>Manitowoc County Arrest Records Online

Manitowoc County, Wisconsin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin?

Arrest records in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin are classified as public documents pursuant to Wisconsin's Open Records Law (Wis. Stat. § 19.31-19.39). This legislation establishes the presumption that government records, including arrest documentation, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld that arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies constitute public records subject to disclosure.

Members of the public may access these records to monitor law enforcement activities, conduct background checks, or verify the criminal history of individuals within the community. The Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules and makes them available through established protocols. Wisconsin's commitment to governmental transparency ensures that citizens can exercise their right to information regarding arrests made within county jurisdiction.

Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted under specific circumstances, such as ongoing investigations or juvenile matters, as provided in Wis. Stat. § 48.396 regarding confidentiality of juvenile records.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Manitowoc County?

Manitowoc County provides multiple digital platforms for accessing arrest records online. The Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office maintains a current database of recent arrests and inmate information that is updated regularly. The county also publishes a Prisoner List that is accessible to the public via the county website.

Wisconsin's Circuit Court Access Program (CCAP) provides another avenue for obtaining arrest-related information through court records. This state-maintained database includes case information for individuals processed through the Manitowoc County court system following arrest.

Online access to these records is governed by Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1), which states that "any requester has a right to inspect any record." However, users should note that:

Not all arrest records may be immediately available online
Some records may require in-person requests for complete information
Certain sensitive information may be redacted from online versions
Historical records may not be digitized and require manual retrieval

How to Look Up Manitowoc County Arrest Records in 2025

Individuals seeking Manitowoc County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The primary methods include:

In-person requests at the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office: Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office 1025 South 9th Street Manitowoc, WI 54220 Phone: (920) 683-4200 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Official Website
Direct access through the Manitowoc County Jail website, which provides current inmate information and recent booking data.
Requests through the Clerk of Circuit Court: Manitowoc County Clerk of Circuit Court 1010 South 8th Street Manitowoc, WI 54220 Phone: (920) 683-4030 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Official Website
Wisconsin Court System's online case search portal, which provides access to court records associated with arrests.
Wisconsin Department of Justice's Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS), which allows for criminal background checks that may include arrest information.

Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), agencies may charge reasonable fees for locating and reproducing records. Current fee schedules are available at each agency's office or website.

Contents of a Manitowoc County Arrest Record

Manitowoc County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Wisconsin Administrative Code § DOJ 1.04 regarding law enforcement record-keeping requirements. A comprehensive arrest record typically includes:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged offenses
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information including fingerprints and booking photographs
Custody status and bail/bond information
Case disposition if available
Incident report number for cross-reference purposes

The Manitowoc County Jail maintains these records in both physical and digital formats. Certain elements of arrest records, such as medical information or details that might compromise ongoing investigations, may be redacted prior to public release in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.36 regarding limitations on access.

Arrest records are distinct from conviction records, and the presence of an arrest record does not necessarily indicate guilt. Wisconsin law recognizes this distinction, and public records include appropriate disclaimers regarding the presumption of innocence.

Legal Uses of Manitowoc County Arrest Records

Manitowoc County arrest records serve multiple legitimate purposes within the framework of Wisconsin law. These records may be lawfully utilized for:

Employment background screening, subject to the limitations established in the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act (Wis. Stat. § 111.31-111.395), which restricts consideration of arrest records not resulting in conviction.
Housing application verification, though landlords must comply with fair housing regulations when utilizing such information.
Professional licensing determinations by state regulatory boards, which may consider arrest records as part of character and fitness evaluations.
Personal research, including family history investigations or verification of public information.
Statistical analysis by research institutions, with appropriate anonymization protocols.
Media reporting on matters of public interest, protected under First Amendment principles.

Users of arrest record information must comply with applicable state and federal laws regarding proper use of such data. The Wisconsin Department of Justice provides guidance on lawful utilization of criminal history information pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 165.83 regarding criminal identification activities.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Manitowoc County

Wisconsin law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 973.015, individuals may petition for expungement if:

The arrest did not result in a conviction
The conviction was for a non-violent misdemeanor committed before the age of 25
The sentence has been successfully completed
The court determined at sentencing that expungement would benefit the individual and not harm society

The expungement process in Manitowoc County requires filing a petition with the Circuit Court where the case was adjudicated:

Manitowoc County Circuit Court 1010 South 8th Street Manitowoc, WI 54220 Phone: (920) 683-4030 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Petitioners must demonstrate eligibility under statutory criteria, and the court maintains discretion in granting expungement requests. When granted, expungement orders direct the removal of records from publicly accessible databases, though certain law enforcement and court administrative records may be retained for official use.

Wisconsin's expungement statute is more limited than those in many other states, as it generally applies only to cases where expungement was ordered at the time of sentencing. Legislative proposals to expand expungement eligibility continue to be considered by the Wisconsin Legislature.

Differences Between Arrest Records and Criminal Records

Arrest records and criminal records represent distinct categories of documentation within Manitowoc County's justice system. The primary distinctions include:

Scope of information: Arrest records document specific incidents of apprehension by law enforcement, while criminal records encompass the entire history of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system.
Presumption of innocence: Arrest records merely indicate that an individual was taken into custody based on probable cause, whereas criminal conviction records reflect judicial determinations of guilt.
Accessibility parameters: While both types of records are generally public under Wisconsin's Open Records Law, criminal records may contain additional court documents subject to different retention schedules.
Evidentiary value: Arrest records without subsequent convictions have limited admissibility in court proceedings, while conviction records constitute prima facie evidence of the underlying conduct.
Impact on rights: Arrests alone generally cannot be used to deny employment or housing under Wisconsin's anti-discrimination laws, while certain convictions may lawfully impact these areas.

The Wisconsin Court System maintains comprehensive criminal case records that include both arrest information and subsequent judicial proceedings. Users seeking complete criminal history information should consult both law enforcement and court records for a comprehensive overview.