>Door County Arrest Records Online

Door County, Wisconsin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Door County, Wisconsin?

Arrest records are public documents in Door County, Wisconsin, pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes that records produced or maintained by government agencies, including law enforcement entities, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute or court order. The Wisconsin Public Records Law operates under the presumption that government records should be available for inspection to ensure transparency and accountability within the judicial system.

Members of the public may access arrest records maintained by the Door County Sheriff's Office and the Door County Clerk of Circuit Court. However, certain information may be redacted or withheld in accordance with statutory exemptions designed to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or personal privacy in specific circumstances as outlined in Wis. Stat. § 19.36.

The Door County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its official duties and makes these records available in accordance with state law. Records may be requested in person, by mail, or through designated online platforms, subject to applicable fees and processing times.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Door County?

Door County arrest records are accessible online through several official channels. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system, commonly known as CCAP, provides public access to court records including information related to criminal cases that originate from arrests. This system is maintained by the Wisconsin Court System and offers a searchable database of court records from all 72 Wisconsin counties, including Door County.

The Door County Sheriff's Office provides limited online access to certain records through their official website. Additionally, the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Justice allows for criminal background checks that may include arrest information.

It should be noted that online records may not be comprehensive or immediately updated. Recent arrests may not appear in online databases until processing is complete, and certain records may be available only through direct request to the maintaining agency. The completeness of online records depends on the technological infrastructure and policies of the maintaining agencies.

How to Look Up Door County Arrest Records in 2025

Individuals seeking arrest records in Door County have multiple methods available for conducting searches. The following options are available for accessing arrest records:

Online Access: The Door County Sheriff's Office Records Division maintains an online portal where certain records can be accessed. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system also provides case information related to arrests that have resulted in court proceedings.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the Door County Sheriff's Office Records Division during regular business hours to request arrest records.

Door County Sheriff's Office
1201 S. Duluth Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Phone: (920) 746-2415
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

Mail Requests: Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the Door County Sheriff's Office Records Division. Requests must include the full name of the subject, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, and the requestor's contact information. A fee schedule for copies is available on the Sheriff's Office website.
Wisconsin Department of Justice: The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) which provides criminal history information that may include arrest data.

Wisconsin Department of Justice
17 W. Main Street
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 266-1221
Official Website

Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), fees may be charged for searching, copying, and certifying records. The fee schedule is established by the maintaining agency and must reflect the actual, necessary, and direct costs of providing the records.

Contents of a Door County Arrest Record

Door County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. These records are maintained in accordance with Wisconsin state law and include the following standard elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race)
Physical description including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
Residential address at the time of arrest
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Criminal charges filed, including statute numbers and offense descriptions
Booking photographs (mugshots)
Fingerprint records
Case number and booking identification
Custody status information
Bail or bond amount, if applicable
Court appearance dates

The Door County Jail maintains booking records as part of the arrest documentation process. These records are created when an individual is processed into the county detention facility and become part of the official arrest record.

It should be noted that pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.36(8), certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including but not limited to Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information related to confidential informants or ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Door County

Expungement of arrest records in Door County follows the provisions outlined in Wisconsin Statute § 973.015, which provides a legal mechanism for the removal of certain records from public access. Expungement is available under limited circumstances and is not automatically granted.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Door County include:

The offense must be a misdemeanor or a non-violent Class H or I felony
The individual 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 have determined at the time of sentencing that expungement would benefit the person and society would not be harmed

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Door County Circuit Court. Petitioners must complete the appropriate forms and submit them to:

Door County Clerk of Circuit Court
1209 S. Duluth Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Phone: (920) 746-2205
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing to determine whether expungement is appropriate. If granted, the court will issue an order directing that all records related to the arrest and conviction be expunged from public access. However, it is important to note that expunged records may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies and may be considered for sentencing purposes in subsequent criminal proceedings.

Pursuant to Wisconsin law, expungement does not physically destroy records but rather seals them from public view. Certain government agencies may still access expunged records under specific circumstances authorized by statute.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access in Door County

Access to arrest records in Door County is subject to certain legal restrictions established by Wisconsin state law. These restrictions are designed to balance the public's right to information with individual privacy rights and the integrity of the criminal justice system.

The following categories of arrest records are subject to restricted access:

Juvenile records (individuals under 17 years of age) are confidential pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 938.396, except under specific circumstances
Records related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under Wis. Stat. § 19.36(4)
Records that have been ordered sealed or expunged by a court
Information that would identify confidential informants (Wis. Stat. § 19.36(8))
Records where disclosure would endanger public safety or compromise law enforcement techniques

The Door County Sheriff's Office and the Door County Clerk of Circuit Court are responsible for ensuring that records are released in accordance with these legal restrictions. Requests for records that fall under these categories may be denied or provided with appropriate redactions.

Individuals who believe their records are subject to restricted access may contact the maintaining agency directly to determine the status of their records and the applicable legal provisions.