Bremer County Public Records / Bremer County Arrest Records

Bremer County Arrest Records

How To Look Up Arrest Records in Bremer County in 2026

BremerRecords.us provides access to publicly available information related to arrest records in Bremer County, Iowa. Members of the public may find booking records, charge information, custody status, and related court case data through this resource. Available record categories may include arrest logs, booking photographs, bond information, criminal charges, and court case numbers. The completeness and currency of records may vary depending on the originating agency and the nature of the case.

Records may be searched through official resources, clerk offices, public access terminals, and online tools. The following methods are available to members of the public seeking arrest record information in Bremer County.

Online Methods:

1. County Sheriff's Office Arrest Records

The Bremer County Sheriff's Office maintains booking and arrest records for individuals processed through the county jail. Members of the public may contact the Sheriff's Office directly to inquire about current inmate status and recent bookings. The Sheriff's Office does not currently maintain a publicly accessible online jail roster, so direct contact or in-person inquiry is the primary method for obtaining this information.

Available information includes: arrestee name, booking date, charges, bond amount, and custody status
Records are updated as bookings occur
Inquiries may be directed to the records division by phone or in person

2. Local Police Departments

The City of Waverly Police Department serves as the primary municipal law enforcement agency within Bremer County. The department may issue press releases containing arrest information for notable incidents. Members of the public may submit public records requests to the Waverly Police Department for arrest logs and incident reports.

Waverly Police Department
115 E Bremer Ave
Waverly, IA 50677
Phone: (319) 352-1414
Waverly Police Department

3. County Clerk of Court Case Search

Court cases arising from arrests in Bremer County are accessible through the Iowa Courts Online search portal, which allows members of the public to search criminal case records by defendant name. A county must be selected to initiate an advanced search. Court records linked to arrests include case numbers, charge descriptions, hearing dates, and case dispositions.

4. State Law Enforcement Database

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) maintains a statewide criminal history repository. Members of the public and authorized entities may submit requests for criminal history record checks through the Iowa Department of Public Safety. As noted by the Iowa DCI, "The gender, social security number, and middle name are not required. This information can help with the resolution of common names and dates of birth." A fee applies for non-fingerprint-based name searches submitted by the public.

In-Person Access:

Sheriff's Office:

Bremer County Sheriff's Office
415 E Bremer Ave
Waverly, IA 50677
Phone: (319) 352-5400
Bremer County Sheriff's Office

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Requestors should bring a valid government-issued photo ID
Specific information about the arrest, including the subject's full name and approximate date of arrest, is helpful
Fees for copies apply per Iowa law

Clerk of Court:

Bremer County Clerk of Court
415 E Bremer Ave, Suite 102
Waverly, IA 50677
Phone: (319) 352-5661
Bremer County Clerk of Court

Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
Criminal case files are available for public inspection
Copy fees apply per page

By Mail:

Written requests for arrest records may be submitted to the Bremer County Sheriff's Office at 415 E Bremer Ave, Waverly, IA 50677. Requests should include the subject's full legal name, date of arrest if known, booking number if known, and the requestor's contact information. Payment for copies should be included with the request. Processing time varies but is typically 5–10 business days.

By Phone:

Bremer County Sheriff's Office: (319) 352-5400
Callers should have the subject's full name, date of birth, and approximate arrest date available
Limited information is available by phone; callers may be directed to submit a written request or visit in person

Through Legal Channels:

Attorneys may submit formal records requests on behalf of clients. Subpoenas may be used to compel production of detailed records in the context of legal proceedings. Discovery processes in criminal cases provide defense counsel access to arrest-related documentation.

