Door County Arrest Records
How To Look Up Arrest Records in Door County in 2026
DoorRecords.us provides data and publicly available information related to arrest records in Door County, Wisconsin. Members of the public may find booking records, charge information, custody status, court case data, and related criminal justice records through this resource. Available record categories include arrest logs, booking photographs, bond information, charge details, and court case numbers. Information presented reflects publicly accessible data and may not represent complete or final legal outcomes.
Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following methods are currently available to members of the public seeking arrest record information in Door County.
Online Methods:
1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records
The Door County Sheriff's Office maintains booking and arrest records for individuals processed through the county jail. The public may access current inmate information and recent booking data through the Sheriff's Office website. Records include arrestee name, charges, booking date, bond amount, and custody status. The jail roster is updated on a regular basis, reflecting current detainee information.
2. Local Police Departments
The City of Sturgeon Bay Police Department serves as the primary municipal law enforcement agency within Door County. Press releases and arrest logs may be published through the department's official communications. Members of the public may contact the department directly to inquire about available arrest information for specific incidents within city jurisdiction.
Sturgeon Bay Police Department
421 Michigan Street
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Phone: (920) 746-2400
Sturgeon Bay Police Department
3. County Clerk of Court Case Search
Court cases linked to arrests in Door County may be searched through the Wisconsin Court System case search. Members of the public may search by arrestee name to locate associated criminal case filings, charge information, hearing dates, and case dispositions. This resource covers circuit court cases statewide, including Door County Circuit Court.
Door County Clerk of Circuit Court
1009 S. 9th Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Phone: (920) 746-2205
Door County Clerk of Circuit Court
4. State Law Enforcement Database
The Wisconsin Department of Justice maintains a statewide criminal history search tool. Members of the public may submit a name-based criminal history request for a fee of $7.00 per search. The database includes arrest and conviction records from law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin. This resource provides a broader view of an individual's criminal history beyond a single county.
In-Person Access:
Sheriff's Office:
The Door County Sheriff's Office Records Division is located at the main facility. Members of the public must present valid government-issued photo identification when requesting records in person. Specific information about the arrest, including the subject's full name and approximate date of arrest, assists staff in locating records efficiently.
Door County Sheriff's Office
1004 S. 9th Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Phone: (920) 746-2400
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Door County Sheriff's Office
Clerk of Court:
Criminal case files associated with arrests may be inspected at the Door County Clerk of Circuit Court office. Copy fees apply to reproduced documents. Members of the public may inspect case files at no charge during regular business hours.
Door County Clerk of Circuit Court
1009 S. 9th Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Phone: (920) 746-2205
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Door County Clerk of Circuit Court
By Mail:
Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the Door County Sheriff's Office at 1004 S. 9th Avenue, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235. Requests should include the arrestee's full legal name, date of arrest if known, booking number if known, and the requestor's complete contact information. Payment for applicable copy fees should accompany the written request. Processing time for mailed requests is subject to staff availability and record volume.
By Phone:
The Door County Sheriff's Office may be reached at (920) 746-2400 during regular business hours. Limited information is available by phone, and callers may be directed to the online system or an in-person visit for detailed records. Callers should have the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date available.
Through Legal Channels:
Attorneys may request records through formal discovery processes in active legal proceedings. Subpoenas may compel production of records not otherwise available through standard public access channels. Defense counsel and prosecutors access arrest records as part of standard case preparation under applicable court rules.
Information Needed for Search:
- Full legal name (first and last at minimum)
- Date of birth or approximate age
- Approximate date of arrest
- Booking number (if known)
- Location of arrest (which jurisdiction)
Are Arrest Records Public in Door County
Arrest records in Door County are public records under Wisconsin law. Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 19.35, members of the public have the right to inspect and copy records maintained by government agencies, including law enforcement records. Arrest records are made available to support government transparency, public safety awareness, community notification, journalistic inquiry, background screening, and legal proceedings.
