Portage County Arrest Records

Offenders caught or reported for violating state penal code and local ordinances are usually apprehended and detained to answer for the alleged offense (s). In some cases, an individual may be seized without an order (arrest warrant), provided there are reasonable grounds to enforce such action. Otherwise, the criminal justice agency is expected to secure a warrant to execute an arrest.

The arresting officer typically transports the suspect to a county jail for processing until an initial arraignment (where necessary). An initial arraignment is generally a first court appearance where the defendant hears the charges against them and may enter a plea. Booking (processing) involves documenting the circumstances surrounding the arrest to create official documents containing pertinent details, such as the arrestee’s name, alleged offense, type of offense committed, and corresponding booking details.

So-called Portage County arrest records are necessary for trial preparations, tracking a person’s criminal involvements, and locating detained inmates within the jurisdiction. Each arresting agency is responsible for creating and maintaining access to these records. However, the clerk’s officer also serves as a point of contact since arrest information can become part of the Portage County court records when a person is prosecuted.

Are Arrest Records Public in Portage County?

Yes. Section 19.35 of the Public Records Law in Wisconsin establishes that "arrest records” are public information in Portage County. The law also specifies that requesters have the right to inspect, copy, and receive copies of any record, provided that the request is made within the confines of this section. Likewise, authorized persons may inspect personally identifiable information pertaining to the subject of the record.

However, this access is not absolute. Section 19.36 recognizes that certain arrest files or information are too sensitive for public perusal. As such, the statutory right to view or copy information in a record does not apply to any of the following:

• Arrest records containing personally identifiable information that is collected or maintained in connection with a criminal investigation, or complaint
• Records containing information, where disclosure may endanger a person’s life and safety
• Documents that may identify the identities and locations of confidential informants, witnesses, or victims in sensitive criminal proceedings or investigations
• Trade secrets
• Financial information, such as credit numbers and bank account details
• Personal identification numbers, such as driver’s license, passport numbers, and social security numbers
• Arrest records containing information on juveniles under 18
• Mental health records
• Expunged arrest records
• Records restricted by state or federal law

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

The Portage County Sheriff's Office, local police departments, and other pertinent arresting agencies are authorized by the Public Records Law to release the following arrest information to the public:

• Biographical information: The arrestee's name, date of birth, mugshot, and last known address
• Physical Descriptors: Gender, eye color, weight, height, hair color, scar, and tattoos.
• Charges: Alleged offenses(s) that lead to the arrest of the subject
• Arrest details: The arresting agency, or office, the date, time, and location of the arrest incident.
• Booking information: The date that the arrestee was booked into the county jail, and the number assigned to the arrestee at the time of processing
• Bond/Bail details: Bail/Bond type and amount

Portage County Arrest Statistics

According to the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Arrest Data compiled and published by the Bureau of Justice Information and Analysis (BJIA), Portage County recorded 2,576 arrests in 2023, a 5.8% decrease from the 1,993 reported in 2022.

The data captured arrests from different categories, including violent crimes, society crimes, property crimes, drug crimes, and other crimes. Society crimes recorded 616 arrests within the same year, of which driving under the influence was the most recurrent (271 arrests), followed by disorderly conduct (237 arrests).

Next is the property crimes category, totaling 450 arrests, with larceny being the most common offense (305 arrests). The county also recorded 229 arrests for drug crimes, with the most recurrent being drug possession (208 arrests), and 93 arrests were made for violent crimes. Finally, 1,189 arrests were made for other crimes, such as simple assault, offenses against family and children, and human trafficking, amongst others.

Find Portage County Arrest Records

Arrest records are primarily maintained by local law enforcement agencies in Portage County, and are generated during a booking process, upon an individual’s apprehension.

Interested parties can ideally conduct an arrest record search by exploring the available channels provided by the law enforcement authority—the first point of contact being the local sheriff's office. Requests for arrest records and incident reports can be made by visiting the office in person, or completing and submitting the Record Requests Form via mail to the following address:
Portage County Sheriff’s Office
Attn: Records Division
1500 Strongs Avenue
Stevens Point, WI 54481-3542
Phone: (715) 346-1400

Requesters should include the following pertinent details to aid the search process:

• Name of the arrested individual
• Date of birth
• Case number (if known)
• Date and location of the incident
• The requester’s contact information including a daytime phone number

Portage County arrest record requests typically take 5-10 business days to fulfill. However, it should be noted that requests for public records are typically evaluated against the established legal requirement outlined in section 19.35 of the Wisconsin state statutes, as well as other applicable laws. This means that extensive reviews and attention are necessary before such records are released for public consumption.

