Arrest records are public documents in Langlade County, Wisconsin, pursuant to Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes that residents have the legal right to access records maintained by government agencies, including those pertaining to arrests. The Wisconsin legislature has determined that providing public access to governmental records is an essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the routine duties of government officers and employees.
The Langlade County Sheriff's Office maintains these records and makes them available for public inspection in accordance with open records requirements. However, certain exceptions may apply to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or other information specifically exempted by statute. Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(1)(a) states that "any requester has a right to inspect any record," though agencies may apply specific statutory exemptions when applicable.
Public access to these records serves multiple governmental and societal purposes:
Langlade County arrest records are accessible online through several official channels. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal, commonly known as CCAP, provides the primary online access point for court records related to arrests that have proceeded to court action. This system is maintained pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72, which governs the retention and maintenance of court records.
The Langlade County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains the official court records, which include documentation of arrests that have resulted in criminal charges. These records can be accessed through the WCCA system, which provides case information including:
It should be noted that online records may not contain complete arrest information, particularly for recent arrests that have not yet been processed through the court system or arrests that did not result in formal charges. Additionally, certain records may be subject to restricted access pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.36, which outlines specific limitations on public access to certain categories of records.
Members of the public seeking Langlade County arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following methods are available for accessing these public records:
Langlade County Sheriff's Office
840 Clermont Street
Antigo, WI 54409
(715) 627-6411
Official Website
Online access through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA):
Clerk of Circuit Court requests:
Langlade County Clerk of Circuit Court
800 Clermont Street
Antigo, WI 54409
(715) 627-6215
Official Website
Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(4), each authority, upon receiving a request for records, shall respond "as soon as practicable and without delay." The statute does not specify a precise timeframe, but agencies typically process routine requests within 5-10 business days, depending on the complexity and volume of the request.
Langlade County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Wisconsin law and departmental policies. These records typically include comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. Standard components of these records include:
Biographical information:
Arrest details:
Offense information:
Procedural documentation:
Case disposition:
These records are maintained in accordance with Wisconsin Statute § 165.83, which establishes requirements for criminal identification, records, and statistics. The statute mandates that law enforcement agencies collect and maintain specific information related to arrests and make such information available to authorized entities.
Expungement of arrest records in Langlade County follows Wisconsin state law, specifically Wisconsin Statute § 973.015, which provides the legal framework for record expungement. Eligible individuals may petition the court to have their arrest and conviction records expunged under specific circumstances. The expungement process removes these records from public access, though they remain available to law enforcement agencies.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Langlade County include:
The expungement procedure requires:
If granted, expungement results in the sealing of court records related to the arrest and conviction. However, it is important to note that under Wisconsin law, expungement does not completely erase all records. Certain governmental agencies may still access expunged records for specific purposes, such as law enforcement investigations or judicial proceedings.
The Wisconsin State Law Library provides additional resources regarding county-specific legal procedures, including expungement processes. Individuals seeking expungement should be aware that the process can be complex and may benefit from legal consultation to navigate the statutory requirements effectively.