Eau Claire Public Records /Eau Claire County Criminal Records

Eau Claire County Criminal Records

What Is Eau Claire County Criminal Records

Criminal records in Eau Claire County constitute official documentation of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system within the county's jurisdiction. These records are maintained pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.35, which establishes the framework for public records access in the state.

Criminal records encompass several distinct categories with important legal differences:

Arrest Records vs. Conviction Records: Arrest records document when law enforcement takes a person into custody based on probable cause, while conviction records indicate that a court has found the individual guilty of a criminal offense. Under Wisconsin law, arrest records without subsequent conviction may have different disclosure requirements.
Felony vs. Misdemeanor Records: Felonies represent more serious offenses punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year, while misdemeanors are less severe crimes typically punishable by less than one year of incarceration. Both categories appear in criminal records but carry different legal consequences.
Adult vs. Juvenile Records: Records for individuals 17 and older are generally public in Wisconsin, while juvenile records (under 17) are typically sealed and confidential under Wisconsin Statute § 938.396, with limited exceptions for serious offenses.
Active Warrants vs. Historical Records: Current outstanding warrants represent active court orders for arrest, while historical records document past criminal justice interactions.

Multiple agencies maintain criminal records in Eau Claire County:

Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office
721 Oxford Ave, Suite 1400
Eau Claire, WI 54703
Phone: 715-839-4709
Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office

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

Eau Claire County Clerk of Circuit Court
721 Oxford Avenue, Room 2220
Eau Claire, WI 54703
Phone: 715-839-4816
Clerk of Circuit Court Office

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

Wisconsin Department of Justice - Crime Information Bureau
17 West Main Street
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 608-266-7314
Wisconsin Department of Justice

The state bureau maintains comprehensive criminal history information.

Eau Claire County criminal records typically document the entire criminal justice process, including charges filed, arraignments, plea information, trial proceedings, verdicts, sentencing details, and probation or parole status. These records serve as the official history of an individual's involvement with the criminal justice system in the county.

Are Criminal Records Public In Eau Claire County

Criminal records in Eau Claire County are generally public documents accessible to citizens under Wisconsin's 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 public's right to access court records, noting in Newspapers, Inc. v. Breier that "public records shall be open to inspection with proper and reasonable limitations."

Public criminal records in Eau Claire County typically include:

Adult arrest records
Court proceedings and case files
Conviction records
Sentencing information
Incarceration records
Probation and parole status

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

Active, ongoing criminal investigations
Records sealed by court order
Juvenile records (with limited exceptions for serious offenses)
Expunged records
Records where disclosure would endanger public safety
Records where privacy interests outweigh public interest in disclosure

The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council for Eau Claire County provides oversight regarding criminal justice information management, including policies on record access and confidentiality.

Wisconsin law establishes a presumption of openness, placing the burden on the government to demonstrate why records should be withheld. Pursuant to § 19.35(1)(a), "any requester has a right to inspect any record." However, the statute also recognizes that this right is not absolute, allowing for specific statutory exemptions and the balancing of public interests against potential harm from disclosure.

Law enforcement agencies and courts in Eau Claire County must comply with these statutory requirements while also protecting confidential information as mandated by state and federal laws. The Wisconsin Department of Justice provides guidance to local agencies regarding compliance with public records laws through its Office of Open Government.

How To Look Up Criminal Records In Eau Claire County in 2026

Members of the public seeking criminal records in Eau Claire County may utilize several methods to access this information. The county maintains multiple access points for criminal record searches, each providing different types of information.

For in-person requests at the courthouse:

Visit the Eau Claire County Clerk of Circuit Court office during regular business hours.
Complete a records request form, specifying the information sought (case number, defendant name, date range).
Present valid government-issued photo identification.
Pay applicable fees for copies if required (viewing records is typically free).
Allow staff time to retrieve the requested records.

Eau Claire County Clerk of Circuit Court
721 Oxford Avenue, Room 2220
Eau Claire, WI 54703
Phone: 715-839-4816
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Clerk of Circuit Court Office

For mail requests:

Submit a written request to the Clerk of Circuit Court office.
Include specific information about the records sought.
Provide contact information and return address.
Enclose payment for applicable fees (check or money order).
Allow 5-10 business days for processing.

