>Portage County Arrest Records Online

Portage County, Wisconsin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Portage County, Wisconsin?

Arrest records are public in Portage 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 shall be accessible to the public, with limited exceptions as defined by statute. The Wisconsin Public Records Law operates under the presumption that government records should be available for inspection and copying to ensure transparency in governmental operations and to facilitate effective citizen oversight of public officials.

The Portage County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its statutory duties. These records document the apprehension of individuals by law enforcement agencies operating within county jurisdiction. Public access to these records serves multiple governmental interests, including:

Promoting accountability of law enforcement agencies
Ensuring transparency in the criminal justice system
Facilitating public awareness of criminal activity within the community
Supporting legitimate research and statistical analysis of crime patterns

Individuals seeking access to arrest records may submit requests to the appropriate custodian of records. The custodian must respond to such requests "as soon as practicable and without delay" as required by Wis. Stat. § 19.35(4)(a).

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Portage County?

Arrest records can be found online in Portage County through several official digital platforms. The Portage County Sheriff's Office maintains digital records that may be accessed by members of the public through designated online portals. Additionally, the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system provides a comprehensive database of court records, including information related to arrests that have resulted in formal charges.

The online availability of these records is consistent with Wisconsin's commitment to governmental transparency as codified in Wis. Stat. § 19.31, which states that the public records law "shall be construed in every instance with a presumption of complete public access." Digital access to these records serves to:

Reduce administrative burden on county staff
Provide 24-hour accessibility to public information
Eliminate geographical barriers to information access
Streamline the record retrieval process for citizens and organizations

Users should note that while basic arrest information is typically available online, certain sensitive information may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections established under Wis. Stat. § 19.36.

How to Look Up Portage County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining Portage County arrest records in 2025. Pursuant to Wisconsin's Public Records Law, the following official channels are available to members of the public seeking arrest record information:

Submit an open records request to the Portage County Sheriff's Office
Visit the Portage County Sheriff's Office in person at:

Portage County Sheriff's Office
1500 Strongs Avenue
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Phone: (715) 346-1400
Official Website

Access the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal for cases that have entered the court system
Review the Active Warrant List maintained by the Portage County Sheriff's Office
Contact the Portage County Clerk of Courts for court records related to arrests at:

Portage County Clerk of Courts
1516 Church Street
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Phone: (715) 346-1364
Official Website

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate record location, including the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and any other identifying information. Fees may apply for record reproduction in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), which permits agencies to charge "the actual, necessary and direct cost" of reproduction and transcription of records.

Contents of a Portage County Arrest Record

Portage County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Wisconsin Administrative Code § DOJ 1.04, which establishes uniform reporting requirements for law enforcement agencies. A typical arrest record includes the following categories of information:

Biographical data of the arrested individual:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Gender
- Race/ethnicity (as reported)
- Address at time of arrest
- Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Arrest details:
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Arrest jurisdiction
- Statutory citations for alleged violations
- Narrative description of circumstances leading to arrest
Processing information:
- Booking number and facility
- Fingerprint records
- Property inventory
- Initial appearance date
- Bail or bond information
- Detention status
Case disposition:
- Charges filed by prosecuting authority
- Court case number
- Preliminary hearing information
- Final disposition (if available)

These records are maintained in accordance with the records retention schedule established under Wis. Stat. § 16.61, which governs the preservation and disposition of public records. The completeness of information may vary based on the stage of criminal proceedings and the specific circumstances of the arrest.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Portage County

Expungement provisions in Wisconsin are governed by Wis. Stat. § 973.015, which provides a legal mechanism for the removal of certain arrest and conviction records from public access. In Portage County, individuals may petition for expungement under specific statutory conditions. The expungement process seals records from public view but does not physically destroy them.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Portage County include:

The offense must be a misdemeanor or a Class H or I felony
The offender 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 sentencing that expungement would benefit the offender and not harm society
The offender must have successfully completed their sentence

The procedural requirements for seeking expungement include:

Filing a petition with the Portage County Circuit Court
Providing notice to the District Attorney's Office
Attending a scheduled hearing before a circuit court judge
Demonstrating compliance with all eligibility requirements

It should be noted that under Wisconsin law, expungement is generally determined at the time of sentencing rather than through a separate post-conviction proceeding. However, individuals with arrests that did not result in charges or convictions may petition for expungement under separate provisions of Wisconsin law.

The Wisconsin State Law Library provides resources for individuals seeking information about the expungement process in Portage County.