Winnebago County Arrest Records

Per WI Stat. § 968.07, a law enforcement officer in Winnebago County can make an arrest when:

• They have a warrant commanding the arrest of an accused person.
• They have reasonable grounds to believe that an arrest warrant for a person has been issued in Wisconsin.
• They have reasonable grounds to believe that a felony arrest warrant for a person has been issued in another state.
• There are reasonable grounds to believe that someone has committed or is committing a crime.

After an arrest, the officer will transport the suspect to a local detention facility for booking. During this process, the officer will take the suspect's mugshots and fingerprints and record their identifying information, including name, address, sex, height, weight, and age. Following the booking, the suspect will appear before a judge for an arraignment or bail hearing. The accused may be released at this hearing by posting bail or through a signature bond. They will also receive a summons and criminal complaint, informing them of a mandatory court date with a Winnebago County judge. If the offense is not bailable, the suspect will remain in custody. The court will then schedule a trial to determine the suspect's guilt or innocence. During the trial, both the prosecutor and the defense attorney will present evidence, call witnesses, and make arguments. The jury will deliver a verdict. If the suspect is found guilty, the judge may impose a sentence immediately or hold a separate hearing to determine the sentence, which could include a fine or imprisonment in Winnebago County jail. If the suspect is found not guilty, the case will be dismissed.

All information gathered during an arrest is recorded and made public to record seekers. Arrest records can be retrieved online or in person at the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office. Individuals seeking court information relating to a specific arrest should conduct a Winnebago County court records search. Visit the Winnebago County Clerk of Courts’ Criminal & Traffic Division for such information.

Are Arrest Records Public in Winnebago County?

Yes. The Wisconsin Public Records Law empowers law enforcement agencies to make arrest records publicly available to citizens. This makes it possible for anyone to inspect or obtain copies of arrest records from the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office or any city police department. However, the Wisconsin Public Records Law exempts some arrest records from public disclosure. Typically the following arrest records are deemed confidential in Winnebago County:

• Juvenile arrest records
• The arrested person’s medical records
• Criminal investigation and intelligence information
• Any arrest records containing personally identifiable information whose disclosure would:
  • Endanger a person's life or safety.
  • Reveal the identity of a confidential informant.
  • Expose current techniques and procedures used in law enforcement investigations or prosecutions.
  • Endanger the security of any jail, state prison, mental health institute, juvenile correctional facility, center for the developmentally disabled, secured residential care center for children and youth, or facility for the institutional care of sexually violent persons.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Winnebago County law enforcement agencies issue public arrest records to the public upon request. Requests can be made online or in person at the specific record custodian's office. Those records typically contain the following information:

• Inmate ID
• Judicial status
• Arrestee’s last, first, and middle names
• The arrested person’s sex, age, race, height, weight, and hair and eye color
• Initial booking date and time
• Arrest warrant information

Winnebago County Crime Rate

The Wisconsin Department of Justice offers public access to Winnebago County's crime rate through its UCR Offense Data page. In 2023, law enforcement agencies in the county reported approximately 3,515 crimes, reflecting a decline from the previous year. The most common offenses included larceny-theft (1,783), simple assault (1,021), aggravated assault (228), and burglary (228).

Winnebago County Arrest Statistics

The Wisconsin Department of Justice’s UCR Arrest Data page is a valuable resource for accessing Winnebago County's arrest statistics. In 2023, the county's law enforcement agencies reported approximately 7,488 arrests, up from 7,171 in 2022. Of those arrested, 5,591 were adults, and 1,897 were juveniles. The report categorized 253 arrests as violent crimes, 1,475 as property crimes, 2,368 as society crimes, 688 as drug offenses, and 2,704 as other types of crimes.

The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office 2023 annual report shows that approximately 3,146 arrested persons were admitted to jail. About 73.52% of them were males, and 26.48% were females, with an average length of stay of 15.41 days. The average daily population was 221.84, and an average of 47.1 were sentenced inmates, and 86.64 were non-sentenced inmates. Compared to 2022, the Winnebago County jail admitted about 3,038 arrestees, 73.83% males and 26.17% females.

