Madison Arrest Records

Arrest records in Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin, record incidents in which people are arrested by the police. In the city, arrests are made in response to misdemeanors or felonies, for which officers have direct testimony, outstanding warrants, or probable cause. While the Dane County Sheriff's Office also conducts arrests throughout the larger county, the Madison Police Department has the primary jurisdiction to make arrests within the city limits.

Upon arrest, offenders are often booked into the Dane County Jail, where they provide their fingerprints, mugshots, charges, and identifying information. These details are included in an individual's official arrest record and fed into various legal databases, such as the Dane County Arrest Records system, jail rosters, and criminal court dockets.

Are Madison Arrests Public Record?

According to Wisconsin's Open Records Law, Madison arrest records are accessible to the public (Wis. Stat. § 19.31–19.39). This implies that the public has access to most of the arrest logs kept by the Madison Police Department and the Dane County Sheriff's Office.

The exempt details include juvenile records, ongoing investigations, medical or mental health information, and victim identification in delicate circumstances. Authorities may occasionally demand that the person making the request show a "direct and tangible interest" in the document, particularly if it includes private or sensitive data.

Madison Crime Rate

The Madison Police Department reported 38,043 arrests between 2019 and 2023, with 72.2% of those involving males, according to the FBI's Crime Data Explorer. "All Other Offenses" (11,341; 29.8%), disorderly conduct (5,965; 15.7%), simple assaults (4,865; 12.8%), and larceny (3,581; 9.4%) were the most common arrest categories. These patterns imply that rather than severe violence, low-level and public order offenses predominate in Madison's criminal scene. The frequency of larceny and simple assaults suggests that property crimes and interpersonal disputes are still major concerns. Madison is likely to experience a sustained emphasis on quality-of-life policing, with a gradual decline in small assaults and thefts, given existing enforcement practices and nationwide trends indicating falling violent crime.

Find Madison Arrest Records

Requesters can utilize the following resources to search Madison County arrest records:

1. The Dane County Clerk of Court Case Search covers all criminal and civil cases filed in Dane County courts.
2. Criminal histories and state arrests: The Wisconsin Department of Justice Repository has these.
3. The Madison Police Department (In-Person)

Searches are typically conducted by last or first name, but they can also be filtered by county, case number, case type, or filing date.

Free Arrest Record Search in Madison

1. Dane County Records Request: To acquire arrest records in the city, requesters can complete a record request form found on the Dane County Sheriff's Office website.
2. Madison Incident Reports: Requesters can search the Madison incident report board to locate incidents in the city that resulted in an arrest. If requesters can supply the names of the people involved, the location, and the range of potential dates the arrest occurred, the search for arrest records can be narrowed down.
3. The Wisconsin Court System Terminals are located at the Dane County Courthouse (215 South Hamilton Street). The WCCA terminal offers extended historical data and complete access to court records.

Third-party aggregators of arrest records also offer a limited amount of information for free. These websites should be utilized with caution since the accuracy, completeness, and currency of the data available often lag behind official sources. Furthermore, most third-party sources offer the first search results for free, but access to complete arrest information or case histories is often paid.

Criminal Background Check in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, the Crime Information Bureau of the Department of Justice (DOJ) is responsible for conducting official criminal background checks. Using their name and birthdate, people can use the DOJ's Record Check Portal to request a name-based check online for $7. These are frequently used for personal evaluation, housing, and employment. However, employers and landlords cannot check whole arrest histories unless legally allowed, although they can view conviction records with written approval. Self-checks are another way for people to examine or contest their records.

Madison Inmate Search

To locate individuals from Madison who are currently serving sentences in Wisconsin state prisons, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) Offender Locator can be used. This tool tracks inmates under the jurisdiction of the state prison system, not those held in local jails after arrest.

Madison Police Record Lookup

There are multiple ways for the public to get incident reports, arrest affidavits, or CAD (Computer-Aided Dispatch) call logs from the Madison Police Department (MPD):

1. Online: Use the MPD Records Request Portal to submit a request.
2. A written request should be sent by mail to the Madison Police Records Unit, located at 211 S. Carroll St., Madison, WI 53703.
3. In Person: During business hours, stop by the walk-in counter at the same address.

Complex situations may take longer to complete; however, most requests are handled in 10 business days. Ongoing investigations, juvenile identities, victim names or contact information, and sensitive personal information (such as witness or medical data) are common examples of information that may be redacted from reports.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Madison?

Arrests in Madison (Dane County), Wisconsin, usually stay on a person's criminal record indefinitely unless a court expunges or seals them. According to Wisconsin law, until the arrest is legally erased, it may still show up in background checks even if charges are dropped or not filed. Only certain low-level offenses are eligible for expungement in Wisconsin, typically for those who were under 25 years old at the time of conviction. Arrest records by themselves, without a conviction, are not always expunged and may need to be petitioned. Additionally, arrest information may still be shown on commercial background databases and third-party mugshot websites even after the record has been expunged. These websites frequently scrape public records, and they might not update their information upon expungement.

How Can I Get My Record Expunged for Free in Madison?

If a person's case fits specific requirements, they may be eligible to have their record expunged for free in Madison. Dismissed charges or first-time misdemeanors committed before the age of 25 that get court approval after the end of the sentence are eligible instances. To request a filing fee waiver, petitioners can file in propria persona (without an attorney) by submitting a CV-410A Affidavit of Indigency together with a Petition to Expunge form. The Wisconsin Circuit Court system makes these papers accessible. The Dane County Courthouse self-help center, public defender intake days, and legal-aid clinics all provide free help. Most petitions are reviewed three to six months after they are filed, and a court hearing may be held before a decision is made.

Madison Warrant Search

In Madison, arrest warrants are issued when an individual is suspected of committing a crime and law enforcement needs authorization to detain them. Bench warrants are typically issued by a judge when a person fails to appear in court or violates court orders.

Requesters can check if they have an active warrant in Madison when they:

• Visit the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) site to search court records by name.
• Contact the Dane County Sheriff's Office Warrant Line at (608) 284-6822.
• Make an in-person inquiry with a valid photo ID at the courthouse or sheriff's office.

It should be noted, however, that appearing in person with an active warrant may lead to immediate arrest. Before attempting to resolve the matter directly, it is advisable to consult an attorney or call ahead anonymously.

Do Madison Warrants Expire?

Most felony and misdemeanor warrants in Madison are not revoked, recalled, or served until the court quashes them. They can be enforced years after they are issued, and these warrants don't just expire with time. However, once the statute of limitations runs out, warrants for municipal or ordinance violations like those for unpaid tickets may no longer be enforceable, even if the warrant usually remains in the system until it is dismissed. Certain circumstances may result in the voiding of a warranty, including:

• Death of the defendant
• Prosecutors' voluntary dismissal of charges
• Clerical recall by the issuing judge (for instance, following an error or case resolution)

Active warrants may result in arrests during background checks, ID checks, or traffic stops until they are formally revoked. As such, consult an attorney to address a warrant before making an in-person appearance.