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)
Jurisdiction of arrest (Sheriff's Office, Waverly PD, or other agency)

Are Arrest Records Public in Bremer County

Arrest records in Bremer County are public records under Iowa law. Pursuant to Iowa Code § 22.2, every person has the right to examine and copy public records maintained by government bodies, including law enforcement agencies. Arrest records are made available to the public in the interest of government transparency, public safety, community awareness, 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 are restricted or sealed under Iowa law
Expunged arrest records are removed from public access
Court-ordered sealed records are confidential
Active investigation information may be withheld
Undercover officer identities are protected
Confidential informant information is not disclosed
Victim identifying information may be withheld in certain cases
Witness protection participants are excluded from public disclosure

Constitutional and Legal Basis:

Iowa's public records framework reflects a balance between governmental transparency and individual privacy. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution supports press access to arrest information, while due process considerations acknowledge that an arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt. Iowa courts have consistently held that booking records and arrest logs fall within the scope of public records subject to disclosure.

Who Can Access Arrest Records:

General public
Media organizations
Employers (subject to restrictions under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act)
Landlords (subject to 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 and landlords using consumer reporting agencies must comply with FCRA requirements, including adverse action procedures. Iowa does not currently have a statewide "ban the box" law applicable to private employers, though individual municipalities may have adopted local ordinances. A critical distinction exists between an arrest record and a conviction record; an arrest alone does not establish criminal liability.

What's in Bremer County Arrest Records

Personal Identification Information:

Full legal name
Aliases or "also known as" names
Date of birth and 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
Arresting agency (Sheriff's Office, Waverly Police Department, or other)
Booking date and time
Booking number or arrest number
Warrant information, if applicable

Charges Information:

Specific criminal charges
Iowa statute numbers violated
Charge descriptions and classifications (felony degree or misdemeanor class)
Number of counts per charge
Domestic violence designation, if applicable

Booking Information:

Booking facility name and location
Intake process timestamp
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprints (collected but not 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, or no bond
Release date and time, if released
Release conditions, if public

Court Information:

Court case number assigned
Court jurisdiction
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 are subject to separate disclosure rules
Court records: Document legal proceedings following an 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 Bremer County?

Under Iowa Code § 22.3, government bodies may charge fees for the actual cost of providing copies of public records. Current standard fees applicable to arrest records in Bremer County are as follows:

Record Type	Fee
Paper copies (per page)	$0.10–$0.25 per page (varies by office)
Certified copies	$5.00–$10.00 per document
Electronic records	Varies; may be provided at no charge
Search fee	No statutory search fee; actual cost basis applies

Inspection of records at the office is available at no charge
Copies of records are subject to per-page fees
Certification fees apply when a certified copy is requested
Electronic format records may be provided at reduced or no cost depending on the agency
Payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order at most offices; credit card acceptance varies by department
Fee waivers may be available for indigent requestors upon written application; agencies retain discretion in granting waivers
Court records obtained through the Iowa Courts Online system may be subject to separate fee schedules established by the Iowa Judicial Branch

Members of the public may inspect records in person at no cost. The Iowa Courts Online search portal provides free access to basic case information, including criminal case dockets.

How To Delete Arrest Records in Bremer County

Iowa law provides two primary mechanisms for limiting public access to arrest records: expungement (legal erasure) and deferred judgment dismissal. Expungement results in the removal or destruction of arrest records from public access, while deferred judgment dismissal results in a conviction being set aside upon successful completion of probation conditions. The distinction is significant: expungement removes the record from public view, whereas a deferred judgment dismissal may still appear in certain databases.

Under Iowa Code § 901C.1, a person who has been arrested but not convicted may petition the court for expungement of the arrest record if the charges were dismissed, the person was acquitted, or the prosecution was not initiated. The petition must be filed in the district court in the county where the arrest occurred.

