Waukesha Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Waukesha, Wisconsin?
Arrest records are public in Waukesha, Wisconsin, pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes that records produced or maintained by government 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. This legal framework ensures transparency in governmental operations and provides citizens with the right to access arrest records and other public documents maintained by law enforcement agencies in Waukesha County.
The Waukesha County Sheriff's Department and the Waukesha Police Department maintain arrest records as part of their official duties. These records document law enforcement activities and are considered public documents under Wisconsin law. Members of the public may request access to these records through established procedures, which typically involve submitting a formal records request to the appropriate agency.
Certain information within arrest records may be redacted or withheld if disclosure would compromise ongoing investigations, violate privacy rights protected by law, or meet other specific exemptions outlined in Wisconsin Statutes. Law enforcement agencies must balance public access rights with privacy considerations and investigative integrity when responding to records requests.
How to Look Up Waukesha Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in Waukesha County. Individuals seeking arrest information may utilize the following methods:
In-person requests at law enforcement agencies:
Waukesha Police Department 1901 Delafield Street Waukesha, WI 53188 Non-emergency: (262) 524-3831 Waukesha Police Department Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Waukesha County Sheriff's Department Records Division 515 W. Moreland Boulevard Waukesha, WI 53188 Phone: (262) 548-7156 Sheriff's Records Division Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Online resources:
- The Waukesha County Current Inmate List provides hourly updated information on individuals currently incarcerated in county facilities.
- The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (CCAP) database allows searches of court records, including criminal cases resulting from arrests.
- The Waukesha Public Crime Dashboard offers information on recent criminal activity and arrests within city limits.
Written requests:
- Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35, requesters may submit written Open Records Requests to the appropriate agency.
- Requests must reasonably describe the records sought and may require payment of applicable fees for search, retrieval, and copying services.
Requesters should note that processing times vary based on the complexity of the request and current agency workload. Fees for copies and search time may apply in accordance with Wisconsin Statutes § 19.35(3).
Contents of a Waukesha Arrest Record
Waukesha arrest records contain standardized information documenting the circumstances and details of an individual's arrest. These official documents typically include the following elements:
Biographical information of the arrested individual:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Residential address
- Gender and race (for identification purposes)
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Booking number and facility information
- Arrest circumstances and probable cause statement
- Statutory citations for alleged violations
Case processing information:
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Fingerprint records
- Assigned case numbers
- Initial appearance date and court assignment
- Bail or bond information
- Custody status
Disposition information (when available):
- Court proceedings and outcomes
- Charging decisions by prosecutorial agencies
- Case dismissals or conviction information
- Sentencing details if applicable
Pursuant to Wisconsin law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records, including but not limited to: confidential informant identities, juvenile information protected under Wis. Stat. § 938.396, information that would compromise ongoing investigations, and certain personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers.
The Waukesha County Circuit Court maintains related court records that may provide additional information regarding case progression following an arrest. These records are accessible through the Waukesha County Circuit Courts located at the Waukesha County Courthouse, 515 W. Moreland Boulevard, Waukesha, WI 53188.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Waukesha
Wisconsin law provides limited pathways for the expungement of arrest and criminal records in Waukesha County. Expungement is governed primarily by Wis. Stat. § 973.015, which establishes specific eligibility criteria and procedures. When granted, expungement effectively seals the record from public view, though the information remains accessible to law enforcement agencies.
Eligibility requirements for expungement in Waukesha include:
- The offense must be a misdemeanor or a Class H or I felony
- The offender must have been under the age of 25 at the time of the offense
- The maximum period of imprisonment for the offense must not exceed 6 years
- The court must determine that the person will benefit from expungement and society will not be harmed
- The offender must have successfully completed their sentence, including any probationary period
The expungement process requires:
- Filing a petition with the Waukesha County Circuit Court that handled the original case
- Providing documentation of eligibility and completion of sentence requirements
- Attending a hearing where a judge will evaluate the petition based on statutory criteria
- If granted, obtaining a court order directing relevant agencies to seal the records
It is important to note that under Wisconsin law, expungement must generally be ordered at the time of sentencing, not after sentence completion. This differs from many other states' expungement provisions. The court must determine at sentencing that the person will benefit and society will not be harmed by the expungement, and the actual expungement occurs only after the sentence is successfully completed.
The Waukesha Municipal Court, located at 201 Delafield Street, Waukesha, WI 53188, handles non-criminal ordinance violations, which follow different procedures regarding record management and potential expungement.
Individuals with arrests that did not result in charges or convictions may have additional remedies available under Wisconsin law to remove or limit access to these records.
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