>Forest County Arrest Records Online

Forest County, Wisconsin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Forest County, Wisconsin?

Arrest records in Forest County, Wisconsin are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes that records produced or maintained by government entities shall be available for inspection and copying by any person. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests and criminal proceedings.

Forest County law enforcement agencies maintain arrest records that typically contain information about individuals who have been taken into custody, including demographic data, alleged offenses, and arrest circumstances. These records serve multiple public interests, including:

Promoting transparency in law enforcement operations
Enabling public oversight of government functions
Facilitating background checks for employment and housing
Supporting journalistic reporting on criminal justice matters

Requesters seeking arrest records may obtain them through the Forest County Sheriff's Department or the Forest County Clerk of Circuit Court, depending on the stage of the criminal proceeding. While most arrest information is public, certain details may be redacted pursuant to statutory exemptions protecting ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or victim information.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Forest County?

Forest County arrest records are accessible through several online platforms in accordance with Wisconsin's commitment to public information accessibility. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal, commonly known as CCAP, provides the primary online access point for court records related to arrests in Forest County. This system is maintained pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 72.

Online access to Forest County arrest information is available through the following official channels:

The Wisconsin Court System maintains comprehensive court records that include arrest-related case information
The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access program provides public terminal access at the Forest County Courthouse
Certain booking information may be available through the Forest County Sheriff's Department website

Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1), electronic records must be provided in the format requested if the agency maintains records in that format. However, not all arrest record details may be available online, as certain information may be accessible only through in-person requests at the appropriate government office.

How to Look Up Forest County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Forest County arrest records may utilize multiple methods to obtain this information. The Wisconsin Public Records Law establishes that any person has the right to inspect, copy, or receive copies of records maintained by government authorities, subject to statutory exceptions.

To obtain Forest County arrest records, requesters may employ the following methods:

Online Court Records Search: The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal provides case information related to arrests through the Wisconsin Court System case search. This resource includes criminal cases filed in Forest County Circuit Court.
Forest County Sheriff's Department: Forest County Sheriff's Department
200 E Madison Street
Crandon, WI 54520
Phone: (715) 478-3331
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Forest County Clerk of Circuit Court:
Forest County Clerk of Circuit Court
200 E Madison Street, Room 107
Crandon, WI 54520
Phone: (715) 478-3323
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wisconsin State Law Library: The Forest County Legal Resources provides access to court forms and records for criminal cases.

Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(4)(a), record custodians must respond to requests "as soon as practicable and without delay." Requesters should note that fees may apply for copies of records, as authorized under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3).

Contents of a Forest County Arrest Record

Forest County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Wisconsin Administrative Code § JUS 10.03, which establishes uniform reporting requirements for law enforcement agencies throughout the state. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement resulting in custodial arrest.

A comprehensive Forest County arrest record typically contains the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, aliases, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, identifying marks), address, and other demographic data
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency; name and badge number of arresting officer(s); statutory authority for arrest
Criminal Charges: Wisconsin statute violations alleged; severity classification (felony, misdemeanor, or civil violation); brief description of alleged criminal conduct
Booking Information: Booking photographs (mugshots); fingerprint records; personal property inventory
Custody Status: Detention facility information; bail or bond amounts; release conditions if applicable
Case Disposition: Court case number; preliminary hearing information; initial appearance details

Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 165.83, law enforcement agencies must collect and forward fingerprints, photographs, and other identifying data to the Wisconsin Department of Justice for inclusion in the state criminal history repository. This information becomes part of the permanent arrest record maintained by state authorities.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Forest County

Forest County residents may petition for expungement of arrest records under limited circumstances as provided by Wisconsin Statute § 973.015. Expungement in Wisconsin is primarily available for certain misdemeanor offenses committed by individuals under the age of 25 at the time of the offense.

The expungement process requires adherence to specific statutory requirements:

The court must determine at sentencing that expungement is appropriate
The defendant must successfully complete their sentence
The offense must not be a violent felony as defined by statute
The defendant must have been under 25 years of age when the crime was committed
The maximum period of imprisonment for the offense must not exceed 6 years

Individuals seeking expungement must file a petition with the Forest County Circuit Court where the case was adjudicated. The petition must include:

Case number and offense information
Date of conviction and sentence completion
Statement addressing statutory eligibility criteria
Supporting documentation demonstrating rehabilitation

The Forest County District Attorney's Office may contest expungement petitions. The court will schedule a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate that expungement serves the public interest. If granted, expungement removes the case from public access on CCAP, though records may remain accessible through other means, including law enforcement databases.

Forest County District Attorney's Office
200 E Madison Street
Crandon, WI 54520
Phone: (715) 478-3381
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM