Dunn County Public Records / Dunn County Arrest Records

Dunn County Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Dunn County

Arrest records in Dunn County, Wisconsin, are generally considered public records under state law. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35, members of the public possess the right to inspect and copy records maintained by government agencies, including law enforcement records such as arrest logs, booking reports, and incident reports. The Wisconsin Public Records Law establishes a strong presumption in favor of public access, placing the burden on the custodial agency to demonstrate a specific legal basis for withholding any requested record.

It is important to distinguish between an arrest record and a conviction record. An arrest record documents the act of being taken into custody by law enforcement and does not indicate guilt or a criminal conviction. A conviction record, by contrast, reflects a formal finding of guilt following judicial proceedings. Under Wisconsin law, an individual may have an arrest record without any corresponding conviction if charges were dismissed, not filed, or if the person was acquitted at trial. This distinction carries significant legal weight, particularly in employment and housing contexts, where Wisconsin's Wis. Stat. § 111.335 limits the circumstances under which an employer may consider an arrest record that did not result in a conviction.

Certain arrest records may be withheld from public disclosure when release would compromise an ongoing investigation, endanger a confidential informant, or otherwise conflict with a specific statutory exemption. The Dunn County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary custodian of arrest records generated by county law enforcement operations.

What's in Dunn County Arrest Records

Dunn County arrest records contain a standardized set of data fields compiled at the time of booking and throughout the custodial process. The specific contents of a given record may vary depending on the arresting agency and the nature of the incident.

Arrestee Identifying Information:

Full legal name and any known aliases
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Physical descriptors including height, weight, hair color, and eye color
Race and gender
Last known residential address

Arrest Details:

Date, time, and location of arrest
Name and badge number of the arresting officer
Arresting agency (e.g., Dunn County Sheriff's Office, Menomonie Police Department)
Incident or case report number

Charge Information:

Specific criminal statutes alleged to have been violated
Classification of each charge (felony, misdemeanor, or ordinance violation)
Number of counts per charge

Warrant Information (if applicable):

Warrant number and issuing court
Jurisdiction of the originating warrant
Date of warrant issuance

Booking Information:

Date and time of booking at the Dunn County Jail
Assigned booking or inmate identification number
Booking officer information

Bond/Bail Information:

Type of bond set (cash, signature, or surety)
Bond amount as determined by the court or initial appearance commissioner
Bond conditions imposed

Court Information:

Scheduled court appearance dates
Assigned circuit court branch
Case number assigned by the Dunn County Clerk of Courts

Custody Status:

Current housing status within the facility
Release date and method of release, if applicable
Transfer information if the individual has been moved to another facility

Additional Information May Include:

Photographs (booking photographs/mugshots)
Fingerprint records forwarded to the Wisconsin Department of Justice
Prior criminal history references
Detainer or hold information from other jurisdictions

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Dunn County in 2026

Members of the public seeking arrest records in Dunn County may pursue several official channels. Requests should be submitted in writing to the appropriate custodial agency, identifying the subject of the record with as much specificity as possible, including full name and approximate date of arrest.

Dunn County Sheriff's Office: Submit a written public records request by mail, in person, or via email to shf@co.dunn.wi.us. The office processes requests pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35 and responds within a reasonable time. Fees may apply for reproduction of records.
Dunn County Clerk of Courts: Court records associated with criminal cases, including charging documents and disposition records, are available through the Clerk of Courts office. Requests may be submitted in person during public counter hours.
Wisconsin Court System Online Case Search: Members of the public may conduct a statewide Wisconsin court case search to locate circuit court records associated with a named individual.
Wisconsin Department of Justice: Statewide criminal history records are accessible through the Wisconsin Department of Justice criminal background check portal.