What Arrest Information Is Public:
- Arrestee name and aliases
- Date and time of arrest
- Location of arrest
- Arresting agency
- Charges filed at time of arrest
- Booking number
- Mugshot/booking photograph
- Bond and bail information
- Custody status
- Basic demographic information (age, physical description)
Limitations on Public Access:
- Juvenile arrest records (restricted or sealed under Wisconsin law)
- Expunged arrest records (removed from public access by court order)
- Sealed records (court-ordered confidentiality)
- Active investigation information that would jeopardize an ongoing inquiry
- Undercover officer identities
- Confidential informant information
- Victim identifying information in certain cases
- Witness protection participants
Constitutional and Legal Basis:
The Wisconsin Constitution and Wis. Stat. § 19.31 establish a presumption of openness for government records, reflecting the principle that public access to government information serves the democratic process. Courts have recognized the First Amendment interest of the press and public in accessing arrest information. Due process considerations require that arrest records accurately reflect the status of charges, including dismissals and acquittals.
Who Can Access Arrest Records:
- General public
- Media organizations
- Employers (with restrictions under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act)
- Landlords (with applicable restrictions)
- Licensing agencies
- Background check companies
- Attorneys and legal professionals
- Academic researchers
Restrictions on Use:
The federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) governs the use of arrest records in employment and housing decisions. Employers using third-party background check services must comply with FCRA requirements, including adverse action procedures. Wisconsin does not currently have a statewide "ban the box" law applicable to private employers, though certain municipalities may have local ordinances. A critical distinction exists between an arrest record and a conviction record; an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt.
What's in Door County Arrest Records
Personal Identification Information:
- Full legal name
- Aliases or "also known as" names
- Date of birth
- Age at time of arrest
- Sex/gender
- Race/ethnicity
- Height and weight
- Eye color and hair color
- Identifying marks such as scars or tattoos
- Address at time of arrest (may be limited in disclosure)
Arrest Details:
- Arrest date and time
- Location of arrest (street address or general area)
- Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, etc.)
- Arresting officer name and badge number (in some records)
- Booking date and time
- Booking number or arrest number
- Warrant information (if applicable)
Charges Information:
- Specific criminal charges
- Wisconsin statute numbers violated
- Charge descriptions
- Classification (felony class, misdemeanor class)
- Number of counts for each charge
- Domestic violence designation (if applicable)
Booking Information:
- Booking facility name and location
- Intake process timestamp
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Fingerprints (collected but not typically included in public records)
- Personal property inventory
Custody and Bond Information:
- Current custody status (in custody, released, or bonded out)
- Bond amount set by the court
- Bond type:
- Cash bond
- Surety bond
- Personal recognizance (PR bond)
- No bond
- Release date and time (if released)
- Release conditions (if public)
Court Information:
- Court case number assigned
- Court jurisdiction (Door County Circuit Court)
- Scheduled arraignment date
- Judge assignment (if available)
What's Typically NOT in Public Arrest Records:
- Detailed narrative of the arrest (police report details)
- Witness statements
- Victim information
- Evidence collected
- Investigative techniques
- Medical or mental health information
- Social Security number (redacted)
- Bank account or financial information
Difference Between Arrest Records and Related Documents:
- Police reports: Contain more detailed incident narratives and investigative information
- Court records: Document legal proceedings occurring after the arrest
- Criminal records: Reflect convictions and sentences imposed
- Background checks: Comprehensive screenings drawing from multiple sources
How Much Does It Cost to Get Arrest Records in Door County?
The cost to obtain arrest records in Door County varies by record type and the office from which records are requested. Under Wisconsin's open records law, agencies may charge fees that do not exceed the actual, necessary, and direct cost of reproduction.
