Wisconsin Criminal Records

According to recent crime data, Wisconsin has a violent crime rate of 2.97 incidents per 1,000 residents, with a total crime index of 16.82 per 1,000. Documents detailing these crimes and the associated arrests, charges, prosecutions, and court dispositions are collectively referred to as criminal records. Wisconsin criminal records include arrest reports, warrants, indictments, plea agreements, conviction and sentencing details, and incarceration records, among other information.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) - specifically its Crime Information Bureau (CIB) - serves as the central repository for Wisconsin's criminal history record information and provides interested members of the public with access to this information upon request (informally referred to as a criminal background check). In addition to the DOJ, other governmental bodies maintain various types of criminal records, including local police departments, county sheriff's offices, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, and the Wisconsin Court System.

Are Criminal Records Public in Wisconsin?

Under Wisconsin's Public Records Law, information maintained by government bodies, which includes criminal records, are generally considered open records and accessible to any interested member of the public. However, this law also outlines certain exceptions and limitations to the public's right to access this information.

For instance, information related to ongoing law enforcement investigations and personal identifying information that contains a person's financial account numbers are statutorily exempt from public disclosure. Likewise, juvenile records, records involving victims of certain crimes (usually domestic violence and/or abuse-related), and records sealed by court order are also deemed confidential and restricted from public access.

How To Look Up Criminal Records in Wisconsin?

The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) maintains the state's central repository for criminal history record information and provides access to this information through the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS). To utilize this system, you will need to provide the full name of the person whose record you wish to access, as well as other identifying information, including the person's date of birth, race, and gender.

Users have the option of registering a user account (and setting up a billing account for recurring searches) or utilizing the "public access" option for one-time searches. There are two request options available online - a general background check that is limited to records maintained by the DOJ and a caregiver background check that includes a registry check by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. The DOJ offers training documentation that users may use to get assistance on navigating the WORCS platform.

Alternatively, you may request a criminal background check through the DOJ by mailing either a Form DL-LE-250 (Single Name Record Request) or a Form DL-LE-250 (Multiple Name Record Request), along with a self-addressed, postage-paid envelope and the applicable fees, to the department at:

Online background checks may cost up to $15 per name searched (plus an additional $5 fee to obtain a certified copy of the record), while mail-in requests cost between $12 and $20, depending on the type of requester/request purpose. Inquiries may be directed to the DOJ online or by calling (608) 266-7314.

How To Search Wisconsin Arrest Records?

Arrest records in Wisconsin are created when a person is taken into custody by law enforcement agencies. While these records are primarily generated by local police departments and county sheriff's offices, the Wisconsin State Patrol also creates records for arrests made by its officers. A standard Wisconsin arrest record usually includes the following details:

• The arrestee's full name
• The arrestee's age, sex, race, and other personal descriptors, like their height, weight, and eye color
• The date, time, and location of the arrest
• A description of the offense/alleged crime that led to the arrest
• The name of the agency that handled the arrest and the arresting officer
• Booking, bail, and court information (where applicable)

Arrest records are typically kept locally by the law enforcement agency that handled the arrest and may be accessed by contacting the relevant agency and following its specific procedure for requesting records. This usually involves submitting a written request in person or using an online portal, where available. Some agencies may also provide limited online access to recent arrest logs or incident reports on their official websites.

You may also access records of arrests that led to formal charges and court proceedings online via the Wisconsin Courts' case search system. Likewise, the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) provides access to adult criminal history information, including arrest records, through its WORCS platform. Note that fees may apply.

How To Search Wisconsin Warrants?

Warrants in Wisconsin are written orders issued by judges that authorize law enforcement officials to perform a specific action. Common types of warrants issued in the state include:

• Arrest Warrants: These authorize the arrest of an individual suspected of committing a crime. Arrest warrants are issued based on probable cause, meaning that there must be sufficient evidence or facts to reasonably believe that a crime has been committed by the individual named on the warrant.
• Search Warrants: These authorize law enforcement to search a specific location for evidence related to a criminal investigation. There must also be probable cause (sufficient facts to reasonably believe that evidence of a crime exists in a particular location) before a search warrant may be issued.
• Bench Warrants: These are issued when an individual fails to comply with court orders, such as missing a scheduled court appearance or failing to pay court-mandated fines. While bench warrants are not necessarily tied to criminal activity, they may lead to the apprehension of the person named on the warrant.

