Brown County Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Brown County
Arrest records in Brown County, Wisconsin are considered public information pursuant to Wisconsin's Open Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes the presumption that all government records, including arrest records, are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. Members of the public may request and obtain arrest records maintained by the Brown County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies within the county.
The public nature of these records serves several governmental purposes:
- Promotes transparency in law enforcement operations
- Enables public oversight of governmental functions
- Facilitates public safety awareness
- Supports the constitutional right to information about governmental proceedings
Certain exceptions to public disclosure may apply in specific circumstances, such as:
- Ongoing investigations where disclosure would impede law enforcement efforts
- Juvenile records (subject to restrictions under Wis. Stat. § 938.396)
- Records containing sensitive personal information where privacy interests outweigh public interest
- Records sealed by court order
The custodian of arrest records in Brown County is primarily the Brown County Sheriff's Office, which maintains booking information, arrest reports, and related documentation. These records may be requested in person, by mail, or through designated online platforms.
Brown County Sheriff's Office 2684 Development Drive Green Bay, WI 54311 Phone: (920) 448-4200 Brown County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (excluding holidays)
What's in Brown County Arrest Records
Brown County arrest records contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement during and following an arrest. These records typically include several categories of information that serve both administrative and legal purposes.
Standard information contained in Brown County arrest records includes:
- Biographical data of the arrested individual (full legal name, date of birth, address, physical description)
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Criminal charges filed at the time of arrest (including Wisconsin statute references)
- Booking photographs ("mugshots")
- Fingerprint records
- Detention information, including bail or bond amounts
- Case disposition information (if available)
- Court appearance dates
Additional documentation that may be included in comprehensive arrest records:
- Incident reports describing the circumstances of the arrest
- Officer narratives and witness statements
- Property and evidence inventories
- Medical screening information (with certain privacy protections)
- Criminal history information
Pursuant to Wisconsin Administrative Code § DOC 332.17, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of arrest records, including:
- Social Security numbers
- Driver's license numbers
- Medical information protected under HIPAA
- Information about confidential informants
- Juvenile information
- Victim information in sensitive cases
The Brown County Clerk of Courts maintains related court records that often complement arrest records with case progression information.
Brown County Clerk of Courts 100 S. Jefferson Street Green Bay, WI 54301 Phone: (920) 448-4160 Brown County Circuit Court
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (excluding holidays)
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Brown County in 2025
Brown County provides multiple methods for accessing arrest records, with procedures designed to balance public access with administrative efficiency. Individuals seeking arrest records may utilize the following official channels:
The primary methods for obtaining arrest records in Brown County include:
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Online inmate lookup tool: The Brown County Jail Inmate Lookup Tool provides real-time information about currently incarcerated individuals, including arrest date, charges, and bond information.
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In-person requests: Members of the public may visit the Brown County Sheriff's Office Records Division to submit formal requests for arrest records.
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Written requests: Standard mail requests must include the subject's full name, date of birth, approximate date of arrest, and the requestor's contact information.
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Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA): Court records related to arrests can be accessed through the Wisconsin Court System Case Search portal, which includes Brown County cases.
To submit a formal records request, individuals must:
- Complete the Brown County Sheriff's Office Records Request Form
- Provide proper identification (government-issued photo ID)
- Pay applicable fees (currently $0.25 per page for photocopies, $5.00 for certified copies)
- Allow 5-10 business days for processing (complex requests may require additional time)
For expedited service, requestors are advised to provide as much specific information as possible, including:
- Full legal name of the subject (including aliases)
- Date of birth
- Approximate date of arrest
- Case or incident number (if known)
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(4)(a), the records custodian must respond to requests "as soon as practicable and without delay." Complex requests may require additional processing time.
How To Find Brown County Arrest Records Online
Brown County offers several digital resources for accessing arrest records through official government websites. These online platforms provide convenient access to public information while maintaining compliance with Wisconsin public records laws.
The following online resources are available for accessing Brown County arrest records:
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Brown County Jail Inmate Lookup Tool: This official county database provides current information on individuals in custody, including arrest date, charges, and bond information. The system is updated daily and includes only active inmates.
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Wisconsin Circuit Court Access: This statewide portal, commonly known as CCAP, provides access to court records related to arrests in Brown County. Users can search by name to locate case information, including charges, court dates, and case dispositions.
