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  1. Rock County Court
  2. Rock County Arrest Records

Rock County, Wisconsin Arrest Records

Rock County arrest records are papers that document a person's apprehension by police officers. The Rock County Sheriff's Office and local police departments, such as the Janesville Police Department and the Evansville Police Department, are custodians of arrest records. Generally, the Wisconsin Public Records Law classifies arrest documents as public records. Interested persons may view them online or visit the records custodian's office during business hours to obtain copies. Requesters may find arrest information in criminal offender record information. However, they should not mistake arrest records for criminal offender records. Access to criminal offender record information is regulated under WI Stat §165. 

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Rock, Wisconsin?

Yes, Rock County arrest records are public documents. The Wisconsin Public Records Law authorizes law enforcement agencies to release arrest records to individuals upon request. Record seekers do not need to be Rock County residents or submit IDs to access arrest records. However, they may be required to complete a request form or provide sufficient information to help locate the desired record. The law requires record custodians to permit access to arrest records within 48 hours of intent to inspect or copy them. However, record custodians may withhold access to arrest records about juveniles, expunged arrest records, the arrestee's medical records, and any record whose disclosure will compromise an ongoing investigation. 

What Do Public Rock County Arrest Records Contain?

The following arrest information is commonly found in arrest records: 

  • CAD number or ID number 
  • Arrest date and time 
  • Location of arrest 
  • Offense, statute description, and custody status
  • The arrested person's full name, age, sex, and race
  • The name of the arresting agency 

Most arrest information is public under the Wisconsin Public Records Law, but some information is redacted due to privacy concerns. For example, any arrest record containing personal identifiable information whose disclosure will reveal the identity of a confidential informant, endanger a person's life, or endanger the security of Rock County Jail is deemed confidential. 

Rock County,  Wisconsin Arrest Search

The Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) allows members of the public to access arrest records for individuals housed in state prisons. Requesters may commence their search on the Offender Search tool. The search parameters include name, race, birth year, gender, age range, address, DOC number, and offender status. Alternatively, in-person searches may be performed at the DOC's Adult and Juvenile Facilities.

Federal law enforcement agencies also allow citizens to conduct arrest searches online, by mail, or in person at their local offices. For example, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) issues arrest records online through its Inmate Locator and in person at its Facilities scattered across the country. Requesters will need a name or number for the searches. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) also provides arrest records online, by mail, and through approved channelers. However, their records are issued only to the subject for a $18 fee. 

Rock County Inmate Locator

The Rock County Sheriff’s Office maintains an Inmate Locator through a third-party vendor. To locate this portal, go to the Sheriff's Office official page and select jail from the left navigation pane. Then, click the third-party database from the dropdown and click the link on the page. Enter a name or ID number in the search box to search for an inmate. 

Rock County Sheriff's Office

200 East US Highway 14

Janesville, WI 53545

Phone: (608) 757-8000

Active Warrant Search in Rock County

A Rock County arrest warrant is a writ ordering the arrest of a defendant for an alleged crime. According to WI Stat § 968.04, a judge will issue an arrest warrant if it appears from a complaint or an affidavit filed with it that there is probable cause to believe a person has committed an offense. The judge will deliver the warrant to a law enforcement officer for service, and may specify the geographical limits of its enforcement. A Rock County arrest warrant is usually attached to a copy of the complaint, and it must:

  • Be in writing 
  • Be signed by the judge 
  • State the defendant's name if known or a specific description of the person if the defendant's actual name is unknown. 
  • State the name of the alleged crime committed by the defendant, the section charged, and the number of the section. 
  • The issuing date, the name of the issuing judge, and the title of the judge's office. 
  • Command that the defendant be arrested and brought before the judge who issued the warrant. However, the defendant may be brought before another judge in Rock County if the issuing judge is absent. 

The Rock County Sheriff's Office manages warrant information and makes it available to the public in compliance with the Wisconsin Public Records Law. Individuals may inquire about active warrants with the Sheriff's Office Warrant Division by phone at (608) 757-7947 or in person, Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. However, anyone seeking warrant records online may view them through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal. Users must enter a name or case number in the search box. They may enter a birth date or a county to filter the search. 

Agency / Resource

Purpose

Search Methods

Notes

Rock County Sheriff's Office

Maintains and serves warrants

Phone and in person

(608) 757-7947

Rock County Circuit Court 

Issues and maintains warrants 

Online and in person

Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Rock County

The best way to find arrest records for free is online, through law enforcement agencies' databases. For example, the Rock County Sheriff's Office partners with a third-party vendor to issue arrest information online without charges. Users will need to provide a name or ID number for the search. Local police departments, such as the Beloit Police Department, also maintain arrest logs that members of the public may inspect free of charge. No ID is required for these searches. However, free access to arrest records comes with limitations. For example, these online portals only reveal basic information about the arrest. They also exclude older or redacted arrest cases, contain errors, omissions, and incomplete details, and any information obtained from them cannot be used for official purposes. 

Rock County Arrest Report

An arrest report should not be conflated with an arrest record in Rock County. An arrest report is a written document prepared by an officer after an arrest. The report contains detailed information about how, where, when, and why the arrest occurred, the name of the arresting officer, witness reports, and evidence found on the scene. Conversely, arrest records are created when the arrested person is booked into jail. They are summaries of arrests entered into law enforcement agencies' databases. Arrest reports are deemed confidential, while arrest records are usually available to the public. An arrest report may still exist even after an arrest record has been expunged. 

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Rock County

Individuals may get their arrest records expunged in Rock County if they meet certain eligibility criteria and complete their sentences. A person is eligible for expungement only if the court orders it at sentencing, as Wisconsin law does not permit a petition for expungement after sentencing. According to Per WI Stat § 973.015, below are the eligibility requirements for expunging arrest records: 

  • The defendant has completed their sentence 
  • The defendant was under 25 when they committed the offense for which they were arrested.
  • The offense committed by the defendant was a misdemeanor, and Class H and I felonies. 
  • The offense was a violation of WI Stat § 942.08 (2) (b), (c), or (d) or (3), and the person was below 18 when it was committed. 

Anyone who was not sentenced to jail or placed on probation but has completed their sentence, including payment of all court-ordered financial obligations, may submit a Petition to Expunge Court Record of Conviction (Non-Probation/ Non-Incarceration) form to the Rock County Circuit Court to have their records expunged. Those expunging juvenile arrest records must complete the Petition to Expunge Court Record of Adjudication/Recommendation of the District Attorney form. 

Some arrest records are also eligible for expungement at the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ). Petitioners must complete the Wisconsin Fingerprint Record Removal Request (DJ-LE-250B) Form and mail it to the DOJ.

How Do You Remove Rock County Arrest Records From the Internet?

Rock County seeking removal of arrest records should review WI Stat § 973.015 to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria. Afterward, they may submit a petition to the Rock County Circuit Court to have their records expunged. Once an arrest record has been expunged in Rock County, all law enforcement agencies involved in the arrest will be notified of the expungement so they may remove it from their database. Unfortunately, a person's arrest records may still be displayed on third-party platforms even after expungement. Individuals may request that such websites remove them from their database by completing an opt-out request. They may have to submit their expungement order as proof that their arrest record is no longer publicly available.