Ozaukee County Public Records /Ozaukee County Criminal Records

Ozaukee County Criminal Records

What Is Ozaukee County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Ozaukee County are official documents that chronicle an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.35, these records constitute public information maintained by government agencies for the purposes of transparency and public safety.

Criminal records encompass several distinct categories, each with different legal implications:

Arrest Records vs. Conviction Records: Arrest records document when an individual has been taken into custody by law enforcement, while conviction records indicate that a court has found the individual guilty of a criminal offense. It is important to note that an arrest does not necessarily lead to a conviction.
Felony vs. Misdemeanor Records: Felonies represent more serious crimes punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, while misdemeanors are less severe offenses typically punishable by less than one year of incarceration.
Adult vs. Juvenile Records: Records for individuals 18 and older are generally public, while juvenile records (for those under 18) are typically sealed under Wisconsin Statute § 938.396 to protect minors' privacy and future opportunities.
Active Warrants vs. Historical Records: Active warrants indicate current orders for arrest, while historical records document past criminal justice interactions.

Several agencies maintain criminal records in Ozaukee County:

Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office
1201 S. Spring Street
Port Washington, WI 53074
(262) 284-7172
Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office

The Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records, booking information, and jail records.

Ozaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court
1201 S. Spring Street
Port Washington, WI 53074
(262) 284-8409
Clerk of Circuit Court

The Clerk's office maintains court case records, dispositions, and sentencing information.

Wisconsin Department of Justice
17 W. Main Street
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-1221
Wisconsin Department of Justice

The state agency maintains comprehensive criminal history information.

Criminal records typically include documentation of charges, arraignments, pleas, trials, sentencing, and probation or parole information. These records serve multiple purposes, including informing law enforcement decisions, supporting background checks, and maintaining public transparency in the judicial system.

Are Criminal Records Public In Ozaukee County

Criminal records in Ozaukee County are generally public information in accordance with the Wisconsin Public Records Law, specifically Wisconsin Statute § 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 those officers and employees who represent them."

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld the presumption of openness in government records. As stated in § 19.31, the public records law "shall be construed in every instance with a presumption of complete public access, consistent with the conduct of governmental business."

Public criminal records in Ozaukee County typically include:

Adult arrest records
Court proceedings and case files
Conviction records
Incarceration records
Sex offender registry information
Probation and parole records

However, certain categories of criminal records remain restricted from public access:

Ongoing investigations: Records pertaining to active law enforcement investigations may be temporarily withheld under § 19.36(4) to prevent interference with pending proceedings.
Sealed or expunged records: Court records that have been officially sealed or expunged by judicial order are not accessible to the public.
Juvenile records: Under Wisconsin Statute § 938.396, records pertaining to juvenile offenders (under age 18) are generally confidential, with limited exceptions for certain serious offenses.
Victim information: Personal identifying information of crime victims may be redacted to protect privacy.
Confidential informant information: Details that could identify confidential informants are protected.
Mental health records: Records related to competency evaluations or mental health treatment within the criminal justice system are typically confidential.

The Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office and Clerk of Circuit Court serve as the primary custodians of criminal records within the county. These agencies are responsible for maintaining records in accordance with state law and facilitating public access while protecting legally confidential information.

Members of the public seeking access to criminal records should be aware that while inspection of records is generally free, reproduction costs may apply in accordance with § 19.35(3), which permits agencies to charge "the actual, necessary and direct cost" of reproduction and transcription of records.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Ozaukee County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Ozaukee County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record retrieval, each serving different purposes and containing various types of information.

