Clark County Arrest Records

Anyone arrested in Clark County by a police officer can expect to be taken to the police station for booking. During this process, the individual will be required to provide information about their identity, including their name, social security number, address, phone number, and medical and mental health history details. The arresting officer will also collect the arrestee's fingerprints and photographs. All the information gathered during booking is entered into the law enforcement database and subsequently forwarded to the Clark County Sheriff's Office and the court overseeing the case. When the case proceeds to court, the arrest details will be included in the Clark County court records as a vital part of the judicial process.

Are Arrest Records Public in Clark County?

Yes. The Wisconsin Public Records Law promotes public access to law enforcement agencies' arrest records. This law authorizes the Clark County Sheriff's Office and city police departments to make their arrest records available for public inspection and copying. However, these agencies do not release arrest records that reveal a confidential informant's identity or endanger a person's life. Additionally, criminal investigation and intelligence records, juvenile records, and offender's medical records are deemed confidential in Clark County.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Individuals can find what a public arrest record contains by using the Offender Locator the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) provides. The search will return the following arrest information:

• Demographics (DOC number, name, birth year, sex, race, ethnicity, and aliases)
• Court cases (case number and county)
• Status (maximum discharge date, parole eligibility date, current status, sub-status, mandatory release/extended supervision date, and institution)

Clark County Arrest Statistics

The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) uses the UCR Arrest Data dashboard to provide citizens with an interactive way to access arrest statistics for state law enforcement agencies. The 2023 statistics show that about 347 arrests occurred in Clark County, with 268 adult and 78 juvenile arrests.

Find Clark County Arrest Records

The Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) disseminates Clark County arrest records online and in person to residents. Individuals can use the Offender Search portal to find arrest information online. The search can be conducted by name, address, and DOC number. In-person requests can be made at DOC facilities during business hours.

Federal law enforcement agencies also issue Clark County arrest records upon request. Record seekers can visit these agencies' facilities to access arrest records in person. They would have to provide some information that will facilitate the search. Most federal law enforcement agencies have free online portals where members of the public can find arrest information. For example:

• The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has an Online Detainee Locator System, which requesters can use to find Clark County arrest information using an A-Number or biographical details.
• The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) provides access to arrest records online using an Inmate Locator. The search parameters are number (BOP register number, FBI number, DCDC number, or INS number) or by name (first, middle, or last).
• The United States Capitol Police (USCP) provides Clark County arrest summary reports to requesters online. Users can filter their searches using a crime date, CFN number, crime summary, and crime type.

Free Arrest Record Search in Clark County

To request arrest records for free, individuals can contact the Clark County Jail by phone at (715) 743-5380 or email at sheriffcorrections@co.clark.wi.us. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) also provides Clark County arrest records for free through its Offender Locator. The search criteria required to use the locator are the inmate's name, address, and DOC number.

Inquirers can also find arrest records on third-party portals for free. These portals also require search criteria to streamline the search. However, while some third-party sites will offer users selected information at no cost, most platforms will only provide comprehensive arrest records to paying users.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Clark County, most arrest records, such as mugshots, booking sheets, and fingerprint cards, are permanent. However, some records, like bond receipts, follow retention schedules and are eventually removed from law enforcement databases. For example, the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website removes arrest records of misdemeanor offenses after 20 years and felony offenses after 50 years.

Expunge Clark County Arrest Records

Per WI Stat § 973.015, expungement refers to removing all references to an individual's name and identity from their arrest records. A judge may order expungement if the individual meets specific eligibility criteria and successfully completes their sentence. However, this process is only possible if the detaining or probationary authority submits a certificate of discharge to the Clark County Clerk of Courts to facilitate the expungement of the record. If the arrested person was sentenced to pay a fine or restitution, a Petition to Expunge Court Record of Conviction (Non-Probation/ Non-Incarceration) form must be filed with the Clerk.

Clark County Arrest Warrants

Clark County judges used information in complaints, affidavits, or those collected from complainants or witnesses to determine the issuance of arrest warrants (WI Stat § 968.04). No arrest warrant will be delivered to a law enforcement officer unless there is probable cause to believe that an accused has committed an offense. The warrant must be in writing and carry the judge's name, signature, and title of the judge's office. It must contain the name of the offense committed by the accused, the section charges and the number, and the accused's name (if known). The judge can describe the accused if their name is unknown. The arrest warrant will contain an issuing date and a command that the accused be arrested and brought before the issuing judge. The judge will attach a copy of the complaint to the arrest warrant before handing it over to a law enforcement officer for execution.

Do Clark County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, an arrest warrant does not contain an expiration date. When a judge issues an arrest warrant in Clark County, it remains active until the defendant is apprehended or the court revokes it. This allows a law enforcement officer to execute an arrest warrant on time.