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Wisconsin Arrest Records Online >Walworth County Arrest Records Online

Walworth County, Wisconsin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Walworth County, Wisconsin?

Arrest records are public documents in Walworth County, Wisconsin, pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This legislation establishes that government records shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute, common law, or overriding public interest considerations. The Walworth County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory obligation to document law enforcement activities within the jurisdiction.

Members of the public may access arrest records for various legitimate purposes, including:

  • Background verification for employment or housing
  • Personal safety concerns
  • Research and statistical analysis
  • Monitoring of law enforcement activities and accountability

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld the public's right to access government records, including arrest information, as essential to democratic governance and transparency. However, certain information within arrest records may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive personal information pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.36.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Walworth County?

Walworth County provides digital access to arrest records through several official online platforms. The Walworth County Inmate Search serves as the primary portal for accessing current inmate information and recent arrest data. This resource is maintained by the Walworth County Sheriff's Office in accordance with Wisconsin's commitment to government transparency.

The online system provides:

  • Current inmate status information
  • Basic arrest details
  • Booking photographs
  • Charge information
  • Court dates and case numbers

The Walworth Inmate Locator offers an additional search mechanism specifically designed to locate individuals currently in custody. This system is updated regularly to ensure accuracy of information pursuant to county record-keeping protocols.

For more comprehensive arrest history information, the Wisconsin Court System Case Search provides access to court records associated with arrests throughout the state, including those in Walworth County. This resource is maintained by the Wisconsin Court System in accordance with Supreme Court Rule 72.

How to Look Up Walworth County Arrest Records in 2025

Individuals seeking Walworth County arrest records in 2025 have multiple methods available to them, as established by Wisconsin's Open Records Law. The following procedures have been established for public access:

In-Person Requests

The Walworth County Sheriff's Office accepts in-person requests for arrest records during regular business hours.

Walworth County Sheriff's Office
1770 County Road NN
Elkhorn, WI 53121
262-741-4400
Official Website

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Requestors must:

  • Complete an official records request form
  • Provide identification
  • Pay applicable fees as established by Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3)

Online Access

Digital access to arrest records is available through:

Written Requests

Written requests may be submitted to:

Walworth County Clerk of Circuit Court
1800 County Trunk NN
Elkhorn, WI 53121
262-741-7012
Official Website

All written requests must include:

  • Full name of the subject
  • Date of birth (if known)
  • Approximate date of arrest
  • Specific information requested
  • Contact information for response

Contents of a Walworth County Arrest Record

Walworth County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Wisconsin Statutes § 165.83 regarding criminal identification data. These records typically include the following components:

Demographic Information

  • Full legal name of the arrested individual
  • Any known aliases or previous names
  • Date of birth
  • Gender
  • Race/ethnicity (as self-reported or observed)
  • Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
  • Residential address at time of arrest

Arrest Details

  • Date and time of arrest
  • Location of arrest
  • Arresting agency and officer identification
  • Statutory violations cited
  • Incident report number
  • Booking number
  • Custody status

Biometric Data

  • Fingerprint classification
  • Booking photograph (mugshot)
  • Any DNA collection information

Case Processing Information

  • Court case number (if assigned)
  • Bail or bond information
  • Scheduled court appearances
  • Disposition of charges (if resolved)

The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains standards for arrest record documentation through its Crime Information Bureau, ensuring consistency across jurisdictions including Walworth County. These standards comply with federal reporting requirements established by the FBI's National Crime Information Center.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Walworth County

The expungement of arrest records in Walworth County follows procedures established under Wisconsin Statute § 973.015. Expungement refers to the legal process by which arrest records are sealed or removed from public access, though they may remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes.

Eligibility Criteria

Under Wisconsin law, expungement may be available when:

  • The offense was committed while the individual was under the age of 25
  • The maximum period of imprisonment for the offense is 6 years or less (Class H felony or less severe offense)
  • The court determined at sentencing that expungement would benefit the person and society would not be harmed
  • The person has successfully completed their sentence

Application Process

The expungement process in Walworth County requires:

  1. Filing a petition with the Walworth County Circuit Court where the case was originally heard
  2. Providing documentation of sentence completion
  3. Demonstrating rehabilitation and compliance with all court orders
  4. Attending a hearing before the presiding judge (if required)

Walworth County Circuit Court
1800 County Road NN
Elkhorn, WI 53121
262-741-7012
Official Website

Legal Effect of Expungement

When an arrest record is expunged in Walworth County:

  • The record is sealed from public view in court and law enforcement databases
  • The individual may legally state they were not arrested for the expunged offense in most circumstances
  • The record remains available to law enforcement agencies for certain purposes
  • The expungement does not automatically remove the record from private background check companies or news archives

Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process is discretionary and subject to judicial review. The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains oversight of expungement implementation through its Criminal Information Bureau.

Search Arrest Records in Walworth County