Arrest records are public documents in New London, Wisconsin, accessible to all citizens under the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This legislation establishes the presumption that government records, including arrest records, should be available for public inspection and copying. The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains that public access to these records promotes government transparency and accountability. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(a), "any requester has a right to inspect any record," which includes arrest records maintained by the New London Police Department and other law enforcement agencies within the jurisdiction. Exceptions to disclosure exist for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and certain sensitive information as outlined in Wis. Stat. § 19.36.
Members of the public seeking arrest records in New London have multiple methods available to access this information. The Wisconsin Public Records Law requires custodians of records to respond to requests "as soon as practicable and without delay." The following options are available for obtaining arrest records:
In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the New London Police Department during regular business hours to submit a records request. Staff will assist with completing the necessary forms and identifying available records.
Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to the records division. Requests should include the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known.
Online Access: The New London Police Department maintains a digital records portal through which certain arrest information may be accessed. This system is updated regularly and provides basic arrest data.
Waupaca County Sheriff's Office: As the county-level law enforcement agency, the Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests throughout the county, including those in New London.
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Program (CCAP): This statewide database contains information about court cases, including those resulting from arrests in New London.
Arrest records maintained by New London law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual taken into custody. Pursuant to Wisconsin Administrative Code § JUS 9.04, these records generally include:
Biographical Information: Full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, home address, physical description (height, weight, identifying marks), and sometimes Social Security Number (partially redacted in public copies).
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of arrest; name and badge number of arresting officer(s); agency responsible for the arrest.
Criminal Charges: Specific statutes violated, classification of offense (misdemeanor or felony), and brief description of the alleged criminal activity.
Booking Information: Booking photographs (mugshots), fingerprint records, and personal property inventory taken at the time of processing.
Case Disposition: Current status of the case, including whether charges were filed, dismissed, or resulted in conviction.
Bail/Bond Information: Amount set, whether posted, and conditions of release if applicable.
Detention Information: Location of detention and duration of stay if the individual was held in custody.
While arrest records are generally public in New London, Wisconsin law establishes certain limitations on access. The Wisconsin Department of Justice has issued guidance regarding these restrictions pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.36. Limitations include:
Ongoing Investigations: Records pertaining to active law enforcement investigations may be temporarily withheld if disclosure would compromise the investigation.
Juvenile Records: Arrest records for individuals under 17 years of age are generally confidential under Wis. Stat. § 938.396, with limited exceptions for serious offenses.
Expunged Records: Arrest records that have been legally expunged by court order are removed from public access.
Privacy Protections: Certain personal identifiers such as Social Security Numbers, driver's license numbers, and financial account information are redacted before public disclosure.
Sealed Records: Records sealed by court order are not available for public inspection.
Requesters seeking arrest records from New London authorities may be subject to fees as permitted under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3). The fee structure for obtaining these records typically includes:
Copy Fees: $0.25 per page for standard black and white copies of paper records.
Search Fees: If a request requires extensive staff time to locate records, a fee of $15.00 per hour may be assessed after the first hour, which is provided at no charge.
Specialized Format Fees: Requests for records in specialized formats (e.g., electronic media, certified copies) may incur additional charges.
Mailing Costs: Actual postage costs for mailing requested records.
Prepayment: For requests estimated to exceed $5.00 in total costs, prepayment may be required before records are produced.
The New London Police Department accepts payment by cash, check, or money order. Fee waivers may be available in cases where the department determines that providing the records without charge serves the public interest.
Wisconsin law provides mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under specific circumstances. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 973.015, individuals may petition for expungement if:
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court that handled the original case. Upon approval, expungement removes the record from public access, though it remains available to law enforcement agencies. Expunged records do not appear in background checks conducted by most employers or housing providers.
For arrests that did not result in charges or convictions, individuals may petition for removal from public databases under Wis. Stat. § 165.84(1). This process requires submitting documentation proving that no charges were filed or that charges were dismissed.
Several government agencies maintain and provide access to arrest records in the New London area:
New London Police Department
700 Shiocton Street
New London, WI 54961
Phone: (920) 982-8505
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Waupaca County Sheriff's Office
1402 E. Royalton Street
Waupaca, WI 54981
Phone: (715) 258-4466
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Waupaca County Clerk of Circuit Court
811 Harding Street
Waupaca, WI 54981
Phone: (715) 258-6300
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wisconsin Department of Justice
Crime Information Bureau
P.O. Box 2688
Madison, WI 53701-2688
Phone: (608) 266-7314
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
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