Fond du Lac Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin?
Arrest records are public documents in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes that records created or maintained by government agencies, including law enforcement entities, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute, common law, or overriding public interest considerations. The Wisconsin Public Records Law operates under the presumption that government records should be available for inspection and copying to ensure transparency in governmental operations.
The City of Fond du Lac Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation. These records document law enforcement activities and are considered public information under Wisconsin law. Members of the public may request access to these records through established procedures outlined in the department's public records policy.
Certain information within arrest records may be redacted or withheld in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.36, which provides exemptions for confidential information, ongoing investigations, or information that may compromise public safety if disclosed. The determination regarding redaction is made on a case-by-case basis by the records custodian.
How to Look Up Fond du Lac Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Fond du Lac as of 2025. The City of Fond du Lac has implemented several access points to facilitate public record retrieval:
- In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Fond du Lac Police Department Records Division during regular business hours to submit requests for arrest records.
Fond du Lac Police Department
126 North Main Street
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
Phone: (920) 322-3700
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Online Portal Access: The department maintains a digital records portal through which citizens may submit requests electronically. This system allows for efficient processing of records requests without requiring physical presence at the department.
Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the Records Division at the address listed above. Requests must include the requestor's contact information, specific information sought, and applicable identification as required by department policy.
County Sheriff's Office: For arrests made by county law enforcement, records may be obtained from:
Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office
180 South Macy Street
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
Phone: (920) 929-3370
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1), agencies must respond to records requests "as soon as practicable and without delay." Processing times may vary based on the complexity of the request and current departmental workload. Fees for copies of records are established in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3) and are posted at the department and on the official website.
Contents of a Fond du Lac Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Fond du Lac Police Department typically contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. Standard components of these records include:
Biographical Information: Full legal name, aliases or known monikers, date of birth, physical description, and residential address of the arrested individual.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and specific location of the arrest; circumstances leading to the arrest; and the legal authority under which the arrest was executed.
Criminal Charges: Specific violations of Wisconsin state statutes or municipal ordinances for which the individual was arrested, including citation numbers and statutory references.
Arresting Officer Information: Name, badge number, and department of the arresting officer(s) and other law enforcement personnel involved in the arrest procedure.
Booking Documentation: Photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots"), fingerprint records, and other biometric data collected during the booking process.
Custody Status: Information regarding bail or bond determinations, release conditions, or continued detention.
Case Disposition: Current status of the case within the judicial system, including court dates, hearing outcomes, and final disposition if available.
The Records Division of the Fond du Lac Police Department maintains these records in accordance with departmental policy and state records retention schedules. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies in compliance with privacy protections established under Wisconsin law.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Fond du Lac
Wisconsin law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement in Fond du Lac follows the provisions outlined in Wis. Stat. § 973.015, which establishes eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.
Eligibility for expungement in Fond du Lac is generally limited to:
- Individuals who committed offenses while under the age of 25
- Offenses with maximum penalties of 6 years or less (Class H felonies and below)
- Cases where the court ordered expungement at the time of sentencing
- Successful completion of the sentence imposed by the court
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Fond du Lac County Circuit Court or the Lakeside Municipal Court for municipal violations. Petitioners must provide:
- Complete case information including case numbers and dates
- Documentation of sentence completion
- Verification of eligibility under statutory requirements
Fond du Lac County Circuit Court
160 South Macy Street
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
Phone: (920) 929-3040
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Lakeside Municipal Court
160 South Macy Street
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
Phone: (920) 322-3700
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
When expungement is granted, physical and digital records maintained by the Fond du Lac Police Department and other law enforcement agencies are sealed from public access. However, pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 165.84(1), certain records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for official purposes even after expungement.
It should be noted that expungement in Wisconsin does not completely destroy records but rather seals them from public view. Additionally, expungement of state records does not automatically extend to federal records or private databases that may have captured the information prior to expungement.
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