Milwaukee County Arrest Records

Arrest records in Milwaukee County are the official documentation created when an individual is detained by a law enforcement agency and booked into custody. These records serve multiple functions, including transparency and accountability under the Wisconsin Public Records Law, Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39. At the same time, disclosure of criminal history information is governed separately under Wis. Stat. § 165.83-165.84, which outlines the responsibilities of the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) in maintaining the state criminal history repository.

Arrest records allow courts, law enforcement, and correctional agencies to manage case flow and custody. They also verify charges, determine bail, and review case outcomes. Beyond case management, arrest records support due diligence checks and history documentation, and serve as the foundations for remedies such as expungement or sealing when applicable.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Wisconsin?

Yes. Under the Wisconsin Public Records Law, most arrest records are considered public. The general principle is transparency: records generated by public authorities are presumed open to inspection unless a specific statutory exemption applies.

In practice, law enforcement agencies may disclose basic arrest information such as:

• The full name of the arrested individual
• Date of birth
• Date, time, and location of arrest
• Arresting agency
• Charges filed or alleged offenses
• Booking number and custody status

Specific categories of information are exempt from disclosure to protect privacy and security. Examples include:

• Juvenile arrest records, which are confidential under Wis. Stat. § 938.396
• Details of ongoing investigations, which may be withheld to prevent interference with law enforcement operations
• Information about victims and witnesses, including personal addresses and identifying details
• Medical or mental health information is protected under state and federal privacy laws
• Records sealed or expunged by court order under Wis. Stat. § 973.015

These limitations balance public transparency with individual rights and the integrity of ongoing proceedings.

Milwaukee County Arrest Search

Arrest information in Milwaukee County can be obtained through state-level law enforcement systems as well as federal resources, each option with its specific procedures, costs, and access methods.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau(CIB) maintains the central criminal history repository at the state level. Members of the public may request a name-based criminal history search through the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS). The fee is $15 per request, and results include statewide arrests and conviction data reported to the DOJ. For fingerprint-based checks, applicants may submit prints through authorized live scan locations or by mail. Fingerprint submissions provide the most comprehensive history because they reduce the risk of mistaken identity.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) manages the national criminal history database, known as the Next Generation Identification (NGI) system, for federal-level information. Individuals may obtain a personal criminal history summary, sometimes referred to as an Identity History Summary Check, by submitting fingerprints to the FBI. Instructions for this process, including authorized channelers and direct submission forms, are available through the FBI Identity History Summary Checks page. The FBI charges a standard processing fee of $18.

Milwaukee County Inmate Locator

The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office provides an inmate locator tool allowing the public to search for individuals currently in county custody. This resource can identify recent bookings, confirm custody status, and verify detention details. Searches are conducted using the individual's first and last name.

The database generally includes:

• Full name of the inmate
• Booking number
• Date of birth
• Arrest date
• Charges filed or alleged offenses
• Current custody status and jail location
• Future court dates, if scheduled

The online tool is available at the Milwaukee County Sheriff's Office Inmate Locator. The information typically displayed includes the inmate's name, booking number, charges, and location.

In addition to the online system, inmate information requests may be made in person or by mail through the Sheriff's Office Records Division. Requests must include identifying details such as the inmate's full name, date of birth, or booking number if available.

Copies of arrest or jail records may incur fees depending on the number of pages and the type of record requested. Standard arrest or booking reports typically cost $5 per report, with additional charges applying for certified documents. All requests require valid government-issued photo identification.

For broader inmate information outside Milwaukee County, statewide custody records are accessible through the Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) Inmate Locator, which covers individuals incarcerated in state correctional institutions.

Active Warrant Search in Milwaukee County

An arrest warrant is a court order issued by a judge or magistrate authorizing law enforcement to take an individual into custody. Warrants generally include identifying information, charges, and the issuing court.

