Jefferson County Arrest Records

In Jefferson County, arrest records contain information about arrests, including the arrestee’s names, arrest date and location, and the arresting agency. The records may also provide data on events that occurred between an arrest and court arraignment.

Arrests become necessary when evidence shows that a person violated state or federal laws. Law enforcement officers can legally arrest suspected offenders with or without an arrest warrant. That being said, offenders are temporarily held at the county jail pending the outcome of future investigations.

Jefferson County arrest records are primarily under the jurisdiction of local law enforcement agencies. The agencies not only create the records but also release them to interested citizens. Note that the agencies only create records for arrests conducted within their jurisdictions.

Arrest information is also found in crime-related documents. For example, Jefferson County court records may include arrest information, such as warrants and bond information. Inmates' and criminal history records also contain arrest details.

Are Arrest Records Public in Jefferson County?

Under Wisconsin Public Record Laws, Jefferson County arrest records are publicly accessible. The general public can inspect and obtain the records from record custodians. The custodians are government agencies that are responsible for storing and releasing government files to interested public members. Nevertheless, the custodians may set up requirements that requesters must fulfill before they can obtain records. The requirements may include the provision of valid government IDs, fees, or search information.

Not all arrest records are accessible to the public. The state law prevents the disclosure of the following arrest information:

• Investigative information, such as witness statements and prosecutor files.
• Identities of law enforcement informants
• Arrest information that is expunged or sealed under state or federal statutes.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

In Jefferson County, public arrest records may include information on the following:

• Arrestee’s name and known aliases
• Arrest charges, description, date, and location.
• Incident report number
• Bond type and amount
• Arresting agency.

Jefferson County Arrest Statistics

Jefferson County arrest statistics contain information on arrests conducted within the county. Although there are no county-level arrest reports for the county, Wisconsin documented a total of 245,015 arrests in 2018. There are also no county-level inmate statistics in Jefferson County jails. Per the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, the state’s correctional facilities housed 22,857 inmates as of September 30, 2024.

Find Jefferson County Arrest Records

Interested parties can find Jefferson County arrest records through the county sheriff’s office or other local law enforcement agencies. To obtain arrest records from the county sheriff, interested parties must follow these steps:

1. Fill out and print the Limited Record Information Request form.
2. Attach a valid photo ID if you are the record subject.
3. Complete the DPPA Release of Personal Information Form if you want a third party to pick up the record.
4. Send the completed forms to the county sheriff at:

411 South Center Avenue
Jefferson, WI 53549
Phone: (920) 674-7310

Alternately, inmate records provide information on arrests documented in Jefferson County. The records provide access to arrest information, such as the arrestee’s name, aliases, mugshots, charges, and booking information.

To obtain inmate records, interested parties must conduct searches by using resources provided by state or federal agencies. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections offers access to inmate records through an online request platform. Inquirers using the platform may submit a record request via mail or anonymously.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons, via the inmate locator, provides online access to arrest records. The platform features information on current inmates at federal correctional centers. To view records on the platform, inquirers must input the inmate's name or prison-identifying number.

Free Arrest Record Search in Jefferson County

Inquirers can freely access Jefferson County arrest records through online or offline request options. For example, the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the state’s Department of Corrections enable free online access to arrest records. In contrast, the county sheriff’s office may allow free viewing of arrest records at their physical location. Inquirers must visit the county sheriff during open hours to access the records.

Third-party search sites are an alternative option for finding free Jefferson County arrest records. Such sites have user-friendly interfaces that enable users to easily find arrest records. Third-party search sites may also feature download options for different file formats. Despite these perks, third-party sites are unregulated and may not offer accurate or updated arrest information.

Jefferson County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Jefferson County arrest records are quite different from criminal records in the following aspects:

The records contain different information

Arrest records only provide information on arrest events, including the arrestee’s name, arrest charges, arrest location and date, and the arresting agency. In contrast, criminal records provide comprehensive data on criminal activities and may include arrest dates, court indictments, and inmate information.

The records are under the purview of different agencies.

Local law enforcement agencies have jurisdiction over the creation and safekeeping of arrest records. The agencies may store the records as incident or arrest reports. However, the Wisconsin Department of Justice is the sole custodian of all criminal records generated in Jefferson County. The agency creates criminal records by collecting crime data from concerned local, state, or federal agencies.

The records have different social implications.

Arrest records do not indicate if you were convicted of a crime. Thus, the records cannot lead to negative social implications. However, this is not the case for criminal records since they reveal that you have been convicted of a crime. Criminal records may cause discrimination or ostracization. For instance, employers may discharge offenders if the conviction is related to the circumstances of the job.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Jefferson County arrest records will remain open to the public unless they are expunged or sealed. There are set procedures for expunging arrest records. However, not all arrest records are eligible for expungement.

Expunge Jefferson County Arrest Records

Expungement is a legal process for erasing government records from publicly accessible domains. In Jefferson County, eligible persons can expunge dismissed arrest charges by sending a fingerprint removal request to the Wisconsin Department of Justice. For conviction records, the offender must send a petition to the appropriate agency.

Who is eligible to expunge arrest records in Jefferson County?

You are eligible to expunge Jefferson County arrest records under these conditions:

• The arrest charges were dismissed, or you were acquitted by the county court.
• You were a minor at the time of conviction.
• You committed misdemeanor or felony offenses before age 25 and have completed the court-mandated sentence.
• The offense carried a maximum sentence of six years or less.
• You committed commercial sexual acts while being victims of human trafficking.

How can I expunge Jefferson County arrest records?

To expunge dismissed arrest charges or non-conviction records, arrestees must send a completed Fingerprint Record Removal Request form via mail to the Wisconsin Department of Justice at:

Crime Information Bureau

Attn: Criminal History Unit
P.O. Box 2718
Madison, WI 53701-2718

In contrast, offenders must follow these instructions to expunge criminal conviction records:

1. Create a petition that includes the arrestee’s personal information and criminal conviction records.
2. Next, file the petition with the clerk of the court that passed the conviction.
3. The court will set up a hearing date and review the petition. Next, it will examine information from the correctional facility that housed the petitioner.
4. If the petition is approved, the court may pass an order to expunge all court records related to the offense.
5. Petitioners must obtain a copy of the court order.
6. Next, they must send the order and a completed fingerprint removal request via mail to the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

Jefferson County Arrest Warrants

Jefferson County arrest warrants are court documents that authorize the arrest of persons named in the document. The county judges are responsible for issuing arrest warrants after receiving an affidavit or complaint from an arresting agency. The arresting agency must provide sufficient evidence that the defendant violated state or federal statutes.

Arrest warrants issued in Jefferson County must contain the following data:

• The defendant’s names and known aliases
• Case number
• Criminal charges
• Warrant issuance date and location
• The court clerk’s name and signature.

Do Jefferson County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Jefferson County arrest warrants do not have an expiration date. Arrest warrants remain valid until the court recalls them or the defendant gets arrested. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office maintains an online list of active arrest warrants issued in the county.