>Lincoln County Arrest Records Online

Lincoln County, Wisconsin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lincoln County, Wisconsin?

Arrest records in Lincoln County, Wisconsin are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes that records produced, collected, or maintained by government entities shall be available for public inspection and copying. The Wisconsin legislature has determined that providing citizens with access to information about governmental affairs is an essential function of a representative government.

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of their official duties in law enforcement. These records document the apprehension and detention of individuals suspected of criminal activity within county jurisdiction. Public access to these records serves multiple civic purposes:

Ensures transparency in law enforcement operations
Facilitates accountability of public officials
Provides citizens with information about criminal activity in their communities
Supports the presumption that government records are open to public inspection

Exceptions to public disclosure may apply in certain circumstances as provided by Wisconsin Statute § 19.36, such as ongoing investigations or cases involving juvenile offenders.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Lincoln County?

Lincoln County arrest records are available through several online platforms as part of Wisconsin's commitment to digital government services. The Lincoln County Sheriff's inmate roster provides current information about individuals currently detained in county facilities. This resource is updated regularly to reflect the current jail population and basic arrest information.

For more comprehensive arrest record searches, members of the public may access the Wisconsin Court System's case search portal, which contains information about criminal cases resulting from arrests throughout the state, including Lincoln County. This database includes:

Case numbers and filing dates
Charges filed
Court appearances and outcomes
Disposition information
Sentencing details when applicable

The Wisconsin Department of Justice also maintains the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS), which provides criminal history information for a nominal fee. This system complies with Wisconsin Statute § 165.82 regarding criminal history search fees and access protocols.

Online access to these records is provided in accordance with Wisconsin's commitment to open government while maintaining appropriate safeguards for sensitive information as required by state and federal law.

How to Look Up Lincoln County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Lincoln County arrest records may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. Each method provides access in accordance with Wisconsin Public Records Law and county procedures.

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office to request arrest records during regular business hours. Staff will assist with locating and providing copies of available records.

Lincoln County Sheriff's Office
1104 E 1st Street
Merrill, WI 54452
Phone: (715) 536-6272
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Lincoln County Clerk of Circuit Court
1110 E Main Street
Merrill, WI 54452
Phone: (715) 536-0312
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Written Requests: Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Records Division. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(h), requests should include:

Requestor's complete name and contact information
Specific information being requested (name of arrested individual, date of arrest, etc.)
Preferred format for receiving records (paper copies, electronic files)
Signature and date

Online Resources: Digital access to arrest information is available through several authorized platforms:

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate roster showing current detainees
The Wisconsin Court System provides case search capabilities for court records related to arrests
The Wisconsin Department of Justice offers criminal background checks through their official portal

Fees for copies of records may apply in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), which permits agencies to charge the actual, necessary, and direct cost of reproduction and transcription of records.

Contents of a Lincoln County Arrest Record

Lincoln County arrest records contain standardized information documenting the apprehension and processing of individuals suspected of criminal activity. These records are maintained in accordance with Wisconsin Statute § 165.83 regarding criminal identification, records, and statistics.

Standard arrest records in Lincoln County typically include the following elements:

Biographical Information:

Full legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Gender and race (for identification purposes)
Current address or residence information
Physical descriptors (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars

Arrest Details:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Statutory violations and charges
Incident report number
Booking information and procedures followed
Property inventory (items in possession at time of arrest)

Processing Documentation:

Fingerprint records
Booking photographs (mugshots)
Miranda rights acknowledgment
Medical screening information
Detention classification

Case Disposition:

Bail or bond information
Court appearance dates
Preliminary hearing outcomes
Case status and resolution

These records are maintained in both physical and digital formats by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Records Division. The information contained in arrest records serves both law enforcement and public information purposes as prescribed by Wisconsin statutes governing criminal justice records.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Lincoln County

Under Wisconsin law, certain individuals may petition for expungement of arrest records maintained by Lincoln County authorities. Expungement is the legal process by which arrest records are sealed from public view, effectively removing them from accessible public records. This process is governed by Wisconsin Statute § 973.015.

Eligibility Criteria: Pursuant to Wisconsin law, expungement may be available under the following circumstances:

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 (Class H felony or less severe offense)
The court determined at sentencing that successful completion of the sentence would merit expungement
The individual has successfully completed their sentence
The offense was not a violent felony as defined in Wis. Stat. § 973.015(1m)(b)

Application Process: Individuals seeking expungement of Lincoln County arrest records must:

File a petition with the Lincoln County Circuit Court
Provide documentation of sentence completion
Submit to any verification procedures required by the court
Attend scheduled hearings regarding the petition

Lincoln County Circuit Court
1110 E Main Street
Merrill, WI 54452
Phone: (715) 536-0312
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Effect of Expungement: When expungement is granted by the court, the arrest record is sealed from public view. This means:

The record will not appear in standard background checks
The individual may legally state they have not been arrested for the expunged offense
Law enforcement agencies retain access to the records for official purposes
The record remains available for consideration in subsequent criminal proceedings

Expungement does not automatically remove records from all databases. Additional steps may be required to ensure removal from third-party databases or websites that may have captured the information prior to expungement.