Kenosha County, Wisconsin Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Kenosha County, Wisconsin?
Arrest records are public documents in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This legislation establishes the presumption that all government records, including arrest records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Wisconsin Public Records Law operates under the principle that governmental transparency serves the public interest by allowing citizens to monitor the actions of law enforcement agencies and the judicial system.
Members of the public may access arrest records maintained by the Kenosha County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies within the county. However, certain information may be redacted or withheld in accordance with statutory exemptions designed to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or information that would compromise public safety if disclosed. Additionally, records may be sealed by court order under specific circumstances as provided by Wisconsin law.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Kenosha County?
Kenosha County arrest records are available through various online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Kenosha County Sheriff's Office provides digital access to certain arrest information through their official website. Additionally, the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system, commonly known as CCAP, offers a comprehensive database of court cases, including those stemming from arrests in Kenosha County.
The online availability of these records is governed by Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(1), which states that "any requester has a right to inspect any record." The digital accessibility of these records represents the county's commitment to fulfilling this statutory obligation while adapting to modern technological capabilities. However, users should be aware that online records may not always contain complete information, and certain sensitive details may be omitted in accordance with privacy laws and court orders.
How to Look Up Kenosha County Arrest Records in 2025
Individuals seeking Kenosha County arrest records have multiple methods available to them:
- In-Person Requests: The Kenosha County Sheriff's Office accepts in-person requests for arrest records during regular business hours. Requesters must complete a public records request form and may be required to present identification.
Kenosha County Sheriff's Office
1000 55th Street
Kenosha, WI 53140
(262) 605-5100
Official Website
Online Access: The Kenosha County Inmate Search portal provides information about current inmates and recent arrests. For court case information related to arrests, the Court Case Tracker system offers real-time updates on case proceedings.
Written Requests: Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(h), individuals may submit written requests for arrest records by mail. These requests should include specific information about the record being sought, such as the name of the arrested individual and the approximate date of arrest.
Clerk of Courts Office: Court records related to arrests can be obtained through the Kenosha County Clerk of Courts Office.
Kenosha County Clerk of Courts
912 56th Street
Kenosha, WI 53140
(262) 653-2664
Official Website
Fees for record retrieval are established in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), which permits agencies to charge "the actual, necessary and direct cost" of locating and reproducing records. Payment methods include cash, credit card, or money order, depending on the method of request.
Contents of a Kenosha County Arrest Record
Kenosha County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. Standard elements included in these records are:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors (height, weight, eye and hair color)
- Residential address at the time of arrest
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Specific criminal charges filed, with reference to applicable Wisconsin statutes
- Booking photographs ("mugshots")
- Fingerprint records
- Arresting agency and officer information
- Case or incident number
- Bail or bond information
- Court appearance dates
- Disposition of the case, if available
The content of arrest records is standardized in accordance with Wisconsin Department of Justice guidelines to ensure consistency across jurisdictions. However, pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.36, certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests or ongoing investigations.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Kenosha County
Wisconsin law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement in Kenosha County is governed by Wis. Stat. § 973.015, which allows for the removal of records from public access when statutory criteria are met.
Eligibility requirements for expungement in Kenosha County include:
- The offense must be a misdemeanor or a Class H or I felony
- The individual must have been under the age of 25 at the time of the offense
- The maximum period of imprisonment for the offense must not exceed 6 years
- The court must have determined at the time of sentencing that expungement would benefit the person and not harm society
- The individual must have successfully completed their sentence
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Kenosha County Circuit Court where the case was originally heard. Petitioners must provide documentation demonstrating their eligibility and compliance with all court-ordered conditions. Upon approval, expunged records are sealed from public view but remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for official purposes.
It is important to note that expungement in Wisconsin does not physically destroy records but rather limits their accessibility. Additionally, federal charges and certain serious offenses are not eligible for expungement under state law.
Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access
Access to Kenosha County arrest records is subject to certain statutory limitations designed to balance public transparency with individual privacy rights and law enforcement needs. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.36, specific categories of information may be withheld or redacted from public arrest records, including:
- Information related to ongoing investigations where disclosure would impede law enforcement efforts
- Juvenile records, which are generally confidential under Wis. Stat. § 938.396
- Information that would endanger the safety of witnesses or victims
- Medical and mental health information protected under federal HIPAA regulations
- Social Security numbers and other personal identifiers that could facilitate identity theft
- Information specifically sealed by court order
Law enforcement agencies in Kenosha County maintain discretion to withhold certain investigative records when disclosure would compromise public safety or impede the administration of justice. These determinations are made on a case-by-case basis in accordance with statutory guidelines and relevant case law.
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