Arrests.org WI – Wisconsin Arrest, Inmate & Mugshot Records

Arrests.org WI connects users to public police data and custody logs. This tool helps people view arrest records across Wisconsin. State laws allow citizens to see this data. You can check if police detained a person. You can also see the charges against them. This page explains how to use these tools. It shows where to look for official documents. You will learn how to check local county jails and state databases.

A search on Arrests.org WI or official state sites reveals specific details. You can see names, booking photos, and alleged crimes. This keeps the public aware of local safety issues. It helps families find detained relatives. Landlords and employers also use similar data to check backgrounds. You must use this data legally. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) sets rules for using these records for jobs or housing. This page lists the correct steps to view Wisconsin public records.

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Wisconsin Arrest Records Data Points

An arrest record contains raw data from a police booking. When officers detain a suspect, they create this file. It is not proof of guilt. It is a log of the detention. The record follows a specific format in Wisconsin. You will see the person’s full legal name. The file often lists aliases or nicknames. It includes the date and time of the arrest. The location of the arrest is also on the sheet.

The record lists the specific charges. These charges link to Wisconsin state statutes. The file shows the bail amount if the judge sets one. It lists the agency that made the arrest. This could be a local police department, a county sheriff, or the state patrol. The booking number is a key part of the file. This unique number tracks the person through the jail system. You need this number to send mail or money to an inmate.

The Booking Process and Record Creation

The arrest record starts at the police station or county jail. Officers take the suspect’s personal items. They record the suspect’s height, weight, hair color, and eye color. They check for tattoos, scars, or birthmarks. These physical details help identify the person later. Officers take fingerprints. They send these prints to state and national databases. This checks for other warrants or criminal history.

Officers take a mugshot. This photo includes a front view and a side view. The mugshot becomes part of the public record. Medical staff check the suspect’s health. They ask about medications and illnesses. This ensures safety in the jail. All this data goes into the computer system. Once the officer saves the file, it becomes a public record. You can then view it on sites like Arrests.org WI or official sheriff websites.

Arrest Records vs. Criminal Records

Many people confuse arrest records with criminal records. They are different. An arrest record shows that police took a person into custody. It does not mean a court found them guilty. Police can arrest someone, but the prosecutor might drop the charges later. If the court dismisses the case, the arrest record still exists. It shows that the event happened. But it does not show a crime occurred.

A criminal record shows the outcome of a court case. It lists convictions. This means a judge or jury found the person guilty. A criminal record includes the sentence. It shows jail time, probation, or fines. It lists felonies and misdemeanors. Background checks for jobs usually look for convictions. Arrest records without convictions have less weight. You must know the difference when you read a report.

• Arrest Record: Lists detention, charges, and booking details. No proof of guilt.
• Criminal Record: Lists court verdicts, guilty pleas, and sentences. Proof of conviction.

How to Search Wisconsin Arrest Records

You have several ways to find these documents. The best method depends on what you know about the arrest. You need the person’s first and last name. The county of arrest helps narrow the search. Wisconsin has 72 counties. Each county keeps its own jail logs. There is also a statewide system for criminal history.

Search County Jail Databases

Most counties in Wisconsin put their jail roster online. This is a list of everyone currently in jail. You can search by name. The list updates often. Some counties update it every hour. Others update it once a day. This is the best way to find a recent arrest. If the person is still in custody, they will be on this list.

Go to the county sheriff’s website. Look for a link that says “Inmate Search” or “Jail Roster.” Enter the name. The results will show the mugshot, charges, and bail. If you do not see the name, the person might be in a different county. They might also be out on bail. Police remove names from the active roster after release.

Contact the Sheriff’s Office

Some smaller counties do not have online lists. You must call them. Find the non-emergency phone number for the sheriff. Ask for the records division or the jail. Give them the person’s name. They can tell you if the person is there. They can also tell you the bail amount and visiting hours. Never call 911 for records requests. Only use the business line.

Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS)

The Wisconsin Department of Justice runs WORCS. This is a statewide database. It covers all counties. It is more official than a county jail list. You can use this for a formal background check. It costs a fee to get a report. The report shows arrests and convictions from across the state. It is accurate and reliable. Employers often use this system.

Legal Rights to View Records

Wisconsin has strong open records laws. The state passed these laws to keep the government honest. The public has a right to see what police do. This includes seeing who they arrest. The Wisconsin Open Records Law (Statutes 19.31-19.39) says most records are open. You do not need to say why you want them. You just have to ask.

Some records remain private. You cannot see records for juveniles. The law protects children under 18. Their mistakes do not become public property. You also cannot see records for ongoing investigations. If police are still working on a case, they keep the file closed. This protects witnesses and evidence. Once the case closes, the file often opens.

