Warrants are public record in West Bend, Wisconsin, pursuant to Wisconsin Public Records Law (Wis. Stat. §§ 19.31-19.39). This statute establishes that government records, including warrants, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statutory provisions. The legislative intent behind this transparency is to ensure governmental accountability and to provide citizens with comprehensive access to information regarding legal proceedings and law enforcement activities within their jurisdiction.
The public nature of warrant records enables individuals to inquire about active or previously issued warrants within West Bend's jurisdiction. This accessibility serves multiple public interests, including:
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35(1)(a), any requester has the right to inspect any record except as otherwise provided by law. Records custodians may impose reasonable restrictions on the manner of access to original records to protect them from damage or disorganization.
Several official resources are available for locating warrant information online in West Bend:
West Bend Police Department Warrant Information: The department maintains an online database of active warrants within city jurisdiction. Members of the public should note that this resource is for informational purposes only, and individuals should not attempt to apprehend anyone listed.
Washington County Sheriff's Most Wanted: The county sheriff's office publishes information about individuals with outstanding warrants issued by the Washington County Circuit Court System.
Wisconsin Court System Case Search: The state's official court records portal provides access to case information, including warrant status, for cases throughout Wisconsin's court system.
Washington County Clerk of Circuit Court
432 E. Washington Street
West Bend, WI 53095
Phone: (262) 335-4301
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Individuals seeking to determine if they have an active warrant in West Bend may utilize several official channels:
Direct Inquiry with Law Enforcement: Contact the West Bend Police Department directly at their headquarters:
West Bend Police Department
350 Vine Street
West Bend, WI 53095
Phone: (262) 335-5000
Hours: 24 hours daily (administrative office hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM)
Online Verification: Access the West Bend Police Department's warrant database or the Wisconsin Court System's case search portal to check for active warrants.
Washington County Sheriff's Office:
500 N. Schmidt Road
West Bend, WI 53095
Phone: (262) 335-4378
Hours: Administrative offices open Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Legal Representation: Consult with legal counsel who can conduct a comprehensive search and provide guidance on appropriate responses to any identified warrants. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 967.06, individuals have the right to be represented by an attorney in all criminal and related proceedings.
The verification of outstanding warrants in West Bend may be accomplished through several authorized methods:
Electronic Database Access: The Wisconsin Circuit Court Access (WCCA) provides public access to the records of Wisconsin circuit courts, including warrant information. This resource is maintained pursuant to Wisconsin Supreme Court Rule 72.
In-Person Records Request: Visit the Washington County Courthouse to submit a formal records request:
Washington County Courthouse
432 E. Washington Street
West Bend, WI 53095
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Law Enforcement Verification: Contact the West Bend Police Department or Washington County Sheriff's Office directly to inquire about warrant status.
County Jail Records: The Washington County Jail maintains records of individuals with active warrants who may be subject to detention.
Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 968.04(3)(a)7, warrants must contain the name of the person to be arrested, if known, or if not known, designate the person by any name or description by which they can be identified with reasonable certainty.
West Bend warrant records, in accordance with Wis. Stat. § 968.04, typically contain the following essential information:
Subject Identification: Full legal name of the individual for whom the warrant is issued, along with other identifying information such as date of birth, physical description, and last known address when available.
Issuance Information: The date of warrant issuance and the court of jurisdiction (typically Washington County Circuit Court for West Bend warrants).
Warrant Classification: Designation of the warrant type (e.g., arrest warrant, bench warrant, search warrant) and the statutory authority under which it was issued.
Offense Details: Description of the alleged violation or reason for the warrant, including relevant Wisconsin Statute citations and offense classification.
Judicial Authorization: Name and signature of the issuing judge or court commissioner who determined probable cause existed for the warrant's issuance.
Bond/Bail Specifications: If applicable, the predetermined bail amount or bond conditions established by the court pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 969.01.
Service Instructions: Specific directives for law enforcement regarding the execution of the warrant, including any special considerations or restrictions.
Case Number: The associated court case number for reference within the judicial system.