Dunn County, Wisconsin Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Dunn County, Wisconsin?
Arrest records are public in Dunn County, Wisconsin, pursuant to Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes that records produced or maintained by government agencies shall be accessible to the public, with certain exceptions as defined by law. The Dunn County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies maintain arrest records as part of their official duties, and these records are generally available for public inspection.
The Wisconsin Public Records Law operates under the presumption that government records should be accessible to promote transparency and accountability. According to Wis. Stat. § 19.31, the law shall be construed "with a presumption of complete public access, consistent with the conduct of governmental business." This presumption extends to arrest records, booking photos, and related documentation generated during the arrest process.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Dunn County should be aware that certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests or ongoing investigations as permitted under Wis. Stat. § 19.36. Additionally, juvenile records are subject to different confidentiality standards under Wisconsin law.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Dunn County?
Dunn County arrest records are available through various online platforms, both governmental and third-party. The Dunn County Sheriff's Office maintains a current inmate listing on their official website, providing real-time information about individuals currently in custody.
The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA), commonly known as CCAP, provides online access to court records, including those related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. This platform is maintained by the Wisconsin Court System pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 72 and allows users to search cases by name, case number, or citation number.
Online access to arrest records serves several public interests:
- Enhances governmental transparency
- Facilitates background checks for employment or housing
- Provides information to crime victims regarding case status
- Enables researchers and journalists to analyze criminal justice trends
Users should note that while online records provide convenience, they may not contain complete arrest information. Some records may be accessible only through in-person requests at the Dunn County Sheriff's Office or Clerk of Courts office.
How to Look Up Dunn County Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for accessing Dunn County arrest records in 2025. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following options:
Visit the Dunn County Sheriff's Office in person to submit a records request: Dunn County Sheriff's Office 615 Stokke Parkway Menomonie, WI 54751 Phone: (715) 232-1348 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Official Website
Contact the Dunn County Clerk of Courts for court records related to arrests: Dunn County Clerk of Courts 615 Stokke Parkway, Suite 500 Menomonie, WI 54751 Phone: (715) 232-2611 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Access the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website to search for court cases related to arrests
Review the current inmate roster on the Dunn County Sheriff's Office website
Submit a written public records request pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35 to the records custodian at the appropriate agency
Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full name and, if possible, date of birth. Fees may apply for copies of records in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), which permits agencies to charge the "actual, necessary and direct cost" of reproduction and mailing.
Contents of a Dunn County Arrest Record
Dunn County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about the arrested individual and the circumstances of their arrest. Standard elements included in these records are:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Specific charges filed, including Wisconsin statute citations
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Booking photograph (commonly known as a "mugshot")
- Fingerprint records collected during the booking process
- Case number assigned to the arrest
- Bail or bond information, if applicable
- Detention facility where the individual was held
- Preliminary court appearance information
Pursuant to Wisconsin law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information related to confidential informants or ongoing investigations. Additionally, if the arrest involved a juvenile, different confidentiality standards apply under Wis. Stat. § 938.396.
Law enforcement agencies in Dunn County maintain these records in accordance with state records retention schedules established by the Wisconsin Public Records Board.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Dunn County
Wisconsin law provides limited opportunities for the expungement of arrest records in Dunn County. Under Wis. Stat. § 973.015, expungement may be available for certain offenses committed by individuals who were under the age of 25 at the time of the offense. The court must determine at sentencing that the person will benefit and society will not be harmed by the disposition.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Dunn County include:
- The offense must be a misdemeanor or a Class H or I felony
- The maximum period of imprisonment must not exceed 6 years
- The offender must have been under 25 years of age when the crime was committed
- The court must order expungement at the time of sentencing
- The offender must successfully complete their sentence
The expungement process requires the filing of a petition with the court that handled the original case. If granted, expungement does not physically destroy records but rather seals them from public view. Law enforcement agencies and courts may still access expunged records for certain purposes.
Individuals with arrest records that did not result in charges or convictions may petition for expungement under different provisions. According to Wis. Stat. § 165.84(1), if a person is arrested and released without being charged, they may petition for the return of all arrest records except for the fingerprint record.
Persons seeking expungement should be aware that the process can be complex and may benefit from legal assistance. The Dunn County Clerk of Courts can provide the necessary forms and procedural information for filing an expungement petition.
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