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard paper copies | $0.25 per page (standard rate) |
| Certified copies (Clerk of Court) | $1.25 per page plus $5.00 certification fee |
| Criminal history search (DOJ) | $7.00 per name search |
| Electronic records | Varies by agency |
| In-person inspection | No charge for inspection only |
- Inspection fees: Members of the public may inspect records at no charge during regular business hours at the Sheriff's Office and Clerk of Court.
- Copy fees: Standard copy fees apply per page for reproduced documents.
- Certification fees: Certified copies from the Clerk of Circuit Court carry an additional certification fee.
- Electronic format fees: Some agencies provide electronic copies at reduced or no cost; fees vary.
- Search fees: Agencies may charge for staff time required to locate records when the search is not straightforward.
Accepted payment methods at the Door County Sheriff's Office and Clerk of Court include cash, check, and money order. Members of the public should confirm accepted payment methods prior to submitting requests. Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors or in cases where disclosure is determined to be in the public interest, pursuant to agency discretion under Wisconsin open records provisions.
How To Delete Arrest Records in Door County
Wisconsin law provides two primary mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records: expungement, which results in the sealing or destruction of the record, and sealing, which restricts public access while preserving the record for law enforcement purposes. These are distinct legal remedies with different eligibility requirements and effects.
Under Wis. Stat. § 973.015, a court may expunge a record of conviction if the person was under age 25 at the time of the offense, the offense carries a maximum period of imprisonment of six years or less, and the person successfully completes the sentence. Expungement must be ordered by the sentencing court at the time of sentencing; it cannot be petitioned for after the fact under current Wisconsin law for most offenses.
For arrests that did not result in conviction, individuals may petition the court to seal or expunge the arrest record. Dismissed charges, acquittals, and cases where the prosecutor declined to file charges may be eligible for expungement under applicable Wisconsin statutes. The petition process requires filing with the Door County Circuit Court, and the court will consider the circumstances of the arrest and the interests of justice.
Steps to Pursue Expungement:
- Confirm eligibility based on age at time of offense, offense type, and sentence completion
- Obtain the case number from the Door County Clerk of Circuit Court
- File a petition for expungement with the Door County Circuit Court
- Serve the petition on the District Attorney's Office
- Attend the scheduled hearing
- If granted, the court issues an expungement order to the relevant agencies
Door County Circuit Court
1009 S. 9th Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Phone: (920) 746-2205
Door County Circuit Court
Door County District Attorney's Office
1009 S. 9th Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Phone: (920) 746-2500
Door County District Attorney
Members of the public seeking expungement are advised to consult with a licensed Wisconsin attorney. The State Bar of Wisconsin Lawyer Referral Service can assist in locating qualified legal counsel.
What Happens After Arrest in Door County?
Immediate Post-Arrest Process:
1. Transport to Jail
Following an arrest in Door County, the arrested individual is transported to the Door County Jail for booking. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest within the county.
Door County Jail
1004 S. 9th Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Phone: (920) 746-2400
Door County Sheriff's Office
2. Booking Process
Upon arrival at the Door County Jail, the booking process is initiated. This process typically takes one to four hours depending on facility volume. Steps include recording personal information, photographing the individual, collecting fingerprints, conducting a criminal history and outstanding warrants check, inventorying personal property, completing medical screening, and assigning housing classification.
3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing
Under Wisconsin law, an arrested individual must be brought before a judge or court commissioner within 48 hours of arrest for an initial appearance. At this hearing, the court formally notifies the individual of the charges, determines bond or bail, advises the individual of their rights, and, if the individual is indigent, initiates the process for appointment of a public defender. Initial appearances may be conducted via video conference.
Bond/Bail Process:
Types of Bond:
Cash Bond: The full bond amount must be paid in cash. The amount is refunded upon conclusion of the case, minus applicable fees. The amount is set by the presiding judge or court commissioner.
Surety Bond: The individual may engage a licensed bail bondsman, paying a non-refundable premium (typically 10% of the bond amount). The bondsman posts the full amount with the court.
