Court
7426 Hubbard Avenue
Middleton, WI 53562
(608) 821-8350
Official Website
It is important to note that expungement in Wisconsin does not completely destroy records but rather seals them from public view. Law enforcement agencies and the courts may still access expunged records for certain purposes, including subsequent criminal proceedings.
Pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling in State v. Matasek, 2014 WI 27, expungement decisions must be made at the time of sentencing for eligible offenses, not after the completion of a sentence.
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