Vernon County Arrest Records

Under Section 968.07 of the Wisconsin Statutes, the Vernon County Sheriff's Office and local police departments within Vernon County can make arrests if they witness or have evidence of criminal acts. An arrest may also become necessary if a Vernon County court issues an arrest warrant. In Vernon County, arrest records are accessible through law enforcement agencies and as part of Vernon County court records.

Law enforcement agencies in Vernon County detain arrestees at the Vernon County Detention Center. Convicts on long-term incarcerations may serve their prison terms at the Wisconsin Department of Corrections prison facilities.

Are Arrest Records Public in Vernon County?

Yes, Vernon County arrest records are publicly accessible. The Wisconsin Public Records Law grants public access to government records, including Vernon County arrest records. However, Wisconsin law also restricts some Vernon County arrest information relating to juveniles, ongoing law enforcement investigations, and sealed or expunged records.

Access to exempted records is limited to their owners and persons authorized by law. Individuals seeking access to Vernon County arrest records should contact the Vernon County Sheriff's Office at:

1320 Bad Axe Court
Viroqua,
WI 54665
Phone: (608) 637-2123
Fax: (608) 638-5702
Email: vcso@vernoncountywi.gov.

Vernon County Arrest Statistics

Participating law enforcement agencies' reports to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program show that 572 persons were arrested in Vernon County between 2022 and 2023. Law enforcement agencies in Vernon County reported 218 arrest incidents in 2022, and the arrest figure rose to 354 in 2023.

Venom County arrests between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2023, comprise 395 male and 177 female arrestees. According to the FBI statistics, drug/narcotics offenses and DUI were the most prevalent arrest incidents within the county. Within the period under review, 116 persons were taken into custody for drug/narcotic violations, and over 95 individuals for DUI offenses.

Find Vernon County Arrest Records

Vernon County arrest records are accessible through the Vernon County Sheriff's Office. Interested individuals should download a Records Requests Form, complete it, and mail it to:

Vernon County Sheriff's Office
Attn: Records
1320 Bad Axe Court
Viroqua,
WI 54665

You can also submit the form through email to vcsorecords@vernoncountywi.gov.

Alternatively, you can visit the Vernon County Sheriff's Office in person or call the Records Department at (608) 638-5710 during office hours, which are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Record seekers may also visit the Wisconsin Department of Corrections Public Records Requests Page, create an account, log in, and submit a records request to access Vernon County arrest records.

Information seekers may also log in to the Wisconsin Online Record Check System Criminal Background Check Request Portal and use the search tools to access public criminal history records (including Vernon County arrest information). Inquirers should note that this statewide service requires a fee payment.

In addition, interested persons can log in to the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access Case Search Portal and use the search criteria to search for criminal cases filed in Vernon County, including arrest and charge information.

Vernon County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Vernon County arrest and criminal records differ in several ways. These differences result from their creation, content, and legal implications.

Arrest records are generated by law enforcement; they detail the arrest and detention of individuals. These documents contain personal information of arrestees, the circumstances leading to the arrests, processing details, and conditions for release. An arrest does not indicate guilt or conviction until the arrestee is proven guilty by the court. Vernon County arrest records may not significantly impact their owners unless they result in convictions.

Conversely, Vernon County criminal records are court-generated documents that detail criminal acts and trials under the Vernon County Justice system. These records encompass Vernon County arrest records and other documents relating to trials, convictions, sentencing, and incarcerations of criminal offenders within the county. Having Vernon County criminal records may negatively impact social status, housing, and employment opportunities.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Arrest information stays on records permanently unless the court restricts public access. According to Section 973.015 of the Wisconsin Statutes, eligible individuals have the right to petition the Vernon County Circuit Court to expunge their arrest records if:

• The record owners are under 25 years old at the time of the offense
• The arrests are for misdemeanors or non-violent felony offenses
• The judge orders expungement at the time of sentencing
• The arrestees complete the sentence for the arrest (including probation if applicable)
• The arrests result in dismissals or acquittals.

Vernon County Arrest Warrants

Vernon County arrest warrants are legal documents issued by the Vernon County Circuit Court judge authorizing law officers to apprehend individuals for arrestable offenses. In Vernon County, a judge may issue an arrest warrant if law enforcement or the district attorney provides probable cause. The court may also issue an arrest warrant if a probation or parole violation occurs or an individual flouts court orders.

A valid arrest warrant contains information which includes, but is not limited to:

• Identifying information about the subject
• Description of the offense
• Probable cause statement
• The authority issuing the warrant
• Directives to law enforcement on how to execute the warrant.

Do Vernon County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Vernon County arrest warrants do not expire. Once a Vernon County Circuit Court judge issues an arrest warrant, it remains active until law enforcement arrests the subject or the court quashes the warrant. However, if an arrest warrant is based on a criminal complaint that was not filed within the statutory time limits, the warrant may be invalid.