Personal Recognizance (PR Bond): The individual is released on a written promise to appear at all court dates. No monetary payment is required. Eligibility is based on community ties, employment, criminal history, nature of charges, and assessed flight risk.
No Bond: The court may order the individual held without bond in cases involving serious violent offenses, significant flight risk, danger to the community, probation or parole violations, immigration holds, or out-of-state warrants.
Conditions of Release:
Release conditions may include regular check-in requirements, travel restrictions, no-contact orders, drug and alcohol testing, GPS monitoring, and pretrial supervision through the Door County Pretrial Services program.
4. Release or Continued Detention
If bond is posted, processing for release typically takes one to eight hours. The individual receives their personal property, a written notice of court dates, and written conditions of release. Failure to appear at any scheduled court date results in bond forfeiture and issuance of an arrest warrant.
Accessing Legal Representation:
Public Defender:
Individuals who cannot afford private counsel may apply for representation through the Wisconsin State Public Defender's Office. Eligibility is based on income.
Wisconsin State Public Defender – Northeast Region
200 N. Jefferson Street, Suite 104
Green Bay, WI 54301
Phone: (920) 448-5111
Wisconsin State Public Defender
Private Attorney:
Individuals have the right to retain private counsel at any stage of the proceedings. The State Bar of Wisconsin provides a lawyer referral service to assist members of the public in locating qualified criminal defense attorneys.
Charging Decision:
The Door County District Attorney's Office reviews the arrest and determines whether to file formal charges, request additional investigation, decline prosecution, or file different charges. For felony offenses, the prosecutor may proceed by information following a preliminary hearing or, in some cases, by grand jury indictment.
Arraignment:
At arraignment, the court formally reads the charges and the defendant enters a plea of not guilty, guilty, or no contest. Most defendants enter a not guilty plea at arraignment, and subsequent court dates are scheduled.
Court Process Overview:
The pretrial phase involves discovery, pretrial motions, and pretrial conferences. The prosecution and defense exchange evidence, including police reports, witness statements, physical evidence, and recordings. Pretrial motions may address suppression of evidence, dismissal of charges, or other legal issues. Plea negotiations may result in a resolution prior to trial.
Case Resolution Options:
- Dismissal: Charges dropped due to insufficient evidence, witness issues, or legal defects
- Diversion Programs: Pretrial intervention, drug court, or mental health court; successful completion results in dismissal
- Plea Agreement: Defendant accepts guilty or no contest plea to agreed charges with a recommended sentence
- Trial: Jury or bench trial; verdict of guilty or not guilty
Sentencing (if convicted):
The court may impose imprisonment, probation, fines, restitution, community service, treatment requirements, or a combination. Credit is applied for time served in pretrial detention. Appeal rights are explained at sentencing.
Timeline Overview:
- Arrest to first appearance: Within 48 hours
- First appearance to arraignment: Days to several weeks
- Arraignment to trial or resolution: Several months, varying by case complexity
- Misdemeanors: Resolved within weeks to several months
- Felonies: Resolved within several months to over a year
- Right to speedy trial: Guaranteed under the Wisconsin Constitution and the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
Rights Throughout Process:
- Right to remain silent
- Right to an attorney
- Right to a speedy trial
- Right to confront witnesses
- Right to present a defense
- Right against self-incrimination
- Right to appeal a conviction
What to Do If Arrested:
- Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
- Do not physically resist arrest
- Exercise the right to remain silent (politely invoke this right)
- Request an attorney immediately and do not answer questions without counsel present
- Do not discuss the case with anyone other than an attorney
- Contact family or friends for assistance with bail
- Attend all scheduled court dates
- Comply with all conditions of release
How Long Are Arrest Records Kept in Door County?
