West Bend Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in West Bend, Wisconsin?
Arrest records are public in West Bend, Wisconsin, pursuant to Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes that records produced or maintained by government entities shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld the presumption of complete public access to public records, reflecting the principle that an informed citizenry is essential to the functioning of a democratic society. Law enforcement agencies in West Bend, including the West Bend Police Department, are required to maintain and provide access to arrest records in accordance with these statutes.
Members of the public should note that while arrest records are generally accessible, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or personal identifying information as specified under Wis. Stat. § 19.36. The custodian of records may apply the balancing test, weighing the public interest in disclosure against the public interest in nondisclosure, when determining whether specific information should be released.
How to Look Up West Bend Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods are available for obtaining West Bend arrest records as of 2025. The Wisconsin Public Records Law mandates that custodians of records provide reasonable facilities for making memoranda or abstracts from the records during established office hours. Individuals seeking arrest records may utilize the following methods:
Visit the West Bend Police Department Records Division at 350 Vine Street, West Bend, WI 53095. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, excluding holidays.
Submit a public records request to the West Bend Police Department by mail, email, or in person. Requests should include specific information such as the name of the individual, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest.
Access the Washington County Sheriff's Office open records portal for arrests made by county law enforcement. The Sheriff's Office is located at 500 N. Schmidt Road, West Bend, WI 53095.
Contact the Washington County Clerk of Circuit Court at 432 E. Washington Street, West Bend, WI 53095, phone: (262) 335-4301, for court records related to arrests.
Check the West Bend Police Department warrant information page for active warrants, which may include information about individuals who have been arrested previously.
Requestors should be prepared to pay applicable fees for record retrieval and copying. As of 2025, photocopies of public records are 25 cents per face sheet, with additional fees for specialized documents such as motor vehicle accident reports.
Contents of a West Bend Arrest Record
West Bend arrest records contain standardized information as required by Wisconsin Administrative Code § LES 9.04. These records typically include the following elements:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any known aliases
- Date of birth and demographic information
- Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
- Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Agency responsible for the arrest (West Bend Police Department, Washington County Sheriff's Office, etc.)
- Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest
- Case number and incident report reference
- Booking information including fingerprints and mugshot photographs
- Custody status and bail/bond information if applicable
- Initial court appearance date if scheduled
Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 165.83, law enforcement agencies must collect and maintain identifying data for all individuals arrested for offenses which are classified as felonies or misdemeanors under the Wisconsin Criminal Code. This information becomes part of the arrest record and is transmitted to the Wisconsin Department of Justice's Crime Information Bureau.
Expungement of Arrest Records in West Bend
Wisconsin law provides limited opportunities for the expungement of arrest records in West Bend. Under Wis. Stat. § 973.015, expungement is primarily available for certain offenses committed by individuals under the age of 25. The process requires specific judicial action and is not automatically granted.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in West Bend include:
- The arrest did not result in a conviction, or the conviction was for an offense committed before the age of 25
- The maximum period of imprisonment for the offense was 6 years or less (Class H felony or less severe)
- The court determined at sentencing that the individual will benefit and society will not be harmed by the expungement
- The individual has successfully completed their sentence, including any probationary period
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court that handled the original case. Petitioners must submit Form CR-266 (Petition for Expungement) to the Washington County Courthouse located at 432 E. Washington Street, West Bend, WI 53095. A filing fee of $120 applies as of 2025.
It is important to note that under Wisconsin law, expungement does not completely destroy records but rather seals them from public view. Law enforcement agencies and the courts may still access expunged records for specific purposes authorized by statute. Additionally, expungement in Wisconsin applies only to court records and does not automatically remove arrest information from law enforcement databases.
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