Jackson County Arrest Records

Arrest records in Jackson County contain information about individuals detained by law enforcement agents in possible connection with a crime. Under Wisconsin Statutes section 968.07, law enforcement may arrest an individual when there is probable cause to believe that the individual committed a crime. Arrests are typically made with a warrant. However, warrantless arrests are lawful in exigent situations, such as hot pursuit or when an officer witnesses a crime in progress.

When an individual is arrested, they are held in the Jackson County jail, managed by the county Sheriff's department. This serves as the main detention center for individuals detained in the county pending bail or transfer.

The Jackson County Sheriff's Department creates and manages arrest records. These records include details about the arrestee obtained during booking, such as the individual's name, age, date of birth, address, identifying marks or tattoos, the alleged offense, and location. These records are also connected to Jackson County court records, which show details of court proceedings for each case.

Are Arrest Records Public in Jackson County?

Yes. Under the Wisconsin Open Records Law, Jackson County arrest records are categorized as public records. The law permits unrestrained access to the public to view and copy them. Typically, officers also take the individual's fingerprint during booking and enter the information captured into the database maintained by the Criminal Information Bureau (CIB). The Bureau is in charge of the state's fingerprint-based criminal history database.

The blanket access to court records granted by the Open Records Law is not absolute. Due to the nature of their content, certain sensitive records are not accessible to the public. Such confidential records are exempt from public disclosure, including:

• Personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, phone numbers, and bank account details
• Sealed or expunged records
• Juvenile records
• Information that could constitute security and safety risks if disclosed
• Information about investigations in progress
• Trade secrets

Jackson County Sheriff's Office
30N 3rd St,
Black River Falls,
WI 54615
Phone: (715) 284-5357

Jackson County Arrest Statistics

According to a 2023 report from the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, the crime rate in the county was 2,627 per 100,000 residents. The average daily population in the county jail was 51. There were 47 cases of aggravated assaults, 15 cases of sexual assault, and 289 cases of property crime. This comprised 220 cases of theft, 52 burglary incidents, 16 cases of vehicle theft, and one case of arson.

Find Jackson County Arrest Records

Record seekers interested in getting access to Jackson County arrest records may make use of any of the state or federal resources below:

• The Wisconsin Department of Corrections has an online offender locator for individuals detained in state facilities. Record seekers may search by DOC number or name to find an inmate's location, status, and possible release date.
• The Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) is a national service through which interested parties may look up an offender's custody status in Wisconsin. Record seekers may search by name or ID on the VINE website or application. One important benefit of the VINE platform is that it sends notifications when an inmate's status changes.
• The County Sheriff's Office maintains the county's detention facilities. Record seekers may obtain arrest logs and arrest information through the Office by phone, mail, or in-person visit.

Jackson County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

In Jackson County, arrest records focus primarily on the instances where law enforcement apprehended and detained an individual. They include such details as the date, allegations levelled against the suspect, and location of the arrest. Arrest records do not necessarily indicate guilt, as they do not contain information about the disposition or verdict.

In contrast, criminal records are detailed accounts of an individual's criminal history. They include such details as convictions, sentencing, and court decisions or findings. Unlike arrest records, which are focused mainly on arrests, criminal records present a more holistic picture of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Jackson County, Wisconsin, arrests usually stay on record forever unless a court seals or expunges them. Record owners may request expungement if they meet certain eligibility conditions. The Crime Information Bureau (CIB) handles arrest record removals, while conviction records are managed by the Circuit Court.

Jackson County Arrest Warrants

Jackson County arrest warrants are court orders instructing law enforcement officers to arrest and detain an individual. They are typically issued when there is sufficient evidence to determine probable cause. Under Wisconsin Statutes Section 968.04(3)(a)), arrest warrants usually include the suspect's name or a description that identifies them with reasonable certainty, the last known address, the name of the crime and statute number, the issuing judge's name and title, the issuing court, and instructions on how to execute the warrant.

Do Jackson County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Once a court issues a warrant in Jackson County, it remains active until executed. However, on rare occasions, the court may cancel or quash a warrant. The suspect's best line of action is to consult with an attorney and turn themselves in.

Expunge Jackson County Arrest Records

The law grants the relief of record expungement to eligible individuals for certain arrest records. Under Wisconsin Statute § 973.015, certain conditions must be met to be qualified for expungement. Record owners may be eligible for expungement if:

• The offense was a minor misdemeanor, and the individual was under 18 at the time
• The individual has completed a maximum of six years ' sentence for certain misdemeanors or felonies and was below 25 when the crime happened
• The individual was found not guilty due to mental illness or adjudicated delinquent
• The individual finished their sentence, has not been convicted again, probation was not revoked, and all probation terms were met
• The individual was a victim of sex trafficking

Under Wisconsin statutes section 938.355, juvenile offenders may petition the court to expunge their record provided they have fulfilled the conditions of their adjudication and reached age 17. Class H or I felonies are the only felonies that can be expunged in Wisconsin. However, prior felonies, violent-crime status, or age above 25 would lead to a denial. The judge still has final discretion to refuse a petition to expunge an arrest record if expungement is seen as harming public interests.