La Crosse County, Wisconsin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in La Crosse County, Wisconsin?

Arrest records are public in La Crosse County, Wisconsin, pursuant to Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes that records produced or maintained by government agencies shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld the presumption of complete public access to government records, including those pertaining to arrests maintained by the La Crosse County Sheriff's Department and other local law enforcement agencies.

The public nature of these records serves multiple governmental functions, including:

• Ensuring transparency in law enforcement operations
• Maintaining accountability of public officials
• Providing citizens with information about criminal activity in their communities
• Supporting the constitutional right to information about government proceedings

Members of the public should note that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or the privacy of victims as provided under Wis. Stat. § 19.36.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in La Crosse County?

La Crosse County arrest records are available through various online platforms in accordance with Wisconsin's commitment to public information accessibility. The La Crosse County Sheriff's Department maintains digital records that can be accessed remotely, though the comprehensiveness of these records varies by platform.

Online access to arrest records is provided through:

• The La Crosse County Sheriff's Department inmate locator system
• Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA), commonly known as CCAP
• The La Crosse County Clerk of Courts online portal
• Wisconsin Department of Justice criminal history database (for authorized users)

Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1), while these records are available online, certain limitations exist regarding the completeness of digital records. Some arrest information, particularly for cases predating digital record-keeping systems or involving juvenile offenders, may require in-person requests at the appropriate county office.

How to Look Up La Crosse County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for obtaining La Crosse County arrest records. Pursuant to Wisconsin Public Records Law, the following methods are available to members of the public seeking arrest information:

1. In-person requests at the La Crosse County Sheriff's Department:

   • Visit the Records Division at the La Crosse County Sheriff's Department
   • 333 Vine Street, La Crosse, WI 54601
   • Phone: (608) 785-9629
   • Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
   • Photo identification is required for all in-person requests

2. Online resources:

   • La Crosse County Sheriff's Inmate Locator
   • Wisconsin Circuit Court Access for court records related to arrests
   • Wisconsin Department of Justice Criminal Information Bureau for statewide criminal history information

3. Written requests to the La Crosse County Clerk of Courts:

   • La Crosse County Courthouse
   • 333 Vine Street, Room 1200, La Crosse, WI 54601
   • Phone: (608) 785-9590
   • Include the full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest when submitting written requests

4. La Crosse County Jail Services for current inmate information:

   • 333 Vine Street, La Crosse, WI 54601
   • Phone: (608) 785-9630

Requestors should be prepared to pay applicable fees for record searches and copies as authorized under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3). Current fee schedules are available at each agency's office or website.

Contents of a La Crosse County Arrest Record

La Crosse County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Wisconsin Administrative Code DOJ § 1.01-1.11. These records typically include the following elements:

• Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
• Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race)
• Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye and hair color
• Distinguishing physical characteristics such as scars, marks, or tattoos
• Date, time, and location of the arrest
• Arresting agency and officer identification
• Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest
• Case or incident number assigned by the arresting agency
• Booking photograph ("mugshot")
• Fingerprint classification and identification numbers
• Custody status information
• Bail or bond amount, if applicable

In accordance with Wis. Stat. § 165.83, all arrest records must include fingerprint data submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau. These records are maintained in compliance with Wisconsin law enforcement records retention schedules as established by the Public Records Board under Wis. Stat. § 16.61.

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

• Information that would compromise ongoing investigations
• Juvenile records (subject to restrictions under Wis. Stat. § 938.396)
• Victim identifying information in sensitive cases
• Medical information protected under federal HIPAA regulations

Expungement of Arrest Records in La Crosse County

Wisconsin law provides limited pathways for the expungement of arrest records in La Crosse County. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 973.015, expungement may be available under specific circumstances:

1. Eligibility criteria:

   • 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 person will benefit and society will not be harmed by the expungement

2. Process for expungement:

   • Petition must be filed with the La Crosse County Circuit Court
   • La Crosse County Courthouse, 333 Vine Street, La Crosse, WI 54601
   • Filing fees apply as established by the Wisconsin Court System

3. Effect of expungement:

   • When granted, expungement seals the court record from public view
   • Law enforcement agencies may still access expunged records
   • Expunged records are not removed from the Wisconsin Department of Justice Criminal Information Bureau database but are marked as expunged

The La Crosse County Clerk of Courts maintains forms and instructions for expungement petitions. Legal assistance for expungement proceedings may be available through the Wisconsin State Law Library resources.

Individuals with arrest records should be aware that expungement in Wisconsin is more limited than in many other states. The record is not destroyed but rather sealed from public view, and certain employers and agencies may still have legal access to expunged records.

Search Arrest Records in La Crosse County

• La Crosse County Sheriff's Inmate Locator
• Wisconsin Circuit Court Access
• La Crosse County Jail Services
• La Crosse County Sheriff's Department
• Wisconsin State Law Library - La Crosse County Resources
• La Crosse County Clerk of Courts
• Wisconsin Department of Justice Criminal Records
• La Crosse PD Newsroom
• Crime in La Crosse - Crime Map
• CityProtect
• La Crosse County Sheriff's Warrant List