Grant County Arrest Records

Grant County arrest records contain information on all arrest-related events. Requesters typically obtain such records from the county's local law enforcement agencies or other public documents, such as criminal records. For example, Wisconsin County court records may contain arrest information.

Are Arrest Records Public in Grant County?

Yes. The Wisconsin Open Records Act guarantees the general public's right to access arrest records unless otherwise stated by state statutes. As a result, requesters can submit a records request to inspect or make copies of Grant County arrest records generated and stored by law enforcement while discharging their legal duties and responsibilities.

Nonetheless, the Act restricts the disclosure of specific Grant County arrest records. The general public is typically prohibited from accessing juvenile records or personally identifying information that, if disclosed, may jeopardize someone's life or safety or an ongoing investigation. Other arrest records that are restricted from public disclosure include:

• Records that have been expunged or sealed by the court.
• Home or private phone numbers and email addresses.
• Social Security, bank account, and driver's license numbers
• Residence information and personalized license plates
• Records related to sex and domestic violence victims and their families
• Law enforcement investigatory records
• Records that identify confidential informants

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Grant County arrest records usually include the following information:

• An arrestee's complete name, age, and sex
• An arrestee's physical features (ethnicity, gender, height, weight, eye color, hair color, scars/tattoos/marks)
• The arresting agency
• Arrest date and time
• Charge(s) and crime classification (e.g., whether an offense is a felony or misdemeanor)
• Bond information (type and amount)
• Warrant information, if any

Grant County Arrest Statistics

According to a 5-year analysis of figures from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), the Grant County Sheriff’s Office reported 1,959 arrests between 2019 and 2023. The gender distribution of the arrest figures revealed that males were the predominant offenders, with 87.81% (1,446), while females constituted 26.19% (513) of all arrests.

The racial composition of all arrests in the period under review showed that Whites were the prevalent racial group arrested for various offenses, with 87.45%. Blacks or African Americans, Asians, and American Indians or Alaska Natives accounted for 5.21% (102), 0.36% (7), and 0.20% (4) of all arrests, respectively. The racial identity of 6.79% (133) of those arrested was unknown.

A breakdown of the type of offenses law enforcement officers detained offenders for between 2019 and 2023 showed that all other offenses aside from traffic were the most prevalent, with 32.78% (646), followed by driving under the influence at 19.04% (373) and disorderly conduct at 10.06% (197). Offenders arrested for possession of Marijuana accounted for 8.02% (157), while simple assault made up 6.64% (130).

Find Grant County Arrest Records

Requesters searching for information on Grant County inmates at the state level can find them through the Wisconsin Department of Corrections' Offender Locator tool.

This search tool allows inquirers to find convicted offenders sentenced to prison, supervision, or both in the state's correctional facilities. Interested parties can search for offenders by first and last name, Wisconsin Department of Corrections (MDOC) Number, sex, age range, ethnicity, and offender's status.

The search application returns results on active and inactive offenders, including the demographics, current and prior sentences, and imprisonment history.

Record searchers should note that an offender's DOC number is distinctive. Searching with the Wisconsin DOC number will reveal details on one prisoner and is the most precise way to find a particular offender.

At the national level, federal law enforcement officers may detain a Grant County offender in one of their facilities. Interested parties searching for such a person may use the Federal Inmate Locator tool to locate the inmate.

Free Arrest Record Search in Grant County

Given that most arrests and bookings occur locally, record searchers may wish to contact police departments and precincts with jurisdiction within Grant County, including the County Sheriff's Office. Once they have identified a police precinct of interest, requesters may contact the agency for relevant Grant County arrest records. Individuals seeking arrest information from the Grant County Sheriff's Office may call the Grant County Jail at (608) 723-2157 and select the appropriate option.

The Office address of the Grant County Sheriff's Office is located as follows:

8820 US-61,
Lancaster, WI 53813
Phone: +16087232157

Grant County Sheriff's Office

P.O. Box 506
Lancaster, WI 53813
Fax: (608) 723-2377

Please note that while arrest records can be inspected free of charge, making copies may attract a fee, as stipulated by law.

Grant County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Grant County arrest records document the specifics of an individual's arrest. These records typically comprise the individual's identity, birth date, the date and location of the arrest, the arresting agency, and the charges filed at the time of the arrest.

Conversely, criminal records provide a thorough account of a person's involvement with the criminal justice system. They include allegations, court proceedings, convictions, sentences, and arrests.

In conclusion, criminal records provide a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's criminal history in Wisconsin, while arrest records concentrate on specific incidents.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Unless expunged, an individual's arrest record in Wisconsin will remain accessible to the general public. Even if substantial time has passed since the arrest, the individual will still be subject to the public record except if they delete it.

Expunge Grant County Arrest Records

To expunge arrest records, the petitioner must meet specific eligibility requirements. Usually, the court may expunge a person's Wisconsin arrest records if they were less than 25 years old at the time of the offense, the offense has a maximum penalty of 6 years or less prison term, or the sentencing court decides the individual will benefit from expungement and it would not negatively impact society. Other eligible individuals include those who have successfully completed their sentence without any further convictions.

Process for Expungement

To be eligible for expungement, the court must order it at the time of sentencing. Wisconsin law typically does not permit adults to petition for expungement after sentencing.

The individual must serve the whole of their sentence, including any jail or prison time, parole, extended supervision, and probation. They must also not incur any additional convictions.

Once the individual has successfully served their sentence, the detaining or probationary authority will send a certificate of discharge to the court. Based on this, the court will automatically expunge their record without the need for further petitions.

It is crucial that the court receives the certificate of discharge. The individual should verify with their correctional institution or probation agent that the certificate has been sent.

Individuals convicted of crimes classified as violent, serious, or involving the death of a child are not eligible for expungement.

Persons not sentenced to jail, prison, or probation but are required to pay a fine or restitution must petition the court using Circuit Court Form CR-266. Juveniles who wish to expunge their arrest records must use Circuit Court Form JD-1780. These forms can be accessed on the Wisconsin Court System Website.

Grant County Arrest Warrants

A Grant County arrest warrant is a legal instrument issued by a judge authorizing law enforcement to arrest an individual suspected of committing a crime.

A judge issues an arrest warrant if there is probable cause to believe that an accused individual committed an offense. The establishment of probable cause may be achieved through a complaint, affidavits, or an examination under oath of the complainant or witnesses.

Grant County arrest warrants are issued under the following circumstances:

• When there is adequate evidence to prove probable cause.
• When a suspect has been arrested without a warrant and is in custody or appears willingly before a judge or
• When a judge in a neighboring county issues the warrant because of the unavailability of a local judge.

Typically, Grant County arrest warrants include the following information:

1. It must be in writing and signed by the judge.
2. It must state the name of the crime and the relevant legal section.
3. It must include a copy of the complaint.
4. It must identify the person to be arrested, either by name or a description that provides reasonable certainty.
5. It must bear the date of issuance and the judge’s name and title.
6. It must command that the accused be brought before the issuing judge or another judge in the same county if the issuing judge is unavailable.

Do Grant County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Grant County arrest warrants generally do not expire. Once issued, they remain active until the offender is taken into custody or the warrant is recalled by a judge. Arrest warrants are not subject to a statute of limitations, meaning they can be enforced at any time.

Furthermore, a judge may revoke a warrant if law enforcement fails to make a significant effort to execute it. The status of an arrest warrant may be influenced by factors such as the seriousness of the crime and the efforts made by law enforcement to locate the suspect.