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  1. Grant County Court
  2. Grant County Arrest Records

Grant County, Wisconsin Arrest Records

Grant County arrest records are official administrative entries created when a person is taken into custody, booked, or cited for an offense by local law enforcement. These records typically contain the arrestee's identifiers, charges, the arresting agency, booking information, bail details, and case disposition.

Grant County arrest records are typically generated by local law enforcement agencies, such as the Grant County Sheriff's Office or municipal Departments like the Lancaster Police Department and the Platteville Police Department. The records are used to promote government transparency and ensure the public can monitor police activity, track local crime, and verify that law enforcement detention powers are exercised lawfully.

Arrest records and the information they contain are generally considered public information. Under the Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39), any person has the right to inspect and copy records created or kept by government bodies, including law enforcement arrest records, unless the information is exempted by law. Wisconsin Criminal Offender Information is governed by statutes found in Wis. Stat. § 165.83 and Wis. Stat. § 165.84, which designates the state Department of Justice as the repository for maintaining a system of criminal identification records containing data such as identifying information, fingerprints, and photographs submitted by state, local, and municipal law enforcement agencies.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Grant, Wisconsin?

Yes, arrest records for Grant County are considered public information. The Wisconsin Public Records Law permits anyone to inspect or copy government records unless the information is restricted by law. However, Wis. Stat. § 19.36(2) permits law enforcement to withhold certain information when federal or state laws or regulations require confidentiality. The law also provides general exemptions to obtaining public records which may apply.

Public record requests can be made in person, by mail, or in person depending on the agency and the records required. Wisconsin law does not limit record requests to state or Grant County residents, and requesters do not need to provide identification to submit a record request. However, local agencies may request contact details and identification when picking up physical copies or sensitive information.

What Do Public Grant County Arrest Records Contain?

Public Arrest records for Grant County typically contain basic arrest data documenting the event and the individual involved. Typical public elements of an arrest record include the following.

  • The full name of the arrestee
  • Identifying information such as date of birth, age, and physical description
  • Arrest details (date, time, location, arresting agency)
  • Booking details (date, time, location, etc.)
  • Biometrics such as fingerprints and mugshot photographs
  • Charges filed and specific statutes violated
  • Bail/Bond information (amount and type)
  • Case disposition and custody status

Wisconsin permits law enforcement agencies to balance transparency against privacy and safety concerns under Wisconsin's balancing test. Agencies are required to review records individually to ensure public disclosure does not violate a person's privacy, put them at risk, or jeopardize a fair trial. Information that may be redacted or exempt by law includes the following.

  • Juvenile arrest records
  • Names and contact information of witnesses and victims
  • Private or sensitive information such as financial information, Social Security number, and driver's license details
  • Medical and mental health records
  • Information containing investigative techniques, tactics, and protocols that may compromise future operations
  • Information that could identify undercover agents and confidential informants
  • Records that have been sealed or expunged by a court order

Grant County, Wisconsin Arrest Search

Record seekers may search for Grant County arrest information using resources provided by state and federal agencies.

Criminal histories maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Justice typically contain arrest information. These records are available from the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) for a fee. Users may register a user account on WORCS to perform an online name-based search or background check. Record seekers may also download the appropriate form to request a fingerprint-based records check.

The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal may be used to search circuit court case records containing arrest information, charges, and case dispositions from Grant County criminal cases. Federal arrest records may be available through several options, including the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) database. This system allows users to search for federal criminal case files, which typically contain arrest records for offenses that led to court cases.

The Inmate Locator maintained by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) allows users to look up arrest records and inmate information for individuals serving sentences in federal correctional facilities.

Grant County Inmate Locator

To obtain Grant County inmate information, records seekers may use the Grant County Sheriff's Office Public Record Request portal to request arrest logs or inmate information. Inmate records can also be requested directly from the sheriff's office or jail using the following contact information.

Grant County Sheriff's Office

8820 Hwy 35/61/81,

Lancaster, WI 53813

Phone: (608) 723-2157

Grant County Jail Mailing Address

1013 North Adams Street,

PO Box 506,

Lancaster, WI 53813

Phone: (608) 723-6372

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Grant County

Free arrest records for Grant County may be available from several online resources, such as the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal, which allows you to search a person's name for free to find detailed records of any criminal charges filed after an arrest. Records may also be viewed in person at the Grant County Sheriff's Office.