Employment and Background Checks

Employers check records before hiring. They must follow rules. The “Ban the Box” law helps people with records get interviews. Employers cannot ask about records on the first application. They must wait until the interview stage. This gives the applicant a chance to explain. It stops employers from throwing away applications just because of a past mistake.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law. It protects job seekers. Employers must get your written permission to run a background check. If they say no because of the record, they must show you the report. You have a right to fix mistakes in the report. This law applies to third-party background check companies. It ensures fairness in the hiring process.

Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (CCAP)

CCAP is a powerful tool in Wisconsin. It is a free online database of court cases. When police charge someone, the case goes to court. The court clerk enters the data into CCAP. You can search by name and birth date. You can see the full history of the case. It shows the judge’s name, court dates, and the final verdict.

CCAP is different from an arrest log. An arrest log happens at the jail. CCAP happens at the courthouse. Sometimes police arrest someone, but the district attorney does not charge them. In that case, you might see an arrest record but no CCAP record. CCAP records stay online for a long time. Felonies stay for decades. Misdemeanors stay for 20 years. This database is public and free to use.

Search for Arrest Warrants

A warrant is an order from a judge. It tells police to arrest someone. Warrants are public records. You can check if you or someone else has a warrant. There is no single list for all warrants in Wisconsin. You must check county by county. Some sheriffs post a “Most Wanted” list. Others have a searchable warrant database.

You can also check CCAP for warrants. Look for “Bench Warrant” in the case history. This usually happens when someone misses a court date. The judge issues a warrant for their arrest. If you see an active warrant, do not try to arrest the person. Call the police. Warrants do not expire. They stay active until the person appears in court or the police catch them.

Sex Offender Registry Search

Wisconsin tracks sex offenders. The Department of Corrections manages this list. The goal is public safety. You can search this registry for free. You can search by name or location. You can see if any offenders live in your neighborhood. The registry lists the offender’s name, address, and photo. It lists the crime they committed.

Not all offenders appear on the public website. Some low-level offenders stay off the public list. Police still track them, but neighbors cannot see their names online. The most dangerous offenders are always on the public site. You can sign up for email alerts. The system will email you if an offender moves into your area.

Inmate Search: Prisons vs. Jails

It is important to know the difference between jail and prison. Jails are for short stays. Counties run jails. People in jail are waiting for trial or serving short sentences. Prisons are for long sentences. The state runs prisons. People in prison have sentences longer than one year. Your search method changes based on this difference.

Searching Local Jails

Use the county sheriff’s website for jails. Look for the “Inmate Locator.” This shows people booked recently. It shows people currently in the cell. If the person went to court and got a long sentence, they move to prison. They will disappear from the jail list. You must then switch your search to the state prison system.

Searching State Prisons

The Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) has an offender locator. This covers all state prisons. You can search by name or DOC number. The results show the inmate’s location. It shows their release date. It also shows their parole status. You can see a photo of the inmate. The system updates daily. It tracks movement between different prisons.

Bankruptcy Records in Wisconsin

Bankruptcy is a federal legal process. It helps people who cannot pay their debts. These records are public. They are not in the state court system. You cannot find them on CCAP. You must use the federal court system. The system is called PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). You must register to use PACER. It charges a small fee per page.

The record shows the debtor’s name and address. It lists all creditors. It shows the type of bankruptcy. Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 are the most common. The file lists assets and income. It shows if the court discharged the debt. This means the person no longer has to pay it. These records stay on a credit report for 7 to 10 years.

Wisconsin Vital Records

Vital records verify life events. These include birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates. The Wisconsin Vital Records Office keeps these files. They are not as open as arrest records. You typically must prove a relationship to get a certified copy. You can get a copy of your own record. You can get records for your spouse, child, or parent.

Marriage and Divorce Records

Marriage records show the names of the couple and the date of the wedding. Divorce records show the date the marriage ended. Some divorce information is on CCAP. You can see the case filing and the judgment. For a certified copy of the certificate, you must ask the Vital Records Office. You need these documents for legal name changes or social security benefits.

Birth and Death Certificates

Birth certificates prove identity. You need them for a passport or a driver’s license. Death certificates prove a person has passed away. You need them to settle an estate. These records are strict about privacy. Only direct family or legal representatives can order them. You must fill out an application. You must pay a fee. You can order them online through VitalChek or by mail.

Expungement of Records

Expungement removes a record from public view. It seals the file. Wisconsin has strict rules for this. You cannot expunge a record just because time passed. A judge must order it. The most common rule involves age. If you were under 25 when you committed the crime, you might qualify. The crime must be a low-level felony or misdemeanor.

