My question involves juvenile law in the State Wisconsin
Hello. I am asking for a friend because she is unable to access this site for some reason.
Her question is regarding police reports for minors, are they public record?
My 16 year old son received a Disorderly Conduct w/a motor vehicle citation (city ordinance) from our local police department from an "incident" that happened in the high school parking lot. It was reported by a staff member to the high school principal. High school principal called the police department because it was a "safety concern". Officer showed up at the high school two days later and issued him a citation. I requested from the principal the parking lot camera footage and he told me that he could not turn it over to me but would give to the police department and I could request it from them. I called the police department on two occasions to ask for a copy of the police report that week and spoke to two different part time police officers who both told me that they did not have access to other officer's reports and that I would need to contact the chief who was on vacation. I contacted him yesterday and he told me that he "doesn't usually" give out police reports and that if it all, I could request it after the court date. The reason I am asking for the report and camera footage in the first place is because I want to review and decide whether I want to fight it or not. He also told me that they never received any footage from the principal. (I will be contacting him again today as well, as I do not know if he didn't send it or if it's because there is no footage). The chief then told me that I would need to contact the city attorney and she would decide whether I can get a copy of the police report or not. What rights do I have here? My son is a minor, why WOULDN'T I be allowed a copy of the report??

