Washington County Arrest Records

Under Wisconsin law, particularly WI Stat § 968.07, a Washington County law enforcement officer is authorized to make an arrest in specific situations, including:

• When there is an existing warrant for the individual's arrest
• When there are reasonable grounds to believe that a warrant has been issued for the person's arrest within Wisconsin.
• When there are reasonable grounds to believe a felony warrant has been issued in another state for the individual.
• When the officer has probable cause to believe the individual is committing or has committed a crime.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office mandates that all arresting officers document pertinent information during the booking process. These records created during documentation form part of the public record and are made available to the public per Wisconsin's Public Records Law (WI Stat § 19.31–19.39). However, these records do not typically include detailed court information related to the arrest. To obtain documents relating to the judicial process following an arrest, inquirers may request Washington County court records from the circuit court clerk's office.

Are Arrest Records Public in Washington County?

In compliance with the Wisconsin Public Records Law, most arrest records are available to the public. Individuals can request access to these records by contacting local law enforcement agencies such as the Washington County Sheriff's Office. However, certain records may be exempt from public access if their disclosure is deemed a public safety risk. Some records exempt from public disclosure include:

• Juvenile arrest records
• Medical information related to the arrested individual
• Records related to ongoing criminal investigations or intelligence operations
• Arrest records that contain personally identifiable information that, if released, could:
  • Compromise a person's safety.
  • Reveal the identity of a confidential informant.
  • Disclose sensitive information regarding law enforcement processes.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

A typical public arrest record in Washington County includes basic information about apprehension, such as:

• Inmate ID
• Arrest date and time
• The location (city and state) where the arrest occurred
• Full name (first, middle, last) of the individual
• Gender, age, and date of birth
• Offense statute and a description of the alleged crime
• Bail or bond amount (if applicable)
• Court case number
• The arresting agency and the name of the arresting officer
• The occupation of the arrested individual, if relevant

Find Washington County Arrest Records

Interested members of the public may find Washington County arrest records using both state and federal resources. 

For state-level inquiries, requestors may utilize the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) to obtain arrest information. The DOC offers an online Offender Locator, which searchers can use by entering the criteria of the inmate being sought. For a more targeted search, users can select "Washington County" in the county field of the search tool.

Federal law enforcement agencies also provide access to arrest records. These agencies allow individuals to request records through their websites or, in some cases, in person. Here are some federal law enforcement agencies offering public access to arrest records:

• Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP): Individuals can access arrest records via the Inmate Locator on the BOP website. Searches can be performed by BOP register, FBI, or INS number and by name. Alternatively, in-person requests can be made by visiting the BOP facility where the inmate is housed to retrieve copies of the arrest records. 
• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): ICE offers access to arrest records through its Online Detainee Locator System. Here, searches can be conducted using the A-Number or basic biographical information. ICE also facilitates in-person records requests at field offices or detention centers. 
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): The FBI provides access to arrest records through its online system. To complete an online request, individuals must submit their fingerprints electronically at a participating U.S. Post Office. The processing time for online requests is 15 days. 

The FBI also processes requests by mail and through approved channelers. Mail requests require a payment of $18, which can be submitted via certified check, money order, or credit card. The processing time for mail requests is approximately 20 days. The mailing address is:

FBI CJIS Division – Summary Request
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, WV 26306

Free Arrest Record Search in Washington County

The Washington County Sheriff's Office allows individuals to search for arrest records free of charge. Record seekers can access arrest information online through the Sheriff's Office Jail Inmate Search feature. The system provides updated arrest records, including information on current inmates, and is refreshed regularly. Individuals who experience difficulties accessing this service online can contact the Jail directly at (262) 335-4427 for assistance in obtaining arrest information. This phone service is available 24 hours a day.

Additionally, the Washington County Corrections Department maintains an online database that allows individuals to access recent booking information. The system provides information on individuals booked into the county jail in the last 24 hours, and it is updated every morning at 6:00 a.m.

Several third-party websites also offer free search tools for arrest records. These services generally provide basic information, and more detailed reports may require a small fee.

Get Washington County Criminal Records

Under WI Stat § 19.31-19.39 of Wisconsin law, adult criminal records are generally available to the public, while juvenile records are more restricted. The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) is responsible for maintaining criminal records through the Crime Information Bureau (CIB). Washington County residents can obtain their criminal records online or by mail through the DOJ's Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS). Authorized users, such as law enforcement or employers, must register an account to retrieve records, while public users can conduct searches using an order reference number. Online criminal record searches cost $7, and daycare background checks cost an additional $3.