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City of Green Bay Court Records: For arrests resulting in municipal court proceedings within Green Bay, this portal provides access to citation and warrant information.
When conducting online searches, users should note:
- Name searches require exact spelling or appropriate wildcards
- Date of birth information improves search accuracy
- Case status filters can help narrow results
- Document access may be limited for certain case types
- Some records may require in-person requests for full documentation
The Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. § 19.35) establishes that electronic records are subject to the same disclosure requirements as paper records. However, agencies are not required to create new records or compile data in response to requests.
For technical assistance with online record searches, users may contact:
Brown County Information Services 305 E. Walnut Street Green Bay, WI 54301 Phone: (920) 448-4030 Brown County Government
Support Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (excluding holidays)
Can You Search Brown County Arrest Records for Free?
Brown County provides several no-cost options for accessing basic arrest record information, though certain comprehensive records may incur fees. Wisconsin's Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3)) permits agencies to charge only the "actual, necessary and direct cost" of reproduction and location of records.
Free access options for Brown County arrest records include:
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Brown County Jail Inmate Lookup Tool: This online database provides current inmate information at no cost, including booking date, charges, and custody status.
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Wisconsin Circuit Court Access: This statewide court records portal offers free public access to case information, including criminal cases stemming from arrests in Brown County.
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Public terminals: Computer terminals available at the Brown County Courthouse and Sheriff's Office provide free on-site access to certain public records databases.
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Wisconsin State Law Library resources: Legal research resources specific to Brown County are available through this portal at no cost.
Fees may apply in the following circumstances:
- Paper copies of arrest records: $0.25 per page (standard fee)
- Certified copies: $5.00 per document
- Records requiring extensive redaction or staff time: Location fees may apply when exceeding $50 in staff time (Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3)(c))
- Specialized reports or data compilations: Fees vary based on complexity
Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances:
- Public interest requests from news media
- Academic research with institutional approval
- Indigent requestors (documentation required)
- Requests from government agencies for official purposes
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3)(f), prepayment may be required for requests where fees are expected to exceed $5.00.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Brown County
The process for removing or sealing arrest records in Brown County follows Wisconsin state law, which provides limited circumstances under which records may be expunged or sealed. Expungement is governed primarily by Wis. Stat. § 973.015, which establishes specific eligibility criteria.
Eligible individuals may pursue the following legal remedies:
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Expungement: Available only for certain offenses committed before age 25, where the maximum period of imprisonment is 6 years or less, and the court ordered expungement at sentencing.
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Record sealing: In limited circumstances, court records may be sealed by judicial order when statutory requirements are met.
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Removal from online databases: Certain administrative processes exist for requesting removal from specific public-facing databases.
The standard procedure for seeking expungement includes:
- Determining eligibility under Wis. Stat. § 973.015
- Filing a Petition for Expungement with the Brown County Circuit Court
- Paying applicable filing fees (currently $200, with fee waiver options available for indigent petitioners)
- Attending scheduled court hearings
- If granted, ensuring compliance with all court-ordered conditions
Important limitations to note:
- Wisconsin law does not permit expungement of arrest records solely on the basis of non-conviction
- Records maintained by federal agencies are not subject to state expungement orders
- Private companies that have previously obtained records may not be required to remove them
- Expunged records may still be accessible to law enforcement agencies
Legal assistance for expungement matters is available through:
State Public Defender's Office - Green Bay 210 East Walnut Street, Suite 270 Green Bay, WI 54301 Phone: (920) 448-3200 Wisconsin State Public Defender
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (excluding holidays)
What Happens After Arrest in Brown County?
Following an arrest in Brown County, individuals enter a structured legal process governed by Wisconsin statutes and local procedures. This process includes several key stages that determine how arrest records are generated and maintained.
The standard post-arrest procedure in Brown County includes:
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Booking: Arrestees are processed at the Brown County Jail, where biographical information is recorded, photographs and fingerprints are taken, and personal property is inventoried. This information becomes part of the arrest record.
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Initial appearance: Within 48 hours of arrest (excluding weekends and holidays), arrestees appear before a judge who informs them of charges, sets bail conditions, and determines probable cause pursuant to Wisconsin Criminal Procedure Code § 970.01.
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Bail determination: The court establishes bail conditions based on factors including flight risk, public safety concerns, and severity of charges. This information is documented in court records.
