Warrants are public records in Onalaska, Wisconsin, pursuant to Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This legislation establishes the presumption that all government records, including warrant information, are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld that public records laws shall be construed in every instance with a presumption of complete public access.
The La Crosse County Sheriff's Office maintains warrant records for Onalaska and surrounding jurisdictions. These records typically become available to the public once they have been executed or after the conclusion of any sensitive investigation where premature disclosure might compromise public safety or investigative integrity.
Certain warrant information may be temporarily sealed by judicial order, particularly in cases involving:
Members of the public seeking warrant information may contact:
Onalaska Municipal Court
415 Main Street
Onalaska, WI 54650
Phone: 608-781-9530
Municipal Court
The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) portal serves as the primary online resource for accessing warrant information in Onalaska. This database, commonly referred to as CCAP (Consolidated Court Automation Programs), provides public access to court records including warrant status. Pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72, these electronic records are maintained for public transparency.
Additional online resources for locating warrant information include:
For felony warrants or those involving federal offenses, the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Crime Information Center (NCIC) maintains records, though direct public access to this database is restricted to law enforcement personnel.
Onalaska Police Department
415 Main Street
Onalaska, WI 54650
Phone: 608-781-9550
Police Department
Individuals seeking to determine if they have an active warrant in Onalaska may utilize several official channels. Under Wisconsin Statute § 66.0113, municipalities must maintain accessible records of citations and related warrants. The following methods are available for warrant verification:
Persons with legal representation may authorize their attorney to conduct a warrant search on their behalf. This approach provides the additional benefit of legal counsel regarding appropriate next steps should an active warrant be discovered.
For warrants related to unpaid municipal citations, the Municipal Court Procedure page provides information on resolution options, including payment plans that may be available under Wisconsin Administrative Code JC 1.07.
La Crosse County Sheriff's Office
333 Vine Street
La Crosse, WI 54601
Phone: 608-785-9629
Sheriff's Office
The verification process for outstanding warrants in Onalaska follows established protocols pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 968.04 regarding warrant issuance and accessibility. Members of the public may conduct warrant searches through several authorized channels:
When conducting a warrant search, requestors should be prepared to provide:
Third-party searches are permitted for public warrant information, though certain identifying details may be redacted in accordance with Wisconsin Personal Information Practices Act (Wis. Stat. § 19.62-19.80).
Warrant records maintained by Onalaska judicial authorities contain specific elements as mandated by Wisconsin Statute § 968.04(3). These documents typically include the following components:
Case Identification Information
Subject Information
Warrant Specifications
Offense Details
Execution Instructions
Pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72.01, these records must be maintained for specified retention periods based on case type and disposition. Misdemeanor warrant records are typically retained for 20 years, while felony records may be permanently archived.
The Wisconsin judicial system authorizes several categories of warrants that may be issued within Onalaska jurisdiction, each serving distinct legal purposes as defined in Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 968:
Arrest Warrants
Bench Warrants
Search Warrants
Civil Warrants
John/Jane Doe Warrants
The Onalaska Municipal Court handles ordinance violations and certain misdemeanor cases, while the La Crosse County Circuit Court processes more serious offenses and related warrants.