Eligibility for Expungement:

Charges were dismissed without conviction
Acquittal at trial
Prosecution declined to file charges
Deferred judgment successfully completed (results in dismissal eligible for expungement)
Certain misdemeanor convictions may be eligible after a waiting period under Iowa law

Steps to Petition for Expungement:

Obtain the case number and arrest record from the Bremer County Clerk of Court
Complete the petition for expungement form available from the Clerk of Court
File the petition with the Bremer County District Court and pay the applicable filing fee
Serve the petition on the county attorney's office
Attend the scheduled hearing if required by the court
If granted, the court issues an order directing law enforcement and the state repository to expunge the record

Bremer County District Court – Clerk of Court
415 E Bremer Ave, Suite 102
Waverly, IA 50677
Phone: (319) 352-5661
Iowa Judicial Branch – 1st Judicial District

Bremer County Attorney's Office
415 E Bremer Ave
Waverly, IA 50677
Phone: (319) 352-0330
Bremer County Attorney

Following a court order of expungement, the Iowa DCI updates the state criminal history repository. Third-party commercial databases are not legally required to remove records upon expungement, and individuals may need to contact those entities separately.

What Happens After Arrest in Bremer County?

Immediate Post-Arrest Process:

1. Transport to Jail

Following an arrest in Bremer County, the arrested individual is transported to the Bremer County Jail located at 415 E Bremer Ave, Waverly, IA 50677. Transport time varies based on the location of the arrest within the county.

2. Booking Process

Upon arrival at the booking facility, the arrested individual undergoes a standard intake process that typically takes one to four hours depending on volume. The booking process includes:

Recording of personal information
Advisement of Miranda rights
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint collection
Criminal history and outstanding warrants check
Personal property inventory and storage
Medical and brief mental health screening
Housing classification

3. First Appearance/Initial Hearing

Under Iowa law, an arrested individual must be brought before a magistrate without unnecessary delay, and in no event later than 24 hours after arrest, excluding Sundays and legal holidays, for an initial appearance. At this hearing:

The individual is formally notified of the charges
The right to appointed counsel is addressed for indigent defendants
Bond or bail is determined
Rights are explained

The hearing may be conducted via video conference.

Bond/Bail Process:

Cash Bond: The full bond amount must be paid in cash. The amount is refunded upon conclusion of the case, minus applicable fees, if the defendant appears at all required court dates.

Surety Bond: A licensed bail bondsman posts the full bond amount. The defendant pays a non-refundable premium, typically ten percent of the bond amount.

Personal Recognizance (PR Bond): The individual is released on a written promise to appear. No monetary payment is required. Eligibility is based on community ties, employment, criminal history, nature of charges, and flight risk assessment.

No Bond: The individual is held without bond in cases involving serious violent offenses, demonstrated flight risk, danger to the community, probation or parole violations, immigration holds, or out-of-state warrants.

Conditions of Release may include check-in requirements, travel restrictions, no-contact orders, drug and alcohol testing, GPS monitoring, and pretrial supervision.

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 court date, and written conditions of release. If bond is not posted, the individual remains in custody and is assigned housing within the jail.

Accessing Legal Representation:

Bremer County Public Defender (through State Public Defender)
Eligibility is based on financial need. Applications are processed through the Iowa State Public Defender's office.

Iowa State Public Defender – Northeast Iowa Office
Phone: (319) 291-2340
Iowa State Public Defender

Private counsel may be retained at any stage. The Iowa State Bar Association provides attorney referral services.

Charging Decision:

The Bremer County 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, a grand jury may be convened to determine whether probable cause exists to proceed with an indictment.

Arraignment follows the filing of charges. 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 set.

Court Process Overview:

The pretrial phase includes discovery, pretrial motions, pretrial conferences, and plea negotiations. Case resolution options include dismissal, diversion programs (such as drug court or mental health court), plea agreements, or trial. Iowa offers pretrial diversion programs for eligible defendants; successful completion results in dismissal of charges.

If convicted, sentencing options include incarceration, probation, fines, restitution, community service, treatment programs, or a combination. Credit is applied for time served in pretrial detention. The defendant retains the right to appeal a conviction.

