Eau Claire County, Wisconsin Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin?
Arrest records are public documents in Eau Claire 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 essential to governmental transparency and accountability.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Eau Claire County may obtain them through various governmental agencies. The Wisconsin Public Records Law stipulates that custodians of records must respond to requests "as soon as practicable and without delay." Requestors are not required to identify themselves or state the purpose of their request, though specific identifying information about the subject of the records may be necessary to facilitate retrieval.
The Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office maintains the primary repository of arrest records for the county and processes requests in accordance with state law. While certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect privacy interests or ongoing investigations, the fundamental record of an arrest is considered public information.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Eau Claire County?
Eau Claire County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by governmental entities. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system, commonly known as CCAP, provides public access to court records including information related to arrests that have resulted in charges filed with the court. This system is maintained pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72.
The Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate lookup system that provides information about currently incarcerated individuals and recent arrests. This database is updated regularly but may not contain comprehensive historical arrest data. Users should note that online records are subject to the same statutory exemptions and redactions as physical records.
Third-party aggregators also compile and publish arrest information online, though these sources may not be officially sanctioned by Eau Claire County authorities. The accuracy, completeness, and currency of information provided by such services cannot be guaranteed by county officials. Members of the public are advised to verify information obtained from third-party sources with official county records.
Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(1)(am) provides special rights of access to personally identifiable information about the requestor, which may include arrest records. However, these provisions do not supersede statutory exemptions designed to protect ongoing investigations or other sensitive information.
How to Look Up Eau Claire County Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for accessing Eau Claire County arrest records:
Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office: The primary custodian of arrest records maintains a public records unit that processes requests in person, by mail, or electronically.
Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office
721 Oxford Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54703
(715) 839-4709
Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PMWisconsin Circuit Court Access: The Wisconsin court system's online database provides information about cases that have been filed with the court, including criminal cases resulting from arrests.
Eau Claire County Clerk of Circuit Court: Maintains official court records related to arrests that have resulted in criminal charges.
Eau Claire County Clerk of Circuit Court
721 Oxford Avenue, Room 2220
Eau Claire, WI 54703
(715) 839-4816
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PMEau Claire Police Department: Maintains records of arrests conducted by city police officers.
Eau Claire Police Department
721 Oxford Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54703
(715) 839-4972
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Requestors should provide as much identifying information as possible about the subject of the records, including full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), fees may be charged for locating and copying records, though viewing records in person may be done without charge.
Contents of a Eau Claire County Arrest Record
Eau Claire County arrest records typically contain the following categories of information, as prescribed by Wisconsin Administrative Code DOC § 328.27:
Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and identifying marks such as tattoos or scars.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency; name and badge number of arresting officer(s); legal authority for the arrest; and whether force was used during apprehension.
Criminal Charges: Specific statutory violations alleged; classification of offenses as misdemeanors or felonies; and case numbers assigned by law enforcement and court systems.
Booking Information: Booking photograph (mugshot); fingerprints; personal property inventory; medical screening results; and temporary detention location.
Bail/Bond Information: Amount set; conditions of release; and whether the individual was released or remained in custody pending court proceedings.
Procedural History: Court appearances; plea information; case disposition; and sentencing details if applicable.
Certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.36, including but not limited to: Social Security numbers; information related to ongoing investigations; juvenile records subject to confidentiality under Wis. Stat. § 938.396; and information that would endanger an individual if disclosed.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Eau Claire County
Wisconsin law provides limited pathways for the expungement of arrest records in Eau Claire County. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 973.015, expungement may be available under the following circumstances:
- The offense was committed when the individual was under the age of 25
- The maximum period of imprisonment for the offense is 6 years or less (Class H felony or less severe offense)
- The court ordered expungement at the time of sentencing
- The individual has successfully completed their sentence
Expungement in Wisconsin does not completely destroy records but rather seals them from public view. Law enforcement agencies and courts retain access to expunged records for administrative purposes. The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court that handled the original case, accompanied by the appropriate filing fee.
Individuals seeking expungement should be aware that Wisconsin's expungement law is more restrictive than those of many other states. The law does not provide for expungement of arrest records where no charges were filed or where charges were dismissed. However, under Wis. Stat. § 165.84(1), individuals may petition for the return of fingerprints, photographs, and other identifying data if they were arrested but not charged or if charges were dismissed.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains a process for challenging the accuracy of criminal history record information pursuant to Wis. Admin. Code § JUS 9.04, which may provide an alternative remedy for individuals with inaccurate arrest records.
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