Arrest records are public in Marathon County, Wisconsin, pursuant to Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This legislation establishes that records produced or maintained by government entities shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The law operates under the presumption that the public has a right to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of government officers and employees.
The Marathon County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its official duties and makes these records available in accordance with state law. Members of the public seeking access to arrest records may obtain them through established procedures, subject to applicable fees and identification requirements as set forth in Wisconsin Administrative Code § JUS 9.04.
It should be noted that certain information within arrest records may be redacted or withheld if disclosure would:
Marathon County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) program, commonly known as Wisconsin Court System, provides public access to court records including information related to arrests that have resulted in court proceedings.
The Marathon County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate lookup system that provides information on currently incarcerated individuals and recent bookings. This system is updated regularly and includes basic arrest information such as:
Additionally, the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Justice allows authorized users to conduct criminal background checks which may include arrest information. Access to this system requires registration and payment of statutory fees as outlined in Wis. Stat. § 165.82.
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Marathon County, each with specific procedures and requirements:
In-Person Requests: Members of the public may visit the Marathon County Sheriff's Office Records Division to request arrest records in person. The office is located at:
Marathon County Sheriff's Office
500 Forest Street
Wausau, WI 54403
Phone: (715) 261-1200
Marathon County Sheriff's Office
Public counter hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays.
Requestors must complete a public records request form and provide valid government-issued identification. Processing times vary based on the complexity of the request and current workload.
Online Access: The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal provides case information for arrests that have resulted in court proceedings. This resource is available 24 hours per day at no cost.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice Criminal Information Bureau provides criminal history record information for a fee of $7.00 per record as authorized by Wis. Stat. § 165.82(1).
Written Requests: Written requests for arrest records may be submitted via mail to the Marathon County Sheriff's Office Records Division at the address listed above. Requests must include:
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(4)(a), responses to written requests will be provided "as soon as practicable and without delay."
Marathon County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Wisconsin Administrative Code § LES 9.04. These records typically include:
Biographical Information:
Arrest Details:
Processing Information:
It should be noted that juvenile arrest records (individuals under 17 years of age) are subject to different confidentiality requirements under Wis. Stat. § 938.396 and may not be publicly accessible except under specific circumstances authorized by statute.
Wisconsin law provides limited opportunities for expungement of arrest records in Marathon County. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 973.015, expungement may be available under the following circumstances:
Eligibility Criteria:
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.
The process for requesting expungement in Marathon County requires:
The Marathon County Clerk of Circuit Court provides assistance with expungement procedures at:
Marathon County Courthouse
500 Forest Street
Wausau, WI 54403
Phone: (715) 261-1300
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Additionally, the Marathon County Legal Resources through the Wisconsin State Law Library provides information on expungement procedures and other legal matters.