Dunn County Sheriff's Office 615 Stokke Pkwy, Menomonie, WI 54751 (715) 232-1348 (Non-Emergency Dispatch) | Toll-Free: (800) 459-2939 Dunn County Sheriff's Office

Dunn County Clerk of Courts 615 Stokke Pkwy, Menomonie, WI 54751 (715) 232-1228 Public Counter Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Clerk of Courts – Dunn County

Dunn County Jail 615 Stokke Pkwy, Menomonie, WI 54751 (715) 232-1348 Dunn County Jail

How To Find Dunn County Arrest Records Online

Several official online platforms currently provide access to Dunn County arrest and custody information without requiring an in-person visit.

Current Inmate Listing: The Dunn County government website maintains a current inmate roster that lists individuals presently held at the Dunn County Jail. This listing is updated regularly and includes basic identifying and charge information.
Wisconsin Court System Case Search: The Wisconsin Court System's public case search portal allows users to search by name, case number, or citation number across all Wisconsin circuit courts, including Dunn County Circuit Court. Results include case type, filing date, charges, and disposition.
Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS): The Wisconsin Online Record Check System administered by the Wisconsin Department of Justice enables individuals and organizations to submit criminal background check requests and retrieve results electronically. This system reflects statewide criminal history data compiled from law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin.
Wisconsin Department of Corrections Offender Locator: The Wisconsin Department of Corrections maintains an online offender locator tool for individuals currently under DOC supervision, including those on probation, parole, or extended supervision.

How To Search Dunn County Arrest Records for Free?

Several no-cost methods are currently available for members of the public to access Dunn County arrest information.

Dunn County Inmate Roster: The county's publicly accessible inmate listing is available at no charge on the official Dunn County website and provides current custody information.
Wisconsin Court System Case Search: The Wisconsin court case search portal is free to use and provides access to circuit court records statewide, including criminal case filings in Dunn County.
In-Person Inspection at the Clerk of Courts: Under Wis. Stat. § 19.35, members of the public have the right to inspect public records at no cost. Fees are only assessed when copies are requested. Individuals may visit the Dunn County Clerk of Courts during public counter hours to review court records without charge.
Sheriff's Office Public Records Inspection: Similarly, members of the public may inspect arrest logs and incident reports at the Dunn County Sheriff's Office without incurring a fee, provided no copies are requested.
WORCS Free Name-Based Search: The Wisconsin Online Record Check System offers a no-cost name-based search option for general public inquiries, though certified background check reports carry a nominal fee.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Dunn County

Wisconsin law provides two primary legal mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records: expungement and sealing. These remedies are distinct in their scope and eligibility requirements.

Expungement refers to the legal erasure or destruction of a criminal record, effectively removing it from public view and, in some cases, from official databases. Under Wis. Stat. § 973.015, Wisconsin courts may expunge a record of conviction under specific circumstances, including when the offender was under the age of 25 at the time of the offense, the offense was a misdemeanor or certain felonies, the individual successfully completed their sentence, and expungement was ordered by the sentencing court at the time of sentencing. Notably, Wisconsin's expungement statute requires that the court order expungement at sentencing — it cannot generally be sought after the fact.

Sealing restricts public access to a record without physically destroying it. Sealed records remain accessible to law enforcement and certain authorized agencies but are not available to the general public.

Arrest records for cases that were dismissed, not prosecuted, or resulted in acquittal may be subject to removal from public databases upon petition. Individuals seeking expungement or record sealing in Dunn County should:

Confirm eligibility under Wis. Stat. § 973.015 or applicable municipal ordinance provisions.
File a petition with the Dunn County Circuit Court through the Clerk of Courts office.
Serve notice on the District Attorney's office as required by court rules.
Attend any scheduled hearing before the assigned circuit court judge.
Upon a favorable order, provide certified copies of the expungement order to all relevant agencies, including the Wisconsin Department of Justice and the Dunn County Sheriff's Office.

Individuals with questions regarding eligibility are encouraged to consult a licensed Wisconsin attorney or contact the State Public Defender's office.

What Happens After Arrest in Dunn County?

The criminal justice process in Dunn County follows a structured sequence of events from the point of arrest through final case disposition.