In Milwaukee County, the Sheriff's Office maintains active warrant information. While there is no public online warrant database, inquiries can be made directly through the:

The Sheriff's Office may confirm the existence of a warrant, but may limit details over the phone due to privacy and safety considerations. Formal verification typically requires appearing in person with valid identification.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Milwaukee

Several free resources are available to the public seeking Milwaukee arrest information:

• Milwaukee County Sheriff's Inmate Locator: Provides free real-time information on current and recent bookings.
• Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA): Offers free statewide access to case details, including Milwaukee County criminal cases.
• On-site Courthouse Kiosks: The Milwaukee County Courthouse provides free public access terminals to search case files and arrest-related information without charge.

While these resources are free, they may not include complete documents such as police reports or certified records, which require formal requests and fees.

Milwaukee Arrest Report

A Milwaukee arrest record is a summary entry that includes booking data, charges, and custody status. By contrast, an arrest report is a detailed narrative prepared by the arresting officer, documenting the circumstances of the incident, probable cause, witness statements, and officer observations.

Arrest reports are generally not available through online portals. They must be requested directly from the arresting agency. For Milwaukee County, most police reports can be obtained from the Milwaukee Police Department Open Records Section:

Requests can be submitted in person, by mail, or through the department's online records request portal. Fees vary depending on the number of pages and staff processing time, with an average cost of 25 centsper page.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Milwaukee

Expungement in Milwaukee County is a legal process that allows certain arrest and conviction records to be sealed from public access. The governing statute is Wis. Stat. § 973.015. In Milwaukee County, an expungement allows certain criminal records to be sealed from public view if specific conditions are met.

Eligibility typically requires that the offense was committed by an individual under 25 years of age at the time of the offense, that it was a misdemeanor or a Class H or I felony, and that the individual completed the sentence. The court must order expungement at sentencing, and the sentencing court must determine that expungement serves the best interests of the individual and society.

To petition for expungement after sentencing:

• Obtain the appropriate petition form from the Milwaukee County Circuit Court
• File the completed form with the Clerk of Circuit Court - Criminal Division
• Provide case number, conviction details, and proof of sentence completion.

Juvenile record expungement is governed separately under Wis. Stat. § 938.355(4m). Requests for sealing juvenile arrest records can be submitted through the Milwaukee County Juvenile Court.

In cases where an arrest did not result in charges or a conviction, expungement may still be available under Wis. Stat. § 973.015(1m)(a)2. An arrest record can be expunged if the case was dismissed, charges were not filed, or the individual was acquitted. In these circumstances, the court may order that the arrest record be removed from public inspection.

Under the Wisconsin court fee schedule, filing fees are required. The standard filing fee for an expungement petition is $20. Additional fees apply for certified copies of court orders, typically $5 for certification plus $1.25 per page.

Expungement decisions are at the discretion of the court. Once granted, records are sealed from public access, though certain government agencies may retain internal access.

How Do You Remove Arrest Records From the Internet?

Removing arrest information from the internet generally requires first sealing or expunging the record through the court. Once sealed, agencies such as the Wisconsin DOJ update their databases.

For third-party websites, removal options may include:

• Submitting opt-out requests directly to the site with proof of expungement
• Providing court orders to demonstrate that the record is sealed or dismissed
• Requesting the removal of outdated content through the Google Remove Outdated Content Tool

It is important to note that while official sources will reflect updated records, some private websites may continue to display outdated arrest information.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Under Wisconsin law, public arrest records may include the following elements:

• Full name of the arrested person
• Date of birth
• Arrest date and location
• Arresting agency (e.g., sheriff's office)
• Booking number assigned upon arrest
• Custody status ( if the detained person is in jail, released, or transferred)
• Charges filed or alleged offenses
• Bail or bond amount and whether the bail has been posted
• Warrant number (if arrest is based on a warrant)
• Court case number associated with the arrest

Confidential fields, such as victim information, investigative details, or sealed case data, are not released to the public.