Kewaunee County Public Records / Kewaunee County Arrest Records

Kewaunee County Arrest Records

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Kewaunee County in 2026

KewauneeRecords.us provides data and publicly available information related to arrest records in Kewaunee County, Wisconsin. Members of the public may find booking records, charge information, custody status, court case links, and related criminal justice data through this resource. Available record categories may include arrest logs, mugshots, bond information, court case numbers, and charge classifications. Information presented reflects what has been made available through official sources and may not reflect the most current status of any individual case.

Members of the public may search arrest records through official resources including the Kewaunee County Sheriff's Office, the Clerk of Courts, public access terminals at the courthouse, and state-level online tools. The following sections detail each available method.

Online Methods:

1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The Kewaunee County Sheriff's Office maintains booking records and may publish current jail roster information through its official channels. Members of the public may contact the Sheriff's Office directly to inquire about available online access to arrest logs. Information available through the Sheriff's Office includes the arrestee's name, booking date, charges, and custody status. Roster data is updated as bookings occur, though publication frequency may vary.

Kewaunee County Sheriff's Office
613 Dodge St
Kewaunee, WI 54216
Phone: (920) 388-7100
Kewaunee County Sheriff's Office

2. Local Police Departments

The City of Kewaunee is served by the Kewaunee Police Department, which may publish press releases containing arrest information. Members of the public seeking arrest logs from municipal jurisdictions within the county may submit a public records request directly to the relevant department.

Kewaunee Police Department
401 Fifth St
Kewaunee, WI 54216
Phone: (920) 388-4444
Kewaunee Police Department

3. County Clerk of Court Case Search

Arrest records are frequently linked to court cases that may be searched through the Wisconsin Court System case search. Members of the public may search by the arrestee's name to locate associated criminal case filings, charge information, and case disposition. This tool covers circuit court cases statewide, including those originating in Kewaunee County.

Kewaunee County Clerk of Courts
613 Dodge St
Kewaunee, WI 54216
Phone: (920) 388-7149
Kewaunee County Clerk of Courts

4. State Law Enforcement Database

The Wisconsin Department of Justice operates the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS), which allows individuals and organizations to submit criminal background checks and retrieve results online. This system draws from the state's criminal history repository and includes arrest and conviction data reported by law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin. A fee applies to background check requests submitted through WORCS.

In-Person Access:

Sheriff's Office:

Address: 613 Dodge St, Kewaunee, WI 54216
Records division is located within the main Sheriff's Office building
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Phone: (920) 388-7100
What to bring: Valid government-issued photo identification and any known details about the arrest, including the subject's full name and approximate date of arrest
Fees for copies: Standard copy fees apply per Wis. Stat. § 19.35, which governs public records access in Wisconsin

Clerk of Court:

Address: 613 Dodge St, Kewaunee, WI 54216
Criminal records division is located within the Kewaunee County Courthouse
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Phone: (920) 388-7149
Case file inspection is available during regular business hours
Copy fees: $1.25 per page for standard copies; certification fees apply for certified documents

By Mail:

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the Kewaunee County Sheriff's Office at 613 Dodge St, Kewaunee, WI 54216. Requests should include the arrestee's full legal name, date of arrest if known, booking number if known, and the requestor's full name and return mailing address. Payment for applicable copy fees should be included with the request. Processing time varies but is subject to the statutory ten-business-day response period under Wis. Stat. § 19.35.

By Phone:

Sheriff's Office: (920) 388-7100
Staff may provide limited information by phone, including custody status and general booking information
Callers should have the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date available
Detailed records may require an in-person visit or written request

Through Legal Channels:

Attorneys may request arrest records on behalf of clients through formal public records requests or through the discovery process in active legal proceedings. Subpoenas may be used to compel production of records not otherwise available through standard public access channels.

