Arrest records in Price County, Wisconsin are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be available for inspection by any person except in specific circumstances where access is restricted by law. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access these records as essential to maintaining transparency in governmental operations and accountability in law enforcement activities.
Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that certain information may be redacted in accordance with Wisconsin Statute § 19.36, which protects confidential information such as ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and certain personal identifiers. The Price County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules established by the Wisconsin Public Records Board.
Price County arrest records are available through various online platforms in accordance with Wisconsin's commitment to public information accessibility. The Price County Sheriff's Office maintains digital records that may be accessed through their official website. Additionally, the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access program (WCCA), commonly known as CCAP, provides a comprehensive database of court records that often include information related to arrests.
Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 59.20(3), county officials are required to maintain records in formats that facilitate public access. Online access to these records is provided as a convenience to the public, though certain limitations apply:
Users of online systems should note that while basic information is typically available without charge, fees may apply for certified copies or extensive searches as permitted under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3).
Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Price County, each governed by specific procedures established pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.35. Individuals seeking such records may utilize the following official channels:
Requestors should provide as much identifying information as possible, including the full name of the subject, approximate date of arrest, and case number if available. In accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(4), the custodian of records must respond to requests "as soon as practicable and without delay."
Price County Sheriff's Office
164 Cherry Street
Phillips, WI 54555
(715) 339-3011
Official Website
Price County Clerk of Circuit Court
126 Cherry Street, Room 10
Phillips, WI 54555
(715) 339-3346
Official Website
Price County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Wisconsin Administrative Code § JUS 10.03 and maintained in accordance with Wisconsin Statute § 165.83. These official documents typically include the following elements:
It should be noted that pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.36(8), certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including but not limited to Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information related to confidential informants or ongoing investigations. Juvenile records are subject to additional confidentiality protections under Wisconsin Statute § 938.396.
Wisconsin law provides limited pathways for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances as outlined in Wisconsin Statute § 973.015. The expungement process in Price County adheres to these statutory guidelines and is administered through the Price County Circuit Court.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Price County include:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court that handled the original case. Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 973.015(1m)(b), if the court ordered expungement at the time of sentencing, the record will be automatically expunged upon successful completion of the sentence. If expungement was not ordered at sentencing, individuals may petition the court, though success is not guaranteed.
It is important to note that expunged records may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies and may be considered for sentencing in subsequent criminal proceedings as permitted under Wisconsin Statute § 973.015(2). Additionally, certain offenses, particularly those involving sexual crimes or crimes against children, are statutorily ineligible for expungement.