>Winnebago County Arrest Records Online

Winnebago County, Wisconsin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Winnebago County, Wisconsin?

Arrest records are public in Winnebago County, Wisconsin, pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes that records produced or maintained by government bodies 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 and accountability in governmental operations, including those of law enforcement agencies within Winnebago County.

Members of the public may access arrest records through various county agencies, including the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office and the Winnebago County Clerk of Courts. These records typically become available after an individual has been processed through the county's booking procedures following an arrest.

Certain exceptions to public disclosure may apply in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or where disclosure would endanger public safety or compromise personal privacy beyond the public interest in disclosure, as determined by the Wisconsin Supreme Court's balancing test.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Winnebago County?

Arrest records can be found online through several official Winnebago County digital platforms. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal, commonly known as CCAP, provides the primary online access point for court records related to arrests in Winnebago County. This system allows users to search for cases by name, case number, or citation number.

The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office Records Division maintains electronic records of arrests and makes certain information available through their online systems. Additionally, the Sheriff's Office publishes a current inmate list that is updated regularly and accessible online.

Online access to these records is provided in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1), which states that "any requester has a right to inspect any record." The statute further specifies that agencies may provide electronic copies of records when appropriate technology is available.

Winnebago County Sheriff's Office
4311 Jackson Street
Oshkosh, WI 54901
Phone: 920-236-7300
Official Website

Winnebago County Clerk of Courts
Winnebago County Courthouse
415 Jackson Street
Oshkosh, WI 54901
Phone: 920-236-4848
Official Website

How to Look Up Winnebago County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple methods are available for accessing Winnebago County arrest records in 2025:

In-person requests can be submitted at the Winnebago County Sheriff's Records Division. Requesters must complete a public records request form and may be required to present identification. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Online searches can be conducted through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system, which provides case information for all Wisconsin counties, including Winnebago. This resource is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Written requests may be submitted to the Records Division by mail or email at sheriffrecords@winnebagocountywi.gov. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(h), requests must be fulfilled "as soon as practicable and without delay."
The Clerk of Courts office maintains court records related to arrests and criminal proceedings. Records requests can be submitted in person, by mail, or through their electronic request system.

Fees for copies of arrest records are established in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), which permits agencies to charge the "actual, necessary and direct cost" of reproduction. Current fees are $0.25 per page for photocopies and $5.00 for certified copies of documents.

Contents of a Winnebago County Arrest Record

Winnebago County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Wisconsin law and departmental policies. These records typically include:

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 location of the arrest
Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest, with reference to specific Wisconsin statutes
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Agency responsible for the arrest (e.g., Winnebago County Sheriff's Office, Oshkosh Police Department)
Booking information, including mugshot photographs and fingerprint data
Custody status and bail/bond information
Case number assigned by the arresting agency
Preliminary hearing date, if applicable

Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 165.83, law enforcement agencies must collect and maintain certain identifying data for individuals who are arrested or taken into custody for specific offenses. This information becomes part of the official arrest record and may be shared with other criminal justice agencies through the Wisconsin Department of Justice's Crime Information Bureau.

It should be noted that arrest records reflect only the fact that an arrest occurred and do not constitute proof of guilt. Under Wisconsin law, all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Winnebago County

Expungement of arrest records in Winnebago County is governed by Wisconsin Statute § 973.015, which provides specific criteria under which records may be sealed from public view. The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court that handled the original case.

Eligibility requirements for expungement in Winnebago County include:

The offense must be a misdemeanor or a non-violent Class H or I felony
The individual 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 have ordered expungement at the time of sentencing
The individual must have successfully completed their sentence

For arrests that did not result in charges or convictions, Wisconsin Statute § 165.84(1) provides a mechanism for the return of fingerprint records upon request if the person was released without charge or cleared of the offense through court proceedings.

The expungement process begins with filing a petition in the Winnebago County Circuit Court. Forms are available through the Clerk of Courts office. Upon approval, records are sealed from public access, though they remain available to law enforcement agencies for official purposes.

It is important to note that expungement in Wisconsin does not completely destroy records but rather seals them from public view. Additionally, expungement of state records does not automatically extend to federal records or private databases that may have collected the information prior to expungement.

Winnebago County Circuit Court
415 Jackson Street
Oshkosh, WI 54901
Phone: 920-236-4848
Official Website

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