Arrest and bench warrants issued in Wisconsin generally remain active until they are either executed or recalled/quashed by the issuing court. On the other hand, search warrants have a specific validity period within which they must be executed and returned to the court; this period is usually determined by the issuing judge but cannot exceed five days from the date of issuance.

Wisconsin does not have a centralized, statewide database that provides public access to warrant information. As such, to inquire about a specific warrant, you will typically need to contact the local law enforcement agency (the sheriff's office or police department) or the court clerk's office in the county where you believe that the warrant was issued. Several counties also offer online access to warrant lists/databases (usually through their respective sheriff's offices) that may be used to obtain warrant information.

Can I Obtain a Wisconsin Criminal History Record of Another Person?

You may obtain copies of other people's criminal history records in Wisconsin through the Department of Justice (DOJ) by requesting a criminal background check via the department's WORCS platform. You will be required to provide the person's full name, date of birth, race, and gender. You may refine search results by also providing the person's social security number and known aliases. Searches cost $7 - $15 per person checked (depending on the type of request option selected); you also have the option of certifying the provided results for a $5 fee.

How To Expunge or Seal Wisconsin Criminal Records

Expungement in Wisconsin is a process that removes a criminal record from public access, meaning it will not appear in background checks or court databases. However, certain government agencies (including law enforcement) and employers may still retain access. Per state law, expungement in Wisconsin is generally limited to:

• Conviction records where the person was under the age of 25 at the time the commission of the offense and the maximum sentence (for the offense) is six years imprisonment. Note that certain offenses are ineligible for this expungement, regardless of the maximum imposable sentence. These include:
• Violent felonies
• Stalking
• Child abuse
• Class H and I felonies, if the person has a prior felony conviction
• Conviction-related information maintained by the state's Department of Transportation
• Commercial sex acts committed as a victim of human trafficking

Courts may order the expungement of the conviction records (for eligible offenders/offenses) provided that the individual successfully completes their sentence and the court determines that expungement benefits the person and does not harm society. This order is usually issued at the time of sentencing; however, you may be required to initiate the process (upon the completion of your sentence) by filing a petition with the court.

In addition to court-ordered expungements, Wisconsin Statutes Section 165.84(1) makes provisions for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to remove fingerprint records from the state's criminal history information database for arrests that did not result in any convictions. Eligible parties may initiate the process by submitting a properly completed Form DJ-LE-250B (Fingerprint Record Removal Request) to the DOJ's Crime Information Bureau at:

It is advisable to consult with an attorney to determine your eligibility for expungement/fingerprint record removal under Wisconsin law to ensure a relatively hassle-free process.

What Are the Limitations to Use of Criminal Records for Employment, Licensing, and Housing in Wisconsin?

Several laws influence how criminal records may be used for employment, housing, and licensing decisions in Wisconsin. At the federal level, laws like the Fair Chance Act prohibit federal agencies (and contractors) from requesting an applicant's criminal history before making a conditional job offer. Similarly, guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) promote individualized assessments of job and housing applicants who have criminal histories and discourage broad exclusionary policies.

At the state level, Wisconsin law also restricts employers and licensing boards from denying applicants based on their conviction record, unless the conviction is "substantially related" to the particular job or licensed activity being applied for.

Can I Access Wisconsin Criminal Records for Free Online?

Various private websites provide online access to Wisconsin criminal records, sometimes at no cost or for a small fee. However, records obtained through some of these websites may be outdated or contain inaccuracies. For the most accurate and current Wisconsin criminal records, it is advisable to either use official resources like the DOJ's WORCS and the Wisconsin Courts' case search platforms or reputable third-party platforms that aggregate data from official databases, like WisconsinPublicRecords.us.