>Waushara County Arrest Records Online

Waushara County, Wisconsin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Waushara County, Wisconsin?

Arrest records in Waushara County, Wisconsin are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This legislation establishes that all records maintained by government agencies, including law enforcement entities, shall be available for inspection and copying by any person except as otherwise provided by law. The statute specifically declares that providing citizens with information about governmental affairs is an essential function of a representative government.

Arrest records typically contain information regarding:

The identity of arrested individuals
Date and time of arrest
Nature of alleged offenses
Location of arrest
Arresting agency information
Booking details

The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains that public access to these records serves multiple governmental interests, including transparency in law enforcement operations, public safety awareness, and accountability of public officials. Members of the public seeking arrest records in Waushara County may obtain them through established procedures at designated governmental offices.

Certain limitations exist regarding juvenile records, which receive special protection under Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 938. Additionally, records pertaining to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld if disclosure would impede law enforcement proceedings, as permitted under Wis. Stat. § 19.36(2).

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Waushara County?

Waushara County provides digital access to certain arrest records through authorized online platforms in accordance with Wisconsin's commitment to government transparency. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal, commonly known as CCAP, serves as the primary online resource for accessing court records, including information related to arrests that have resulted in formal charges.

Online accessibility is governed by the following provisions:

Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72 establishes retention periods for court records
Administrative Order 19-01 regulates electronic access to court records
Wis. Stat. § 59.20(3) requires county officials to maintain records in formats accessible to the public

Users of online systems should note several important limitations:

Not all arrest records are available digitally
Records of arrests that did not result in charges may not appear in court databases
Certain sensitive information may be redacted from online versions
Expunged or sealed records are not accessible through public portals

The Waushara County Sheriff's Office maintains limited booking information on their departmental website, though comprehensive arrest details typically require direct contact with the records division.

Waushara County Sheriff's Office
430 E. Division Street
Wautoma, WI 54982
Phone: (920) 787-3321
Waushara County Sheriff's Office

How to Look Up Waushara County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods exist for obtaining arrest records in Waushara County as of 2025, pursuant to Wisconsin's Public Records Law. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following official channels:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Waushara County Sheriff's Office Records Division during standard business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM). Requestors must complete a standardized public records request form and provide proper identification. The Records Division processes requests in the order received, with response times varying based on current departmental workload and complexity of the request.

Written requests are accepted via postal mail when addressed to:

Waushara County Sheriff's Office Records Division
430 E. Division Street
Wautoma, WI 54982
Phone: (920) 787-3321

All written requests must include:

Full name of the subject of the record
Date of birth (if known)
Approximate date of arrest (if known)
Requestor's complete contact information
Specific information being sought

Electronic requests may be submitted through the Wisconsin Court System portal for cases that have entered the court system. This resource provides case information, including charging documents and court proceedings related to arrests.

Fees for record retrieval are established by Waushara County Ordinance 42-15 and Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(3). Current fee schedules include:

$0.25 per page for photocopies
$5.00 for certified copies
Additional fees may apply for extensive searches requiring more than 30 minutes of staff time

Payment must be remitted at the time of request, with acceptable forms including cash, money order, or check made payable to "Waushara County Sheriff's Office."

Contents of a Waushara County Arrest Record

Waushara County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Wisconsin Administrative Code DOJ 1.04 and Wisconsin Statute § 165.83. These official documents serve as the factual account of an individual's interaction with law enforcement resulting in custodial arrest.

Standard components of Waushara County arrest records include:

Biographical Information:

Full legal name and any documented aliases
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Gender and race as observed by arresting officer
Current address of residence
Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks

Arrest Details:

Date, time, and specific location of arrest
Arresting agency and officer identification
Statutory citations for alleged violations
Narrative description of circumstances leading to arrest
Indication of use of force, if applicable
Property seized during arrest

Processing Information:

Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint classification data
Assigned booking number
Detention facility information
Initial appearance court date
Bail or bond determination

Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.36(8), certain information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including:

Social Security numbers
Driver's license numbers
Biometric identifiers
Information regarding confidential informants
Details that would compromise ongoing investigations

The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains standards for arrest record format and content through its Crime Information Bureau, ensuring consistency across jurisdictions within the state.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Waushara County

Expungement procedures in Waushara County operate under Wisconsin Statute § 973.015, which provides limited circumstances under which arrest and conviction records may be expunged. The process requires judicial determination and adherence to statutory criteria.

Eligibility requirements for expungement 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 and society will not be harmed by the expungement

Individuals seeking expungement must file a petition with the Waushara County Circuit Court where the case was adjudicated. Petition requirements include:

Case number and offense information
Date of conviction
Documentation of sentence completion
Statement addressing statutory criteria

Waushara County Circuit Court
209 S. Saint Marie Street
Wautoma, WI 54982
Phone: (920) 787-0442

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court schedules a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate compliance with statutory requirements. The District Attorney's Office receives notification and may present opposition to the petition based on public safety concerns or statutory ineligibility.

If granted, expungement results in the sealing of court records related to the arrest and conviction. However, pursuant to Wisconsin Administrative Code § JD 1.10, certain criminal justice agencies may retain access to expunged records for law enforcement purposes. Additionally, expunged Wisconsin records may remain accessible in federal databases or private background check systems that obtained the information prior to expungement.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice provides guidance on expungement through its Wisconsin State Law Library resources, which include standardized forms and procedural instructions.