Dodge County Arrest Records

Dodge County Arrest records are official documentation of the arrest of individuals by law enforcement agencies within Dodge County, WI. The Dodge County Sheriff's Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, local police departments, and other law enforcement agencies within Dodge County create these documents when they take individuals into custody.

Dodge County arrest records are precursor documents in criminal trials within the Dodge County Circuit or Municipal Court. Hence, they are part of Dodge County court records. In Dodge County, arrestees serving pre-trial and short-term detention are detained at local police departments holding cells and the Dodge County Detention Facility. However, law enforcement may transfer federal convicts and individuals serving sentences for more severe crimes to state or federal correctional facilities.

Are Arrest Records Public in Dodge County?

Yes, arrest records are public in Dodge and the other counties in Wisconsin. The Wis. Stat. § 19.31-19.39 establishes complete public access to Wisconsin government records (including Dodge County arrest records) unless the law restricts access to such information or documents. However, there are exemptions to accessing Dodge County arrest records.

The public cannot access Dodge County arrest information related to juvenile arrests, sealed or expunged records, financial accounts and Social Security, active law enforcement or judicial investigations, mental and medical records, confidential victim or witness information, or protective orders. Accessing Dodge County restricted arrest records requires legal authorization or judicial orders.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Arrest records contain personal details of their owners, the reasons for their arrest, and the conditions for their release. Generally, these information include:

• Names, dates of birth, gender, race, and physical description of the record owners
• Charges and the sections of the laws allegedly violated
• Name of the arresting agency
• Name and badge number of the arresting officers
• Booking numbers and mugshots
• Bail/Bond conditions
• Court appearance information (if it applies).

Dodge County Arrest Statistics

The FBI UCR arrest statistics show a mixed trend in the number of arrests within Dodge County in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023. Dodge County law enforcement agencies participating in the Uniform Crime Reporting program reported 2,459 arrest incidents in 2023. This figure is less than the 2,467 arrests in 2022 but higher than the 2,408 reported for 2021.

Between 2020 and 2023, Dodge County saw over 9,800 arrests for various offenses, and over 72.5% of arrestees were male. During this period, DUI incidents accounted for the highest number of arrests. The table shows the number of individuals taken into custody for various offenses within Dodge County between 2020 and 2023.

Data Source: FBI Arrest Statistics.

Find Dodge County Arrest Records

Finding Dodge County arrest records involves using online search tools to look for documents or information on Dodge County arrests. Dodge County arrest records are part of Dodge County criminal records and are accessible through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access System. Also, Dodge County arrest records are obtainable for a fee through the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS). Alternatively, visit the Dodge County, WI Sheriff's Office website, scroll down, and download the DCSO App to access information about Dodge County arrests.

Free Arrest Record Search in Dodge County

Obtaining copies of Wisconsin Public Records may involve fee payments. However, individuals may access information about Dodge County arrests for free through the Wisconsin Case Access System. This portal may offer free access to Dodge County arrest records through criminal case information. Also, individuals seeking free access to Dodge County arrest information should download the Dodge County Sheriff's Office DCSO App to access arrest and inmate records.

Alternatively, Dodge County arrest information may be accessible online through third-party websites. Some private databases may provide access to Wisconsin law enforcement records and offer access to them for free.

Dodge County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

There are clear distinctions between Dodge County arrests and criminal records. These differences arise from the mode of creation, content, legal implications, and impacts on their owners. The points below outline some differences between Dodge County arrests and criminal records.

Creation & Content

Law enforcement agencies within Dodge County create arrest records when they take individuals into custody for arrestable offenses. The documents provide the arrestees' personal details, the arrests' reasons, booking information, and the conditions for release. Dodge County criminal records are court-generated documents. The Dodge County Circuit and Municipal Courts generate criminal records during criminal trials. Dodge County criminal records comprise Dodge County arrest records and documents relating to criminal trials, convictions, and incarceration of criminal offenders under the county's criminal justice system.

Legal Implications

Arrest records do not imply guilt or innocence. An arrestee is innocent of a crime unless the court decides otherwise. A criminal record legally confirms that a person is guilty of a crime.

Impact

Arrest records do not have significant impacts unless their owners are guilty of criminal offenses. On the other hand, criminal records may have lifelong effects on social status, housing, and employment opportunities.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrest information stays on records indefinitely unless the courts seal or remove them. However, Wisconsin Statute § 973.015 grants individuals the right to petition the courts to remove Dodge County arrest information if they are eligible.

Expunge Dodge County Arrest Records

Individuals seeking to expunge Dodge County arrest records must fulfill the requirements of § 973.015 of the Wisconsin Statutes. Applicants seeking to remove Dodge County arrest information from their records must be under the age of 25 years at the time of the offense, and the arrest must be for a misdemeanor of a Class H or I felony. Also, the individuals must complete the sentence for the crime (if convicted), and the judge must decide at the time of sentencing if the person will be eligible after completing the punishment for the crime, or else expungement will not be granted. Expunging arrest information for cases that did not lead to convictions is less complicated.

Eligible individuals who fulfill the requirements and seek to seal Dodge County arrest information should:

• Obtain documents that will support the expungement petition (this includes the arrest records, disposition documents, and documents that support the claim that the arrest did not lead to a conviction)
• Draft and file a petition to expunge the arrest record, attach the supporting documents, and submit it to the Dodge County Clerk of Courts Office at

210 W Center St, Juneau,
WI 53039.

Note that the petition must include name, contact information, arrest details, the outcome of the arrest, and the reasons for the expungement request.

• Pay all applicable filing fees.
• Serve a copy of the petition to the Dodge County District Attorney's office at

210 W Center St, Room 300,
Juneau,
WI 53039

• Attend any hearing the court may schedule to review the case to answer questions and counter objections (if any)
• If the court grants the request, it will order the sealing of the record.

Note that sealed arrest records in Wisconsin are accessible to law enforcement and licensing agencies.

Dodge County Arrest Warrants

Dodge County arrest warrants are official documents issued by judges or magistrates of the Dodge County Circuit or Municipal Court authorizing the arrest of individuals. Law enforcement must prove probable cause to obtain arrest warrants. A judge/magistrate of the Dodge County Circuit or Municipal Court may issue an arrest warrant if there is evidence of a criminal act or if a person:

• Flouts court orders
• Is a material witness in a criminal investigation but fails to comply with a subpoena
• Obstructs justice
• Intends to flee to avoid prosecution for a crime
• Engage in domestic violence
• Threatens public peace.

Generally, a valid arrest warrant encompasses information such as:

• Name, aliases, and physical descriptions of the subject
• Date and time of issuance of the warrant
• Name and signature of the issuing judge/magistrate
• Statement/ affidavit of probable cause
• Charges against the subject and sections of the law allegedly broken
• Name of the court issuing the warrant
• Jurisdiction where the warrant is valid
• Authorization to law enforcement to arrest the subject
• Instructions to law enforcement on how to execute the warrant.

Do Dodge County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Dodge County arrest warrants do not expire. Arrest warrants issued by a Dodge County judge or magistrate remain active until law enforcement executes them. However, these documents will become inactive if subjects die or the courts recall them.