Sheboygan Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Sheboygan, Wisconsin?
Arrest records are public documents in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes that records produced or maintained by government entities shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld that public records laws shall be construed in every instance with a presumption of complete public access, consistent with the conduct of governmental business.
The Sheboygan Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official documentation of law enforcement activities. These records are subject to public inspection during normal business hours at the department headquarters. Members of the public seeking access to arrest records must submit a formal request in accordance with established departmental procedures.
Certain exceptions to disclosure may apply in cases involving:
- Ongoing investigations where disclosure would impede law enforcement proceedings
- Juvenile records, which are subject to additional confidentiality protections under Wis. Stat. § 938.396
- Records containing personally identifiable information that, if disclosed, would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
- Information specifically exempted from disclosure by state or federal statute
How to Look Up Sheboygan Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for accessing arrest records in Sheboygan, Wisconsin as of 2025. The City of Sheboygan has implemented enhanced digital access systems while maintaining traditional retrieval options. Individuals seeking arrest records may utilize any of the following official channels:
- In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Sheboygan Police Department Records Division during regular business hours to submit a records request form. Valid identification must be presented at the time of request.
Sheboygan Police Department
1315 N 23rd Street, Suite 101
Sheboygan, WI 53081
(920) 459-3333
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the Records Division address listed above. Requests must include the requestor's full name, contact information, specific information being sought, and applicable fees.
Online Portal Access: The Sheboygan County Sheriff's Office maintains a digital records portal accessible through the county website. Users must create an account and may be subject to verification procedures before accessing certain records.
County Clerk's Office: Certain arrest records, particularly those resulting in court proceedings, may be available through the Sheboygan County Clerk of Courts.
Sheboygan County Clerk of Courts
615 N 6th Street
Sheboygan, WI 53081
(920) 459-3068
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), fees may be charged for the location, reproduction, and mailing of records. The fee schedule is established by the custodian agency and is subject to periodic revision in accordance with actual, necessary, and direct costs.
Contents of a Sheboygan Arrest Record
Standard arrest records maintained by the Sheboygan Police Department contain specific categories of information as mandated by Wisconsin Administrative Code § DOJ 1.04. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions and typically include:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases or known monikers
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
- Date, time, and precise location of the arrest
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Arresting agency and jurisdiction
- Statutory citations for all charges filed
- Booking photographs (mugshots) taken during processing
- Fingerprint impressions collected during booking procedures
- Case number and incident report references
- Detention facility information if the individual was remanded to custody
- Initial appearance court date if applicable
The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains standardized protocols for the collection and storage of arrest data through the Transaction Information for the Management of Enforcement (TIME) System. This ensures consistency in record-keeping across jurisdictions throughout the state.
Arrest records may be accompanied by supplementary documentation including incident reports, witness statements, and evidence inventories. Access to these supplementary materials may require additional authorization or be subject to redaction based on investigative considerations.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Sheboygan
The expungement of arrest records in Sheboygan is governed by Wisconsin Statute § 973.015, which provides a legal mechanism for the removal of certain records from public access. Expungement renders the record inaccessible through state and federal repositories, though certain law enforcement and judicial entities may retain limited access capabilities.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Wisconsin include:
- Individuals who were arrested but not subsequently charged with a crime
- Persons charged with a crime that was later dismissed or resulted in acquittal
- Offenders who were under the age of 25 at the time of the offense and were convicted of a misdemeanor
- Certain non-violent felony offenders who meet statutory requirements
The expungement process requires the filing of a formal petition with the Sheboygan Municipal Court or the Circuit Court that had original jurisdiction over the case. Petitioners must demonstrate that they have satisfied all conditions of their sentence, including payment of fines, completion of community service, and fulfillment of probationary requirements.
Sheboygan Municipal Court
1315 N 23rd Street, Suite 150
Sheboygan, WI 53081
(920) 459-3333
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Judicial discretion plays a significant role in expungement determinations. The court evaluates each petition based on:
- The nature and severity of the original offense
- The petitioner's criminal history before and after the arrest in question
- Evidence of rehabilitation and community contribution
- The potential impact of the record on the petitioner's employment and housing opportunities
- Public safety considerations
Successful expungement does not physically destroy records but rather seals them from public view. Pursuant to Wisconsin Administrative Code § DOJ 1.09, expunged records remain available to law enforcement agencies for legitimate investigative purposes and may be considered in subsequent criminal proceedings.
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