Kenosha Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Kenosha, Wisconsin?
Arrest records in Kenosha, Wisconsin are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to Wisconsin's Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes that records produced or maintained by government agencies, including law enforcement entities, shall be available for public inspection and copying. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld that arrest records fall within the scope of public records, ensuring transparency in governmental operations and accountability in law enforcement activities.
Members of the public may access these records regardless of their purpose or relationship to the arrested individual. However, certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.36, which provides exemptions for confidential information such as ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or information that would compromise public safety if disclosed.
The Kenosha County Sheriff's Department and Kenosha Police Department maintain these records in compliance with state regulations. Records are typically retained for a minimum of seven years as required by Wisconsin Administrative Code § Adm 12.05, though many records are maintained for substantially longer periods.
How to Look Up Kenosha Arrest Records in 2025
Wisconsin residents and other interested parties have multiple methods to access arrest records in Kenosha County as of 2025. The Wisconsin Public Records Law mandates that custodial agencies provide reasonable facilities for individuals to inspect and copy public records during regular office hours.
In-person requests may be submitted at the following locations:
Kenosha County Sheriff's Department
1000 55th Street
Kenosha, WI 53140
(262) 605-5100
Kenosha County Sheriff's Office
Kenosha Police Department
1000 55th Street
Kenosha, WI 53140
(262) 656-1234
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Written requests may be submitted via mail to either agency. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(h), requests must be fulfilled "as soon as practicable and without delay." Typically, responses are provided within 10 business days, though complex requests may require additional processing time.
Online access to certain arrest information is available through the Kenosha County Inmate Search Portal, which provides real-time data on current inmates and recent bookings. This resource is maintained in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.34(1), which encourages agencies to make records available in electronic formats when feasible.
For historical arrest records not available online, requestors must submit a formal public records request. Fees for copies are assessed pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), with standard paper copies typically costing $0.25 per page. Additional fees may apply for certified copies or extensive record searches as permitted under state law.
Contents of a Kenosha Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Kenosha law enforcement agencies contain standardized information as required by Wisconsin Administrative Code § LES 9.04. These records serve as official documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement resulting in detention or arrest.
Standard information contained in Kenosha arrest records includes:
- Subject's full legal name and any documented aliases
- Date of birth and demographic information
- Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Statutory citations for alleged violations
- Booking photographs ("mugshots")
- Fingerprint impressions collected during processing
- Arresting officer's name and badge number
- Incident report number and booking reference
- Detention facility information
- Initial appearance court date if applicable
- Bail or bond information
Pursuant to Wisconsin's Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) standards, these records are maintained in both physical and electronic formats. Electronic records are stored in the Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP) system and the Wisconsin Transaction Information for the Management of Enforcement (TIME) system, which interfaces with the national FBI National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
It should be noted that arrest records document only the fact of arrest and associated charges; they do not constitute proof of guilt. Under Wisconsin law and the U.S. Constitution, all arrested individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Kenosha
Wisconsin law provides limited pathways for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in Wis. Stat. § 973.015. Expungement in Kenosha County is a judicial process that, when granted, results in the sealing of records from public view, though they remain accessible to law enforcement agencies.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Kenosha include:
- 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 for the offense must not exceed 6 years
- The court must determine that the individual will benefit from expungement and society will not be harmed
Individuals seeking expungement must file a petition with the Kenosha County Circuit Court:
Kenosha County Courthouse
912 56th Street
Kenosha, WI 53140
(262) 653-2664
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The petition process requires submission of Form CR-266, "Petition for Expungement of Record," along with supporting documentation demonstrating compliance with all court-ordered conditions. A filing fee of $120 applies, though fee waivers may be available for indigent petitioners pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 814.29.
It is important to note that Wisconsin's expungement statute is more restrictive than those in many other states. The law does not permit expungement of records solely on the basis of an arrest without conviction. Additionally, expungement must generally be ordered at the time of sentencing rather than after completion of a sentence, though 2019 Wisconsin Act 70 has modified this requirement for certain cases.
Records that have been expunged remain available to law enforcement agencies and may be considered in subsequent criminal proceedings or sentencing decisions. Additionally, expunged records may still appear in certain background checks conducted by federal agencies or those with access to FBI databases.
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