To make requests and use free tools effectively, record seekers must have data about the arrest, including the person's name, a case number, or date of birth. It should be noted that free jail rosters may only contain individuals currently in jail and not older records or sensitive confidential information. Identification may not be required to use free tools, but may be required when collecting physical copies or requesting sensitive information.

Grant County Arrest Report

Although both of them are law enforcement documents concerning arrests, arrest reports are distinct and serve different functions than arrest records.

Arrest reports are highly detailed internal narratives written by local arresting officers at the time of the incident. They typically contain a lot of the basic information plus witness/victim statements, evidence logs, officer observation, and a timeline of the events leading to the arrest. These reports are typically restricted and can only be accessed by public record requests directed to the arresting agency.

Arrest records, on the other hand, are summarized entries into a custodial database. They contain basic information such as the arrested person's name and physical description, charges, arrest dates, bail details, and final court dispositions. This record is typically public information that may be accessed by the general public.

While arrest records are generally used to mark an individual's entry into the criminal justice system and track their disposition, arrest reports are used to provide a timeline of events and provide probable cause for the arrest and the charges that will be filed by the prosecutors.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Grant County

Wisconsin offers two forms of record relief for removing criminal records from an applicant's personal records and law enforcement databases.

  • Wis. Stat. § 165.84(1) governs the removal of arrest records from state databases when there were no charges filed or convictions after the arrest.
  • Wis. Stat. § 973.015 governs sealing of conviction records where expungement is ordered during sentencing.

For cases where there was no conviction, including when the charges were dismissed, when the person was never charged, or the person was found not guilty after a trial, they may apply to have all arrest records, including any fingerprints and biometric data, removed from all Wisconsin Department of Justice Databases. Under Wis. Stat. § 165.84(1), they may apply to have their records and biometrics removed from the crime database by downloading, filling out, and submitting the Fingerprint Record Return Request form DJ-LE-250B, plus their identification and arrest/case record details (arrest report, case number, proof of dismissal, acquittal, or no charges). The application must include the Grant County law enforcement agency and the Circuit Court where the case was handled. If the application is approved, the Wisconsin Criminal Information Bureau removes the record from the public criminal history database and returns or destroys the fingerprints and mugshot photographs.

To qualify for expungement or sealing under Wis. Stat. § 973.015, the conviction record must meet the following qualifications.

  • The conviction must be for a misdemeanor or certain low-level felonies.
  • The offender must have committed the offense when under 25 years old.
  • The judge at the initial sentencing must have specifically ordered the record be expunged. If expungement was not ordered at sentencing, the offense typically does not qualify.
  • All aspects of the sentence must have been completed, including prison terms, probation, and any restitution or fines.
  • If the offender meets all the qualifications, the court must still find that the expungement is in the public interest.

Interested parties may follow these steps to file for expungement in Grant County.

  • Confirm that the expungement was ordered at the initial sentencing by checking the original judgment or contacting the Grant County Clerk of the Circuit Court.
  • Fill out the official Petition to Expunge Court Record of Conviction (CR-266) and file it with the Grant County Clerk of the Circuit Court.
  • The judge will review the paperwork and decide whether to grant the order immediately or schedule a hearing.
  • After the judge issues the order, the court clerk seals the official paperwork and notifies other agencies such as the Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau to seal/update all relevant records.

While the record is typically hidden from the public, law enforcement and government agencies performing high-level security clearances may still access these records.

How Do You Remove Grant County Arrest Records From the Internet?

The first step to removing Grant County arrest records from the internet is to address official government websites and databases by obtaining record relief under Wisconsin law. This involves obtaining an expungement order by petitioning the local court where the case was heard. Once the order is granted, it will be removed from official online public databases such as the Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP).

After dealing with official sources, the next step is to manually contact third-party aggregators or background check websites. Manually contact any sites that republished the record and submit a copy of the signed expungement order and request removal. Some of these sites provide opt-out, privacy, or data removal links where information and removal requests can be submitted. For search engines, use their refresh outdated content tool or contact them directly with proof of the expungement and request a de-listing or de-indexing of the record to reduce its visibility in search results.

Arrest records may also appear in news articles and may not be removed if the record was true when published. Submit the expungement order and request an edit or update to the article showing the record was expunged and the reason for it.