Warrant records in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin are considered public records pursuant to the Wisconsin Open Records Law (Wis. Stat. § 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes that governmental bodies must provide access to public records unless a specific statutory exemption applies. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has consistently upheld the presumption of complete public access to public records, consistent with the conduct of governmental business.
The Lake Geneva Police Department maintains warrant records in accordance with state law. These records are accessible to members of the public through established procedures designed to balance transparency with privacy and security concerns. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(a), any requester has the right to inspect any record, subject to statutory exceptions.
Law enforcement agencies in Walworth County, including the Lake Geneva Police Department, maintain warrant information as part of their official duties under Wis. Stat. § 59.27, which outlines the responsibilities of county sheriffs and local law enforcement agencies.
Several official resources are available to locate warrant information in the Lake Geneva area:
Lake Geneva Police Department Records Division: The Records Division maintains computerized police records including warrant information. Certain records may be available through their online portal.
Walworth County Sheriff's Office: The Sheriff's Office maintains a database of active warrants within the county jurisdiction, including those issued in Lake Geneva.
Walworth County Inmate Search: This portal allows citizens to determine an individual's status, including whether they have been arrested on an outstanding warrant.
Clerk of Circuit Court: The Clerk's office maintains court records, including warrant information for cases within their jurisdiction.
Requesters seeking warrant information should note that while basic information may be available online, obtaining complete warrant documentation may require submission of a formal records request in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35.
Individuals seeking to determine if they have an active warrant in Lake Geneva may utilize several official channels:
Direct Contact with Law Enforcement: Individuals may contact the Lake Geneva Police Department directly at their headquarters:
Lake Geneva Police Department
626 Geneva Street
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Phone: (262) 248-4455
Official Website
Municipal Court Inquiry: The Lake Geneva Municipal Court can provide information regarding warrants issued for municipal ordinance violations:
Lake Geneva Municipal Court
626 Geneva Street
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Phone: (262) 248-3673
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Municipal Court Information
Walworth County Sheriff's Office: For warrants issued at the county level:
Walworth County Sheriff's Office
1770 County Road NN
Elkhorn, WI 53121
Phone: (262) 741-4400
Sheriff's Office Information
Legal Representation: Consulting with an attorney can provide a secure method of determining warrant status without risk of immediate arrest. Attorneys can access court records on behalf of clients pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 757.14.
Individuals should be advised that appearing in person to inquire about a warrant may result in immediate arrest if an active warrant exists, in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 968.09 regarding warrant execution.
The process for checking outstanding warrants in Lake Geneva involves several official procedures:
Records Request: Submit a formal public records request to the Lake Geneva Police Department Records Division. Requests may be submitted in person, by mail, or through the department's online portal in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1).
Court Records Search: The Walworth County Clerk of Circuit Court maintains records of all warrants issued by circuit courts within the county. Members of the public may search these records during regular business hours:
Walworth County Clerk of Circuit Court
1800 County Road NN
Elkhorn, WI 53121
Phone: (262) 741-7012
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Municipal Court Records: For warrants related to municipal ordinance violations, contact the Lake Geneva Municipal Court directly. The court maintains records of all municipal warrants pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 800.02.
Online Case Search: The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) system, commonly known as CCAP, provides limited information about court cases, including some warrant information. This resource is available at https://wcca.wicourts.gov.
When requesting warrant information, requesters must provide sufficient identifying information, including full legal name and date of birth, to ensure accurate results. Identification may be required for in-person requests in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(i).
Warrant records maintained by Lake Geneva law enforcement agencies and courts typically contain the following information pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 968.04:
Subject Identification: Full legal name of the subject, date of birth, physical description, last known address, and other identifying information.
Case Information: Court case number, issuing court, and date of issuance. Warrants issued by the Lake Geneva Municipal Court will reference municipal ordinances, while those from Circuit Court will cite Wisconsin Statutes.
Offense Details: Description of the alleged offense(s) that prompted the warrant issuance, including statutory or ordinance citations.
Judicial Authorization: Name and signature of the issuing judge or court commissioner, establishing the warrant's legal validity under Wis. Stat. § 968.04(3).
Bond Information: Any bail or bond amount established by the court, including conditions for release pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 969.01.
Service Instructions: Specific instructions for law enforcement regarding execution of the warrant, including jurisdictional limitations and special considerations.
Status Information: Current status of the warrant (active, recalled, or served) and relevant dates.
Access to complete warrant records may be restricted based on the nature of the case, particularly if it involves juvenile subjects (Wis. Stat. § 938.396) or ongoing investigations (Wis. Stat. § 19.36(2)).
The Town of Geneva Police Department maintains public safety records for the community. Warrant information and other police records may be accessed through established procedures. The department is committed to transparency while maintaining the integrity of ongoing investigations.
Town of Geneva Police Department
N3496 Como Road
Lake Geneva, WI 53147
Phone: (262) 248-9926
Town of Geneva Police Department