Yes, warrant records are public in Forest County, Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Open Records Law (Wis. Stat. § 19.31-19.39) ensures that members of the public have access to records maintained by government entities, including law enforcement agencies. This transparency is intended to promote accountability and allow citizens to be informed about governmental actions.
In Forest County, warrants are considered public records because they are issued by judicial authorities and involve the execution of law enforcement duties. As such, these documents are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law or sealed by court order. The Forest County Sheriff's Office maintains these records and makes them available through various means, including a regularly updated warrant list.
Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 59.20, county officials are required to maintain accurate records of all official actions, including the issuance of warrants. These records must be made available for public inspection during regular business hours, subject to reasonable restrictions to protect the records and ensure efficient operations.
Warrant records in Forest County typically include the following information:
The Forest County warrant records do not typically include personal identifying information such as Social Security numbers, dates of birth, or driver's license numbers, in accordance with privacy protections under Wisconsin Statute § 19.36(10).
Free searches of warrant records are available in Forest County. Methods to conduct a search include:
Visiting the Forest County Sheriff's Office in person at: Forest County Sheriff's Office 200 E Madison Street Crandon, WI 54520 Phone: (715) 478-3331 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Contacting the Forest County Clerk of Court at: Forest County Clerk of Court 200 E Madison Street, Room 107 Crandon, WI 54520 Phone: (715) 478-2144 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Utilizing public access terminals at the courthouse to search the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access database
Reviewing the current warrant list published on the Forest County website, which is updated regularly
Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 66.0141, no fees may be charged for the first request for inspection of public records by a requester. However, fees may apply for copies or extensive searches as permitted under Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3).
Sheriff Warrants in Forest County are documents issued by the court that authorize the Sheriff's Department to perform specific actions, such as arrests or searches. These warrants typically contain details such as the individual's name, the alleged offense, and directives for carrying out the warrant. They serve as an official order for law enforcement to act in accordance with judicial decisions.
The Forest County Sheriff's Office maintains a comprehensive database of active warrants and publishes a current warrant list on their official website. This list is regularly updated to reflect the most current information available regarding outstanding warrants in the county.
Types of warrants issued in Forest County include:
The execution of warrants in Forest County is governed by Wisconsin Statute § 968.04 for criminal warrants and § 968.12 for search warrants, which outline the procedures and requirements for their issuance and execution.
To get information on whether you have a warrant in Forest County in 2025, several methods are available. Warrant records can be accessed online through authorized databases. Other options include:
Visiting the Forest County Sheriff's Office in person at: Forest County Sheriff's Office 200 E Madison Street Crandon, WI 54520 Phone: (715) 478-3331 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Calling the Forest County Clerk of Court at (715) 478-2144
Checking public access computers at the local courthouse to access the Wisconsin Court System database
Inquiring through legal counsel or a public defender's office
Reviewing the Forest County Information portal for updated warrant lists
Individuals may also utilize the Wisconsin Statewide VINE (Victim Information and Notification Everyday) system, which provides information regarding custody status and criminal case information. This service is accessible through the Forest County Sheriff's Office website.
A search for Outstanding Warrants is available in Forest County. Methods to perform this search include:
Contacting the Forest County Sheriff's Department at: Forest County Sheriff's Office 200 E Madison Street Crandon, WI 54520 Phone: (715) 478-3331 Official Website
Visiting the Forest County Courthouse at: Forest County Courthouse 200 E Madison Street Crandon, WI 54520 Phone: (715) 478-3344 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Utilizing the Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal, which provides public access to court records from all 72 Wisconsin counties
Reviewing the regularly updated warrant list published by the Forest County Sheriff's Office
Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.35, public records requests must be fulfilled "as soon as practicable and without delay." The Forest County Sheriff's Office typically responds to warrant inquiries within 1-3 business days, depending on the volume of requests and available staffing.