Find Winnebago County Arrest Records

The Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) provides access to arrest records online and in person. Online requests can be made through the Offender Search tool. A search can be conducted by last name, first name, middle name, race, birth year, gender, age range, address, DOC number, and offender status. Users can streamline their searches by selecting “Winnebago” in the county search field. In-person requests can be made by visiting any of the DOC Adult or Juvenile Facilities. Copies of arrest records attract a small fee. All in-person requests should be made during business hours.

Individuals can access Winnebago County arrest records through federal law enforcement agencies. These agencies make arrest records available online, by mail, or in person. Outlined below are methods through which some federal law enforcement agencies provide public access to these records:

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) disseminates arrest records to the subject of records by mail, online, and through approved channelers. Requesters must pay a fee of $18 by certified check, credit card using the Credit Card Payment Form, or money order. Approved channelers charge attract fees to process the request. Online requesters must visit a participating U.S. Post Office location to submit their fingerprints electronically. Mail requests take 20 days, while online requests are processed within 15 days. Individuals must submit an Applicant Information Form to make a request by mail. The mailing address:

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

Record seekers can get arrest records from the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) online using the Inmate Locator. The search criteria are by number (BOP register number, DCDC number, FBI number, or INS number) or name (first, middle, or last). Alternatively, interested persons can visit any of the BOP facilities to obtain copies of arrest records. All visits should be scheduled during business hours.

The United States Capitol Police (USCP) has an online portal where individuals can find arrest summary reports. Users can filter their searches by CFN number, crime date, crime summary, and crime type. Inquirers can also find arrest summary reports by mail. A Request Form must be submitted to:

United States Capitol Police
Reports Processing Section
119 D Street, Ne
Washington, DC 20510

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) also provides arrest records online through the Online Detainee Locator System. A search can be conducted by A-Number or biographical information. Requesters can also contact ICE field offices or detention facilities to request arrest records.

Free Arrest Record Search in Winnebago County

The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office has a Current Inmate List where members of the public can find arrest information for all individuals incarcerated in jail. No fee is required to access this information. Record seekers can also conduct free arrest record searches on third-party websites. A name is usually required for such searches. These third-party sites return limited arrest information for free, but comprehensive arrest records are available for a fee.

Get Winnebago County Criminal Records

Individuals can obtain copies of criminal records at the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office. They can use the Record Check Online Form to submit a request electronically. The requester must provide the following information:

• The name of the person to be checked
• Last name, first name, and middle initial
• Sex and date of birth
• The requestor’s name, telephone number, and email address

There is no charge for this service. The processing time is between 3 and 5 business days. Those who submitted a bulky request should expect a longer processing time. The Record Division will send the requester a reply stating that there is no record if the searched person does not have a criminal record with the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office. Those who need to attach a Signed Release of Information with their requests should do so by email at sheriffrecords@winnebagocountywi.gov. Alternatively, requesters can visit the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office Record Division to get criminal records. The Division accepts requests from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The office is located at:

Winnebago County Sheriff's Office
4311 Jackson St
Oshkosh, WI 54901

Record seekers can also get Winnebago County criminal records at the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Crime Information Bureau (CIB). Adult criminal records are public in Winnebago County, but juvenile criminal records are confidential. The CIB only makes juvenile criminal records available online for daycare background checks. Interested individuals must have a valid Facility ID number issued by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF). adult criminal records requests can be submitted:

• Online: Individuals can use the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) to request criminal records electronically. Authorized users would need to register an account to access records. However, public users must provide an order reference number to retrieve their search results. This service costs $7, and an additional $3 applies for daycare background checks.
• Mail: Requesters must submit a completed Single Subject Requests DJ-LE-250 or Multiple Subject Requests DJ-LE-250A form to CIB. This service costs a standard fee of $7 and an additional $5 for processing charge. Acceptable forms of payment include checks and money orders. A self-addressed, postage-paid envelope must accompany every mail request. The mailing address is:

