Warrants are public records in Marquette County, Wisconsin, pursuant to the Wisconsin Open Records Law (Wis. Stat. § 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes that most governmental records, including warrants, must be accessible to the public to ensure transparency and accountability within the judicial system. The law mandates that records created or maintained by government entities be made available to the public unless explicitly exempted by statute.
The public nature of warrant records serves multiple governmental and civic purposes. These records allow citizens to monitor legal proceedings and ensure that law enforcement activities are conducted lawfully. By providing access to these records, Marquette County upholds the principles of open government, allowing individuals to be informed about actions that may affect their rights or community safety.
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(a), "any requester has a right to inspect any record." This provision applies to warrant records maintained by the Marquette County Sheriff's Office and the Marquette County Circuit Court, subject to specific statutory exemptions that may temporarily restrict access to active investigation materials.
Warrant records in Marquette County typically contain comprehensive information as required by Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 968, which governs criminal procedure. Standard elements included in these official documents are:
These records are maintained in accordance with Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72, which establishes retention schedules for court records. Warrant records are typically retained for a minimum of 20 years after the case is closed, depending on the severity of the associated offense.
Members of the public may access warrant information in Marquette County through several no-cost methods established under Wisconsin's public records provisions:
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(3), the first $5.00 of reproduction costs for public records are waived. Additional copies may incur nominal fees as established by county ordinance.
Sheriff warrants in Marquette County are legal documents issued under the authority granted by Article VII of the Wisconsin Constitution and Chapter 968 of the Wisconsin Statutes. These warrants authorize the Marquette County Sheriff's Office to perform specific law enforcement actions, including:
The Marquette County Sheriff's Office, as the primary law enforcement agency for the county, is responsible for executing these warrants in accordance with Wisconsin Statutes § 59.27, which outlines the duties and powers of county sheriffs. All warrants must meet the "probable cause" standard established by the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Section 11 of the Wisconsin Constitution.
The Sheriff's Office maintains a database of active warrants that is updated regularly. This information is shared with other law enforcement agencies through the Wisconsin Crime Information Bureau and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as appropriate.
Individuals seeking to determine if they have an active warrant in Marquette County in 2025 may utilize several official channels. The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access portal provides electronic access to public court records, including warrant information, pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72.
Additional methods for warrant verification include:
Individuals with active warrants are advised that appearing at law enforcement facilities may result in immediate arrest. Wisconsin Statutes § 968.09 requires law enforcement officers to execute warrants without unnecessary delay when the subject is located.
The verification of outstanding warrants in Marquette County is governed by Wisconsin's Open Records Law and facilitated through several official channels. Members of the public seeking this information may:
Pursuant to Wisconsin Statutes § 19.35(4)(a), requests for warrant information must be fulfilled "as soon as practicable and without delay." Requesters may be asked to provide identification when seeking records in person, though anonymous requests are permitted under state law.
Marquette County Sheriff's Office
67 W. Park Street
Montello, WI 53949
(608) 297-2115
Official Website
Marquette County Clerk of Circuit Court
77 West Park Street
Montello, WI 53949
(608) 297-3005
Official Website