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Lake Geneva Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin?

Yes, arrest records are public in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. This accessibility is governed by the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39), which establishes that records created or maintained by government bodies must be accessible to the public. Pursuant to this statute, arrest records maintained by the Lake Geneva Police Department are considered public documents unless specifically exempted by law. The Wisconsin Public Records Law operates under the presumption that government records should be available for inspection and copying by any person, with limited exceptions for confidential information or ongoing investigations as defined in Wis. Stat. § 19.36.

Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that certain information may be redacted to protect privacy interests as permitted under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(a). Such redactions typically include sensitive personal identifiers, juvenile information, and details pertaining to victims of certain crimes. The custodian of records at the Lake Geneva Police Department is responsible for determining which information may be lawfully withheld in accordance with statutory provisions.

How to Look Up Lake Geneva Arrest Records in 2025

The City of Lake Geneva provides multiple channels through which members of the public may access arrest records. Individuals seeking such information may utilize any of the following methods:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Lake Geneva Police Department Records Division during regular business hours to submit a records request. The department is located at 626 Geneva Street, Lake Geneva, WI 53147.
Written Requests: Formal written requests may be submitted via mail to: Lake Geneva Police Department Attn: Open Records 626 Geneva Street Lake Geneva, WI 53147 Phone: 262-248-4455
Online Portal Access: The City of Lake Geneva's official website provides a digital portal through which certain public records may be requested. Users must create an account and specify the records being sought.
Authorized Third-Party Services: Several state-approved vendors maintain databases that include Lake Geneva arrest records. These services may charge processing fees in addition to any fees assessed by the originating agency.

Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), the Lake Geneva Police Department may impose reasonable fees for the location, reproduction, and delivery of requested records. These fees are calculated based on the actual, necessary, and direct costs of fulfilling the request. Payment may be required prior to the release of requested documents.

Contents of a Lake Geneva Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Lake Geneva Police Department typically contain comprehensive information regarding the circumstances and processing of an arrest. Standard arrest records include the following elements:

Biographical Information: Full legal name of the arrestee, date of birth, gender, race, and residential address at time of arrest
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the agency responsible for the arrest
Criminal Charges: Complete listing of all charges filed, including the Wisconsin Statute citations and classification of offenses (misdemeanor or felony)
Booking Information: Processing details including time of booking, property inventory, and medical screening results when applicable
Identification Records: Mugshot photographs taken from multiple angles and complete set of fingerprint impressions
Custody Status: Information regarding bail or bond amounts, conditions of release, and court appearance dates
Case Disposition: Current status of the case within the judicial system, including pending court dates or case outcomes

The Lake Geneva Municipal Court maintains separate records pertaining to the judicial proceedings that follow an arrest. These records may be accessed through procedures established by the court clerk's office, located within the City of Lake Geneva Municipal Building.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Lake Geneva

Under Wisconsin law, certain individuals may be eligible to have their arrest records expunged or sealed from public access. The process of expungement in Lake Geneva is governed by Wis. Stat. § 973.015, which establishes specific criteria that must be met before a court will grant an expungement petition.

Eligibility requirements for expungement in Lake Geneva 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 the offense was committed
The sentence imposed cannot exceed 6 years (for felonies)
The court must have determined at the time of 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 formal petition with the court that originally handled the case. This petition must include:

Complete case information including case number and date of conviction
Documentation of sentence completion
Statement addressing the statutory criteria for expungement
Certified copies of relevant court documents

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing at which the petitioner may present arguments supporting expungement. Representatives from the Lake Geneva Police Department and the prosecuting attorney's office may appear to contest the petition if they believe expungement would be contrary to public interest.

If granted, an expungement order directs all agencies maintaining records of the arrest to seal those records from public access. However, pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 973.015(2), expunged records remain available to law enforcement agencies and may be considered in subsequent criminal proceedings.

Wisconsin Public Records Law and Limitations

The Wisconsin Public Records Law establishes a presumption of accessibility while recognizing certain exceptions that protect legitimate privacy and security interests. With respect to arrest records in Lake Geneva, the following limitations may apply:

Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active law enforcement investigations may be temporarily withheld under Wis. Stat. § 19.36(4) until the investigation concludes
Juvenile Records: Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 938.396, records involving juveniles are subject to stricter confidentiality protections and may not be publicly accessible
Victim Information: Details that would identify victims of certain crimes, particularly those of a sensitive nature, may be redacted in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.36(10)
Confidential Informants: Information that could reveal the identity of confidential informants is protected under Wis. Stat. § 19.36(8)

The Lake Geneva Police Department Administration is responsible for ensuring that all record releases comply with applicable state and federal laws. Records custodians undergo regular training regarding proper handling of public records requests and the legal standards governing disclosure and withholding of information.