Rusk County, Wisconsin Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Rusk County, Wisconsin?
Yes, arrest records are public in Rusk County, Wisconsin. This accessibility is mandated by the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39), which ensures that members of the public have the right to access records maintained by government bodies. Arrest records, as part of these public records, contain information about the apprehension of individuals by law enforcement, which is considered public interest information. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld the principle that public records should be accessible to promote government transparency and accountability.
Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(1)(a), "any requester has a right to inspect any record." This statutory provision establishes the presumption that all government records, including arrest records, are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. The Rusk County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state regulations and makes them available through established procedures.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Rusk County?
Yes, arrest records can be found online in Rusk County. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) program provides public access to certain court records, including those related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. This online accessibility aligns with Wisconsin's commitment to government transparency as outlined in Wis. Stat. § 19.31, which states that providing citizens with information on government affairs is "an essential function of a representative government."
The Wisconsin Court System maintains a comprehensive database that includes Rusk County cases. Users may search by name, case number, or citation number to locate arrest-related court records. However, it should be noted that pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72.01, certain records may have restricted access based on statutory provisions or court orders.
How to Look Up Rusk County Arrest Records in 2025
To obtain Rusk County arrest records, several methods are available to members of the public:
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Rusk County Sheriff's Office located at 311 Miner Avenue East, Suite C101, Ladysmith, WI 54848. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (715) 532-2200.
Online Databases: The Wisconsin Court System provides access to court records related to arrests. Additionally, the Rusk County Sheriff's Office website may offer inmate lookup services.
Written Requests: Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(h), individuals may submit written requests for arrest records to the Records Custodian at the Rusk County Sheriff's Office. Requests must reasonably describe the records sought.
Rusk County Clerk of Circuit Court: Located at 311 Miner Avenue East, Suite C240, Ladysmith, WI 54848. Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Telephone: (715) 532-2131. The Clerk maintains court records related to criminal cases following arrests.
Legal Resource Centers: The Wisconsin State Law Library provides access to legal resources specific to Rusk County, including guidance on accessing public records.
Contents of a Rusk County Arrest Record
A Rusk County arrest record typically contains the following information as prescribed by Wisconsin Administrative Code § JUS 9:
- Personal Identifiers: Full legal name, date of birth, gender, race, and address of the arrested individual
- Physical Description: Height, weight, eye and hair color, identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
- Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; arresting agency; name and badge number of arresting officer
- Offense Information: Statutory citations of alleged violations; description of charges; classification (misdemeanor or felony)
- Booking Information: Booking number, fingerprints, and mugshot photographs
- Case Processing: Court case number, bail or bond amount, court appearance dates
- Disposition Information: If available, the outcome of the case (e.g., conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 165.83, law enforcement agencies are required to collect and maintain certain arrest data for statistical and identification purposes. However, some sensitive information may be redacted in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.36, which provides exemptions for certain types of information.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Rusk County
In Rusk County, individuals may be eligible to have their arrest records expunged under specific circumstances as provided by Wisconsin Statute § 973.015. Expungement is the process through which a record is removed from public access, though it may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Wisconsin 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 determine that society will not be harmed by the expungement
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Rusk County Circuit Court. Petitioners must use the appropriate forms available from the Wisconsin Court System and may benefit from consulting with the Wisconsin State Public Defender for guidance.
Upon receipt of a petition, the court will schedule a hearing where factors such as the nature of the offense, the petitioner's criminal history, rehabilitation efforts, and public safety concerns will be considered. If granted, expungement removes the record from public databases, though certain government agencies may still retain access to the information for law enforcement purposes.
Legal Assistance for Arrest Record Issues
Individuals seeking assistance with arrest record matters in Rusk County have several resources available:
Rusk County District Attorney's Office
311 East Miner Avenue, Suite L327
Ladysmith, WI 54848
Phone: (715) 532-2121
The District Attorney's Office can provide information regarding criminal charges and prosecution status.
Wisconsin State Public Defender - Barron Office
(Serving Rusk County)
330 East LaSalle Avenue, Suite 207
Barron, WI 54812
Phone: (715) 537-4780
Wisconsin State Public Defender
The Public Defender's Office provides legal representation to qualifying individuals and can assist with expungement petitions.
Wisconsin Department of Corrections - Probation and Parole
1101 North Main Street, Suite 1
Rice Lake, WI 54868
Phone: (715) 234-9011
DOC Adult Probation & Parole Offices
The DOC supervises individuals on probation or parole and maintains records related to supervision status.
Rights of Individuals with Arrest Records
Individuals with arrest records in Rusk County retain certain rights under Wisconsin law:
Right to Review: Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(4), individuals have the right to review their own arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies.
Right to Challenge: Under Wis. Admin. Code § JUS 10.04, individuals may challenge the accuracy of information contained in their criminal history record by submitting a written request to the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
Employment Protection: Wisconsin's Fair Employment Act (Wis. Stat. § 111.31-111.395) prohibits employment discrimination based solely on arrest records that did not result in conviction, unless the charges are pending or the circumstances of the arrest substantially relate to the job.
Housing Considerations: While federal housing authorities may consider arrest records in housing decisions, Wisconsin municipalities may have ordinances providing additional protections against housing discrimination based on arrest records.
Victim Services: The Victim/Witness Assistance Program in Rusk County provides support services to victims and witnesses involved in criminal cases.
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