Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin?
Arrest records are public documents in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This legislation establishes that records produced or maintained by government agencies shall be accessible to the public, barring specific statutory exemptions. The law operates under the presumption that providing citizens with the greatest possible information regarding governmental affairs serves the public interest and democratic process.
The Wisconsin Public Records Law specifically states in § 19.31 that "all persons are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of those officers and employees who represent them." This principle extends to arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies within Fond du Lac County, including the Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments.
Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that certain information may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections established under Wis. Stat. § 19.36, particularly information related to ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or data that might compromise public safety if disclosed.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Fond du Lac County?
Fond du Lac County provides digital access to certain arrest records through official government portals. The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate roster that is updated regularly, allowing public access to information regarding currently detained individuals. This digital resource represents the county's commitment to transparency while balancing privacy considerations as mandated by Wisconsin state law.
Online accessibility of arrest records is governed by Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1), which states that "any requester has a right to inspect any record." The statute further clarifies that agencies may provide records in electronic format when feasible. The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office has implemented this provision by maintaining digital records that can be accessed remotely.
Users of online arrest record systems should note that:
- Information is typically updated on a daily basis but may not reflect real-time data
- Some sensitive information may be withheld in accordance with statutory exemptions
- Complete criminal history information may require additional formal requests
- Records available online may be limited to recent arrests or current inmate populations
Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office
180 S. Macy Street
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
(920) 929-3370
Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office
How to Look Up Fond du Lac County Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in Fond du Lac County as of 2025. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(a), which states that "any requester has a right to inspect any record," the following methods are available to members of the public:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office Records Division during standard business hours. Requesters must complete a public records request form and may be required to present identification. Fees for copies are assessed in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3).
The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website provides case information for arrests that have resulted in formal charges. This resource is maintained pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72.
The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate roster that displays current detention information, including booking data and charges.
Written requests may be submitted via mail to the Records Division of the appropriate law enforcement agency. Requests must reasonably describe the records sought as required by Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(h).
The City of Fond du Lac Police Department maintains separate arrest records for incidents within municipal jurisdiction.
Fond du Lac County Courthouse
160 S. Macy Street
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
(920) 929-3000
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
City of Fond du Lac Police Department
126 N. Main Street
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
(920) 906-5555
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Contents of a Fond du Lac County Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Fond du Lac County law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as prescribed by Wisconsin Administrative Code § DOJ 1.04, which establishes requirements for criminal history record information. Standard arrest records include:
- Subject's full legal name and any documented aliases
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Statutory citations for alleged violations
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Booking photographs (mugshots)
- Fingerprint data collected pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 165.84
- Custody status information
- Case disposition if available
- Incident report numbers and related documentation references
The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense, the arresting agency's protocols, and the stage of the criminal justice process. Records related to ongoing investigations may contain redactions in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.36(2), which exempts information that would impede an active investigation if disclosed.
Wisconsin law enforcement agencies, including those in Fond du Lac County, are required to maintain arrest records in accordance with retention schedules established by the Public Records Board under Wis. Stat. § 16.61. These schedules typically require arrest records to be maintained for a minimum of 7 years, with records involving serious felonies retained for substantially longer periods.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Fond du Lac County
Wisconsin law provides limited pathways for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in Wis. Stat. § 973.015. Expungement in Fond du Lac County is a judicial process that, when granted, requires the sealing of court records related to an arrest or conviction. The following criteria and procedures apply:
Eligibility requirements include:
- The offense must be a misdemeanor or a Class H or I felony
- The offender must have been under the age of 25 at the time of the commission of the offense
- The maximum period of imprisonment for the offense must not exceed 6 years
- The court must determine that the person will benefit and society will not be harmed by the expungement
The expungement process requires:
- Filing a petition with the Fond du Lac County Circuit Court where the case was adjudicated
- Demonstrating compliance with all conditions of the sentence imposed
- Providing notice to the District Attorney's Office
- Attending a hearing before a circuit court judge who will determine if expungement is appropriate
It is important to note that under Wisconsin law, expungement applies primarily to court records rather than law enforcement records. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 165.84(1), fingerprints and other identification data collected by law enforcement agencies may be maintained separately from expunged court records.
Fond du Lac County District Attorney's Office
160 S. Macy Street, Room 404
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
(920) 929-3048
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Search Arrest Records in Fond du Lac County