Information Needed for Search:

Full legal name (first and last at minimum)
Date of birth or approximate age
Approximate date of arrest
Booking number (if known)
Location of arrest and arresting jurisdiction

Are Arrest Records Public in Kewaunee County

Arrest records in Kewaunee County are public records under Wisconsin law. Wis. Stat. § 19.35 establishes that members of the public have a right to inspect and copy records maintained by government agencies, including law enforcement records, subject to specific statutory exemptions. The public nature of arrest records serves government transparency, public safety awareness, community notification, journalistic inquiry, background screening, and the needs of legal proceedings.

What Arrest Information Is Public:

Arrestee name and aliases
Date and time of arrest
Location of arrest
Arresting agency
Charges filed at time of arrest
Booking number
Mugshot/booking photograph
Bond and bail information
Custody status
Basic demographic information including age and physical description

Limitations on Public Access:

Juvenile arrest records are restricted or sealed under Wisconsin law
Expunged arrest records are removed from public access following a court order
Sealed records are subject to court-ordered confidentiality
Information related to active investigations may be withheld
Undercover officer identities are protected
Confidential informant information is exempt from disclosure
Victim identifying information may be withheld in certain cases
Witness protection participants are not identified in public records

Constitutional and Legal Basis:

Wisconsin's public records law reflects a strong presumption in favor of public access, consistent with the First Amendment and principles of open government. As the Wisconsin Supreme Court has recognized, "the public interest in open government is served by a presumption of complete public access, consistent with the conduct of governmental business." This presumption must be balanced against individual privacy interests, particularly where records involve persons who were arrested but not convicted.

Who Can Access Arrest Records:

General public
Media organizations
Employers, subject to restrictions under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)
Landlords, subject to applicable restrictions
Licensing agencies
Background check companies
Attorneys and legal professionals
Academic researchers

Restrictions on Use:

Employers and landlords who use arrest records for screening purposes must comply with the FCRA, which imposes accuracy, notice, and dispute resolution requirements on consumer reporting agencies. Wisconsin does not currently have a statewide "ban the box" law applicable to private employers, though certain municipalities may have adopted local ordinances. Under current law, a distinction exists between an arrest record and a conviction record; an arrest without a conviction does not establish guilt and may not be used as a basis for adverse employment action under Wis. Stat. § 111.335, which prohibits discrimination based on arrest or conviction records in employment.

What's in Kewaunee County Arrest Records

Arrest records maintained by Kewaunee County law enforcement agencies contain several categories of information compiled at the time of booking and during the arrest process.

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name and any aliases or "also known as" names
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Sex and gender
Race and ethnicity
Height and weight
Eye color and hair color
Identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
Address at time of arrest (may be limited in public release)

Arrest Details:

Arrest date and time
Location of arrest
Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, Police Department, or other)
Booking date and time
Booking number or arrest number
Warrant information, if applicable

Charges Information:

Specific criminal charges
Wisconsin statute numbers violated
Charge descriptions and classifications (felony degree or misdemeanor class)
Number of counts for each charge
Domestic violence designation, if applicable

Booking Information:

Booking facility name and location
Intake process timestamp
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprints are collected during booking but are not included in standard public records

Custody and Bond Information:

Current custody status (in custody, released, or bonded out)
Bond amount set by the court
Bond type, which may include cash bond, surety bond, personal recognizance bond, or no bond
Release date and time, if released
Release conditions, if public

Court Information:

Court case number assigned
Court jurisdiction
Scheduled arraignment date
Judge assignment, if available

What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:

Detailed narrative of the arrest from the police report
Witness statements
Victim information
Evidence collected
Investigative techniques
Medical or mental health information
Social Security number (redacted)
Bank account or financial information

Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:

Police reports: Contain more detailed incident narratives and are subject to separate disclosure analysis
Court records: Document legal proceedings that occur after arrest
Criminal records: Reflect convictions and sentences imposed
Background checks: Comprehensive screenings drawing from multiple sources

How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in Kewaunee County?

