Arrest records in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin are considered public information pursuant to Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes that all government records, including arrest records, are presumed to be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Wisconsin Public Records Law operates under the principle that providing citizens with access to information about governmental activities, including law enforcement actions, serves the public interest by promoting transparency and accountability.
Members of the public may access arrest records maintained by various law enforcement agencies within Kewaunee County, including the Kewaunee County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments. These records typically document instances where individuals have been taken into custody by law enforcement officials based on probable cause that a crime has been committed.
It should be noted that certain information within arrest records may be redacted or withheld in accordance with statutory exemptions designed to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile privacy, or victim information as outlined in Wis. Stat. § 19.36.
Kewaunee County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The Wisconsin Court System provides a comprehensive database through its Circuit Court Access Program (CCAP), which allows public access to court records including those related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. This system enables users to search for cases by name, case number, or citation number.
The Kewaunee County Sheriff's Office maintains limited online records of recent arrests and inmate information through their official website. These records typically include basic information about individuals currently in custody or recently arrested.
Additionally, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections maintains an Offender Locator service that provides information about individuals who have been processed through the state correctional system following arrest and conviction.
Users should be aware that online records may not be comprehensive or immediately updated. Some arrest information may only be available through direct request to the appropriate agency, particularly for older records or those involving special circumstances.
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Kewaunee County, each with varying levels of comprehensiveness and accessibility:
Kewaunee County Sheriff's Office
620 Juneau Street
Kewaunee, WI 54216
Phone: (920) 388-7108
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
City of Kewaunee Police Department
401 Fifth Street
Kewaunee, WI 54216
Phone: (920) 388-5010
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Official Website
Online searches through the Wisconsin Court System provide access to court records related to arrests. The CCAP system is updated regularly and includes case status, hearing dates, and disposition information.
Written requests may be submitted to the Kewaunee County Circuit Court for official court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35, agencies must respond to records requests "as soon as practicable and without delay."
Kewaunee County Circuit Court
613 Dodge Street
Kewaunee, WI 54216
Phone: (920) 388-7144
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Requestors should note that fees may apply for copies of records, typically ranging from $0.25 to $1.25 per page, depending on the agency and format requested. Some agencies may also charge search fees for requests requiring extensive staff time.
Kewaunee County arrest records typically contain standardized information as mandated by Wisconsin Administrative Code § DOC 328.27. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and generally include:
It should be noted that arrest records represent documentation of an arrest only and not a determination of guilt. Pursuant to Wisconsin law, individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including:
Wisconsin law provides limited pathways for the expungement of arrest records in Kewaunee County under specific circumstances. Expungement is governed primarily by Wis. Stat. § 973.015, which establishes eligibility criteria and procedures.
Individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records in Kewaunee County under the following conditions:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Kewaunee County Circuit Court where the case was adjudicated. The petition must include:
Kewaunee County Circuit Court
613 Dodge Street
Kewaunee, WI 54216
Phone: (920) 388-7144
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
It is important to note that expungement in Wisconsin does not completely destroy records but rather seals them from public view. Law enforcement agencies and courts may still access expunged records for certain purposes. Additionally, expungement of court records does not automatically remove arrest information from law enforcement databases.
Individuals with arrests that did not result in charges or resulted in dismissed charges may petition for removal of arrest records from the Crime Information Bureau under Wis. Stat. § 165.84(1).