>Oconto County Arrest Records Online

Oconto County, Wisconsin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Oconto County, Wisconsin?

Arrest records are public documents in Oconto 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, supporting principles of governmental transparency and accountability. The Wisconsin Public Records Law specifically designates arrest records as public information, allowing citizens to access these documents unless explicitly exempted by statutory provisions.

Exemptions to public disclosure may apply in certain circumstances, including:

Ongoing investigations where disclosure might compromise law enforcement activities
Juvenile records, which are subject to different confidentiality standards under Wis. Stat. § 938.396
Records sealed by court order
Information that would endanger an individual's safety if disclosed

The Oconto County Circuit Court maintains these public records in accordance with state regulations. Members of the public seeking access to arrest records should be aware that while the information is publicly available, certain procedural requirements must be followed to obtain copies.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Oconto County?

Oconto County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms, in accordance with Wisconsin's commitment to public information accessibility. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) provides the primary online portal for accessing court records, including arrest information. This digital accessibility aligns with Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(1), which stipulates that public records shall be available for inspection and copying.

Online access to criminal records offers several advantages:

24/7 availability without requiring in-person visits to government offices
Reduced administrative burden on county staff
Enhanced transparency in the criminal justice system
Efficient access for authorized professionals including attorneys, bail bondsmen, and employers conducting background checks

The Wisconsin Court System maintains a comprehensive database that includes Oconto County arrest records. Users should note that while basic information is available online, certain detailed documents may require formal requests through the Clerk of Courts office.

How to Look Up Oconto County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in Oconto County. Pursuant to Wisconsin Public Records Law, the following methods are available to members of the public:

Online Database Access: The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system provides public access to court records, including arrest information. Users may search by name, case number, or citation number.
Oconto County Sheriff's Office:
301 Washington Street
Oconto, WI 54153
Phone: (920) 834-6900
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
The Jail Division maintains booking records and arrest information.
Oconto County Clerk of Courts:
301 Washington Street
Oconto, WI 54153
Phone: (920) 834-6850
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
The Clerk of Courts office maintains official court records including arrest documentation.
Written Requests: Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(h), individuals may submit written requests for copies of court records. The request must reasonably describe the requested record and may be subject to fees for reproduction.

Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information about the subject of the search, including full legal name, date of birth, and case numbers if available. Fees may apply for record retrieval and copying services in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3).

Contents of an Oconto County Arrest Record

Oconto County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Wisconsin Statute § 165.83, which establishes requirements for criminal identification data. A typical arrest record includes the following components:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors including height, weight, and identifying marks
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency; name and badge number of arresting officer; and statutory authority for the arrest
Offense Information: Criminal charges filed, including Wisconsin Statute citations; classification of offenses as misdemeanors or felonies; and brief description of alleged criminal activity
Processing Documentation: Booking number, fingerprint records, and photographic identification (mugshot) taken during processing at the Oconto County Jail
Case Disposition: Court case number, assigned judge, plea entered, trial outcome if applicable, and sentencing information
Custody Status: Bail or bond amount, conditions of release, and current incarceration status

These records are maintained in accordance with Wisconsin Administrative Code § JUS 9, which establishes standards for criminal history record information. The completeness and accuracy of these records are subject to periodic audits by the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Oconto County

Wisconsin Statute § 973.015 provides the legal framework for expungement of arrest records in Oconto County. Expungement is the legal process by which criminal records are sealed or removed from public access, effectively clearing an individual's public record of specified arrests or convictions.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Oconto County include:

The offense must be a misdemeanor or a Class H or I felony
The individual must have been under the age of 25 at the time of the offense
The maximum period of imprisonment for the offense must not exceed 6 years
The court must determine that society will not be harmed by the expungement
The individual must have successfully completed their sentence, including any probationary period

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Oconto County Circuit Court. Pursuant to Wisconsin case law (State v. Hemp, 2014 WI 129), the court must make the determination regarding expungement at the time of sentencing, not after the sentence has been served.

When an expungement is granted, the Wisconsin Department of Justice and the Oconto County Clerk of Courts are directed to seal the records. However, certain government agencies may retain access to expunged records for specific purposes, including law enforcement investigations and judicial proceedings.

Legal Restrictions on Accessing Arrest Records

Wisconsin law establishes specific limitations on the accessibility and use of arrest records. These restrictions serve to balance public access rights with privacy protections and are codified in various statutes:

Juvenile Records: Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 938.396, records pertaining to juvenile arrests and proceedings are confidential and not available for public inspection except under limited circumstances.
Pending Investigations: Records related to ongoing law enforcement investigations may be temporarily withheld under Wis. Stat. § 19.36(4) if disclosure would compromise the effectiveness of the investigation.
Sealed Records: Court orders sealing specific records remove them from public access. This includes records sealed through expungement or by judicial discretion.
Fair Employment Law: Wisconsin Statute § 111.335 prohibits employment discrimination based on arrest or conviction records unless the charges substantially relate to the particular job.
Identity Protection: Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information must be redacted from public records before disclosure, per Wis. Stat. § 19.36(10).

Violations of these restrictions may result in civil penalties under Wis. Stat. § 19.37 or criminal charges for unauthorized disclosure of confidential information under Wis. Stat. § 946.72.