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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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:
Digital access to arrest records is available through:
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:
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:
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.
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.
Under Wisconsin law, expungement may be available when:
The expungement process in Walworth County requires:
Walworth County Circuit Court
1800 County Road NN
Elkhorn, WI 53121
262-741-7012
Official Website
When an arrest record is expunged in Walworth County:
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.