For current inmate information:

Contact the Eau Claire County Jail or visit their website.
Provide the name of the individual in question.
Receive basic custody status and booking information.

Eau Claire County Jail
710 Second Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54703
Phone: 715-839-4702
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Inmate Listing

For comprehensive criminal history reports:

Submit a request to the Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau.
Complete the required forms with subject's identifying information.
Pay the statutory fee ($7 per name-based search).
Provide fingerprints for a complete criminal history (additional fees apply).
Allow 7-10 business days for processing.

Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 165.82, the Department of Justice is authorized to provide criminal history information to the public with appropriate fees and procedures.

Requestors should note that certain records may require court orders or additional authorization for release, particularly sealed or expunged records. Additionally, record searches may require specific identifying information such as full name, date of birth, or case numbers to ensure accurate results.

How To Find Criminal Records in Eau Claire County Online?

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

The primary online resource for court records is the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system, commonly known as CCAP:

Navigate to the Wisconsin Court System case search portal.
Select "Circuit Court Access" from the available options.
Accept the terms and conditions of use.
Search by name, case number, or citation number.
Narrow results by county (select Eau Claire) and case type (criminal, traffic, etc.).
Review case summaries, which include charges, court dates, judgments, and sentencing information.

The WCCA system provides case information for all 72 Wisconsin counties, including Eau Claire, pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72. However, users should note that this system does not include:

Juvenile cases
Sealed or expunged records
Detailed court documents (pleadings, transcripts)
Complete criminal history reports

For current jail population information:

Visit the Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office inmate listing.
Search by name to locate current inmates.
View booking information, charges, and custody status.
Note that this system only displays currently incarcerated individuals.

For property foreclosure records related to criminal proceedings:

Access the Eau Claire County Sheriff's foreclosures page.
Review current foreclosure listings and sale information.
Note that this resource specifically pertains to property foreclosures, not general criminal records.

For comprehensive criminal history reports:

Visit the Wisconsin Department of Justice's Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS).
Create a user account if not already registered.
Submit payment for each name-based search ($7 per search).
Receive results electronically, typically within minutes for name-based searches.

Users should be aware that online systems may have limitations:

Records prior to certain dates may not be digitized
Some sensitive information may be redacted
Complete case files typically require in-person requests
Registration may be required for certain systems
Fees may apply for comprehensive searches or document copies

The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains these online systems in accordance with Wisconsin Statute § 165.827, which authorizes electronic access to criminal history information with appropriate safeguards.

Can You Search Eau Claire County Criminal Records for Free?

Wisconsin law establishes the public's right to inspect government records at no cost, though fees may apply for copies or certain specialized searches. Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(3)(a), "An authority may impose a fee upon the requester of a copy of a record which may not exceed the actual, necessary and direct cost of reproduction and transcription of the record."

Free inspection options in Eau Claire County include:

In-Person Court Record Review: Members of the public may visit the Eau Claire County Courthouse during regular business hours to view non-confidential court records at no charge. Computer terminals are available for public use to access the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system.

Eau Claire County Courthouse
721 Oxford Avenue
Eau Claire, WI 54703
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA/CCAP): This free online portal provides case information for all Wisconsin counties, including Eau Claire. Users can search by name, case number, or citation number without any fees.
Eau Claire County Sheriff's Inmate Listing: The Sheriff's Office maintains a free online inmate roster showing currently incarcerated individuals, their charges, and booking information.
Public Library Access: The L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library provides free public computer access where residents can search the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access system at no charge.

L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library
400 Eau Claire Street
Eau Claire, WI 54701
Phone: 715-839-5004

While inspection is free, fees may apply for:

Printed copies of court documents ($1.25 per page for regular copies)
Certified copies of court documents ($5.00 per document plus copy fees)
Comprehensive criminal history reports from the Wisconsin Department of Justice ($7.00 per name-based search)
Staff research time for extensive or complex record searches
Specialized record searches requiring additional resources

The Wisconsin Department of Administration has established guidelines for reasonable fees under Wisconsin Administrative Code § Adm 12, which local agencies must follow when charging for records. These regulations ensure that while basic inspection remains free, agencies may recover actual costs for reproduction and certain specialized services.

