Ozaukee County Public Records / Ozaukee County Arrest Records

Ozaukee County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Ozaukee County

Arrest records in Ozaukee County are considered public information under Wisconsin's Public Records Law, specifically Wisconsin Statutes § 19.31-19.39. This statute establishes that all persons are entitled to the greatest possible information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts of government officers and employees. The law presumes complete public access to governmental records, consistent with the conduct of governmental business.

It is important to distinguish between arrest records and conviction records. An arrest record documents that an individual was taken into custody by law enforcement on suspicion of criminal activity, while a conviction record indicates that the individual was found guilty of a crime through the judicial process. Under Wisconsin Statute § 111.335, employers and licensing agencies have limitations on how they may use arrest records that did not lead to convictions.

The Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records and makes them available to the public with certain exceptions. Records may be withheld or redacted if they:

Contain sensitive investigative information
Would endanger ongoing investigations
Would compromise personal privacy beyond what the law permits
Involve juvenile offenders (subject to different disclosure rules under Wisconsin law)
Are sealed by court order

Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that while these records are generally accessible, certain information within them may be redacted to protect privacy interests or sensitive law enforcement information pursuant to statutory exemptions.

What's in Ozaukee County Arrest Records

Arrest records maintained by the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office contain standardized information documenting the apprehension and processing of individuals. These records typically include the following categories of information:

Arrestee Identifying Information:

Full legal name
Date of birth
Gender
Race
Height and weight
Address at time of arrest
Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
Fingerprints
Photograph (mugshot)

Arrest Details:

Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Arresting officer's name and badge number
Circumstances leading to arrest

Charge Information:

Criminal charges filed
Statute numbers of alleged violations
Classification of charges (misdemeanor or felony)
Description of alleged criminal activity

Warrant Information (if applicable):

Warrant number
Issuing court
Date of issuance
Type of warrant (arrest, bench, search)

Booking Information:

Booking number
Date and time of booking
Processing officer information
Property inventory

Bond/Bail Information:

Bail amount set
Bond type (cash, signature, property)
Bond conditions
Release status

Court Information:

Court of jurisdiction
Case number
Scheduled court appearances
Judge assigned to case

Custody Status:

Current detention status
Housing location if incarcerated
Projected release date if applicable

Additional Information May Include:

Prior arrest history
Known aliases
Emergency contact information
Medical alerts relevant to custody
Probation/parole status

The comprehensiveness of arrest records may vary depending on the nature of the arrest and the policies of the arresting agency. All information is collected and maintained in accordance with Wisconsin state law and Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office procedures.

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Ozaukee County in 2026

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Ozaukee County may utilize several methods to obtain this information. The following procedures are currently in effect for accessing arrest records:

Submit a written request to the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office Records Division using the official Open Records Request Form. Requests must include:
- Requestor's complete contact information
- Specific information being sought
- Name of the arrested individual
- Date of birth (if known)
- Approximate date of arrest (if known)
- Case number (if available)
Visit the Sheriff's Office in person to submit a records request:

Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office
1201 S. Spring Street
Port Washington, WI 53074
Records Division: 262-284-8437
Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office

Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (excluding holidays)
Mail a written request to:

Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office
Records Division
1201 S. Spring Street
Port Washington, WI 53074
Email a records request to the designated records custodian at the email address provided on the Sheriff's Office website.

Pursuant to Wisconsin Public Records Law, the Sheriff's Office must respond to requests "as soon as practicable and without delay." Requestors should be prepared to:

Present valid photo identification when picking up records in person
Pay applicable fees for record reproduction (currently $0.25 per page for photocopies)
Pay additional fees for certified copies if required
Allow 5-10 business days for processing, depending on request complexity

For arrest records less than 12 months old, the Ozaukee County Inmate Lookup system may provide basic information about individuals who have been arrested and booked into the county jail.

How To Find Ozaukee County Arrest Records Online

Ozaukee County provides several online resources for accessing arrest records and related information through official digital platforms. The following online methods are available to the public:

Ozaukee County Inmate Lookup System The Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup portal allows users to search for current and recently released inmates. This system provides:
- Basic booking information
- Current custody status
- Scheduled release dates
- Charges
- Bond information
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system, commonly known as CCAP, provides information about court cases including those resulting from arrests. Users can search by:
- Name
- Case number
- Citation number
- Date range
This system is referenced on the Ozaukee County Access Court Records page and provides information about criminal cases that have been filed following arrests.
Wisconsin Department of Corrections Offender Locator For individuals who have been convicted and sentenced to state custody, the Wisconsin Department of Corrections Offender Locator provides information about current inmates and those on community supervision.
Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office Website The Sheriff's Office maintains a section for Open Records that provides information about requesting records electronically.

