>Grant County Arrest Records Online

Grant County, Wisconsin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Grant County, Wisconsin?

Arrest records in Grant County, Wisconsin are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to Wisconsin's Open Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This legislation establishes that governmental records, including arrest documentation, shall be available for inspection by any person except as otherwise provided by law. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access these records as fundamental to maintaining transparency in governmental operations and accountability in law enforcement activities.

The Grant County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory obligation under Wis. Stat. § 59.27, which outlines the duties of county sheriffs. Members of the public seeking arrest information may obtain these records through established procedures that balance the public's right to information with privacy considerations outlined in state statutes.

Public access to arrest records serves several governmental and societal functions:

Enables community oversight of law enforcement activities
Facilitates background checks for employment and housing purposes
Supports journalistic reporting on criminal justice matters
Provides statistical data for policy development and research

Certain limitations may apply to juvenile records or cases under active investigation, as specified in Wis. Stat. § 938.396 regarding confidentiality of juvenile records.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Grant County?

Grant County arrest records are available through various online platforms maintained by governmental agencies. Pursuant to Wisconsin's commitment to public information accessibility, the Wisconsin Court System provides a comprehensive database that includes arrest information connected to court proceedings. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) platform, commonly known as CCAP, serves as the primary online resource for accessing these public records.

The Grant County Sheriff's Office maintains limited arrest information on their departmental website, including current inmate populations and recent booking information. This information is updated regularly in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 59.20(3), which requires county officers to maintain and preserve all property and records pertaining to their offices.

Online access to these records is subject to the following conditions:

Records may not be used for unlawful purposes as prohibited by Wis. Stat. § 995.50 regarding invasion of privacy
Commercial use of bulk data may be restricted under certain circumstances
Some sensitive information may be redacted in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.36
Records related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily unavailable

Users should note that the most comprehensive and current arrest information is available through the Grant County Clerk of Court, which maintains the official court records for all criminal proceedings in the county.

How to Look Up Grant County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Grant County arrest records in 2025 have multiple methods available to them, as established by Wisconsin Statutes § 19.35 regarding access to records. The following procedures have been established to facilitate public access:

In-Person Requests:

Visit the Grant County Sheriff's Office located at 8820 US-35, Lancaster, WI 53813
Operating hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Telephone: (608) 723-2157
Proper identification may be required for certain records
Standard fees apply pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3)(a) for copying and processing

Online Access:

The Wisconsin Court System case search provides access to court records associated with arrests
The Grant County online portal offers public information request submission capabilities
Electronic records requests may be submitted through the Sheriff's Office website
Digital copies may incur fees as authorized by Wis. Admin. Code § JUS 9.04

Written Requests:

Submit formal written requests to: Grant County Sheriff's Office Records Division 8820 US-35 Lancaster, WI 53813
Include specific information such as full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest
Enclose appropriate fee payment as established by county ordinance

Requestors should note that pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(4)(a), responses to record requests must be provided "as soon as practicable and without delay." Complex requests may require additional processing time.

Contents of a Grant County Arrest Record

Grant County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Wisconsin Administrative Code § JUS 10.03 regarding law enforcement records and reports. These official documents typically include the following components:

Biographical Information:

Full legal name of the arrested individual
Known aliases or alternative names
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Physical descriptors including height, weight, and identifying marks
Residential address as provided at booking

Arrest Details:

Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory citations for alleged violations
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking number and processing information
Custody status and bail determination

Case Processing Information:

Court case number if formally charged
Scheduled court appearances
Disposition of charges when available
Sentence information if convicted

Supplemental Documentation:

Booking photographs ("mugshots")
Fingerprint records maintained in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 165.84
Property inventory of items in possession at arrest
Medical screening information as required by jail standards

The Grant County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in both physical and digital formats in compliance with Wisconsin Public Records Law. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.36(10) regarding employee information and other statutory exemptions.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Grant County

Wisconsin law provides limited pathways for the expungement of arrest records in Grant County under specific circumstances defined in Wis. Stat. § 973.015. Expungement refers to the legal process by which arrest and conviction records are removed from public access or sealed from view. The following provisions govern expungement eligibility in Grant County:

Statutory Eligibility Requirements:

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 offense
The maximum period of imprisonment must not exceed 6 years
The court must determine that expungement would benefit the offender and not harm society
The offender must have successfully completed their sentence

Individuals seeking expungement must petition the Grant County Circuit Court, which maintains jurisdiction over criminal matters in the county. The petition process requires:

Filing appropriate documentation with the Clerk of Circuit Court
Payment of filing fees as established by county ordinance
Notification to the District Attorney's Office
Scheduling of a hearing before the presiding judge

The Grant County Circuit Court is located at:

Grant County Courthouse
130 W. Maple Street
Lancaster, WI 53813
(608) 723-2752
Grant County Clerk of Court

Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 973.015(2), if expungement is granted, the clerk of court shall seal the case and remove it from the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access website. However, law enforcement agencies may retain access to expunged records for legitimate law enforcement purposes as authorized by statute.