Arrest and Booking: Following a lawful arrest, the individual is transported to the Dunn County Jail for booking. Booking involves recording personal information, photographing, fingerprinting, and inventorying personal property.
Initial Appearance: Within 48 hours of arrest (or sooner for in-custody defendants), the individual appears before a court commissioner or circuit court judge. At this stage, the court reviews probable cause, informs the defendant of the charges, and sets bond conditions.
Preliminary Hearing or Grand Jury (Felony Cases): For felony charges, a preliminary hearing is held to determine whether probable cause exists to bind the case over for trial.
Arraignment: The defendant enters a formal plea — guilty, not guilty, or no contest — before the assigned circuit court judge.
Pre-Trial Proceedings: Both parties engage in discovery, motion practice, and potential plea negotiations. The Dunn County Circuit Court manages scheduling through the Clerk of Courts office.
Trial or Plea Disposition: Cases are resolved either through a negotiated plea agreement or a jury or bench trial.
Sentencing: Upon conviction, the court imposes a sentence, which may include incarceration, probation, fines, or community service. Individuals sentenced to state prison are transferred to the custody of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.
Appeals: Convicted individuals retain the right to appeal to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals and, subsequently, the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Dunn County?

Arrest record retention in Dunn County is governed by state-mandated schedules applicable to Wisconsin law enforcement and court agencies. Under the Wisconsin Public Records Board's General Records Schedule for Law Enforcement Agencies, arrest records and associated documentation are subject to specific minimum retention periods that vary by record type and case outcome.

Arrest and booking records for cases resulting in conviction are generally retained for a minimum of seven years following the completion of the sentence, with many agencies retaining such records permanently.
Arrest records for cases not resulting in conviction — including dismissed charges and acquittals — are typically retained for a minimum of seven years from the date of arrest, though the Wisconsin Public Records Board may authorize longer retention periods.
Fingerprint records submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Justice are maintained in the statewide criminal history repository indefinitely unless expunged by court order.
Court records maintained by the Dunn County Clerk of Courts are subject to the Wisconsin Supreme Court's records retention schedule, which mandates permanent retention for felony case files and varying periods for misdemeanor and ordinance violation cases.

Different agencies within the county — including the Sheriff's Office, the Clerk of Courts, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice — maintain independent record sets and are each subject to their respective retention obligations. Records retention serves the dual purpose of preserving evidence for potential future proceedings and maintaining accountability within the criminal justice system. The Dunn County Emergency Communications center also retains dispatch logs and related communications records in accordance with applicable state schedules.

How to Find Mugshots in Dunn County

What Mugshots Are A mugshot is a standardized photographic image taken by law enforcement at the time of booking. Mugshots are captured as part of the routine booking process at the Dunn County Jail and serve as an official record of an individual's appearance at the time of arrest.

Where Mugshots Are Maintained Booking photographs are maintained by the Dunn County Sheriff's Office and the Dunn County Jail. Copies are also forwarded to the Wisconsin Department of Justice as part of the statewide criminal history record.

Finding Mugshots Members of the public may request booking photographs through a written public records request submitted to the Dunn County Sheriff's Office. Requests should identify the subject by full name and approximate date of arrest.

Can They Be Found Online The Dunn County government website does not currently publish booking photographs as part of its publicly accessible inmate roster. The current inmate listing provides custody and charge information but does not include photographs. Third-party websites may republish booking photographs obtained from public records, though such sites are not affiliated with or endorsed by Dunn County government.

Obtaining Mugshots Officially To obtain a booking photograph through official channels, submit a written public records request to:

Dunn County Sheriff's Office 615 Stokke Pkwy, Menomonie, WI 54751 (715) 232-1348 (Non-Emergency) | Toll-Free: (800) 459-2939 Email: shf@co.dunn.wi.us Dunn County Sheriff's Office

Restrictions on Mugshot Access Booking photographs associated with juvenile arrests are confidential under Wisconsin law and are not subject to public disclosure. Additionally, photographs related to ongoing investigations may be withheld pursuant to the law enforcement investigative records exemption under Wis. Stat. § 19.36(10). Individuals who have obtained an expungement order may petition the Sheriff's Office to remove associated booking photographs from publicly accessible records.