Where Do I Get Information about . . . ?

Open Records Requests

 

Most open records requests directed to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office will receive a reply within ten working days. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is not the record custodian for all law enforcement agencies within the county; specific requests should be directed to the individual agencies. Open records requests may be made in person at the Sheriff’s Office between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday, excluding Holidays, or by calling our office at 262-335-4378 or by mailing requests to:

Washington County Sheriff’s Office
Attention: Records
PO Box 1986
West Bend, WI 53095

Typical requests include: accident reports, incident reports, contact records and photos. The fee schedule is:

Fee Schedule

Accident Reports:	$ .25 per page
Incident Reports:	$ .25 per page
Legal Documents:	$1.00 per page
Reproduced Photos	$1.50 per photo
Digital Media	$5.00 per CD/DVD
Color Digital Photos	$2.00 per page

The Wisconsin public records law authorizes requesters to inspect or obtain copies of records maintained by government authorities. Records are presumed to be open to the public for inspection with some specific exceptions. A request may be denied, in whole or in part, for specific and sufficient reasons. The requirements of the public record law also exist at the time the request is made and does not require authorities to provide information if no responsive record exists. Generally the law also does not require authorities to create new records in order to fulfill requests.

Pursuant to Wis. Stat. 19.35(3) (c), a fee for locating a record not exceeding the actual, necessary and direct cost of location, may be imposed upon the requester if the cost is $50 or more.

Pursuant to Wis. Stat 19.35(3) (f), a pre-payment may be required for reproduction costs if the total is $5.00 or more.

Department Of Transportation Records

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is not authorized to release Wisconsin Department of Transportation records. For driver license records and/or vehicle records, a Vehicle/Driver Information Request form (MV2896) needs to be completed and mailed to the address below:

Wisconsin Department of Transportation
P.O. Box 7995
Madison, WI 53707-7995

More information may be found by calling Wisconsin DOT at 608-266-02353 or by visiting the web site at: http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/points/abstract.htm

Wisconsin Criminal History Background Checks

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office is not authorized by law to release state criminal history records. For criminal history records please submit a Criminal History Request form and mail to:

Crime Information Bureau
Records Check Unit
PO Box 2688
Madison WI 53701-2688

Forms may be found at: http://www.doj.state.wi.us/dles/cib/forms/record_check_forms.asp and any questions should be directed to the Wisconsin Crime Information Bureau by calling 608-266-5764.

 

Public Records Notice

 

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