>Pepin County Arrest Records Online

Pepin County, Wisconsin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Pepin County, Wisconsin?

Arrest records are public documents in Pepin County, Wisconsin, pursuant to Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This legislation establishes the presumption that all government records, including arrest records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access these records to ensure governmental transparency and accountability.

The Pepin County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory duty to document law enforcement activities. Members of the public seeking arrest information may obtain these records through established procedures, though certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or personal privacy in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.36.

Wisconsin's commitment to open government extends to arrest records as they document the actions of public officials performing their duties. The public nature of these records serves multiple purposes, including allowing citizens to monitor law enforcement activities and ensuring due process protections for those arrested.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Pepin County?

Pepin County provides limited online access to arrest records through several official channels. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal, commonly known as CCAP, contains information about criminal cases that result from arrests, though not necessarily the arrest records themselves. This resource is maintained pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72.

The Pepin County Clerk of Circuit Court oversees the maintenance of court records that may contain information related to arrests. While comprehensive arrest records may not be fully available online, case information including charges, court dates, and disposition information can be accessed through the court's electronic systems.

Online access to arrest records is subject to the following limitations:

Records may not be immediately available online following an arrest
Juvenile records are generally not accessible online per Wis. Stat. § 938.396
Certain sensitive information may be redacted in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.36
Expunged or sealed records will not appear in online databases

Users should note that the most comprehensive arrest records are typically available through direct request to the Pepin County Sheriff's Office rather than through online portals.

How to Look Up Pepin County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Pepin County have several methods available to obtain this information:

In-person requests can be submitted at the Pepin County Sheriff's Office:

Pepin County Sheriff's Office
740 7th Avenue West
Durand, WI 54736
(715) 672-5944
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Court records related to arrests can be obtained from:

Pepin County Clerk of Circuit Court
740 7th Avenue West
Durand, WI 54736
(715) 672-8861
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Online access is available through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access website for cases that have been filed with the court.
Written requests may be submitted by mail to either the Sheriff's Office or Clerk of Circuit Court, including the requestor's name, contact information, and specific information sought.

Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1), requestors are not required to identify themselves or state the purpose of their request, except in limited circumstances. Fees for copies of records may be assessed in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), not to exceed the actual, necessary, and direct cost of reproduction.

Contents of a Pepin County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Pepin County law enforcement agencies typically contain standardized information as required by Wisconsin Administrative Code DOC § 328.27. These records generally include:

Biographical information of the arrested individual:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, eye and hair color, identifying marks)
- Residential address
- State identification number and/or FBI number if applicable
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory charges and citation numbers
- Booking photographs ("mugshots")
- Fingerprint records
- Property inventory
Case processing information:
- Detention status (released or held)
- Bail or bond information
- Court appearance dates
- Case disposition if available

The Circuit Court Judge may review these records during initial appearances and bail hearings. Records maintained by the court system may contain additional information regarding case progression, while law enforcement records focus primarily on the arrest circumstances and booking process.

It should be noted that certain information may be redacted from public copies of arrest records, including information about confidential informants, details that might compromise ongoing investigations, and certain personal identifiers as specified in Wis. Stat. § 801.19.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Pepin County

Wisconsin law provides limited pathways for the expungement of arrest records in Pepin County. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 973.015, expungement may be available under the following circumstances:

For individuals who committed an offense when under the age of 25
For offenses that carry a maximum period of imprisonment of 6 years or less
When the court determines at sentencing that the individual will benefit and society will not be harmed

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Pepin County Circuit Court where the case was adjudicated. The court evaluates several factors when considering expungement:

The nature and severity of the original offense
The petitioner's criminal history before and after the offense
Evidence of rehabilitation and community contributions
The potential impact of expungement on public safety

When granted, expungement seals the court record from public view, though the information may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies. It should be noted that expungement in Wisconsin applies primarily to court records rather than arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies.

The Wisconsin State Law Library provides resources for individuals seeking information about the expungement process. Legal assistance may be necessary to navigate the procedural requirements for expungement petitions.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

Wisconsin law establishes several important restrictions on public access to arrest records in Pepin County. These limitations are designed to balance transparency with privacy and due process concerns:

Juvenile records are subject to heightened confidentiality under Wis. Stat. § 938.396, with limited exceptions for victims and certain agencies.
Records related to domestic abuse investigations have specific privacy protections under Wis. Stat. § 968.075(3).
Arrest records in cases where charges were dismissed or resulted in acquittal remain public but may be eligible for removal from certain databases.
Mental health detention records under Wis. Stat. § 51.15 are subject to medical privacy protections.
Records pertaining to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under the "balancing test" established in Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(a).

Government agencies maintaining arrest records must comply with these statutory restrictions when responding to public records requests. The Pepin County Sheriff's Office and Clerk of Circuit Court have established procedures to ensure compliance with these legal requirements while facilitating appropriate public access.

Using Arrest Records for Background Checks

Employers, landlords, and other entities in Pepin County may utilize arrest records as part of background screening processes, subject to important legal limitations. The Wisconsin Fair Employment Act (Wis. Stat. § 111.31-111.395) prohibits discrimination based on arrest or conviction records unless the charges substantially relate to the specific job, license, or housing opportunity.

When conducting background checks using arrest records, the following guidelines apply:

Arrest records without convictions generally cannot be used as the sole basis for adverse decisions
Employers must consider the nature of the offense, time elapsed, and relevance to job duties
Housing providers must evaluate whether the record indicates a demonstrable risk to property or safety
All users must comply with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act if using third-party services

The Pepin County Sheriff's Office does not provide interpretations of arrest records or recommendations regarding their use in background screening. Entities utilizing these records for screening purposes are advised to consult with legal counsel regarding compliance with applicable laws.