>Pierce County Arrest Records Online

Pierce County, Wisconsin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Pierce County, Wisconsin?

Arrest records are public documents in Pierce County, Wisconsin, pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This legislation establishes that records produced or maintained by government entities must be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The law operates under the principle that providing citizens with complete information regarding the affairs of government serves a vital public interest and is essential to the functioning of a democratic society.

The Wisconsin Public Records Law applies to all records created or maintained by Pierce County law enforcement agencies, including the Pierce County Sheriff's Office. Under this statute, arrest records, booking information, and jail rosters are considered public records and must be made available for inspection and copying during normal business hours.

Members of the public seeking access to arrest records may submit requests in person, by mail, or electronically to the custodian of the desired records. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(i), the records custodian may impose reasonable fees for the location, reproduction, and mailing of records, but may not charge for the cost of redacting confidential information.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Pierce County?

Pierce County arrest records are available online through several official government portals. The Pierce County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital database of current inmates and recent arrests that is updated daily. The Pierce County Jail Roster provides information on individuals currently in custody, including names, booking dates, and charges.

For more comprehensive criminal history information, the Wisconsin Court System offers an online case search function that allows users to access court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings throughout the state, including those in Pierce County.

Digital access to these records is provided in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1), which states that "any requester has a right to inspect any record." The statute further specifies that agencies may provide electronic copies of records when appropriate technology is available.

Users should be aware that while basic arrest information is available online, certain details may be redacted in compliance with privacy laws and ongoing investigation protocols. Complete records may require formal requests through the appropriate agencies.

How to Look Up Pierce County Arrest Records in 2025

Individuals seeking Pierce County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The following methods are available for conducting arrest record searches:

Online Jail Roster: The Pierce County Sheriff's Office maintains a daily updated jail roster that lists current inmates and recent bookings. This resource includes basic arrest information and is accessible 24 hours a day.
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA): The Wisconsin Court System provides public access to court records, including those related to arrests and criminal proceedings in Pierce County.
In-Person Requests: Citizens may submit formal records requests at the Pierce County Sheriff's Office Records Division.

Pierce County Sheriff's Office
555 W. Overlook Drive
Ellsworth, WI 54011
(715) 273-5051
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Written Requests: Pursuant to the Wisconsin Open Records Law, written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the Records Division of the Pierce County Sheriff's Office. Requests must reasonably describe the records sought and may be subject to fees for reproduction and processing.
Pierce County Circuit Court: Court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings may be obtained through the Clerk of Courts office.

Pierce County Circuit Court
414 W. Main Street
Ellsworth, WI 54011
(715) 273-3531
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

When requesting arrest records, individuals must provide sufficient identifying information, including the full name of the subject and, if possible, date of birth or case number. Requests may be subject to fees in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3).

Contents of a Pierce County Arrest Record

Pierce County arrest records contain standardized information documenting the apprehension and processing of individuals taken into custody. These records are maintained in accordance with Wisconsin Statute § 165.83, which establishes requirements for criminal identification, records, and statistics. A comprehensive Pierce County arrest record typically includes the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and any distinguishing physical characteristics or identifying marks such as scars or tattoos.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer; arresting agency (e.g., Pierce County Sheriff's Office, local police department); and the legal authority under which the arrest was made.
Criminal Charges: Specific violations of Wisconsin state statutes or local ordinances for which the individual was arrested, including citation numbers and statutory references.
Booking Information: Time and date of booking, assigned booking number, and the facility where the individual was processed and detained.
Biometric Data: Fingerprints collected during booking and stored in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 165.84.
Photographic Documentation: Mugshot photographs taken during the booking process, typically including front and profile views.
Custody Status: Information regarding bail or bond amounts, court appearance dates, and release conditions if applicable.
Property Inventory: Itemized list of personal belongings in the individual's possession at the time of arrest.
Medical Screening: Basic health information collected during intake, including any medical conditions requiring attention during detention.

Pursuant to Wisconsin's public records law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information related to ongoing investigations or juvenile offenders.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Pierce County

The expungement of arrest records in Pierce County is governed by Wisconsin Statute § 973.015, which provides a legal pathway for eligible individuals to petition for the removal of certain records from public access. Expungement serves to mitigate the collateral consequences of an arrest by limiting public disclosure of the record.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Pierce County include:

The arrest did not result in a conviction, or the conviction was subsequently overturned, dismissed, or pardoned.
The individual was under 25 years of age at the time of the offense.
The offense was a misdemeanor or a non-violent Class H or I felony.
The court determined at sentencing that expungement would benefit the person and society would not be harmed.
The individual has successfully completed their sentence, including any probationary period.

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Pierce County Circuit Court where the case was originally adjudicated. Petitioners must provide:

A completed Petition for Expungement form
Certified copies of relevant court documents
Proof of completion of all court-ordered conditions
Payment of applicable filing fees

Pierce County Circuit Court
414 W. Main Street
Ellsworth, WI 54011
(715) 273-3531
Official Website

Upon receipt of a petition, the court schedules a hearing where the petitioner may present their case for expungement. The district attorney's office and any victims have the opportunity to provide input. If granted, expungement removes the record from public databases, including the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system, though the information remains available to law enforcement agencies for official purposes.

It is important to note that expungement in Wisconsin does not physically destroy records but rather seals them from public view. Additionally, federal agencies and certain employers with statutory authority may still access expunged records through specialized background check processes.