What's Included in a Eau Claire County Criminal Record?

Criminal records in Eau Claire County contain comprehensive documentation of 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 and age
Physical description (height, weight, eye/hair color, identifying marks)
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Last known address
State Identification Number (SID)
FBI number (if applicable)
Fingerprint classification

Arrest Information:

Date and time of arrest
Arresting agency and officer information
Booking number and facility
Charges filed at arrest
Bail or bond amount
Detention facility information
Arrest circumstances summary

Court Case Information:

Case number and filing date
Court of jurisdiction (Circuit Court branch)
Judge assigned to the case
Charges filed by the prosecutor with Wisconsin statute citations
Classification of charges (felony class A-I or misdemeanor class A-C)
Plea information
Attorney representation details
Court appearance dates
Pretrial motions and rulings

Disposition and Sentencing:

Verdict or case outcome
Conviction date (if applicable)
Sentencing details including:
- Incarceration length and facility
- Probation terms and conditions
- Fines and court costs
- Restitution orders
- Community service requirements
- Treatment program mandates
Appeal information (if applicable)
Probation/parole status and violations

Additional Information:

Active warrants or detainers
Protective or restraining orders
Sex offender registration requirements
DUI/OWI offense details
Traffic violations connected to criminal cases
Pending charges in other jurisdictions
Prior criminal history summary

The Eau Claire County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council oversees the integration of criminal justice information systems within the county, ensuring accurate record-keeping across agencies.

Criminal records are maintained in accordance with Wisconsin's record retention schedules and may include information from multiple sources, including the Sheriff's Office, Clerk of Courts, District Attorney's Office, and Wisconsin Department of Corrections. The comprehensiveness of records may vary based on the age of the case and the specific agencies involved.

How Long Does Eau Claire County Keep Criminal Records?

Eau Claire County maintains criminal records according to Wisconsin's public records retention requirements, which establish minimum timeframes for preserving various document types. The Wisconsin Public Records Board establishes these schedules pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 16.61, which governs records management for state and local agencies.

Criminal record retention periods in Eau Claire County typically follow these guidelines:

Felony Case Files: Retained for 75 years from the date of filing. Cases involving homicide or sexual assault are retained permanently.
Misdemeanor Case Files: Maintained for 20 years from the date of filing.
Criminal Traffic Cases: Kept for 20 years from the date of filing.
Arrest Records (without charges): Generally retained for 7 years from the date of arrest.
Jail Records: Booking and custody records are typically maintained for 7 years after release.
Court Recordings and Transcripts: Digital recordings of court proceedings are preserved for 10 years after the final judgment. Written transcripts may be retained longer.
Probation and Parole Records: Maintained for 7 years after discharge from supervision.
Search Warrants and Related Documents: Retained for 7 years after execution or expiration.
Criminal Investigation Files: Major case files are typically retained for 75 years; other investigations for 10 years after case closure.

The Wisconsin Circuit Court system maintains electronic case information indefinitely through the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system, even after physical records may have been destroyed according to retention schedules.

The Wisconsin Department of Administration's Public Records Board periodically reviews and updates retention schedules to ensure they meet current legal and administrative requirements. Local agencies, including Eau Claire County departments, must adhere to these minimum retention periods but may choose to retain records longer based on administrative needs or historical value.

Criminal history information maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Justice's Crime Information Bureau is generally retained permanently, providing a comprehensive record of an individual's criminal history throughout the state regardless of local record retention practices.

Records that have met their retention period may be destroyed in accordance with Wisconsin Administrative Code ADM 12.05, which establishes procedures for the proper disposition of public records.

Lookup Criminal Records in Eau Claire County

Eau Claire County Sheriff's Office

Inmate Information System

Sheriff's Foreclosure Records

Wisconsin Court System Case Search

Eau Claire County Clerk of Courts

Criminal Justice Coordinating Council

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