Warrant records are public documents in Lincoln County, Wisconsin, pursuant to Wisconsin Open Records Law (Wis. Stat. § 19.31-19.39). This legislation establishes that public records, including warrants, shall be accessible to members of the general public with limited exceptions. The statutory framework promotes governmental transparency and accountability while ensuring citizens' right to access information maintained by public authorities.
In Lincoln County, warrant information is maintained as part of the public record and may be accessed through designated governmental agencies. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office and the Lincoln County Circuit Court serve as the primary custodians of warrant records within the jurisdiction. These records are systematically maintained to ensure the integrity of the legal process while facilitating public access in accordance with state law.
Individuals seeking warrant information may utilize several official channels to obtain these records. The Wisconsin Court System provides mechanisms for accessing court records, including warrants issued through judicial proceedings. Members of the public may conduct searches through the Wisconsin Court System online portal or by visiting the Lincoln County Courthouse in person.
Warrant records maintained by Lincoln County authorities typically contain the following information:
Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 968.04, arrest warrants must specify the name of the person to be arrested or, if unknown, designate the person by any description by which they can be identified with reasonable certainty. The warrant must also state the offense charged and direct that the person be arrested and brought before the appropriate court.
Members of the public may verify warrant status in Lincoln County without incurring fees through several authorized methods:
When conducting warrant inquiries, individuals should be prepared to provide identifying information such as full legal name, date of birth, and any known case numbers to facilitate accurate record retrieval. It should be noted that while basic warrant information is publicly accessible, certain details may be redacted in accordance with privacy provisions under Wisconsin Statute § 19.36.
The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office serves as the primary law enforcement agency responsible for executing warrants within the county jurisdiction. Sheriff warrants are official documents issued by a judge or magistrate that authorize law enforcement personnel to take specific actions, including apprehending individuals charged with criminal offenses or conducting searches of designated properties.
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office
1104 E 1st Street
Merrill, WI 54452
Phone: 715-536-6272
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Inmate Roster
The Sheriff's Office maintains a comprehensive database of active warrants issued within the county. These warrants remain in effect until executed, recalled by judicial order, or expired according to statutory limitations. Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 968.09, an arrest warrant does not expire and remains valid until executed or withdrawn by court order.
The Sheriff's Office regularly updates the inmate roster which may include individuals arrested on outstanding warrants. This information is made available to the public in accordance with transparency requirements established under Wisconsin law.
Individuals seeking to determine if they are subject to an active warrant in Lincoln County may utilize several official verification methods:
It is important to note that pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 968.04(3)(a)7, certain warrant information may be sealed by court order if public disclosure would impede an ongoing investigation or present a risk to public safety. In such instances, limited information may be available through standard public access channels.
Individuals with reason to believe they may be subject to an active warrant are advised that voluntary appearance before the court may be viewed favorably in subsequent proceedings. The Lincoln County Circuit Court is located at 1110 E Main Street, Merrill, WI 54452, and can be reached at 715-536-0312.
The verification of outstanding warrants in Lincoln County may be accomplished through several authorized channels:
When conducting warrant searches, requestors should provide complete identifying information to ensure accurate results. This typically includes full legal name, date of birth, and any known aliases. Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute § 19.35(1)(a), public records requests must be fulfilled "as soon as practicable and without delay," though complex searches may require additional processing time.
It should be noted that while warrant information is generally public record, access may be subject to certain limitations established under Wisconsin Statute § 19.36, particularly in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile matters, or where disclosure would endanger public safety.