>Wood County Arrest Records Online

Wood County, Wisconsin Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Wood County, Wisconsin?

Arrest records are public in Wood County, Wisconsin, pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This legislation establishes that records produced or maintained by government entities shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The law operates under the principle that providing citizens with information about governmental affairs is essential to the functioning of a democratic society. Wood County law enforcement agencies maintain arrest records as part of their official duties, and these records are generally available for public inspection.

Members of the public may access arrest records through the Wood County Sheriff's Department, which serves as the primary custodian of such records within the county. The Wisconsin Public Records Law stipulates that requesters need not identify themselves or state the purpose of their request when seeking access to public records. However, certain information within arrest records may be redacted if disclosure would compromise ongoing investigations, reveal confidential informants, or infringe upon privacy rights protected by state or federal law.

The Wood County Sheriff's Department processes requests for arrest records in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35, which requires that such requests be fulfilled "as soon as practicable and without delay."

Wood County Sheriff's Department
400 Market Street
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495
Phone: (715) 421-8700
Official Website

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Wood County?

Wood County arrest records are available online through several official channels. The Wood County Sheriff's Department maintains a digital database of active warrants that is regularly updated and accessible to the public via the county's official website. This resource allows citizens to view information about individuals with outstanding warrants in alphabetical order.

Additionally, the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) provides a comprehensive online platform known as Wisconsin Court System Case Search where members of the public may access court records related to arrests and subsequent legal proceedings. This database includes information from Wood County Circuit Court cases, including criminal complaints, hearing dates, and case dispositions.

Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(a), which governs the right to inspection of records, these online resources have been developed to facilitate public access while maintaining the security and integrity of the information. The electronic availability of these records serves the dual purpose of promoting transparency in law enforcement operations and providing convenient access for citizens seeking information about arrest records in Wood County.

Users should note that online records may not contain complete arrest information, as certain details may be withheld in accordance with privacy laws or investigative needs as outlined in Wis. Stat. § 19.36.

How to Look Up Wood County Arrest Records in 2025

The process for obtaining Wood County arrest records in 2025 encompasses several methods designed to accommodate various public needs. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following procedures:

Submit a written request to the Wood County Sheriff's Department Records Division using the official records request form available on the county website or in person at the department headquarters.
Visit the Wood County Sheriff's Department in person during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM) to complete a records request form and potentially receive immediate assistance.
Access the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access online portal to search for court cases related to arrests in Wood County. This resource provides information on criminal proceedings, including charges, court dates, and case outcomes.
Utilize the Wood County Jail inmate lookup service to verify if an individual is currently incarcerated following an arrest.
Contact the Wood County Clerk of Courts Office for records related to court proceedings following arrests.

Wood County Clerk of Courts
400 Market Street, Room 205
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495
Phone: (715) 421-8490
Official Website

Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), fees may be charged for the location, reproduction, and mailing of requested records. The fee schedule is established by the Wood County Board of Supervisors and is subject to periodic review and adjustment.

Contents of a Wood County Arrest Record

Wood County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Wisconsin Administrative Code DOC § 328.27 and maintained in accordance with the Wisconsin Criminal Justice Information Systems protocols. These official documents typically include:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and residential address at the time of arrest.
Arrest details, including the date, time, and specific location where the apprehension occurred, as well as the arresting agency and officer identification.
Criminal charges filed, including the Wisconsin Statute citation, classification of offense (misdemeanor or felony), and a brief description of the alleged criminal activity.
Booking information, such as the processing location, assigned identification numbers, and temporary detention details.
Photographic documentation, commonly referred to as a "mugshot," showing frontal and profile views of the arrested individual.
Biometric data, including fingerprints collected during the booking process and any DNA samples if required under Wis. Stat. § 165.76.
Custody status information, indicating whether the individual was released on bail, personal recognizance, or remained in detention pending court proceedings.
Preliminary hearing dates and initial court appearance information as scheduled by the Wood County Circuit Court.

The comprehensiveness of arrest records serves multiple functions within the criminal justice system, including identification verification, criminal history documentation, and facilitation of proper case processing through the Wood County court system.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Wood County

Expungement of arrest records in Wood County follows the provisions set forth in Wisconsin Statute § 973.015, which provides a legal mechanism for the removal of certain records from public access. Eligibility for expungement is determined by several statutory criteria:

The offense must qualify under Wisconsin law, which generally limits expungement to misdemeanors and certain Class H and I felonies committed by individuals under the age of 25.
The court must have ordered expungement eligibility at the time of sentencing, with the condition that the individual successfully completes their sentence.
The individual must not have any subsequent criminal convictions that would disqualify them from expungement consideration.

The expungement process requires the filing of a petition with the Wood County Circuit Court where the original case was adjudicated. This petition must include:

Case identification information, including the case number and conviction date
Documentation of sentence completion
Evidence of eligibility under Wisconsin Statute § 973.015
A formal request for the court to order expungement

Upon receipt of a properly filed petition, the court will schedule a hearing where the petitioner may present arguments supporting their request for expungement. The Wood County District Attorney's Office may present opposing arguments if they contest the expungement.

If granted, expungement results in the sealing of court records related to the arrest and conviction. However, it is important to note that pursuant to Wisconsin Department of Justice policy, expunged records may still be visible to law enforcement agencies and may be considered for sentencing purposes if the individual commits subsequent offenses.

Wood County Circuit Court Branch I
400 Market Street, Room 205
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495
Phone: (715) 421-8400
Official Website

Search Arrest Records in Wood County

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