Records Retention Overview:
Retention of arrest records in Door County is governed by Wisconsin law and applicable local agency policies. The Wisconsin Public Records Board establishes retention schedules for government records, including law enforcement and court records. Under Wis. Stat. § 19.21, custodians of public records are required to maintain records in accordance with approved retention schedules and may not destroy records without proper authorization.
Arrest Records Retention by Type:
Active Arrest Records (Conviction Resulted):
Felony Convictions:
- Retention: Permanent
- Maintained indefinitely by the Sheriff's Office, Clerk of Circuit Court, Wisconsin Department of Justice Criminal History Repository, and the FBI
Misdemeanor Convictions:
- Retention: Permanent in most databases
- Local law enforcement: Retained per agency retention schedule
- Court records: Retained permanently in electronic systems
- State repository: Retained permanently
Arrest Records (No Conviction):
Dismissed Charges:
- Local law enforcement: Retained per agency schedule, subject to expungement
- Court records: Often retained permanently in electronic systems unless expunged
- State repository: Policy varies; may remain unless expungement order received
Acquittals (Not Guilty):
- Local law enforcement: Retained per agency schedule
- Court records: Often permanent
- May be eligible for expungement petition
Charges Not Filed:
- Booking records: Retained per agency schedule
- Local arrest logs: Retained per agency schedule
- May be eligible for expungement in appropriate cases
Digital vs. Physical Records:
Physical Records:
- Booking paperwork: Retained per Wisconsin Public Records Board schedule
- Fingerprint cards: Retained per state and federal requirements
- Photographs: Retained per agency policy
Digital Records:
- Computer-aided dispatch (CAD) records: Retained per agency schedule
- Records management systems: Often retained permanently
- Court electronic records: Often retained permanently
Third-Party Databases:
Commercial background check companies and mugshot websites may retain arrest records indefinitely and are not controlled by law enforcement agencies. These entities are not required to update records when charges are dismissed or expunged, though the FCRA requires accuracy in consumer reporting. Individuals whose records have been expunged may need to contact third-party websites directly to request removal.
Retention by Agency:
Sheriff's Office:
The Door County Sheriff's Office retains booking records, arrest reports, and investigative files per the Wisconsin Public Records Board retention schedule. Members of the public may contact the Records Division at (920) 746-2400 for information about specific records.
Clerk of Circuit Court:
Felony case files are retained permanently. Misdemeanor and traffic case files are retained per the Wisconsin Court System records retention schedule. Electronic records are retained permanently in the court's case management system.
State Repository:
The Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Information Bureau maintains the statewide criminal history repository. Records from all Wisconsin law enforcement jurisdictions are included. The Wisconsin DOJ criminal history search provides public access to conviction records.
FBI Database:
The National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and Interstate Identification Index (III) maintain federal records accessible to law enforcement nationwide. Federal retention is typically permanent. These records are used in employment background checks for positions requiring federal clearance and in firearms purchase background checks.
Effect of Disposition on Retention:
Conviction: Permanent retention in most databases; appears on background checks indefinitely.
Dismissal: May remain in databases unless expunged; dismissed charges are not reported as convictions on background checks.
Expungement: Local records are sealed or destroyed per the court order; the state repository updates records upon receipt of the expungement order; the FBI database may retain a notation; removal from third-party databases is not guaranteed.
Impact on Background Checks:
Under the FCRA, most employment background checks cover a seven-year period for non-conviction records. Convictions may be reported indefinitely. Wisconsin does not currently impose a statewide limit shorter than the FCRA standard for private employment background checks. Arrests without conviction are not evidence of criminal conduct and should be distinguished from convictions in any background screening context.
How to Check Retention Status:
Members of the public may contact the Door County Sheriff's Office Records Division at (920) 746-2400 to inquire about the retention status of a specific arrest record. A public records request may be required, and applicable fees may apply for copies of responsive records.
Lookup Arrest Records in Door County
- Wisconsin court case search — Search public court records for Door County circuit court cases, including criminal cases linked to arrests.