>Iron County Arrest Records Online

Iron County, Wisconsin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Iron County, Wisconsin?

Arrest records are public documents in Iron County, Wisconsin, pursuant to 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 unless specifically exempted by statute. The Wisconsin Public Records Law operates under the principle that providing citizens with information about governmental affairs is essential to a representative government. The law grants all persons the right to inspect, copy, or receive copies of any public record maintained by an authority, including those pertaining to arrests in Iron County.

Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that certain information may be redacted in accordance with Wisconsin Statute § 19.36, which protects specific categories of sensitive information. The Iron County Sheriff's Department maintains these records in compliance with state regulations and makes them available through established procedures. Requestors may be required to submit identification when requesting records in person and may be assessed reasonable fees for copying or processing as permitted under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3).

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Iron County?

Iron County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms in accordance with Wisconsin's commitment to public information accessibility. The Wisconsin Court System provides a comprehensive online case search function where members of the public may access court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings. This system, known as Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA), contains information on cases filed in Wisconsin circuit courts, including those in Iron County.

The Iron County Sheriff's Department maintains limited online resources for recent arrest information, though comprehensive historical records may require additional request procedures. Digital access to these records is governed by the same statutory provisions that apply to physical records, with certain information potentially redacted to protect privacy interests as specified in Wisconsin Statute § 19.36. Users of online systems should note that the information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for making legal determinations without verification from official sources.

Iron County Sheriff's Department
300 Taconite Street
Hurley, Wisconsin 54534
Phone: 715-561-3800
Official Website

How to Look Up Iron County Arrest Records in 2025

Individuals seeking Iron County arrest records in 2025 have multiple methods available to them, each governed by Wisconsin Public Records Law. The following procedures have been established for public access:

Online Access: The Wisconsin Court System's Circuit Court Access program provides searchable case information, including arrest-related court proceedings. This resource is available 24 hours per day.
Sheriff's Department: Direct requests may be submitted to the Iron County Sheriff's Department during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM). Requestors must complete a public records request form and may be required to present identification.
Clerk of Courts Office: Court records related to arrests can be obtained from the Iron County Clerk of Courts. This office maintains official court documents including criminal complaints and disposition information.
District Attorney's Office: The Iron County District Attorney's Office maintains prosecution records that may contain arrest information for cases that proceeded to charging.

Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(1), agencies must respond to record requests "as soon as practicable and without delay." Fees for copies may be assessed in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), not exceeding the actual, necessary, and direct cost of reproduction.

Iron County Clerk of Courts
300 Taconite Street, Suite 219
Hurley, Wisconsin 54534
Phone: 715-561-2945
Official Website

Iron County District Attorney's Office
300 Taconite Street, Suite 301
Hurley, Wisconsin 54534
Phone: 715-561-5671
Official Website

Contents of an Iron County Arrest Record

Iron County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Wisconsin law enforcement protocols and statutory requirements. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged offenses
Arresting agency and officer identification
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
Biometric data including fingerprints and physical descriptors
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and address
Case disposition information if available
Bail or bond information
Warrant details if applicable to the arrest

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary based on the nature of the offense and the stage of the criminal justice process. Records maintained by the Iron County Sheriff's Department adhere to Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter JUS 9, which establishes standards for law enforcement records. Access to certain elements of arrest records may be restricted based on statutory exemptions outlined in Wis. Stat. § 19.36, particularly when records contain information related to ongoing investigations or juvenile matters.

Wisconsin Laws Governing Arrest Records

Wisconsin's framework for arrest record management and access is established through several key statutes and administrative provisions. The primary legal authority governing these records includes:

Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39): Establishes the presumption that public records, including arrest records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted.
Criminal Identification, Records and Statistics (Wis. Stat. § 165.83): Requires law enforcement agencies to collect and maintain identification data for persons arrested for specific offenses.
Wisconsin Administrative Code JUS 9: Provides detailed requirements for the collection, maintenance, and dissemination of law enforcement records.
Criminal History Record Information (Wis. Stat. § 165.84): Mandates fingerprinting and photographing of individuals arrested for felonies and certain misdemeanors.
Juvenile Records (Wis. Stat. § 938.396): Establishes special protections for records pertaining to juvenile arrests, generally restricting public access.

Iron County law enforcement agencies and courts must comply with these statutory provisions when creating, maintaining, and providing access to arrest records. The Wisconsin Department of Justice oversees compliance with these regulations and provides guidance to local agencies regarding proper record management practices. Violations of these provisions may result in legal remedies as provided in Wis. Stat. § 19.37, including mandamus actions and potential damages.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Iron County

The expungement process in Iron County provides eligible individuals with a legal mechanism to seal certain arrest records from public view. Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 973.015, expungement may be available under specific circumstances:

Individuals who were under 25 years of age at the time of the offense
The offense carried a maximum period of imprisonment of 6 years or less
The court determined at sentencing that expungement would benefit the person and society would not be harmed
The person has successfully completed their sentence

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Iron County Circuit Court where the case was originally heard. Petitioners must complete form CR-266, "Petition for Expungement," available through the Wisconsin Court System forms database. Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate eligibility under the statutory criteria.

It is important to note that expungement in Wisconsin does not destroy records but rather seals them from public view. Law enforcement agencies and the courts retain access to expunged records. Additionally, certain offenses, including most violent felonies, are statutorily ineligible for expungement regardless of the petitioner's age at the time of offense.

Limitations on Arrest Record Access

While Iron County arrest records are generally accessible to the public, Wisconsin law establishes several important limitations on this access. These restrictions serve to balance transparency with privacy and public safety concerns:

Ongoing Investigations: Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.36(4), records related to active law enforcement investigations may be withheld if disclosure would compromise the investigation.
Juvenile Records: Under Wis. Stat. § 938.396, records pertaining to juvenile arrests are subject to heightened confidentiality protections and are generally not available to the public.
Expunged Records: Records that have been expunged by court order under Wis. Stat. § 973.015 are sealed from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies.
Victim Information: Details that would identify victims of certain offenses, particularly those of a sensitive nature, may be redacted prior to public disclosure.
Confidential Informants: Information that could reveal the identity of confidential informants is protected from disclosure under Wis. Stat. § 19.36(8).
Personal Identifiers: Certain personal identifying information, such as social security numbers, may be redacted from records prior to public release.

The Iron County Sheriff's Department and Clerk of Courts are responsible for applying these statutory exemptions when responding to public records requests. Decisions to withhold information must be based on specific statutory authority, and the requester must be informed of the legal basis for any denial or redaction of records.