Timeline Overview:

Arrest to first appearance: Within 24 hours (excluding Sundays and legal holidays)
First appearance to arraignment: Days to weeks depending on charge severity
Arraignment to resolution: Months; varies widely by case complexity
Misdemeanors: Resolved within weeks to several months
Felonies: May take six months to over one year
Iowa's speedy trial requirement: Trial must commence within 90 days of arraignment for defendants in custody, or one year for defendants not in custody, under Iowa Rule of Criminal Procedure 2.33

Rights Throughout the Process:

Right to remain silent
Right to counsel
Right to speedy trial
Right to confront witnesses
Right to present a defense
Right against self-incrimination
Right to appeal a conviction

Important Contacts:

Bremer County Sheriff's Office (Jail)
415 E Bremer Ave
Waverly, IA 50677
Phone: (319) 352-5400
Bremer County Sheriff's Office

Bremer County Clerk of Court
415 E Bremer Ave, Suite 102
Waverly, IA 50677
Phone: (319) 352-5661
Iowa Judicial Branch

Bremer County Attorney's Office
415 E Bremer Ave
Waverly, IA 50677
Phone: (319) 352-0330
Bremer County Attorney

Iowa State Public Defender
Phone: (319) 291-2340
Iowa State Public Defender

What to Do If You're Arrested:

Remain calm and cooperative with law enforcement
Do not physically resist arrest
Politely exercise the right to remain silent
Request an attorney immediately
Do not discuss the case with anyone other than your 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 Bremer County?

Records retention in Bremer County is governed by Iowa law and applicable local policies. The Iowa State Archives and Records Program establishes retention schedules for government records, including law enforcement and court records.

Arrest Records Retention by Type:

Felony Convictions:

Retained permanently by the Sheriff's Office, Clerk of Court, Iowa DCI state repository, and the FBI's National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
Part of the permanent criminal history record

Misdemeanor Convictions:

Retained permanently or for an extended period by local law enforcement and the state repository
Court records for misdemeanor cases are retained for a minimum of ten years under Iowa court records retention schedules

Dismissed Charges:

May remain in local law enforcement databases unless expunged
Court records are retained according to the applicable retention schedule
State repository retains records unless an expungement order is received

Acquittals:

Local law enforcement records are retained for a period determined by agency policy
Court records are often retained permanently
May be eligible for expungement under Iowa Code § 901C.1

Charges Not Filed:

Booking records are retained for a period determined by agency policy, typically a minimum of five years
May be eligible for expungement upon petition

Digital vs. Physical Records:

Physical booking paperwork and fingerprint cards are retained according to the Iowa records retention schedule
Digital records management systems often retain records permanently or for extended periods
Mugshot databases may retain photographs beyond the standard retention period
Court electronic records are retained permanently in most cases

Third-Party Databases:

Commercial background check companies and mugshot websites may retain arrest records indefinitely and are not subject to the same retention and expungement requirements as government agencies. The FCRA requires that consumer reporting agencies maintain accurate records, but third-party websites operating outside the consumer reporting framework may not update records following expungement.

Effect of Disposition on Retention:

Conviction: Permanent retention in law enforcement and court databases
Dismissal: Records may remain unless expunged; often not reported on standard background checks
Expungement: Local records are sealed or destroyed; state repository is updated; FBI database may retain a notation accessible only to law enforcement
No charges filed: Shortest retention period; may be purged automatically after a set number of years or upon petition

Accessing Historical Arrest Records:

Recent arrests are accessible through online court search tools and direct agency inquiry
Older arrests may require in-person requests and may involve retrieval from physical archives
Very old records may not be digitized and may be subject to destruction under the applicable retention schedule

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. Iowa does not currently impose a statewide statutory limit on the reporting period for convictions in private employment background checks. Arrests without convictions are not to be used as the sole basis for adverse employment decisions in many contexts, and employers are advised to consult applicable federal and state guidance.

How to Check Retention Status:

Members of the public may contact the Bremer County Sheriff's Records Division at (319) 352-5400 to inquire about the retention status of a specific arrest record. A written public records request may be required, and applicable fees may apply for copies.