The cost to obtain arrest records in Kewaunee County is governed by Wisconsin's public records law. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35, agencies may charge fees that do not exceed the actual, necessary, and direct cost of reproduction and transcription.

Record Type	Standard Fee
Paper copies	$0.25 per page (Sheriff's Office)
Certified court copies	$1.25 per page
Certification fee	$5.00 per document (Clerk of Courts)
Electronic records	Varies by agency; may be provided at no cost
Search/retrieval fee	Agencies may charge for actual staff time if locating records requires more than a reasonable effort

Accepted Payment Methods:

Cash (in-person)
Check or money order payable to the applicable agency (by mail)
Credit or debit card acceptance varies by office

Fee Waivers:

Agencies may reduce or waive fees if the requester demonstrates that the records serve a public interest and that waiver is in the public interest. Indigent requesters may request a fee waiver in writing, though approval is at the agency's discretion.

What Is Available at No Cost:

Members of the public may inspect records in person at no charge. Fees apply only when copies are requested. Online court case information available through the Wisconsin Court System case search portal is accessible at no cost for basic case lookups.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Kewaunee County

Wisconsin law provides a mechanism for expungement, which is the legal process by which a court orders an arrest or conviction record to be expunged, effectively sealing it from public view. Expungement differs from record destruction; expunged records are sealed rather than physically destroyed, and law enforcement agencies retain access for authorized purposes.

Eligibility for Expungement:

Under Wisconsin law, expungement is available in limited circumstances. A court may expunge a record if the person was under age 25 at the time of the offense, the offense is a misdemeanor or certain felonies with a maximum term of imprisonment of six years or less, and the person successfully completes their sentence. The court must determine at the time of sentencing that expungement is in the public interest. Wisconsin does not currently provide a broad post-conviction expungement process for adults; eligibility must be established at sentencing.

Distinction Between Expungement and Sealing:

In Wisconsin, expungement results in the sealing of the record from public access. The record is not physically destroyed but is no longer accessible through standard public records searches. Law enforcement and certain authorized agencies retain access to expunged records for specific purposes.

Steps to Pursue Expungement:

Confirm eligibility based on age at time of offense, offense type, and sentence completion
File a petition for expungement with the Kewaunee County Circuit Court
Serve the petition on the District Attorney's Office
Attend any scheduled hearing
If the court grants the order, the Clerk of Courts notifies the Wisconsin Department of Justice to update the state criminal history repository

Kewaunee County Circuit Court
613 Dodge St
Kewaunee, WI 54216
Phone: (920) 388-7149
Kewaunee County Circuit Court

Kewaunee County District Attorney's Office
613 Dodge St
Kewaunee, WI 54216
Phone: (920) 388-7145
Wisconsin District Attorneys

Members of the public seeking expungement may also consult the Wisconsin Department of Justice regarding the effect of expungement on state criminal history records.

What Happens After Arrest in Kewaunee County?

The post-arrest process in Kewaunee County follows a structured sequence governed by Wisconsin law and local court procedures.

Immediate Post-Arrest Process:

1. Transport to Jail

Persons arrested in Kewaunee County are transported to the Kewaunee County Jail, located at 613 Dodge St, Kewaunee, WI 54216. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest within the county.

2. Booking Process

Upon arrival at the jail, the booking process is initiated. This process includes recording personal information, photographing the arrestee (mugshot), collecting fingerprints, conducting a criminal history check, checking for outstanding warrants, inventorying personal property, conducting a medical screening, and completing a housing classification assessment. The booking process typically takes one to four hours depending on facility volume.

3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing

Under Wisconsin law, a person in custody must be brought before a judge or court commissioner without unnecessary delay, and in no event later than 72 hours after arrest, excluding Sundays and legal holidays. At the initial appearance, the court formally notifies the defendant of the charges, advises the defendant of their rights, determines bond or bail, and, if the defendant is indigent, appoints counsel. Initial appearances may be conducted via video conference.