For in-person requests, individuals may visit:

Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office
1201 S. Spring Street
Port Washington, WI 53074
(262) 284-7172
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office

To request Sheriff's Office records, individuals must:

Complete the Open Records Request Form available on the county website
Submit the form via email, mail, or in person
Provide specific information about the record being requested
Include contact information for response
Pay applicable fees (currently $0.25 per page for photocopies)

For court records, individuals may contact:

Ozaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court
1201 S. Spring Street
Port Washington, WI 53074
(262) 284-8409
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Clerk of Circuit Court

The process for obtaining court records includes:

Visit the Clerk's office in person or access the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (CCAP) website
For in-person requests, complete a records request form at the counter
Provide case number if known, or name and date of birth of the subject
Pay applicable fees for certified copies or extensive searches
Allow processing time for complex requests

For comprehensive criminal history information, the Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS). This system allows users to:

Create an account on the WORCS portal
Submit a request with the subject's name and date of birth
Pay the required fee (currently $7 per record)
Receive results electronically

Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(4)(a), record custodians must respond to requests "as soon as practicable and without delay." Complex requests may require additional processing time, and requestors should be prepared to provide identification when seeking records in person.

How To Find Criminal Records in Ozaukee County Online?

Ozaukee County provides several online resources for accessing criminal records electronically. These digital portals offer convenient alternatives to in-person requests, though the scope of available information varies by platform.

The primary online resources include:

Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) - https://wcca.wicourts.gov/
- Contains public court records from all 72 Wisconsin counties, including Ozaukee
- Searchable by name, case number, or citation number
- Provides case information including charges, court dates, judgments, and sentencing
- Updated in real-time as information is entered by court staff
- No registration or fees required for basic searches
- Does not include dismissed cases older than two years or cases with no charges filed
Ozaukee County Inmate Lookup - Inmate Lookup Locator
- Provides current information on individuals incarcerated in the Ozaukee County Jail
- Searchable by name
- Includes booking date, charges, and bond information
- Updated daily
- No registration or fees required
Wisconsin Department of Justice Online Record Check System (WORCS) - Wisconsin Online Record Check System
- Provides official criminal history information maintained by the state
- Requires account creation and $7 fee per search
- Returns comprehensive criminal history information from across Wisconsin
- Results include arrests, charges, and dispositions reported to the state repository
- Official results available immediately in most cases
Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office Records - Open Records
- Provides access to incident reports, accident reports, and other sheriff's records
- Requires completion of an online form
- Some records may require in-person retrieval
- Fees apply for document reproduction

Users should note that certain records remain unavailable online and require in-person requests, including:

Complete investigative files
Juvenile records (with limited exceptions)
Sealed or expunged records
Records containing confidential informant information
Records with sensitive victim information

When using online systems, users should be aware that pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.80, electronic records are subject to the same public access provisions as physical records. However, the completeness and accuracy of online records depend on proper data entry and system maintenance.

Can You Search Ozaukee County Criminal Records for Free?

Wisconsin's Public Records Law, specifically Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(1)(a), establishes that "any requester has a right to inspect any record." This statutory provision guarantees free inspection of records, though reproduction costs may apply.

Ozaukee County offers several free options for accessing criminal records:

Free In-Person Inspection

Members of the public may inspect criminal records at no cost at the following locations:

Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office
1201 S. Spring Street
Port Washington, WI 53074
(262) 284-7172
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Ozaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court
1201 S. Spring Street
Port Washington, WI 53074
(262) 284-8409
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

While inspection is free, agencies may charge for:

Photocopies ($0.25 per page is the standard fee)
Certified copies (typically $5 for the first page, $1 for each additional page)
Staff research time for complex requests (after the first $50 of staff time)

Free Online Resources

Several online portals provide free access to criminal record information:

Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) - https://wcca.wicourts.gov/
- Provides free access to court case information
- Includes criminal, traffic, and civil cases
- Searchable by name or case number
- Updated in real-time
Ozaukee County Inmate Lookup - Inmate Lookup Locator
- Free access to current jail population information
- Includes booking information and charges
- Updated daily
Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office Daily Jail Population Report
- Published on the Sheriff's Office website
- Lists current inmates and basic charge information
- Updated daily at no cost to users

It should be noted that while these free resources provide substantial information, they may not be comprehensive. The Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Justice provides more detailed criminal history information but requires a $7 fee per search.

