La Crosse Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in La Crosse, Wisconsin?
Arrest records in La Crosse, Wisconsin are public documents accessible to all citizens. This public availability is governed by Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39), which establishes that records produced or maintained by government agencies shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The law operates under the presumption that providing citizens with the greatest possible information about governmental affairs serves the public interest. La Crosse County law enforcement agencies maintain these records as part of their official duties and make them available pursuant to statutory requirements.
Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that while most information is accessible, certain details may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with Wisconsin Statute § 19.36. The La Crosse Police Department and La Crosse County Sheriff's Office serve as the primary custodians of arrest records within their respective jurisdictions.
How to Look Up La Crosse Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may access arrest records in La Crosse County. Individuals seeking such information may utilize any of the following methods:
In-person requests may be submitted at the La Crosse Police Department Records Division, located at 400 La Crosse Street, La Crosse, WI 54601. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (608) 789-7240.
The La Crosse County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for incidents occurring within county jurisdiction. Records requests may be submitted at 333 Vine Street, La Crosse, WI 54601. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (608) 785-9629.
The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal, commonly known as CCAP, provides online access to court records including information about criminal cases resulting from arrests. This resource is available at https://wcca.wicourts.gov.
The La Crosse County Clerk of Courts Office maintains court records related to arrests that resulted in criminal charges. Located at 333 Vine Street, Room 1200, La Crosse, WI 54601. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (608) 785-9590.
Written requests may be submitted via mail to either the police department or sheriff's office with appropriate identification and specific information about the records being requested.
Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(1), agencies may charge reasonable fees for locating and copying records. Current fee schedules are available from each agency upon request. Requestors should note that processing times vary based on the complexity of the request and current departmental workload.
Contents of a La Crosse Arrest Record
Standard arrest records maintained by La Crosse law enforcement agencies contain specific categories of information as prescribed by Wisconsin Administrative Code § DOJ 1.04. These records typically include:
Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors.
Arrest details, including the date, time, and location of the arrest, the specific statutory violations alleged, and the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s).
Case processing information, such as booking number, fingerprint identification number, and photograph (mugshot) taken during the booking process.
Custody status information, including whether the individual was released on bail or bond, the amount of any monetary bail, and conditions of release if applicable.
Arresting agency information, including the department name, case number, and incident report number associated with the arrest.
Preliminary charge information, noting that these charges may differ from formal charges eventually filed by the District Attorney's Office.
Prior arrest history within the jurisdiction, if applicable and relevant to the current case.
It should be noted that pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 165.83, certain identifying information including fingerprints and photographs are forwarded to the Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau for inclusion in state criminal history repositories.
Expungement of Arrest Records in La Crosse
Wisconsin law provides limited pathways for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. The process is governed primarily by Wisconsin Statute § 973.015, which establishes the following criteria and procedures:
Eligibility requirements for expungement in La Crosse 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 commission 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 society would not be harmed.
The individual must have successfully completed their sentence, including any probationary period.
The expungement process requires:
Filing a petition with the La Crosse County Circuit Court where the case was originally heard.
Providing notice to the La Crosse County District Attorney's Office, located at 333 Vine Street, Room 1100, La Crosse, WI 54601. Telephone: (608) 785-9604.
Attending a hearing where a judge will determine whether the statutory requirements have been met.
If granted, the court will issue an order directing all relevant agencies to expunge their records.
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 the courts retain access to expunged records for official purposes. Additionally, expungement of arrest records does not automatically remove information from private databases or third-party background check services that may have previously obtained the information.
Individuals with arrests that did not result in charges or convictions may petition for removal from the record under Wisconsin Statute § 165.84(1), which provides a separate mechanism for addressing records of arrests that did not lead to prosecution.
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