Bond/Bail Process:

Cash Bond: The full bond amount must be paid in cash. The amount is refunded when the case concludes, minus applicable fees.

Surety Bond: The defendant may engage a licensed bail bondsman, who posts the full bond amount in exchange for a non-refundable premium, typically ten percent of the bond amount.

Personal Recognizance (PR) Bond: The defendant is released on a written promise to appear. No monetary payment is required. Eligibility is based on community ties, employment, criminal history, the nature of the charges, and flight risk assessment.

No Bond: The court may order the defendant held without bond in cases involving serious violent offenses, a significant flight risk, danger to the community, probation or parole violations, immigration holds, or out-of-state warrants.

Conditions of Release may include check-in requirements, travel restrictions, no-contact orders, drug or alcohol testing, GPS monitoring, and pretrial supervision.

4. Release or Continued Detention

If bond is posted, the defendant is processed for release, which typically takes one to eight hours. The defendant receives a court date, written conditions of release, and a return of personal property. If bond is not posted, the defendant remains in custody and is assigned housing within the jail.

Accessing Legal Representation:

Public Defender:
The Wisconsin State Public Defender's Office provides representation to eligible defendants based on income. Applications are submitted at or following the initial appearance.

Wisconsin State Public Defender – Northeast Region
200 N. Jefferson St, Suite 204
Green Bay, WI 54301
Phone: (920) 448-5000
Wisconsin State Public Defender

Private Attorney: Defendants have the right to retain private counsel at any stage of the proceedings. The State Bar of Wisconsin provides a lawyer referral service for those seeking private representation.

Charging Decision:

The Kewaunee County District Attorney's Office reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges, request additional investigation, decline to prosecute, or file different charges. This review occurs within days to weeks of the arrest. For felony offenses, the prosecution may proceed by information following a preliminary hearing or, in some cases, by grand jury indictment.

Arraignment:

At arraignment, the court formally reads the charges and the defendant enters a plea of not guilty, guilty, or no contest. Most defendants enter a not guilty plea at arraignment, and the court sets dates for subsequent proceedings.

Court Process Overview:

The pretrial phase includes discovery, pretrial motions, pretrial conferences, and plea negotiations. Case resolution may occur through dismissal, diversion programs such as drug court or mental health court, a plea agreement, or trial. If the defendant is convicted, a sentencing hearing is scheduled at which the court may impose imprisonment, probation, fines, restitution, community service, treatment requirements, or a combination of these.

Timeline Overview:

Arrest to first appearance: Within 72 hours
First appearance to arraignment: Days to weeks
Arraignment to trial or resolution: Months, varying widely by case complexity
Misdemeanors: Resolved within several months in most cases
Felonies: May take six months to over a year
Right to speedy trial: Guaranteed under the Wisconsin and United States Constitutions

Rights Throughout the Process:

Right to remain silent
Right to an attorney
Right to a speedy trial
Right to confront witnesses
Right to present a defense
Right against self-incrimination
Right to appeal a conviction

Important Contacts:

Kewaunee County Sheriff's Office (Jail)
613 Dodge St
Kewaunee, WI 54216
Phone: (920) 388-7100
Kewaunee County Sheriff's Office

Kewaunee County Clerk of Courts
613 Dodge St
Kewaunee, WI 54216
Phone: (920) 388-7149
Kewaunee County Clerk of Courts

Kewaunee County District Attorney's Office
613 Dodge St
Kewaunee, WI 54216
Phone: (920) 388-7145
Wisconsin District Attorneys

Wisconsin State Public Defender – Northeast Region
200 N. Jefferson St, Suite 204
Green Bay, WI 54301
Phone: (920) 448-5000
Wisconsin State Public Defender

What to Do If You're Arrested:

Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
Do not physically resist arrest
Politely exercise the right to remain silent
Request an attorney immediately and do not waive this right
Do not discuss the case with anyone other than your attorney
Contact family or friends who may assist with bail
Attend all scheduled court dates without exception
Comply with all conditions of bond or release

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Kewaunee County?

