Warrant records are public documents in Ladysmith, Wisconsin, pursuant to Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes that governmental records, including warrants, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld the presumption of complete public access to public records.
The Rusk County Sheriff's Office maintains warrant records for Ladysmith and surrounding areas within the county. Members of the public seeking warrant information may submit a records request in accordance with established procedures. The Wisconsin Department of Justice provides oversight regarding public records compliance and has issued guidance confirming that warrant information generally falls within the scope of public records.
Public access to warrant records serves multiple governmental and societal interests, including:
Certain limitations may apply to warrant records that contain confidential information as defined in Wis. Stat. § 19.36, particularly those pertaining to ongoing investigations or juvenile matters.
The Wisconsin Court System provides electronic access to warrant information through several official channels. Residents of Ladysmith seeking warrant information may utilize the following resources:
Rusk County Sheriff's Office 311 Miner Avenue East Ladysmith, WI 54848 (715) 532-2200 https://ruskcountywi.us/departments/sheriff/
Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) This state-maintained portal, commonly known as CCAP, provides public access to court records including warrant information. The database is updated regularly and accessible at https://wcca.wicourts.gov.
Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau 17 West Main Street Madison, WI 53703 (608) 266-7314
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 165.83, the Crime Information Bureau maintains criminal history records that may include warrant information. Authorized users may access this information through the Wisconsin Online Record Check System (WORCS).
Third-party public record aggregators also compile warrant information from official sources. However, the Wisconsin Department of Justice advises that such services may not provide current or complete information, and official sources should be consulted for verification.
Individuals seeking to determine if they are subject to an active warrant in Ladysmith may employ several methods authorized under Wisconsin law. The Rusk County Clerk of Courts maintains the official record of all warrants issued within the jurisdiction.
Rusk County Clerk of Courts 311 Miner Avenue East, Suite C129 Ladysmith, WI 54848 (715) 532-2155 Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Persons may:
Under Wis. Stat. § 968.04, warrants remain in effect until executed or canceled by judicial order. The statute of limitations for the underlying offense does not invalidate an active warrant. Individuals with reason to believe they may be subject to a warrant are advised that voluntary appearance to address the matter may be viewed favorably by the court.
Law enforcement agencies maintain 24-hour access to warrant information through the Wisconsin Transaction Information for the Management of Enforcement (TIME) System, administered by the Department of Justice pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 165.8285.
The verification of outstanding warrants in Ladysmith follows established protocols under Wisconsin law. Members of the public seeking this information have several authorized methods available:
Rusk County Sheriff's Office Records Division 311 Miner Avenue East Ladysmith, WI 54848 (715) 532-2200 Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
The Records Division processes warrant inquiries in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35, which governs public records access. Requestors must:
The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains the Consolidated Court Automation Programs (CCAP) which provides public access to court records including warrant information. This system is accessible at public terminals located at:
Ladysmith Public Library 1100 Lake Avenue West Ladysmith, WI 54848 (715) 532-2604 Hours: Monday-Thursday 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Friday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72.01, court records including warrant information are maintained for specified retention periods based on case type and disposition.
Warrant records maintained by Ladysmith authorities contain specific elements as prescribed by Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 968, which governs criminal procedure. These documents typically include:
For bench warrants issued under Wis. Stat. § 968.09, the record will include reference to the underlying court proceeding and reason for issuance, such as failure to appear or violation of court orders.
Search warrants issued pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 968.12 contain additional elements including:
The Wisconsin Records Retention Schedule for circuit courts (SCR 72.01) requires warrant records to be maintained for a minimum of 20 years after issuance for felony matters and 10 years for misdemeanors.