Kewaskum Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Kewaskum, Wisconsin?

Arrest records in Kewaskum, Wisconsin are considered public documents pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes the presumption that all records maintained by government entities, including law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Wisconsin Public Records Law operates under the principle that providing citizens with information about governmental affairs is essential to the functioning of a democratic society. Arrest records generated by the Kewaskum Police Department and other law enforcement agencies serving the jurisdiction fall within this framework of public accessibility.

Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that certain information may be redacted in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.36, which provides exemptions for confidential information, ongoing investigations, and juvenile records. Additionally, the Wisconsin Department of Justice has established guidelines for law enforcement agencies regarding the release of arrest information that balances public access rights with privacy considerations and investigative integrity.

How to Look Up Kewaskum Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist through which members of the public may obtain arrest records in Kewaskum, Wisconsin:

• Kewaskum Police Department
  204 First Street
  Kewaskum, WI 53040
  Phone: (262) 626-2323
  Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

• Washington County Sheriff's Office
  500 N. Schmidt Road
  West Bend, WI 53095
  Phone: (262) 335-4378
  Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

• Washington County Clerk of Circuit Court
  432 E. Washington Street
  West Bend, WI 53095
  Phone: (262) 335-4301
  Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Requestors may submit applications for arrest records in person, by mail, or in some cases, through online portals. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1), requests need not be made in writing, though written requests are recommended to establish a record of the transaction. Government agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, duplication, and other necessary costs associated with locating and providing records as permitted under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3).

The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website provides online access to court records, including information about criminal cases resulting from arrests. However, this resource does not include comprehensive arrest data that did not result in court proceedings.

Contents of a Kewaskum Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by Kewaskum law enforcement agencies typically contain the following categories of information:

• Biographical data of the arrested individual, including:

  • Full legal name
  • Known aliases or alternative names
  • Date of birth
  • Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
  • Residential address

• Arrest information, including:

  • Date, time, and location of arrest
  • Statutory violations alleged
  • Arresting agency and officer identification
  • Incident report number
  • Booking photograph ("mugshot")
  • Fingerprint classification data

• Case processing information, including:

  • Booking date and facility
  • Bail or bond amount (if applicable)
  • Court appearance dates
  • Case disposition (if available)

Pursuant to Wisconsin Administrative Code § JUS 9, certain information may be withheld from public disclosure, particularly details that could compromise ongoing investigations, reveal confidential informants, or infringe upon privacy rights protected by state or federal law. Additionally, records pertaining to juvenile arrests are subject to heightened confidentiality protections under Wis. Stat. § 938.396.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Kewaskum

Wisconsin law provides limited pathways for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances. Expungement in this context refers to the legal process by which arrest records are removed from public access, though they may remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for official purposes.

The primary statutory authority governing expungement in Wisconsin is Wis. Stat. § 973.015, which permits expungement of records for certain offenses committed by individuals under the age of 25. The following criteria generally apply:

• The offense must be a misdemeanor or a Class H or I felony
• The maximum period of imprisonment must not exceed 6 years
• The court must determine at sentencing that expungement would benefit the offender and not harm society
• The offender must successfully complete their sentence

For arrests that did not result in charges or convictions, individuals may petition for expungement under Wis. Stat. § 165.84(1), which provides that fingerprints and other identifying data shall be returned upon request if the person arrested is released without charge or cleared of the offense.

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court that handled the case. Petitioners should be prepared to provide:

• Case number and arrest date
• Documentation showing eligibility for expungement
• Evidence of sentence completion (if applicable)
• Statement addressing the statutory criteria for expungement

The Washington County Circuit Court, which has jurisdiction over Kewaskum cases, processes expungement petitions during regular business hours. Filing fees may apply, though fee waivers are available for qualifying individuals under financial hardship.

It is important to note that expungement under Wisconsin law does not completely destroy records but rather limits their public accessibility. Certain government agencies, particularly law enforcement and the courts, may retain access to expunged records for specific authorized purposes.

Search Arrest Records in Kewaskum

• Wisconsin Circuit Court Access
• Washington County Sheriff's Office Records
• Kewaskum Police Department Records
• Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau