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Marshfield Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Marshfield, Wisconsin?

Arrest records are public in Marshfield, Wisconsin, pursuant to the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This legislation establishes the presumption that all government records, including arrest records, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The law operates under the principle that government transparency serves the public interest by enabling citizens to monitor the actions of their elected officials and public servants.

The Wisconsin Public Records Law stipulates that any requester has the right to inspect any record maintained by a government authority. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(a), "Except as otherwise provided by law, any requester has a right to inspect any record." This provision encompasses arrest records maintained by the Marshfield Police Department and other law enforcement agencies within the jurisdiction.

Certain exceptions may apply to the disclosure of arrest records, particularly in cases involving:

  • Ongoing investigations where disclosure might impede law enforcement efforts
  • Juvenile records, which are subject to additional confidentiality protections under Wis. Stat. § 938.396
  • Records containing information that would endanger an individual's safety if disclosed
  • Records that would compromise the privacy interests of victims of certain crimes

The Marshfield Police Department serves as the primary custodian of arrest records within the city limits and maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules.

How to Look Up Marshfield Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Marshfield, Wisconsin in 2025 may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The Wisconsin Public Records Law establishes that government records shall be accessible to the public with reasonable promptness. The following options are available for accessing arrest records:

  1. Direct Request to the Marshfield Police Department:

    • In-person requests may be submitted at the department headquarters
    • Written requests may be submitted via mail or email
    • Telephone inquiries may be directed to the records division
  2. Online Resources:

    • The Marshfield Police Department's active warrants page provides information about individuals with outstanding warrants
    • The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (CCAP) system contains information about criminal cases, including arrests that resulted in charges
  3. Marshfield Area Municipal Court:

    • Records related to municipal ordinance violations resulting in arrests may be accessed through the Marshfield Area Municipal Court
    • The court maintains records of proceedings related to local ordinance violations
  4. Wisconsin Department of Justice:

    • The Crime Information Bureau maintains a statewide database of criminal history information
    • Record requests require submission of specific identifying information and payment of applicable fees

Marshfield Police Department
110 West 1st Street
Marshfield, WI 54449
Phone: (715) 384-3113
Official Website

Marshfield Area Municipal Court
207 West 6th Street
Marshfield, WI 54449
Phone: (715) 384-6903
Official Website

Contents of a Marshfield Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by the Marshfield Police Department typically contain comprehensive information about the circumstances and individuals involved in an arrest. Pursuant to Wisconsin Administrative Code § LES 9.04, law enforcement agencies must maintain specific information regarding arrests. Standard arrest records in Marshfield contain the following elements:

  1. Biographical Information:

    • Full legal name of the arrested individual
    • Any known aliases or alternative names
    • Date of birth and age at time of arrest
    • Physical description including height, weight, and identifying marks
    • Residential address at time of arrest
  2. Arrest Details:

    • Date, time, and location of the arrest
    • Statutory citations for alleged violations
    • Narrative description of the circumstances leading to arrest
    • Identity of arresting officers and agency
    • Booking number and processing information
  3. Case Processing Information:

    • Detention facility where individual was held
    • Bail or bond information
    • Court appearance dates
    • Case disposition if available
  4. Identification Records:

    • Fingerprint impressions collected during booking
    • Mugshot photographs taken at time of processing
    • Any DNA samples collected pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 165.76
  5. Prior Criminal History:

    • References to previous arrests or convictions
    • Outstanding warrants or pending charges

The City of Marshfield maintains these records in accordance with state records retention schedules, which typically require preservation of arrest records for a minimum of seven years following the date of arrest.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Marshfield

The expungement of arrest records in Marshfield follows Wisconsin state law, specifically Wis. Stat. § 973.015, which provides a legal mechanism for the removal of certain records from public access. Expungement does not result in the destruction of records but rather restricts their accessibility to the general public.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Marshfield include:

  1. Age Requirement:

    • The individual must have been under the age of 25 at the time of the offense
  2. Offense Limitations:

    • The offense must carry a maximum period of imprisonment of 6 years or less
    • Certain offenses are categorically ineligible for expungement, including most violent felonies
  3. Sentencing Conditions:

    • The court must have ordered expungement at the time of sentencing
    • The individual must have successfully completed their sentence

The expungement process requires:

  1. Filing a petition with the court that handled the original case
  2. Providing notice to the District Attorney's Office
  3. Attending a hearing where a judge will determine if expungement serves society's interests

Upon successful expungement, records maintained by the Marshfield Police Department and the Marshfield Area Municipal Court will be sealed from public view. However, these records remain accessible to law enforcement agencies for official purposes.

Individuals seeking expungement should be aware that the process applies only to Wisconsin state records. Federal agencies and private data aggregators may continue to maintain information about the arrest unless separately addressed.

Wood County Circuit Court
400 Market Street
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495
Phone: (715) 421-8490

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