When using these online systems, users should note:

Information is updated regularly but may not reflect real-time changes
Not all arrest records are available online due to privacy restrictions
Some detailed information may require a formal records request
Online systems typically provide only basic information about arrests and cases
Records for juvenile offenders are generally not available through public online systems

For comprehensive arrest records that may not be available through these online systems, individuals should submit a formal records request as outlined in the previous section.

How To Search Ozaukee County Arrest Records for Free?

Members of the public may access Ozaukee County arrest records without incurring fees through several methods. The following free resources are available:

Ozaukee County Inmate Lookup System The Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office maintains a free Inmate Lookup portal that provides basic information about current and recently released inmates. This system requires no payment or registration to access.
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) The Wisconsin court system offers free public access to court records through WCCA, which includes criminal cases resulting from arrests in Ozaukee County. This resource is referenced on the county's Access Court Records page and provides:
- Case information
- Charge details
- Court proceedings
- Judgment information
- Sentencing data
In-Person Review at the Sheriff's Office Individuals may visit the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office during regular business hours to review public arrest records without charge:

Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office
1201 S. Spring Street
Port Washington, WI 53074
Records Division: 262-284-8437
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (excluding holidays)
Public Access Terminals at the Courthouse The Ozaukee County Courthouse provides public access terminals where visitors can search court records related to arrests at no cost:

Ozaukee County Courthouse
1201 S. Spring Street
Port Washington, WI 53074
262-284-8454
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (excluding holidays)

Important considerations when using free search methods:

While reviewing records is free, obtaining copies typically incurs fees (currently $0.25 per page)
Some records may have restricted access due to ongoing investigations or privacy laws
Free resources generally provide basic information; detailed reports may require formal requests
Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(3), agencies may charge for the "actual, necessary and direct cost" of locating records if the cost exceeds $50

For individuals seeking to avoid fees, utilizing the online resources and in-person review options provides the most cost-effective approach to accessing Ozaukee County arrest records.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Ozaukee County

Wisconsin law provides specific mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records under certain circumstances. These processes fall into two primary categories: expungement (legal erasure) and record sealing (restricting public access).

Expungement

Expungement in Wisconsin is governed by Wisconsin Statute § 973.015, which allows for the expungement of certain records when:

The offense was committed when the individual was under the age of 25
The maximum period of imprisonment for the offense is 6 years or less (Class H felony or less severe)
The court ordered expungement at the time of sentencing
The individual has successfully completed their sentence

The expungement process requires:

Filing a petition with the court that handled the original case
Providing documentation showing eligibility and sentence completion
Attending a hearing if scheduled by the court
Receiving a court order for expungement

Record Sealing

For records that do not qualify for expungement, individuals may petition for sealing under limited circumstances:

Cases that were dismissed
Cases resulting in acquittal
Arrests that did not lead to charges

The process for sealing records involves:

Filing a petition with the appropriate court
Demonstrating compelling reasons why the record should be sealed
Showing that the public interest in sealing outweighs the public interest in access

Additional Options

Governor's Pardon: For conviction records, a pardon from the Governor of Wisconsin may provide relief, though it does not expunge the record.
Removal from Online Databases: For mugshots and arrest information published by third-party websites, individuals may need to contact these entities directly, as they are not governed by the same rules as official records.

Individuals seeking to delete or seal arrest records should be aware that:

The process can be legally complex
Success is not guaranteed
Legal assistance is strongly recommended
Even if records are expunged or sealed at the county level, they may still exist in federal databases or private collections
Pursuant to Wisconsin's public records law, records that have been lawfully obtained by third parties before expungement may still be legally possessed by those parties

For specific guidance on record expungement or sealing, individuals should consult with an attorney familiar with Wisconsin criminal record procedures.

What Happens After Arrest in Ozaukee County?

Following an arrest in Ozaukee County, individuals enter a structured criminal justice process governed by Wisconsin state law and county procedures. This process typically follows these sequential steps:

1. Booking and Processing After physical arrest, individuals are transported to the Ozaukee County Jail for booking, which includes:

Photographing (mugshot)
Fingerprinting
Personal property inventory
Medical screening
Background check
Initial charge documentation

2. Initial Appearance Within 48 hours of arrest (excluding weekends and holidays), arrestees appear before a judge for:

Formal reading of charges
Advisement of constitutional rights
Bail/bond determination
Appointment of counsel if indigent
Setting of future court dates

3. Bail Determination The court sets bail based on:

Nature and severity of charges
Prior criminal history
Community ties
Flight risk assessment
Public safety considerations

4. Preliminary Hearing (Felony Cases) For felony charges, a preliminary hearing is held within 10 days if the defendant is in custody or 20 days if released on bail to:

Determine if probable cause exists to believe a felony was committed
Establish if probable cause exists that the defendant committed the felony