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Charging decision: The Brown County District Attorney's Office reviews arrest information to determine formal charges, which may differ from initial arrest charges. This decision typically occurs within 72 hours for in-custody defendants.
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Preliminary hearing: For felony cases, a preliminary hearing must be held within 10 days for in-custody defendants or 20 days for out-of-custody defendants (Wis. Stat. § 970.03).
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Arraignment: Defendants enter formal pleas to charges, generating additional court records linked to the arrest.
Throughout this process, multiple records are generated by various agencies:
- Law enforcement records (arrest reports, booking information)
- Court records (appearance documents, bail determinations)
- Prosecution records (charging documents, evidence logs)
- Corrections records (custody information, classification data)
These records become accessible through different systems based on the stage of proceedings and the maintaining agency.
Brown County District Attorney's Office 300 E. Walnut Street Green Bay, WI 54301 Phone: (920) 448-4190 Brown County District Attorney
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (excluding holidays)
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Brown County?
Arrest records in Brown County are maintained according to Wisconsin's public records retention schedules, which establish minimum retention periods for various categories of government records. These schedules are authorized under Wis. Stat. § 16.61 and administered by the Wisconsin Public Records Board.
Standard retention periods for arrest-related records in Brown County include:
- Arrest reports: Minimum 7-year retention, with permanent retention for felony arrests
- Booking photographs: Minimum 7-year retention
- Fingerprint cards: Permanent retention (copies forwarded to state and federal repositories)
- Incident reports: 7-year minimum retention
- Investigation files: 7-year minimum retention after case closure for misdemeanors; 50-year minimum for felonies
- Court records: 20-year minimum retention for misdemeanors; 75-year minimum for felonies
Factors affecting retention periods include:
- Severity of alleged offense (felony vs. misdemeanor)
- Case disposition (conviction, dismissal, acquittal)
- Statutory requirements for specific offense types
- Court orders regarding record preservation
- Administrative policies of individual agencies
Digital records are subject to the same retention requirements as paper records, though the storage medium may differ. The Brown County Sheriff's Office maintains electronic records management systems that preserve digital arrest information according to established schedules.
Records that have met retention requirements may be destroyed pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(5), provided proper destruction notices are filed with the Wisconsin Historical Society. However, many law enforcement agencies maintain records beyond minimum requirements for administrative and investigative purposes.
For questions regarding specific record retention policies:
Brown County Records Management 305 E. Walnut Street Green Bay, WI 54301 Phone: (920) 448-4040 Brown County Government
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (excluding holidays)
How to Find Mugshots in Brown County
Booking photographs, commonly known as mugshots, are considered public records in Brown County under Wisconsin's Open Records Law. These photographs are taken during the booking process and become part of the official arrest record maintained by law enforcement agencies.
Methods for obtaining mugshots in Brown County include:
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Online inmate database: Current inmate mugshots may be viewed through the Brown County Jail Inmate Lookup Tool. This database is updated regularly and includes photographs of individuals currently in custody.
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Records request: Formal requests for mugshots, including those from past arrests, may be submitted to the Brown County Sheriff's Office Records Division. Standard public records request procedures apply.
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Media resources: Local news outlets may publish mugshots of individuals arrested for serious offenses or in cases of public interest.
When requesting mugshots, individuals should provide:
- Full legal name of the subject
- Date of birth (if known)
- Approximate date of arrest
- Case number (if available)
Important considerations regarding mugshot access:
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Privacy balancing test: In some cases, the records custodian may apply a balancing test weighing public interest against privacy concerns, particularly for older arrests or cases that did not result in charges.
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Commercial use restrictions: Wisconsin law does not specifically restrict commercial use of mugshots, but ethical considerations may apply.
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Juvenile records: Mugshots of juvenile arrestees (under 17) are generally not public records unless the juvenile was waived to adult court.
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Expunged records: If a case has been expunged pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 973.015, associated mugshots may no longer be accessible through official channels.
Requests for mugshots may be submitted in person or by mail to:
Brown County Sheriff's Office - Records Division 2684 Development Drive Green Bay, WI 54311 Phone: (920) 448-4229 Brown County Sheriff's Office
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (excluding holidays)
Lookup Arrest Records in Brown County
Brown County Jail Inmate Lookup Tool
Brown County Sheriff's Office Records
Wisconsin Court System Case Search
Green Bay Municipal Court Records