Once ready, one can pick up the document in person or via email at no cost. Still, printed copies of records may attract a service charge of 30 cents per page for each copy. Meanwhile, records that involve manual redaction of certain information usually require two copies to be made for each requested page. Therefore, the fee will be 60 cents per page to cover the additional materials used. Additional charges do not apply to specialized documents, audio recordings, photographs, or retrieving records from the agency’s archives.

On the other hand, juvenile arrest records or incident reports are not public records. Thus, they are generally released to eligible parties subject to departmental policy. Requesters are usually expected to submit proof of relationship to the minor and necessary documentation prior to the release of the information requested.

Eligible parties may include:

• Biological or adopted parent
• Legal guardian or custodian named by court
• Subject of the record (14 years of age or older) – requesting one’s own report
• Victim of the juvenile’s act
• The victim’s insurer
• Insurance company
• Representing attorney – with signed consent from the minor’s parent, legal custodian, or guardian
• School administrator

It is noteworthy to mention here that anyone denied access to juvenile arrest records should approach the District Attorney’s Office to petition the court for access to the record of interest. Likewise, Open Records Request denials are subject to review in the Act of Mandamus under Section 19.37(1).

Alternatively, requesters may approach the local police department within the region. For example, the Portage Police Department provides a Public Record Requests form for anyone to retrieve the arrest information of offenders in their custody.

Sometimes, the state’s Department of Correction may perform an arrest within Portage County, particularly for people who are suspected of breaking a state law. Such arrest records can only be obtained through tools offered by the DOC, or Wisconsin Court System. An ideal way of locating such state-level arrestees is by searching the inmate locator using the offender’s name or DOC number (if known). Users can expect to find the details of convicted offenders who were sentenced to incarceration, supervision, or both.

Free Arrest Record Search in Portage County

The first point of search for arrest records is through the resources provided by the arresting agency. Such tools can be utilized in person, by mail, or via email at no cost. Requesters are advised to contact the records department of the office at reasonable times during official business hours to determine the most suitable process for requesting records.

For example, parties of interest can inspect arrest information by filling out and submitting the records request form via email. Nevertheless, charges may apply for printouts or redaction of certain records.

Law enforcement bodies usually serve as the central repository for these kinds of requests, but they are not the only custodians of Portage County arrest records. Residents can perform a free arrest record search in Portage County through third-party aggregate record databases.

Some of these platforms are privately-run, and collate information from several law enforcement offices, including the sheriff’s office, and police departments. Anyone can peruse certain levels of information for free and from the convenience of their homes and offices.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrests are permanent components of an individual's criminal history. However, one’s arrest record may become publicly inaccessible if a court order is issued mandating all criminal justice agencies (in the custody of the record) to permanently destroy or erase traces of the information on their public database. This only happens when the subject of the record files a petition as authorized by statute.

Expunge Portage County Arrest Records

Wisconsin law only permits the expungement of certain arrest records. Per Wisconsin Statute § 973.015, the petitioner should meet certain conditions to be qualified for this process of expunction.

For example:

• The offense was a minor misdemeanor and the offender was under the age of 18 at the time
• The defendant has successfully completed the sentence and has not been convicted of a subsequent offense, the probation has not been revoked and the probationer has satisfied the conditions of probation.
• The subject has been adjudicated delinquent or found not guilty because of mental disease or defect.
• The suspect was a victim of sex trafficking.
• The offender has completed a maximum sentence of six years for eligible misdemeanor or felony offenses and was under 25 years old at the time of the crime.

Per Wisconsin Statute § 938.355(4m), juvenile offenders who have satisfactorily fulfilled the conditions of their adjudication may petition the court to expunge their arrest record, provided the offender has reached the age of 17. That said, no court may approve a petition for expungement of records where the offender is a Class H or Class I felony and has been convicted of a violent felony offense

Eligible parties should obtain, fill out, and submit the provided expungement form (Circuit Court Form CR-266 for adult expungement and Circuit Court Form JD-1780 for juvenile convictions) to the court where the case was heard, and adjudicated. Finally, anyone seeking the expunction of an arrest record, where no charges were filed, should make an appeal to the Wisconsin Department of Justice with Form DJ-LE-250B at no cost.

Portage County Arrest Warrants

Portage County arrest warrants are legal orders issued to a law enforcement officer authorizing the apprehension and detention of an individual. However, this directive is effective where reasonable cause suggests that an individual is guilty of the reported offense. An arrest warrant should bear the name of the person to be arrested, the offense for which they are being arrested, the county of issuance, and the issuing officer’s name, title of office, and signature.

Do Portage County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Portage County arrest warrants do not have an expiry date until they are executed. Nevertheless, the court may recall or quash the warrant. Thus, making it invalid.