>Taylor County Arrest Records Online

Taylor County, Wisconsin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Taylor County, Wisconsin?

Yes, arrest records are public in Taylor County, Wisconsin. This accessibility is governed by the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39), which establishes that records produced or maintained by government entities shall be available for inspection and copying by any person. The law presumes complete public access to government records, including arrest records, unless specifically exempted by statute or common law principles.

The Taylor County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their official duties in law enforcement. Members of the public seeking arrest information may access these records through various channels established by county authorities. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records in accordance with Wisconsin Statute § 19.36, which protects information related to ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and certain personal identifiers.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Taylor County?

Yes, arrest records can be found online in Taylor County through several official digital platforms. The Wisconsin Court System provides a comprehensive online database that includes arrest and court records from Taylor County. This system, known as Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA), allows public access to court records from all 72 Wisconsin counties, including Taylor County.

The Wisconsin Court System's case search function enables users to search for cases by name, case number, or citation number. Records available through this system typically include arrest information, charges filed, court appearances, and case dispositions. It should be noted that pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72, certain records may be removed from online access after specified time periods, though they remain available for in-person inspection at the courthouse.

Additionally, the Taylor County Government website provides links to various county departments that maintain public records, including arrest information. Users should be aware that online records may not always contain complete arrest information, and some details may require in-person requests.

How to Look Up Taylor County Arrest Records in 2025

To obtain Taylor County arrest records, individuals have several methods available as prescribed by Wisconsin Statute § 19.35. The following options are available for accessing these public records:

Taylor County Sheriff's Office: Members of the public may submit a public records request directly to the Sheriff's Office. Requests can be submitted in person, by mail, or via email.

Taylor County Sheriff's Office
224 South Second Street
Medford, WI 54451
Phone: (715) 748-2200
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

Taylor County Clerk of Courts Office: Court records related to arrests can be obtained from the Clerk's office, which maintains official court documents.

Taylor County Clerk of Courts
224 South Second Street, Room 208
Medford, WI 54451
Phone: (715) 748-1430
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

Online Access: The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal provides arrest and case information for Taylor County. This resource is maintained by the Wisconsin Court System and is updated regularly with new case information.
Wisconsin State Law Library: The library provides access to legal resources including arrest records and offers assistance in locating public records.

Contents of a Taylor County Arrest Record

Taylor County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Wisconsin Administrative Code § DOC 328.27. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
Date of birth and demographic information (age, gender, race)
Physical description including height, weight, eye and hair color, and identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific charges filed, including statute numbers and offense descriptions
Name of the arresting agency and officer
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint information
Case number assigned by law enforcement
Custody status and bail/bond information
Court appearance dates
Disposition of the case, if available

Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.36(8), certain information may be redacted from public arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and other personal identifiers that could facilitate identity theft. Additionally, information related to confidential informants, ongoing investigations, or juvenile records may be withheld in accordance with statutory exemptions.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Taylor County

In Taylor County, the process of expungement is governed by Wisconsin Statute § 973.015, which provides a legal mechanism for sealing certain arrest and conviction records. Expungement removes records from public access but does not completely destroy them. Law enforcement agencies and courts may still access expunged records for specific purposes.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Taylor County include:

The offense must be a misdemeanor or a Class H or I felony
The individual 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 person and not harm society
The individual must have successfully completed their sentence

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Taylor County Circuit Court, located at:

Taylor County Circuit Court
224 South Second Street
Medford, WI 54451
Phone: (715) 748-1425
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process is discretionary, and the court will consider factors such as the nature of the offense, the individual's criminal history, and evidence of rehabilitation. Pursuant to Wisconsin case law, expungement is not available for arrests that did not result in charges or for cases that resulted in acquittal.

Legal Restrictions on Access to Certain Arrest Records

Wisconsin law establishes specific limitations on public access to certain categories of arrest records. The Wisconsin State Law Library provides comprehensive information on these restrictions. Key limitations include:

Juvenile Records: Under Wisconsin Statute § 938.396, records pertaining to individuals under 17 years of age at the time of the alleged offense are generally confidential and not available for public inspection.
Sealed or Expunged Records: Records that have been legally expunged or sealed by court order are removed from public access in accordance with Wisconsin Statute § 973.015.
Pending Investigations: Information related to ongoing law enforcement investigations may be temporarily withheld from public disclosure under Wisconsin Statute § 19.36(4).
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Cases: Certain identifying information of victims in these cases may be redacted to protect privacy rights.
Mental Health Commitments: Records related to emergency detentions or involuntary commitments under Wisconsin Statute Chapter 51 are subject to confidentiality provisions.

Law enforcement agencies and court officials in Taylor County are required to comply with these statutory restrictions when responding to public records requests. Individuals seeking access to restricted records may need to demonstrate a legal right to such information or obtain a court order.