Iowa County, Wisconsin Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Iowa County, Wisconsin?
Arrest records are public documents in Iowa County, Wisconsin, pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This legislation establishes the fundamental principle that all persons are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of government officers and employees. The law specifically mandates that arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies, including the Iowa County Sheriff's Office, be accessible to the public unless specific statutory exemptions apply.
Members of the public may access these records for various purposes, including background checks, legal proceedings, or personal information gathering. The Wisconsin Department of Justice upholds this transparency by ensuring that local law enforcement agencies comply with public records requests in accordance with state statutes. However, certain information within arrest records may be redacted if disclosure would compromise ongoing investigations, violate privacy rights protected by federal law, or endanger public safety.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Iowa County?
Iowa County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by government entities. The Wisconsin Court System provides a comprehensive database where members of the public may search for court cases related to arrests in Iowa County. This system, known as Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA), contains information about criminal cases that have been filed following arrests.
The Iowa County Sheriff's Office also maintains digital records that may be accessed through the official Iowa County website. These records typically include recent booking information and may be updated regularly to reflect current detention status. It should be noted that while many records are available online, the completeness of information may vary, and certain details may only be accessible through formal records requests submitted directly to the Sheriff's Office.
Online access to arrest records is governed by Wisconsin Statute § 19.35, which establishes procedures for requesting records and the timeframe within which agencies must respond. Electronic records must be provided in the format requested if the agency maintains the record in that format and it is practicable to copy it.
How to Look Up Iowa County Arrest Records in 2025
Individuals seeking arrest records in Iowa County have multiple methods available to them. Each method offers different advantages in terms of comprehensiveness, convenience, and cost:
- In-person requests can be submitted at:
Iowa County Sheriff's Office
1205 N. Bequette Street
Dodgeville, WI 53533
(608) 935-3314
Iowa County Sheriff's Office Website
Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Online searches can be conducted through:
- The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal, which provides case information for arrests that have resulted in court proceedings
- The Iowa County Sheriff's Office inmate lookup system, which displays current detention information
- The Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau's background check system
Written requests may be submitted by mail to the Sheriff's Office address listed above. Requests should include:
- The full name of the individual whose records are being sought
- Date of birth or approximate age (if known)
- Timeframe for the search
- Purpose of the request
- Contact information for the requestor
Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(3), fees may be charged for locating and copying records. These fees are limited to the actual, necessary, and direct costs of location, reproduction, and mailing. As of 2025, the standard fee for record searches in Iowa County is $5.00 per name searched, with additional charges for copies of documents.
Contents of an Iowa County Arrest Record
Iowa County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Wisconsin Statute § 165.83, which mandates uniform crime reporting throughout the state. A typical arrest record includes:
Biographical information of the arrested individual:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
- Residential address
- Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory citations for alleged violations
- Narrative description of the circumstances leading to arrest
- Booking photographs ("mugshots")
- Fingerprint information
Case processing information:
- Booking number and facility
- Bail or bond amount set
- Court appearance dates
- Case disposition if available
Prior criminal history summary (if applicable)
These records are maintained in accordance with Wisconsin Administrative Code § JUS 9, which establishes standards for criminal history record information. The completeness and accuracy of these records are essential for the proper functioning of the criminal justice system and for ensuring public safety through appropriate information sharing.
Legal Uses of Iowa County Arrest Records
Arrest records from Iowa County serve multiple legitimate purposes within both governmental and private sectors. Wisconsin law recognizes several authorized uses for these records:
Criminal justice operations:
- Law enforcement agencies utilize arrest histories for investigations and threat assessments
- Prosecutors reference prior arrests when making charging decisions
- Courts consider arrest patterns during bail hearings and sentencing
Public safety functions:
- Licensing boards evaluate arrest records for professional certifications
- Schools and childcare facilities conduct background checks on potential employees
- Healthcare facilities screen staff who will work with vulnerable populations
Private sector applications:
- Employers may consider arrest records for positions involving security responsibilities, financial management, or vulnerable populations, subject to the limitations imposed by Wisconsin's Fair Employment Act (Wis. Stat. § 111.31-111.395)
- Landlords may review records when evaluating rental applications, though with restrictions on how this information can be used
- Insurance companies may assess risk factors based on criminal history
The Wisconsin State Law Library provides resources regarding the legal framework governing the use of arrest records. Users of arrest record information must comply with applicable state and federal laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act when records are used for employment purposes.
Limitations on Access to Iowa County Arrest Records
While arrest records are generally public in Iowa County, Wisconsin law establishes certain restrictions on access. These limitations serve to balance transparency with privacy concerns and the presumption of innocence:
Juvenile records (individuals under 17 years of age) are subject to confidentiality protections under Wisconsin Statute § 938.396, with limited exceptions for victims, schools, and law enforcement agencies.
Records related to domestic abuse cases may have restricted access under Wisconsin Statute § 968.075(3) to protect victim safety.
Arrests that did not result in charges or convictions may be subject to limited disclosure after a specified period, pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 165.84(1).
Information about victims, witnesses, or confidential informants may be redacted from arrest records to prevent potential harm or retaliation.
Ongoing investigation exemptions apply when disclosure would compromise active law enforcement operations, as provided in Wisconsin Statute § 19.36(2).
Federal privacy laws, including HIPAA, may restrict the release of medical information contained within arrest records.
The Iowa County Sheriff's Office and Clerk of Courts evaluate each records request individually to ensure compliance with these statutory limitations. Requestors seeking records that fall within these categories may receive partially redacted documents or may be denied access in accordance with applicable exemptions.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Iowa County
Expungement provides a legal mechanism for removing arrest records from public access in Iowa County. Wisconsin Statute § 973.015 governs the expungement process, which allows for the sealing of records under specific circumstances:
Eligibility criteria include:
- The offense must be a misdemeanor or a Class H or I felony
- The individual must have been under 25 years of age at the time of the offense
- The sentence cannot exceed 6 years (including imprisonment and extended supervision)
- The court must determine that the person will benefit from expungement and society will not be harmed
The expungement process requires:
- Filing a petition with the Iowa County Circuit Court
- Providing notice to the District Attorney's Office
- Attending a hearing before a judge who will make the final determination
- Paying applicable filing fees (approximately $120 as of 2025)
Iowa County Circuit Court
222 North Iowa Street
Dodgeville, WI 53533
(608) 935-0395
Iowa County Clerk of Courts
When expungement is granted, the record is sealed from public view but remains accessible to law enforcement agencies for criminal justice purposes. Expunged records do not appear in background checks conducted by most employers or housing providers, though certain government agencies and licensing boards may still have access to this information.
Search Arrest Records in Iowa County