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

Winnebago County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records are not as comprehensive as criminal records. They only contain information about an arrestee's personal details, reason for the arrest, arresting agency or officer, and detention. In contrast, a criminal record contains information collected on a person by law enforcement agencies that consists of identifiable descriptions and details of arrests, detentions, indictments, criminal charges, and dispositions such as acquittal, sentencing, correctional supervision, or release.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Winnebago County, arrest information remains permanently on a person's record. However, the individual can seek to limit public access to their record through expungement. During background checks, expunged arrest records will not be available to employers, landlords, and the general public. However, such records are available to criminal justice agencies for official purposes. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) website maintains a retention schedule for some arrest information:

• Arrest records for felony offenses are kept for 50 years.
• Arrest records for Class A felony crimes are retained for about 75 years.
• Arrest records for misdemeanor offenses are available on the portal for 20 years

Expunge Winnebago County Arrest Records

An expungement limits public access to an arrest record. Unlike many other states, Wisconsin follows a unique timeline for expungement. State law allows individuals to request expungement at the time of sentencing, but petitions for expungement cannot be filed after sentencing has occurred. Per Wis. Stats. 973.015, below are the eligibility criteria for expungement in Winnebago County:

• Individuals under the age of 25 can expunge certain felonies or misdemeanors, whose maximum jail term is six (6) years or less, and who have successfully completed their sentences.
• Crimes committed by minors which are clearly stated in Wis. Stats. 942.08 (2) (b), (c), or (d) or (3), and the minors have successfully completed the sentence for the offense, can be expunged.
• Persons guilty of committing a commercial sex act as victims of human trafficking (Wis. Stat. § 973.015(2m)) can expunge their arrest records.

Anyone who meets the above-mentioned eligibility requirements and the sentence originating from the arrest has been successfully completed can have their arrest records expunged. However, the following arrest records are not expugnable in Winnebago County:

• Civil or small claims cases and traffic citations
• Class H or I felony conviction records if the arrestee has a prior felony conviction and the current offense is deemed violent (as defined in s. 301.048 (2) (bm)).

The court will automatically expunge arrest records of individuals placed on probation or sentenced to prison or jail once they have successfully finished their sentence. However, arrested persons whose sentence involves paying a fine or restitution must file a Petition to Expunge Court Record of Conviction (Non-Probation/ Non-Incarceration) form with the Winnebago County Circuit Court to expunge their records. Eligible individuals can file a Petition to Expunge Court Record of Adjudication/ Recommendation of District Attorney form to expunge their juvenile records.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Crime Information Bureau (CIB) also handles the expungement of arrest information from criminal records. Arrested persons whose charges were dismissed or acquitted can submit a Fingerprint Record Removal Request (DJ-LE-250B) by mail to CIB. They can expedite the process by submitting documentation that shows dismissal or no prosecution of the offenses on the arrest card alongside the form.

Winnebago County Arrest Warrants

A Winnebago County judge will issue an arrest warrant only when there is probable cause to believe that a crime has occurred and the accused is responsible for it (WI Stat § 968.04(1)). The probable cause is usually determined from the complaint, affidavit(s) filed with the complaint, or after an examination of the complainant or witnesses under oath. The judge will give the arrest warrant to a law enforcement officer for execution. The arrest warrant will be in writing and carry the judge’s signature. A copy of the complaint must be attached to it. The arrest warrant will state the name of the crime, the section charged and number, the defendant’s name or a designated description of the person, the issuing date, the issuing judge’s name, and the title of the judge's office. It will command that the defendant be arrested and brought before the issuing judge or any judge in Winnebago County.

Winnebago County Arrest Warrant Search

The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office publishes warrant information on its website for free. Individuals can conduct arrest warrant searches by going to the Most Wanted page. Click on a name for more information. Arrest warrant requests can also be made by phone at (920) 236-7304 or in person at the Sheriff’s Office Records Division. In-person requests should be made during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.). A name will be required to process the request.

Do Winnebago County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants do not expire in Winnebago County. However, the court can recall or cancel them before execution under certain circumstances. Arrest warrants do not carry expiry dates, so they only become inactive after the accused is arrested.