>Vernon County Arrest Records Online

Vernon County, Wisconsin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Vernon County, Wisconsin?

Arrest records are public documents in Vernon County, Wisconsin, pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This legislation establishes the presumption that all government records, including arrest records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Wisconsin Public Records Law operates under the principle that government transparency and accountability are best served when citizens have access to information about governmental activities, including law enforcement actions.

Members of the public may access arrest records maintained by Vernon County law enforcement agencies, courts, and correctional facilities. These records typically document instances where individuals have been taken into custody by law enforcement officials on suspicion of criminal activity. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access such records, recognizing their importance in maintaining an informed citizenry and ensuring proper oversight of governmental functions.

Certain exceptions to disclosure may apply in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or where disclosure would endanger public safety or compromise personal privacy beyond the legislative intent. These exceptions are narrowly construed in accordance with Wisconsin case law.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Vernon County?

Vernon County arrest records are available through various online platforms maintained by county and state agencies. The Wisconsin Court System provides a comprehensive database where members of the public may search for court cases related to arrests. This system, known as Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA), contains information about criminal cases that have been filed following arrests in Vernon County.

The Vernon County Sheriff's Office maintains certain arrest information on their official website, including recent booking information and inmate status. However, it should be noted that not all arrest records are immediately published online, particularly those involving ongoing investigations or special circumstances as defined by Wisconsin statutes.

Online access to arrest records is governed by Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1), which states that "any requester has a right to inspect any record." The statute further provides that electronic records shall be made available "in any format in which it is maintained," facilitating online access where such formats exist.

How to Look Up Vernon County Arrest Records in 2025

Individuals seeking arrest records in Vernon County have multiple official channels through which they may obtain this information:

Vernon County Sheriff's Office
1320 Bad Axe Court
Viroqua, WI 54665
Phone: (608) 637-2123
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

The Sheriff's Office maintains comprehensive arrest records and booking information. Requesters may submit a records request form in person, by mail, or electronically. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), fees may be charged for search, copying, and other actual costs associated with locating and reproducing records.
Vernon County Circuit Court
400 Courthouse Square
Viroqua, WI 54665
Phone: (608) 637-5340
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

The Circuit Court maintains records of all criminal proceedings, including those stemming from arrests. Court records often contain more detailed information about the disposition of cases following arrests.
Wisconsin Department of Justice
17 West Main Street
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: (608) 266-1221
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Official Website

The Department of Justice maintains the Wisconsin Criminal History Repository, which includes arrest records from throughout the state. Authorized requesters may obtain criminal history information through the department's Crime Information Bureau.
Wisconsin State Law Library
Vernon County Legal Resources

The State Law Library provides guidance on accessing legal resources specific to Vernon County, including information about accessing arrest records and related legal documents.

Contents of a Vernon County Arrest Record

Vernon County arrest records typically contain the following categories of information as prescribed by Wisconsin Administrative Code § JUS 9:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest, including Wisconsin statute numbers
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking photographs (commonly known as "mugshots")
Fingerprint records and other biometric identifiers
Physical description including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Residential address of the arrested individual
Booking number and facility information
Bail or bond information, if applicable
Preliminary hearing date, if scheduled
Disposition information (may be updated as the case progresses)

It should be noted that certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.36, which provides specific exemptions for confidential information, including but not limited to social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and certain medical information.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Vernon County

Under Wisconsin law, specifically Wis. Stat. § 973.015, certain arrest records may be eligible for expungement under limited circumstances. Expungement in Vernon County follows state guidelines and procedures, which generally require the following conditions:

The arrest must have resulted in a misdemeanor conviction or a Class H or I felony conviction
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 have determined at the time of sentencing that expungement would benefit the offender and not harm society
The offender must have successfully completed their sentence

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the Vernon County Circuit Court. Upon approval, records are sealed from public view but remain accessible to law enforcement agencies. It is important to note that expungement in Wisconsin does not completely destroy records but rather limits their accessibility.

Arrests that did not lead to charges or convictions may be eligible for removal from certain databases under different procedures. Individuals seeking expungement should be aware that Wisconsin's expungement laws are more restrictive than those in many other states, and the process typically requires careful adherence to statutory requirements.