Oconomowoc Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin?
Arrest records are public documents in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes that records created or 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 presumption that government records are open to inspection and copying by any requester.
The Oconomowoc Police Department maintains arrest records as part of its official duties and makes these records available in accordance with state law. The public nature of these records serves the legislative intent of the Wisconsin Public Records Law, which declares that providing citizens with information about the affairs of government is an essential function of a representative government and an integral part of the routine duties of government officers and employees.
Certain exceptions to disclosure may apply to portions of arrest records, particularly when release would compromise an ongoing investigation, reveal the identity of confidential informants, or infringe upon privacy rights protected by law. In such instances, the custodian of records may redact sensitive information while still providing access to the remainder of the record.
How to Look Up Oconomowoc Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking arrest records in Oconomowoc have multiple methods available to obtain this information. The Oconomowoc Police Department serves as the primary custodian of local arrest records and provides several options for record retrieval:
In-Person Requests: Citizens may submit requests in person at the Oconomowoc Police Department Records Division, located at 174 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Oconomowoc, WI 53066. The Records Division is staffed Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Written Requests: Individuals may submit a completed Open Records Request Form via mail to the Oconomowoc Police Department. The form must specify the information being requested with reasonable particularity.
Online Access: The Oconomowoc Police Department maintains limited online access to certain public safety information through its official website. However, comprehensive arrest records typically require a formal records request.
Waukesha County Sheriff's Department: For arrests made by county law enforcement, requests may be directed to the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department, 515 W. Moreland Boulevard, Waukesha, WI 53188.
Lake Country Municipal Court: Court records related to arrests within the jurisdiction may be accessed through the Lake Country Municipal Court, located at 630 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Oconomowoc, WI 53066. The court is available by phone at (262) 569-0920.
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), fees may be charged for the location, reproduction, and mailing of records. The fee schedule is established by the Oconomowoc Police Department in accordance with state guidelines and is subject to periodic revision.
Contents of a Oconomowoc Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by the Oconomowoc Police Department typically contain standardized information as required by Wisconsin law enforcement protocols and the Wisconsin Uniform Crime Reporting standards. These records generally include the following components:
Demographic Information: Full legal name of the arrested individual, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, eye and hair color, and other identifying characteristics.
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; the name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest.
Criminal Charges: Specific statutory violations alleged, including Wisconsin State Statute references and municipal ordinance numbers when applicable.
Case Information: Unique case identification number, incident report number, and booking information.
Custody Status: Information regarding detention, release on recognizance, or bail/bond conditions as determined at initial appearance.
Court Information: Scheduled court dates, assigned court, and case disposition if available.
Fingerprint Records: Biometric data collected during the booking process, which is submitted to state and federal databases as required by law.
Photograph: Booking photograph ("mugshot") taken at the time of processing.
The Oconomowoc Police Department maintains these records in accordance with departmental policies and state records retention schedules. For non-emergency inquiries regarding arrest records, the public may contact the department at (262) 567-4401.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Oconomowoc
The expungement of arrest records in Oconomowoc is governed by Wisconsin Statute § 973.015, which provides a legal mechanism for the removal of certain records from public access. Expungement in Wisconsin is a judicial process that seals or destroys records related to an arrest, charge, or conviction under specific circumstances.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Oconomowoc include:
Age Requirement: The individual must have been under the age of 25 at the time of the commission of the offense.
Offense Classification: The offense must be a misdemeanor or a Class H or I felony. More serious felonies are generally ineligible for expungement.
Sentencing Provision: The court must have ordered expungement at the time of sentencing, contingent upon the successful completion of the sentence.
Sentence Completion: The individual must have successfully completed their sentence, including any probationary period, without subsequent convictions.
The expungement process requires the filing of a petition with the court that handled the original case. Petitioners may be required to:
- Submit a formal petition for expungement to the Waukesha County Circuit Court.
- Provide documentation verifying eligibility and successful completion of sentence.
- Attend a hearing where a judge will determine whether expungement serves society's interest.
It is important to note that expungement in Wisconsin does not completely destroy all records. Certain agencies, particularly law enforcement and the courts, may retain access to expunged records for specific purposes. Additionally, expungement under Wisconsin law does not remove records from federal databases or private background check companies that may have previously obtained the information.
The Lake Country Municipal Court, which handles municipal ordinance violations in Oconomowoc, is located at 630 E. Wisconsin Avenue, Oconomowoc, WI 53066, and can provide information regarding the expungement of municipal violations within its jurisdiction.
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