The judge decides expungement at the time of sentencing. If the judge did not sign the order, you cannot get it later. You must complete your sentence successfully. This means no new crimes and paying all fines. Once expunged, the record disappears from CCAP. Employers cannot see it. Police can still see it for their work. It counts as a prior offense if you get arrested again.

Correcting Record Errors

Sometimes records have mistakes. A file might list the wrong charge. It might show a conviction that never happened. This hurts your chances for jobs or housing. You have a right to fix these errors. First, get a copy of your criminal history from the DOJ. Review it carefully. Circle the mistakes.

Contact the agency that made the mistake. If the error is in the arrest data, call the police department. If the error is in the court data, call the Clerk of Courts. You might need to provide proof. A court order or dismissal letter helps. The agency will review your proof. If they agree, they will update the file. They will also tell the DOJ to update the state database.

Wisconsin Arrest Statistics

Data shows trends in law enforcement. We can see which counties have the most arrests. We can see what crimes happen most often. Milwaukee County usually has the highest numbers due to its population. Drug offenses and OWI (Operating While Intoxicated) are common charges. Theft and battery also appear frequently in the logs.

This data helps voters and leaders make decisions. It shows where to put resources. It shows if crime is going up or down. The graph below visualizes arrest density across the state. It highlights areas with high activity. This helps residents understand the safety profile of their community.

Official Contact Information

Use this table to contact major county sheriff offices in Wisconsin. Call them to check for inmates or warrants. Visit their websites for official rosters.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

This section answers specific questions about Wisconsin arrest records. These answers clarify complicated rules. They help you understand your rights and the limits of the data.

Can I remove my mugshot from a website?

Removing a mugshot is difficult. In Wisconsin, the mugshot is a public record. Police release it legally. Third-party websites often copy these photos. Some sites charge money to remove them. This practice is controversial but often legal. However, if your case was dismissed or expunged, you have a stronger case for removal. Send the site administrator a copy of the dismissal order. Ask them to take it down. If they refuse, consult a lawyer. Wisconsin law does not automatically force private sites to delete public data unless it is inaccurate.

How far back do background checks go in Wisconsin?

Background checks in Wisconsin can go back forever. The state does not have a “7-year rule” for criminal convictions like some other states. A felony conviction from 20 years ago can still show up. However, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) limits some data. Arrests that did not lead to a conviction should not appear after seven years on a third-party report. But official state databases like CCAP and WORCS keep data much longer. Employers usually focus on the last 7 to 10 years, but the data remains available.

Do I have to tell my employer about an arrest?

You generally do not have to tell an employer about a simple arrest if there is no conviction yet. Wisconsin law protects you from discrimination based on arrest records. Employers cannot fire you or refuse to hire you just because of an arrest. They must show that the arrest relates substantially to the job. However, if you have a pending charge that affects your ability to do the work, you might need to disclose it. Always read the employment contract. Some jobs require you to report any contact with the police.

Is the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (CCAP) always accurate?

CCAP is very accurate but not perfect. Clerks enter data manually. Typing errors happen. A name might be spelled wrong. A birth date might be off by a digit. Also, there is a delay. It takes time for a court event to appear online. Usually, it appears within 24 hours. If you see an error on CCAP, contact the Clerk of Courts in that county. They are the only ones who can change it. Do not rely on CCAP for 100% real-time data.

What happens to my record if I am found not guilty?

If a jury finds you not guilty, the conviction does not exist. However, the arrest record and the court case file remain. The CCAP entry will show “Acquitted” or “Dismissed.” This is better than “Guilty,” but the public can still see you were charged. You can ask the court to remove your fingerprints from the DOJ database. You might also qualify to have the arrest record removed from the Computerized Criminal History (CCH) system. This requires a specific request to the DOJ.

Can I look up juvenile records in Wisconsin?

No, you generally cannot look up juvenile records. Wisconsin protects the privacy of minors. These cases happen in the Children’s Court. The files are confidential. They do not appear on CCAP. You cannot find them on the inmate locator. Only the child, the parents, the lawyers, and the judge can see them. There is an exception for very serious crimes where the minor is tried as an adult. In those rare cases, the record becomes public like an adult record.

Does a pardon clear my record?

A pardon from the Governor does not clear or erase your record. The record stays in the system. However, a pardon restores your rights. It restores your right to vote and hold public office. It adds a note to your criminal record stating the Governor pardoned you. This looks good to employers. It shows the state forgave you. But a pardon is not the same as expungement. The history of the crime remains visible to the public.