Pursuant to § 19.35(3)(f), prepayment of fees may be required for copies exceeding $5. Agencies may waive fees when doing so is in the public interest.

What's Included in a Ozaukee County Criminal Record?

Criminal records maintained by Ozaukee County agencies contain comprehensive information about an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. These records typically include several categories of information as outlined below:

Identifying Information:

Full legal name and known aliases
Date of birth
Physical description (height, weight, eye color, hair color)
Mugshot/booking photograph
Last known address
State Identification Number (SID)
FBI number (if applicable)
Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information:

Date and time of arrest
Arresting agency
Booking number
Charges filed at arrest
Bail or bond amount
Detention facility information
Arresting officer information (may be redacted in public copies)

Court Case Information:

Case number
Court of jurisdiction
Filing date
Formal charges and corresponding Wisconsin statutes
Classification of offenses (felony or misdemeanor)
Plea information
Attorney information (prosecution and defense)
Judge assigned to the case
Court dates and appearances

Disposition Information:

Verdict (guilty, not guilty, dismissed, etc.)
Conviction date (if applicable)
Sentencing details:
- Incarceration length
- Probation terms
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Special conditions (treatment programs, community service)
Appeal information (if applicable)
Probation/parole status and violations

Additional Information:

Active warrants
Protective or restraining orders
Sex offender registration requirements
DUI/OWI information
Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
Pending charges in other jurisdictions

The comprehensiveness of criminal records varies based on the maintaining agency. The Ozaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains the most complete court records, while the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office maintains detailed arrest and incarceration records.

Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 165.83, law enforcement agencies are required to report certain criminal history information to the Wisconsin Department of Justice, which maintains the state's central repository of criminal records.

How Long Does Ozaukee County Keep Criminal Records?

Ozaukee County maintains criminal records according to retention schedules established under Wisconsin Statute § 16.61, which governs records management for state and local agencies. The Public Records Board, established under this statute, sets retention periods for various document types.

Criminal records in Ozaukee County are subject to the following retention periods:

Arrest Records:

Arrest reports: 75 years from date of creation
Booking photographs: 75 years from date of creation
Fingerprint cards: 75 years from date of creation
Incident reports: 10 years for most cases; 75 years for homicides and sexual assaults

Court Records:

Felony case files: 75 years from final disposition
Misdemeanor case files: 20 years from final disposition
Traffic/ordinance violations: 5-10 years depending on severity
Court recordings/transcripts: 10 years after final judgment
Judgments of conviction: 75 years from date of judgment

Correctional Records:

Jail records: 7 years after release from incarceration
Probation/parole records: 10 years after discharge from supervision

Sex Offender Registry:

Registration information: Maintained for 15 years to lifetime, depending on offense level, as required by Wisconsin Statute § 301.45

Juvenile Records:

Generally maintained until the individual reaches age 25, with exceptions for serious offenses
May be expunged earlier under certain circumstances

It is important to note that while physical records may be destroyed after their retention period expires, electronic indices or summary information may be maintained indefinitely, particularly for serious offenses. Additionally, records that have been microfilmed or digitized may be retained longer than their paper counterparts.

The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system maintains electronic court records according to the following schedule:

Dismissed cases: Removed after 2 years
Acquittals: Removed after 2 years
Convictions: Maintained indefinitely for public cases

Records retention practices are subject to change based on updates to state law, administrative rules, or local policies. The Ozaukee County Records Management Department oversees compliance with retention schedules in coordination with the Wisconsin Public Records Board.

Lookup Criminal Records in Ozaukee County

Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office Records

Ozaukee County Inmate Locator

Access Court Records in Ozaukee County

Ozaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court

Wisconsin Online Record Check System

Wisconsin Department of Justice Criminal Background Check