>Lafayette County Arrest Records Online

Lafayette County, Wisconsin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lafayette County, Wisconsin?

Arrest records are public documents in Lafayette County, Wisconsin, pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes that records produced or maintained by government entities must be accessible to the public, with certain limited exceptions. The Wisconsin Public Records Law operates under the presumption that government records should be available for inspection and copying to ensure transparency and accountability in governmental operations.

Members of the public may access arrest records maintained by the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies within the county unless specific statutory exemptions apply. These exemptions may include ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or cases where disclosure would endanger public safety or compromise personal privacy beyond the public interest in disclosure.

The Wisconsin Court System maintains that public access to court records, including those related to arrests, serves the important function of keeping citizens informed about the administration of justice within their communities.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Lafayette County?

Lafayette County arrest records can be accessed online through several official channels. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) program, commonly known as CCAP, provides internet access to public records of the Wisconsin circuit courts, including those in Lafayette County. This system allows users to search for cases by name, case number, or citation number.

The online availability of these records is governed by Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72, which establishes retention periods for court records and guidelines for public access. Digital access to these records enhances governmental transparency while providing convenient access for:

Attorneys researching case information
Individuals monitoring their own records
Employers conducting background checks (subject to applicable laws)
Members of the public seeking information about the judicial system

Users should note that while many records are available online, some documents may only be accessible in person at the Lafayette County Courthouse due to privacy concerns or technical limitations.

How to Look Up Lafayette County Arrest Records in 2025

Individuals seeking arrest records in Lafayette County have multiple methods available for accessing this information:

In-person requests can be made at the Lafayette County Sheriff's Office:

Lafayette County Sheriff's Office
138 W. Catherine Street
Darlington, WI 53530
(608) 776-4870
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Court records related to arrests can be obtained from:

Lafayette County Clerk of Circuit Court
626 Main Street
Darlington, WI 53530
(608) 776-4844
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Circuit Court Clerk Contact Information
Online searches can be conducted through the Wisconsin Court System case search, which provides access to public court records including those related to arrests.
Written requests may be submitted to either the Sheriff's Office or Clerk of Courts, including:
- Full name of the subject
- Date of birth (if known)
- Approximate date of arrest (if known)
- Requestor's contact information
- Required fees (typically $5-20 per record)

Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1), agencies must respond to record requests "as soon as practicable and without delay." Response times typically range from 5-10 business days depending on the complexity of the request and current workload.

Contents of a Lafayette County Arrest Record

Lafayette County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody. These records are maintained in accordance with Wisconsin Administrative Code § JUS 9, which establishes standards for law enforcement recordkeeping. Standard arrest records include:

Biographical information:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Address at time of arrest
- Identification numbers (driver's license, state ID)
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory charges filed
- Booking information
- Case/incident number
Processing information:
- Fingerprint records
- Booking photographs (mugshots)
- Property inventory
- Detention location
- Bail/bond information
Case disposition:
- Court appearance dates
- Preliminary hearing information
- Case outcome (if available)

The Lafayette County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in both physical and digital formats, with retention schedules determined by state regulations and departmental policies.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Lafayette County

Expungement provides a legal mechanism for sealing arrest records from public view under specific circumstances. In Lafayette County, as throughout Wisconsin, expungement is governed by Wis. Stat. § 973.015, which permits the expungement of certain records when:

The offense was committed while the individual was under the age of 25
The maximum period of imprisonment for the offense is 6 years or less
The court determines that the person will benefit from expungement
The person has successfully completed their sentence

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Lafayette County Circuit Court where the case was originally heard. Petitioners must:

Complete the appropriate expungement petition form
Provide certified copies of the judgment of conviction
Submit documentation showing successful completion of sentence
Pay applicable filing fees (approximately $120)
Attend a scheduled hearing before a circuit court judge

If granted, expungement does not physically destroy records but rather seals them from public view. Law enforcement agencies and the courts retain access to expunged records for certain purposes. The Wisconsin State Law Library provides resources for individuals seeking information about the expungement process.

The City of Darlington Police Department, as the primary law enforcement agency in Lafayette County's county seat, maintains records that may be subject to expungement orders issued by the court.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

Access to Lafayette County arrest records is subject to several legal restrictions designed to balance public transparency with individual privacy rights. These restrictions include:

Juvenile records: Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 938.396, records pertaining to juveniles are generally confidential and not available for public inspection except under specific circumstances.
Ongoing investigations: Records related to active law enforcement investigations may be temporarily withheld under Wis. Stat. § 19.36(4) if disclosure would compromise the investigation.
Privacy concerns: Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy may be redacted from records before release, as provided in Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(a).
Sealed or expunged records: Records that have been sealed by court order or expunged under Wis. Stat. § 973.015 are not available to the general public.
Domestic abuse victims: Information that would reveal the location of domestic abuse victims is protected under Wis. Stat. § 165.68.

The Lafayette County Sheriff's Office, operating under a Memorandum of Agreement with federal agencies, must balance these restrictions with their law enforcement duties while maintaining appropriate record access.