For those seeking criminal records by mail, a completed Single Subject Requests DJ-LE-250 or Multiple Subject Requests DJ-LE-250A form must be submitted to the CIB. The application should be submitted along with a $5 processing fee for mail requests, which can be paid by check or money order. A self-addressed, stamped envelope must be included with the request. Mail requests should be sent to:

Division of Law Enforcement Services
Crime Information Bureau
Record Check Unit
PO Box 2688
Madison, WI 53701-2688
Phone: (608) 266-7314

Washington County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records 

An arrest record provides basic information about a person's detention by law enforcement, including details of the arrest, such as the date, time, and location, as well as the offense charged. Conversely, a criminal record includes more comprehensive information, such as charges, court proceedings, convictions, sentences, and any interaction with the Wisconsin correctional system.

Both records are vital for background checks, but criminal records offer a more detailed legal history, whereas arrest records may not indicate the final outcome of a case.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

When someone is arrested or convicted of a crime in Washington County, their arrest record remains on file permanently. However, under Wisconsin law, individuals can seek to limit public access to their arrest records through a process known as expungement. According to the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system, the length of time a record may remain accessible to the public will vary with the record type. For instance:

• Records of misdemeanors are retained for 20 years.
• Felony-related records have been kept for 50 years.
• Arrest records for Class A felony crimes are retained for up to 75 years.

Other retention periods for arrest-related records are as follows:

• Mugshots, booking sheets, and fingerprint cards are kept permanently.
• Bond receipts are maintained for 8 years.
• Juvenile records are retained until the individual turns 18, plus one year.
• Arrest records, dockets, and daily jail records are kept for 8 years.
• Warrant records are kept for one year after the warrant is canceled.
• Internal investigation files are maintained until the subject's death unless the case is still pending, in which case they are retained for one additional year.
• Inmate files and daily rosters are kept for 8 years after the inmate's release.

Expunge Washington County Arrest Records

Expungement is the legal process of removing an arrest or conviction from public records. In Washington County, the Clerk of Circuit Courts oversees expungement requests. According to WI Stat § 973.015, individuals may be eligible for expungement if they meet the following criteria

• The offender was under 25 years old when the offense occurred.
• The offense was not a violent crime.
• The individual successfully completed all conditions of their sentence, including probation.
• The offender was a victim of human trafficking and convicted of committing a commercial sex act.

However, certain offenses are not eligible for expungement in Washington County, including:

• Class H felonies if the individual has prior felony convictions or if the offense involved violence per WI Stat § 301.048
• Class I felonies, under similar conditions, including violations of statutes such as WI Stat § 948.23 (1)(a)

To request an expungement, eligible record holders can petition the court with judicial authority over their case. For juveniles, this will require filing a Petition to Expunge Court Record of Adjudication form.

On the other hand, individuals who were convicted and later acquitted or whose charges were dismissed can apply to the Wisconsin Department of Justice by submitting a Fingerprint Record Removal Request (DJ-LE-250B) form to the Crime Information Bureau.

Washington County Arrest Warrants

According to WI Stat § 968.04, an arrest warrant is issued in Washington County when a complaint has been filed with the court. This complaint must be supported by either an affidavit or testimony from the complainant or witnesses. The judge will issue a warrant if there are reasonable grounds to believe that a crime was committed and that the person named in the complaint is responsible.

A Washington County arrest warrant typically includes:

• The name of the crime committed, the charge, and the section of the law violated.
• A copy of the complaint.
• The defendant's name, or if unknown, an identifiable description of the individual.
• The issuing date, the judge's name, and title.
• Instructions commanding that the accused be brought before the issuing judge or any other judge in Washington County.
• Arrest warrants are directed to all law enforcement officers within the state and can be executed anywhere in Wisconsin. After an arrest, the officer must record the time and place of the arrest on the warrant.

Washington County Arrest Warrant Search

To search for arrest warrants in Washington County, individuals can contact the Washington County Sheriff's Office either by phone or in person. Phone inquiries can be made by calling (262) 335-4427, and requesters can ask for records to be mailed, faxed, or picked up in person. Requesters are charged a fee of $0.25 per page for records. In-person requests can be made during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Sheriff's Office is located at:

Washington County Sheriff's Office
500 Schmidt Road
West Bend, WI 53090
Phone: (262) 335-4427

Do Washington County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Like in the rest of Wisconsin, arrest warrants in Washington County do not expire. They remain valid until they are executed or recalled by the issuing judge. However, a warrant may be canceled if the circumstances surrounding the case change