Oneida County, Wisconsin Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Oneida County, Wisconsin?
Arrest records are public documents in Oneida County, Wisconsin, pursuant to Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes the presumption that all government records, including arrest documentation, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld that public access to arrest records serves the essential governmental functions of transparency and accountability.
Members of the public may inspect, copy, or receive copies of arrest records maintained by the Oneida County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies within the county. These records document official actions taken by government authorities and constitute an important element of Wisconsin's commitment to open government operations.
The Oneida County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules established by the Wisconsin Public Records Board. While certain sensitive information may be redacted to protect privacy interests as permitted under Wis. Stat. § 19.36, the fundamental arrest information remains accessible to any requesting party without the need to demonstrate a particular purpose or interest.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Oneida County?
Oneida County provides digital access to certain arrest record information through several official online platforms. The Wisconsin Court System's case search portal serves as the primary online resource for accessing court records related to arrests in Oneida County. This database, known as CCAP (Consolidated Court Automation Programs), contains information about criminal cases resulting from arrests, including charges filed, court dates, and case dispositions.
The Oneida County Clerk of Courts maintains electronic records of court proceedings that follow arrests. Their online system provides case status information, hearing schedules, and judgment details for cases processed through the Oneida County Circuit Court.
Pursuant to Wisconsin Administrative Code § JC 19.01-19.03, which governs electronic access to court records, certain limitations apply to information available online. Complete arrest records, including detailed incident reports and evidence documentation, typically require in-person requests at the appropriate county offices.
Digital access is provided as a convenience to the public, though the Wisconsin Supreme Court has established that online availability does not alter the fundamental public nature of these records as established in Sisson v. New Berlin School District, 2007 WI App 214.
How to Look Up Oneida County Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for obtaining arrest records in Oneida County. Individuals seeking this information may utilize the following methods:
Submit a records request directly to the Oneida County Sheriff's Office located at: Oneida County Sheriff's Office 2000 E. Winnebago Street Rhinelander, WI 54501 Phone: (715) 361-5100 Official Website
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays.
Access the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal to search for criminal cases by name. This resource provides information on charges filed following arrests and subsequent court proceedings.
Visit the Oneida County Clerk of Courts office in person at: Oneida County Clerk of Courts 1 S. Oneida Avenue Rhinelander, WI 54501 Phone: (715) 369-6120 Official Website
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays.
Submit a written request for records pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(h), which permits requesters to receive records via mail when reasonable identification is provided.
Utilize the Wisconsin State Law Library's Oneida County resources for guidance on accessing county-specific legal records, including arrest documentation.
Requests must reasonably describe the records sought and may be subject to fees established under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), which permits charging for the actual, necessary, and direct cost of reproduction and transcription of records.
Contents of a Oneida County Arrest Record
Oneida County arrest records typically contain standardized information as prescribed by Wisconsin Department of Justice guidelines and Wis. Stat. § 165.83, which mandates the collection of specific data elements. Standard arrest documentation includes:
- Subject identification information (full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, address)
- Unique identifiers (booking number, case number, fingerprint classification)
- Arrest details (date, time, location, arresting agency, officer identification)
- Statutory violations and offense descriptions
- Booking photographs ("mugshots")
- Fingerprint impressions
- Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
- Initial appearance information and bail/bond determinations
- Detention facility assignment
- Preliminary hearing scheduling information
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.36(8), certain information may be redacted from publicly available versions of these records, including:
- Information related to ongoing investigations
- Confidential informant identities
- Juvenile records subject to Wis. Stat. § 938.396
- Medical information protected under federal HIPAA regulations
- Social Security numbers and other personal identifiers
The Wisconsin Attorney General has issued advisory opinions clarifying that while redactions may be necessary in specific circumstances, the core arrest information remains public under the state's strong presumption of openness.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Oneida County
Wisconsin law provides limited pathways for the expungement of arrest records in Oneida County under specific statutory conditions. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 973.015, expungement may be available when:
- 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
- The court determined at sentencing that expungement would benefit the person and society would not be harmed
- The person has successfully completed their sentence
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Oneida County Circuit Court where the case was adjudicated. Petitioners must demonstrate compliance with all statutory requirements and court-imposed conditions. The Oneida County Clerk of Courts maintains the necessary forms and procedural guidelines for expungement requests.
Wisconsin law distinguishes between expungement and record sealing. Expungement under Wis. Stat. § 973.015 results in the court record being sealed from public view, while law enforcement agencies may retain access to the information for authorized purposes. Complete destruction of arrest records is not typically available under Wisconsin statutes.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has established in State v. Hemp, 2014 WI 129, that expungement is intended to provide a "fresh start" to young offenders who demonstrate rehabilitation potential, while maintaining appropriate safeguards for public safety through continued law enforcement access to the information.
Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access
Wisconsin law establishes certain limitations on public access to arrest records in Oneida County. These restrictions serve to balance transparency with privacy and due process considerations. Key statutory limitations include:
Records pertaining to juveniles are subject to confidentiality provisions under Wis. Stat. § 938.396, which restricts public access to arrest records for individuals under 17 years of age.
Information related to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under Wis. Stat. § 19.36(4) until completion of the investigation or prosecution.
Records containing information that would identify confidential informants are protected from disclosure under Wis. Stat. § 19.36(8)(a).
Certain victim information may be redacted pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 950.04(1v)(ag), which establishes victims' rights to privacy protection.
Records related to arrests that did not result in charges or where charges were dismissed may be subject to additional privacy protections under case law established in Newspapers, Inc. v. Breier, 89 Wis. 2d 417 (1979).
Government agencies in Oneida County must apply these restrictions consistently while maintaining the presumption of openness established by the Wisconsin Public Records Law. The Wisconsin Department of Justice provides guidance to local agencies on proper implementation of these statutory exemptions.
Search Arrest Records in Oneida County
