>Racine County Arrest Records Online

Racine County, Wisconsin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Racine County, Wisconsin?

Arrest records are public in Racine 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 unless specifically exempted by statute. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies within Racine County.

The Wisconsin Public Records Law operates under the presumption that all government records are open to inspection. Section 19.31 of the Wisconsin Statutes explicitly states that providing citizens with information about governmental affairs is "an essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the routine duties of officers and employees." Law enforcement agencies in Racine County, including the Racine County Sheriff's Office and the Racine Police Department, maintain arrest records in compliance with this statute.

Members of the public seeking arrest records may encounter certain limitations. Records pertaining to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld if disclosure would compromise law enforcement proceedings. Additionally, certain juvenile records may be subject to confidentiality provisions under Wis. Stat. § 938.396.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Racine County?

Racine County arrest records are available through several online platforms, providing convenient access to this public information. The Wisconsin Court System maintains the Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP), which serves as the primary online resource for accessing court records, including those related to arrests in Racine County. This system, established pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 758.19(4), provides a comprehensive database of court cases that can be searched by name, case number, or citation number.

The Racine County Sheriff's Office maintains an online inmate lookup system that provides information about individuals currently in custody. This resource includes booking information, charges, and custody status. Additionally, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections offers an online offender search tool that provides information about individuals who have been processed through the state correctional system.

Third-party aggregators also compile and provide access to Racine County arrest records. These services collect public record information from various government sources and make it available through their platforms, often for a fee. While these services may offer convenience, the information they provide should be verified through official government sources to ensure accuracy and currency.

Users of online arrest record systems should be aware that pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.356, certain information may be redacted from public records to protect privacy interests or sensitive information. This may include social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and certain medical information.

How to Look Up Racine County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Racine County, each with specific procedures and requirements. Individuals seeking these records may utilize the following approaches:

Submit a request in person at the Racine County Sheriff's Office located at 717 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requesters must complete a public records request form and may be required to present identification.
Access the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website, which provides public access to the records of the Wisconsin circuit courts. This platform allows users to search for cases by name, case number, or citation number.
Contact the Racine County Clerk of Circuit Court at 730 Wisconsin Avenue, Racine, WI 53403. Phone: (262) 636-3333. The office maintains court records, including those related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings.
Visit the Racine County Legal Resources page for guidance on accessing various legal documents, including arrest records.
Utilize public access terminals available at the Racine Public Library, 75 Seventh Street, Racine, WI 53403. These terminals provide access to public records databases without requiring personal computer access.

Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1), requesters may be charged reasonable fees for the location, reproduction, and mailing of requested records. The fee structure is determined by the custodian agency and may vary based on the volume and format of records requested.

Contents of a Racine County Arrest Record

Racine County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Wisconsin Administrative Code DOC § 328.27. These records typically include comprehensive details about the arrest event and the individual involved. The standard components of an arrest record are as follows:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, any known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors such as height, weight, and identifying marks or tattoos.
Arrest details, including the date, time, and specific location where the apprehension occurred, as well as the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s).
Criminal charges filed at the time of arrest, including the Wisconsin Statute number, offense classification (felony, misdemeanor, or civil violation), and a brief description of the alleged criminal activity.
Booking information, including the facility where processing occurred, booking number, and property inventory taken at the time of intake.
Photographic documentation, commonly referred to as a "mugshot," showing frontal and profile views of the arrested individual.
Biometric data, including fingerprints collected during the booking process, which are subsequently submitted to state and federal databases for identification verification.
Custody status information, including whether the individual was released on bail or bond, the amount of bail set, or if the person was detained pending further court proceedings.
Court case number and initial appearance date, if assigned at the time the record was created.

The Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP) system maintains electronic versions of these records, which are accessible to authorized personnel and, with certain limitations, to members of the public.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Racine County

Expungement provisions in Racine County operate under Wisconsin Statute § 973.015, which provides a legal mechanism for the removal of certain arrest and conviction records from public access. Eligibility for expungement is determined by specific statutory criteria and judicial discretion.

Under Wisconsin law, expungement may be available for individuals who:

Were under the age of 25 at the time of the commission of the offense.
Were convicted of an offense that carries a maximum period of imprisonment of 6 years or less (Class H felony or less serious offense).
Successfully completed their sentence, including any probationary period.
Have not been convicted of a subsequent offense and have no pending charges.

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Racine County Circuit Court where the case was originally adjudicated. Petitioners must complete Form CR-266, "Petition for Expungement," available from the Racine County Court Records office. A filing fee of $120 is required unless the petitioner qualifies for a fee waiver based on financial hardship.

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court schedules a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate that expungement would benefit public welfare and will not pose a risk to public safety. The District Attorney's Office receives notification of the petition and may present arguments regarding the appropriateness of expungement in each case.

If granted, expungement does not physically destroy records but rather seals them from public view. Law enforcement agencies and the courts retain access to expunged records for internal purposes. Additionally, expunged Wisconsin records may still appear in federal databases or private background check companies unless specifically addressed through separate processes.

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