Monroe County Arrest Records

In Monroe County, Wisconsin, arrest records refer to law enforcement documents on arrest incidents within the county. These documents are accessible through law enforcement agencies or as part of Monroe County court records. The Monroe County Sheriff's Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, and other law enforcement agencies generate arrest records when they detain individuals for arrestable offenses.

Section 968.07 of the Wisconsin Statutes establishes law officers' right to make arrests if there is probable cause, immediate danger to public peace, or the court issues arrest warrants. However, Monroe County arrests must comply with constitutional standards (including the Fourth Amendment). In Monroe County, law enforcement agencies detain arrested individuals at the Monroe County Jail.

Are Arrest Records Public in Monroe County?

Yes, Monroe County arrest records are public. Section 19.31 - 19.39 of the Wisconsin Statutes establishes public rights to access Monroe County arrest records and other official documents in the custody of government agencies. However, there are limits to public access to some Monroe County arrest records; access to these documents is limited to their subjects and legally authorized persons. For instance, Monroe County arrest records relating to juvenile arrests, sealed or expunged records, victim and witness information, ongoing law enforcement or judicial investigations, and law enforcement informants are exempt from public scrutiny.

Interested individuals should inquire about Monroe County arrest records through the Monroe County Sheriff's Office at:

Monroe County Sheriff's Office
112 South Court Street
Room 500,
Sparta, WI 54656
Phone: (608) 269-2117
Fax: (608) 269-8889
Email: Sheriff.Reports@co.monroe.wi.us.

Monroe County Arrest Statistics

According to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) database, over 6,200 individuals were taken into custody within Monroe County between 2020 and 2023. In 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, Monroe County law enforcement agencies reported 2,532, 1,404, 938, and 1,397 arrest incidents within Monroe County. Between 2020 and 2023, drug-related incidents accounted for the most arrests within Monroe County, accounting for 18.4% of all arrests within the county. Also, there were high numbers of DUI, disorderly conduct, and simple assault arrests. The table below outlines the arrest statistics for Monroe County between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2023.

Find Monroe County Arrest Records

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office is the custodian of arrest records. It provides access to inmate information through the Offender Search portal. You can also call, fax, mail, visit, or send email requests to their office. Alternatively, complete the Monroe County Sheriff's Office Electronic Record Request Form or download a Record/Report Request Form, complete and mail it to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.

Also, records seekers can access Monroe County arrest records as part of Monroe County criminal court records through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Portal (WCCA) or contact the Monroe County Clerk of Courts at:

Monroe County Clerk of Courts
112 South Court Street
Room 2200,
Sparta, WI 54656
Phone: (608) 269-8745
Fax: (608) 269-8781

Monroe County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Monroe County arrests and criminal records differ in several aspects. These differences result from creation, content, legal implications, and impact on their owners.

Creation

• Arrest records are documents created by law enforcement officers to document arrests. They contain the personal information of arrestees, the circumstances leading to the arrest, processing details, and conditions for release.
• Criminal records are the official documentation of criminal acts and their prosecutions under the criminal trial system. Monroe County criminal records include Monroe County arrest records and documents generated by the courts during criminal trials within Monroe County.

Legal Implications

• Having a Monroe County arrest record does imply guilt or innocence of a crime; an arrestee remains innocent of any offense unless the court says otherwise.
• A Monroe County criminal record confirms that the owner is guilty of an offense.

Impacts

• Monroe County arrest records may not significantly impact their owners unless the arrest results in convictions.
• Monroe County criminal records may affect social status, housing, and employment.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Monroe County and the rest of Wisconsin, arrest information may remain permanently on a record unless the court removes it. Individuals who fulfill the requirements of Section 973.015 of the Wisconsin Statutes can petition the courts to expunge their arrest records.

A Monroe County arrest record may be eligible for sealing or removal if the owner of the record is under 25 years old at the time of the offense and completes the sentence for the arrest (including probation, if applicable). Also, the arrest must be for a non-violent crime. Furthermore, Monroe County arrest records are eligible for expungement if the court dismisses the charges or acquits the record owner.

Monroe County Arrest Warrants

Monroe County arrest warrants refer to court documents authorizing law enforcement to arrest individuals for violations. Judges/magistrates of the Monroe County Circuit and Municipal Courts issue arrest warrants if law enforcement provides evidence of criminal acts.

Per Wisconsin laws, the courts may also issue arrest warrants if:

• Convicts violate the terms of their probation or parole
• Individuals disregard court orders
• A suspect intends to flee to avoid prosecution for a criminal act
• An offender fails to appear before the court for a hearing
• There is evidence of domestic violence.

A Monroe County arrest warrant contains the following information or more:

• Full name, known aliases, and physical description of the subject/defendant
• Description of the charges
• Sections of Wisconsin Statutes allegedly violated
• Affidavit or statement of probable cause
• Statement authorization to law enforcement to take the subject into custody
• Name and signature of the issuing judge/magistrate
• Name and location of the issuing court
• Instructions on how law enforcement should execute the warrant
• The geographical area where the warrant is valid.

Do Monroe County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Monroe County arrest warrants do not expire. In all Wisconsin counties, once a judge/magistrate issues an arrest warrant, it remains active until the subject is taken into custody by law enforcement or the court revokes it if there is new information. However, depending on the nature of the underlying crime, there may be a statute of limitations that defines the timeframe for issuing an arrest warrant. Also, changes in Wisconsin criminal laws may affect the expiration date of Monroe County arrest warrants.