5. Arraignment Following the preliminary hearing (for felonies) or after the initial appearance (for misdemeanors):

Formal charges are read
Defendant enters a plea (guilty, not guilty, no contest)
Trial date may be set

6. Pre-Trial Proceedings Before trial, several proceedings may occur:

Discovery exchange between prosecution and defense
Motion hearings
Status conferences
Plea negotiations

7. Trial If the case proceeds to trial:

Jury selection (unless jury trial is waived)
Opening statements
Presentation of evidence
Witness testimony
Closing arguments
Jury deliberation and verdict

8. Sentencing If convicted:

Pre-sentence investigation may be conducted
Victim impact statements may be presented
Judge imposes sentence based on statutory guidelines and case factors

9. Post-Conviction Following conviction:

Right to appeal within specified timeframes
Possible post-conviction relief motions
Execution of sentence (incarceration, probation, fines, etc.)

Throughout this process, individuals can track their case status through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system or by contacting the Ozaukee County Clerk of Courts.

The Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office maintains custody records accessible through their Inmate Lookup system for individuals currently in custody or recently released.

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Ozaukee County?

Arrest records in Ozaukee County are maintained according to Wisconsin's public records retention requirements, primarily governed by Wisconsin Statute § 16.61 and the Wisconsin Public Records Board retention schedules. These regulations establish minimum retention periods for various categories of law enforcement records.

Standard Retention Periods:

Arrest Records: Generally maintained for a minimum of 7 years from the date of arrest
Booking Information: Retained for 7 years after the individual is released from custody
Investigation Reports: Kept for 7 years after case closure for most cases
Felony Case Records: Maintained for 75 years from the date of arrest
Homicide Case Records: Permanently retained
Sexual Assault Case Records: Retained for 75 years
Juvenile Records: Subject to different retention schedules and confidentiality requirements

The Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office may maintain records beyond these minimum requirements for various reasons:

Historical Significance: Records with historical value may be preserved indefinitely
Ongoing Legal Relevance: Records related to cases under appeal or continuing investigation
Administrative Value: Records that continue to serve administrative purposes
Serious Offenses: Records of serious crimes are typically kept longer than minor offenses

Digital records systems have expanded the practical retention capacity of law enforcement agencies, allowing for longer-term storage of electronic records. The Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office Records Division manages these records in compliance with state requirements.

It is important to note that even after physical records may be destroyed according to retention schedules, information about arrests may persist in:

Court records systems
State criminal history databases
Federal law enforcement databases
Private background check company databases

Individuals with questions about specific record retention should contact:

Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office Records Division
1201 S. Spring Street
Port Washington, WI 53074
Records: 262-284-8437
Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office

How to Find Mugshots in Ozaukee County

What Mugshots Are

Mugshots are official photographs taken during the booking process following an arrest. These photographs typically include:

Front-facing (portrait) view of the arrestee
Side profile view (in some cases)
Booking information board showing the date of arrest and booking number
Identifying information about the arrestee

Where Mugshots Are Maintained

In Ozaukee County, mugshots are officially maintained by:

Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office
1201 S. Spring Street
Port Washington, WI 53074
Records Division: 262-284-8437
Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office

These photographs are considered part of the booking record and are maintained according to the same retention schedules as other arrest records.

Finding Mugshots

To obtain official copies of mugshots, individuals may:

Submit a public records request to the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office using their Open Records Request process
Provide specific information about the arrest, including:
- Full name of the arrested individual
- Date of birth
- Date of arrest (if known)
- Case number (if available)
Pay applicable fees for reproduction of the records

Can Mugshots Be Found Online

The Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office provides limited booking information through their Inmate Lookup system, but this system does not typically display mugshots publicly. Mugshots may appear online through:

Media websites that publish arrest information
Third-party mugshot websites that aggregate booking photos
Social media posts by law enforcement agencies for specific cases

Obtaining Mugshots Officially

The most reliable method to obtain an official mugshot is through a formal records request:

Complete the Sheriff's Office records request form
Submit the request in person, by mail, or by email
Pay applicable fees (typically $0.25 per page for photocopies)
Provide identification when picking up records

Restrictions on Mugshot Access

Access to mugshots may be restricted in certain circumstances:

Juvenile arrestees (protected under Wisconsin juvenile confidentiality laws)
Ongoing sensitive investigations
Cases where release would endanger an individual's safety
Records sealed by court order
Expunged cases

Individuals seeking mugshots should be aware that while these images are generally considered public records under Wisconsin law, their publication and use by private entities is subject to various legal and ethical considerations.

Lookup Arrest Records in Ozaukee County

Ozaukee County Inmate Locator

Access Court Records in Ozaukee County

Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office Records Division

Ozaukee County Open Records Request Information