Records retention in Kewaunee County is governed by Wisconsin law and the records retention schedules established by the Wisconsin Public Records Board. Agencies are required to maintain records for minimum periods specified in the applicable schedule before authorized destruction may occur.

Arrest Records Retention by Type:

Felony Convictions:

Retention: Permanent
Maintained indefinitely by the Sheriff's Office, Clerk of Courts, the Wisconsin Department of Justice criminal history repository, and the FBI

Misdemeanor Convictions:

Local law enforcement: Permanent or as specified in the applicable retention schedule
Court records: Permanent for most criminal case files
State repository: Permanent

Dismissed Charges:

Local law enforcement: Minimum of seven years under standard retention schedules
Court records: Often permanent
State repository: Retained unless expunged by court order

Acquittals (Not Guilty Verdicts):

Local law enforcement: Minimum of seven years
Court records: Often permanent
May be eligible for expungement under applicable Wisconsin law

Charges Not Filed:

Booking records: Minimum of seven years
Local arrest logs: Retained per agency policy
May be eligible for expungement in appropriate cases

Digital vs. Physical Records:

Physical booking paperwork, fingerprint cards, and photographs are retained for the periods specified in the Wisconsin Public Records Board retention schedules. Digital records maintained in records management systems and court electronic filing systems are often retained permanently. Mugshot databases maintained by third-party commercial entities are not subject to law enforcement retention schedules and may retain records indefinitely.

Retention by Agency:

Sheriff's Office:

Booking records and arrest reports: Minimum of seven years for non-conviction records; permanent for conviction records
Investigative files: Varies by case type and outcome
Phone: (920) 388-7100

Clerk of Court:

Felony case files: Permanent
Misdemeanor case files: Permanent or as specified by the Wisconsin Public Records Board
Electronic records: Permanent

State Repository: The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains the state criminal history repository, which includes arrest and disposition data reported by law enforcement agencies statewide. Members of the public may access their own criminal history through the Wisconsin Online Record Check System. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections maintains offender information for persons under correctional supervision.

FBI Database: The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and the Interstate Identification Index (III) maintain federal records that are accessible to law enforcement nationwide. Federal retention is typically permanent. These records are used for employment background checks, firearms purchases, and other authorized purposes.

Effect of Disposition on Retention:

A conviction results in permanent retention across all major databases. A dismissal may remain in databases unless the record is expunged by court order. Expungement results in sealing of local records and notification to the state repository, though the FBI database may retain a notation. Records for cases in which no charges were filed have the shortest retention periods and may be purged automatically after the applicable retention period expires.

Third-Party Databases:

Commercial background check companies and mugshot websites may retain arrest records indefinitely and are not required to update records when expungement occurs. The FCRA requires consumer reporting agencies to maintain accuracy and provides individuals with dispute rights, but third-party websites that do not qualify as consumer reporting agencies are not subject to the same obligations.

Impact on Background Checks:

Most employment background checks conducted under the FCRA report records from the preceding seven years for positions paying below a certain salary threshold, though convictions may be reported indefinitely. Wisconsin law, under Wis. Stat. § 111.335, prohibits employers from discriminating against applicants solely on the basis of an arrest record that did not result in a conviction.

How to Check Retention Status:

Contact the Kewaunee County Sheriff's Records Division at (920) 388-7100
Submit a written public records request identifying the specific arrest
Fees may apply for copies of responsive records

Lookup Arrest Records in Kewaunee County

Wisconsin court case search – Public access to Wisconsin court records, including cases from the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and circuit courts
Wisconsin Department of Corrections offender information – Search offender records and access information maintained by the Wisconsin DOC
Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS) – Submit criminal background checks and retrieve results online through the Wisconsin DOJ