>Jefferson County Arrest Records Online

Jefferson County, Wisconsin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Jefferson County, Wisconsin?

Arrest records are public in Jefferson 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, with limited exceptions. The fundamental purpose of this law is to ensure transparency in governmental operations and to maintain accountability to the citizenry.

Members of the public may access various types of records, including those pertaining to arrests, bookings, and criminal proceedings. The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory obligations. Wisconsin's commitment to open government is reflected in the state constitution's declaration that "the right of every person to publish, speak, write or distribute opinions on any subject is guaranteed."

Access to arrest records may be subject to certain restrictions when:

The record contains information related to ongoing investigations
Release would compromise public safety
The record contains confidential juvenile information
Disclosure would violate federal privacy laws

The Wisconsin Court System provides a centralized database for accessing public court records, including those related to arrests in Jefferson County.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Jefferson County?

Jefferson County arrest records can be accessed online through several official digital platforms. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Program (CCAP) serves as the primary online resource for obtaining arrest and court records in Jefferson County. This system, maintained by the Wisconsin Court System, provides public access to the records of Wisconsin circuit courts, including those in Jefferson County.

The Jefferson County Circuit Court Clerk's Office oversees the maintenance and accessibility of these records. Online access is available 24 hours per day, allowing individuals to search for records without the need to visit physical locations during business hours.

Users should be aware that:

Not all arrest records may be available online
Some information may be redacted in accordance with privacy laws
Records of expunged arrests will not appear in online searches
Historical records may have limited availability in digital format

Online access to arrest records is provided in accordance with Wisconsin Statute § 59.40(2), which outlines the duties of the clerk of circuit court regarding record maintenance and accessibility.

How to Look Up Jefferson County Arrest Records in 2025

Individuals seeking Jefferson County arrest records in 2025 have multiple methods available to them, as outlined below:

Online Resources:

Access the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Portal (CCAP), which provides comprehensive court records including arrest information
Visit the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office website for current inmate and recent arrest information
Utilize the Wisconsin Court System's case search function for arrest-related court proceedings

In-Person Requests:

Visit the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
411 S. Center Avenue
Jefferson, WI 53549
Phone: (920) 674-7310
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Contact the Jefferson County Clerk of Circuit Court
311 S. Center Avenue, Room 115
Jefferson, WI 53549
Phone: (920) 674-7152
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Written Requests:

Submit a formal written request to either the Sheriff's Office or Clerk of Courts
Include the full name of the subject, date of birth (if known), approximate date of arrest, and case number (if available)
Provide a self-addressed stamped envelope for return correspondence
Include applicable fees for record reproduction (typically $0.25 per page)

Requests for arrest records must comply with Wisconsin Statute § 19.35, which outlines the procedures for making public records requests. Agencies must respond to requests "as soon as practicable and without delay."

Contents of a Jefferson County Arrest Record

Jefferson County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Wisconsin Statute § 165.83, which establishes requirements for criminal identification, records, and statistics. A typical arrest record includes:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Statutory charges and offense descriptions
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Arresting agency information
Booking details including fingerprints and mugshot photographs
Custody status and bail/bond information
Case disposition if available
Court docket number for associated legal proceedings

The Jefferson County Jail Division maintains booking records that include photographs, fingerprints, and personal property inventories of arrested individuals. These records are maintained in accordance with Wisconsin Administrative Code DOC 350, which establishes standards for jail operations.

Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, including:

Social Security numbers
Driver's license numbers
Financial account information
Medical information protected under HIPAA
Information related to confidential informants

Legal Framework for Arrest Record Access in Wisconsin

Wisconsin's public records law establishes a presumption of accessibility for government records, including arrest records. This framework is governed by several key statutes and legal precedents:

Wisconsin Statute § 19.31 declares that the public records law "shall be construed in every instance with a presumption of complete public access, consistent with the conduct of governmental business." This presumption applies to arrest records maintained by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access arrest records, most notably in Newspapers, Inc. v. Breier (1979), which established that arrest records are presumptively open to public inspection. However, this access is not absolute and may be limited by:

Wisconsin Statute § 19.36(8), which allows withholding of information that would endanger public safety
Wisconsin Statute § 938.396, which restricts access to juvenile arrest records
Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(1)(am), which permits subjects of records to access their own information
Federal regulations including HIPAA and FERPA that protect certain categories of information

The Jefferson County Register of Deeds maintains certain public records, though arrest records are primarily held by law enforcement and court agencies.

Requesters denied access to arrest records may petition the Attorney General for review or may seek judicial review in circuit court under Wisconsin Statute § 19.37.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Jefferson County

Expungement provides a legal mechanism for sealing or destroying arrest records under specific circumstances. In Jefferson County, this process is governed by Wisconsin Statute § 973.015, which outlines eligibility criteria and procedures.

Individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records when:

The arrest did not lead to a conviction
The conviction was for a misdemeanor committed before the age of 25
The sentence has been successfully completed
The court ordered expungement at the time of sentencing
The offense was not a violent felony as defined by statute

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Jefferson County Circuit Court, which has jurisdiction over criminal matters in the county. The Wisconsin State Law Library provides resources and forms for individuals seeking expungement.

When an expungement is granted, the record is sealed from public view but may still be accessible to:

Law enforcement agencies for investigative purposes
Courts for sentencing in subsequent cases
Certain licensing boards and governmental agencies

Expunged records will not appear in standard background checks conducted by employers or housing providers. However, expungement in Wisconsin does not completely destroy the record but rather limits its accessibility to the general public.

The Jefferson County Clerk of Circuit Court processes expungement orders and ensures that records are properly sealed in accordance with court directives.

Limitations on Using Arrest Records in Jefferson County

Wisconsin law imposes significant restrictions on how arrest records may be used, particularly in employment and housing contexts. These limitations are designed to protect individuals from discrimination based solely on arrest history.

Wisconsin Statute § 111.335 prohibits employment discrimination based on arrest records unless the charges are pending or the circumstances of the offense substantially relate to the particular job. Employers in Jefferson County must exercise caution when:

Conducting background checks on job applicants
Making adverse employment decisions based on arrest information
Requesting information about expunged or sealed records

Similarly, housing providers face restrictions under Wisconsin's Open Housing Law (Wis. Stat. § 106.50) regarding the use of arrest records in rental decisions. The Jefferson County applications portal provides information about county services but does not include arrest record searches for background check purposes.

Additional limitations include:

Prohibition on publishing mugshots for commercial purposes
Restrictions on using arrest records for credit decisions
Requirements to update records when charges are dismissed
Mandatory procedures for correcting inaccurate record information

Individuals who believe their arrest records have been improperly used may file complaints with the Wisconsin Equal Rights Division or seek remedies through civil litigation.