Arrest records in Shiocton, Wisconsin are considered public information pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes the presumption that all government records, including arrest records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Wisconsin Public Records Law serves to promote transparency in government operations and accountability of public officials by ensuring citizens have access to information regarding governmental activities, including law enforcement actions.
Members of the public may inspect, copy, or receive copies of arrest records maintained by the Shiocton Police Department and other law enforcement agencies operating within the jurisdiction. However, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, confidential informants, or juvenile records as provided under Wis. Stat. § 938.396.
Multiple methods exist for accessing arrest records in Shiocton, Wisconsin. Individuals seeking such information may utilize any of the following official channels:
• In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Shiocton Police Department located at N5605 State Road 76, Shiocton, WI 54170 during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM). A written request form must be completed, and proper identification may be required.
• Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Records Division at Shiocton Police Department, P.O. Box 96, Shiocton, WI 54170. Requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known.
• Online Access: The Outagamie County Sheriff's Office maintains an online database of recent arrests and inmate information that includes Shiocton arrests. This resource is updated daily and can be accessed through the county's official website.
• Shiocton Municipal Court: Court records related to arrests may be obtained through the Shiocton Municipal Court, P.O. Box 96, Shiocton, Wisconsin 54170. The court maintains records of cases resulting from arrests within municipal jurisdiction.
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1), agencies must respond to record requests "as soon as practicable and without delay." Fees for copies may be assessed in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), which permits charging for the actual, necessary, and direct cost of reproduction.
Standard arrest records maintained by the Shiocton Police Department contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. These records typically include:
• Biographical Information: Full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description (height, weight, identifying marks), and residential address of the arrested individual.
• Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest.
• Criminal Charges: Specific statutory violations alleged, including Wisconsin statute numbers and description of offenses.
• Booking Information: Fingerprints, booking photographs (mugshots), and unique identification numbers assigned during processing.
• Custody Status: Information regarding detention, release conditions, bail or bond amounts, and court appearance dates.
• Case Disposition: Current status of the case, including whether charges were filed, dismissed, or resulted in conviction.
It should be noted that pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.36(8), certain information may be withheld if disclosure would endanger public safety or compromise an ongoing investigation. Additionally, information regarding juveniles is subject to stricter confidentiality requirements under Wisconsin law.
Wisconsin law provides limited opportunities for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement in Shiocton follows the provisions outlined in Wis. Stat. § 973.015, which governs the process statewide.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Shiocton 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 have determined at the time of sentencing that expungement would benefit the person and society would not be harmed. • The individual must have successfully completed their sentence.
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Shiocton Municipal Court or the Outagamie County Circuit Court, depending on the jurisdiction of the original case. Upon approval, expungement removes the record from public access databases, though the information may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies for official purposes.
It is important to note that under Wisconsin law, expungement does not completely destroy records but rather seals them from public view. Law enforcement agencies and the courts retain access to expunged records for certain purposes, including consideration in subsequent criminal proceedings.
While arrest records are generally public in Shiocton, several statutory provisions limit access to certain information:
• Juvenile Records: Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 938.396, records pertaining to juveniles are subject to stricter confidentiality requirements and are not generally available to the public.
• Ongoing Investigations: Information that would compromise an active investigation may be temporarily withheld under Wis. Stat. § 19.36(4).
• Privacy Concerns: Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information must be redacted before release according to Wis. Stat. § 19.36(10).
• Sealed or Expunged Records: Records that have been legally sealed or expunged by court order are not accessible to the general public.
• Domestic Abuse Victims: Information that would reveal the location of domestic abuse victims is protected under Wis. Stat. § 19.36(5).
The Shiocton Police Department and other custodians of records must carefully review and redact protected information before releasing arrest records to the public. Individuals who believe their information has been improperly disclosed may file a complaint with the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
Several government entities maintain and provide access to arrest records in the Shiocton area:
Shiocton Police Department
N5605 State Road 76
Shiocton, WI 54170
(920) 986-3007
Village of Shiocton Police Department
Shiocton Municipal Court
P.O. Box 96
Shiocton, WI 54170
(920) 986-3415
Municipal Court Directory
Outagamie County Sheriff's Office
320 S. Walnut Street
Appleton, WI 54911
(920) 832-5000
Outagamie County Sheriff's Office
Wisconsin Department of Justice
Crime Information Bureau
P.O. Box 2688
Madison, WI 53701-2688
(608) 266-7314
Wisconsin Department of Justice
Each agency maintains different aspects of arrest records and may have varying procedures for public access. Requests should be directed to the appropriate agency based on the specific information sought.