Allegan County Arrest Records

Arrests occur when a person is suspected of having committed, participated in, or observed a crime. If there is probable cause, the suspect is detained. This is different from a situation where the suspect is temporarily restrained, such as during a traffic stop. However, an arrest should only take place if there is probable cause.

Persons arrested in Allegan County are typically held in Allegan County Jail. This 250-capacity correctional facility is a minimum-security adult facility that has been operational since 1986. The jail is operated by the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office. Arrested persons may be taken into police custody with or without a warrant. After the arrest, the suspect may be taken into custody or instructed to return at a later time.

Once the suspect has been taken into custody, the police typically record information related to the arrest, details about the charge, and the suspect’s personal information such as their date of birth, address, handwriting sample, DNA samples, fingerprints, mug shot, etc. This is known as the booking process.

The Sheriff's website contains records of current and past inmates. Additionally, arrest records relevant to Allegan County may be accessed by visiting local and state-level organizations. The county sheriff's office is the regional custodian of arrest data in Allegan County. These records can be best accessed by visiting the sheriff's office at:

Sheriff's Headquarters
640 River St. Allegan,
MI 49010
Fax: (269) 673-0500

Allegan County residents can also find arrest records by accessing Allegan County Court Records. These records are public, and anybody can request access. You can mail a written request or visit online databases on court websites.

Are Arrest Records Public in Allegan County?

According to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the general public can freely access arrest records. Arrest records are considered public information in Allegan County, Michigan. These records are made accessible to the public to ensure transparency and accountability, and to enable members of the public to access information concerning incarcerated individuals within Allegan County.

However, you may not be granted access to arrest records in situations where:

• Access to the records is considered an invasion of privacy (such as the home address, name, and phone number of a witness, victim, or a confidential informant)
• Access to the records may interfere with an investigative process or the prosecution of a case
• Access to the records may put a juvenile person at risk
• Access to the records may reveal personal information such as medical or mental health information
• Access to the records may be used in a discriminatory manner

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Allegan County residents have free access to the county’s arrest records. These records typically contain personal information regarding the arrested individual. This may include:

• The individual’s name and date of birth
• The individual’s address and contact information
• The date, time, and location of the arrest/incident
• The charges filed against the arrested person
• Details regarding the arresting agency
• Dates for the arrested person’s court appearances and information concerning bail, bond set, etc.

Allegan County Crime Rate

According to FBI statistics, Allegan County has a violent crime rate of 12, which is significantly low compared to the national average of 22.7. The county experiences lower occurrences of violent crimes like murder, aggravated assault, rape, etc. The county also experiences a lower incidence of property crime like theft, burglary, and motor vehicle theft, with a property crime rate of 23.8 compared to the national average of 35.4. This suggests that Allegan County residents have a lower risk of experiencing both violent and property crimes.

Allegan County Arrest Statistics

According to FBI statistics, a significant amount of arrests occur in Allegan County. On average, 40 individuals are arrested on a weekly basis and around 500 arrests are made every month. The Allegan County Sheriff’s Office makes about 5,000 arrests annually, with most arrested persons being housed in the county jails.

Find Allegan County Arrest Records

There are numerous options for accessing arrest records in Allegan County. The first option is to visit the official website of the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office. The website contains up-to-date records of arrested persons within Allegan County.

You can also visit the Allegan County Corrections Center in person. Once there, you can speak to the staff to obtain access to the inmate records. However, it is worth noting the specific hours when the center will be open.

You can also access the records on the following sites:

• Michigan Department of Corrections Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS): You can visit this website to access arrest records statewide
• Allegan County Sheriff’s Office - Corrections Center: You can access Allegan County arrest records on this site along with information on how and when to visit the Sheriff’s Office.
• Michigan Records Page: This website contains all public information related to Michigan, including but not limited to arrest records.

Free Arrest Record Search in Allegan County

Allegan County residents have free access to arrest records and can search them up by visiting the sheriff’s office and the Clerk of Court’s Office online. Allegan arrest records can also be accessed on a number of third-party websites for free. These websites contain information on arrest records across several counties. However, it is important to note that some third-party websites may contain information that may be false, inaccurate, or out-of-date.

Get Allegan County Criminal Records

A criminal record includes details related to a person’s criminal conviction history. This may include details on arrests, dispositions, and convictions.

Allegan County criminal records can be used to obtain information on an individual’s criminal history including convictions and arrests. Not all criminal records can be accessed freely. In some cases, a court order might be necessary to access the full information related to a person’s criminal history.

Local resources for accessing a criminal record within Allegan County include:

Circuit Court (Felony, Juvenile)
(269) 673-0300 x2
113 Chestnut St Allegan, MI 49010

District Court (Misdemeanor, Traffic)
(269) 673-0400
1133 Chestnut St Allegan, MI 49010
Website

Sheriff’s Office & Corrections Center (ASCO)
640 River St. Allegan, MI 49010
Website
Records

Holland Police Department
89 W 8th St, Holland, MI 49423
Phone: (616) 355-1100
Website
Police Records and Reports

Allegan County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

The terms ‘criminal’ and ‘arrest’ records are often used interchangeably. However, there is a significant difference between these types of records. Arrest records contain information on the subject, including their name, the date and time of the arrest, the arresting party, the place the subject is being held, and the charges laid against them. These records do not include the final disposition of the case. Rather, they include information related to the charges against the arrested individual.

On the other hand, criminal records include all the details within the arrest record as well as the final disposition of the case. Details such as whether the arrested person was found guilty or if the charges were dismissed, reduced, or dropped can also be found on a criminal record. It also includes sentencing data for the charge, information related to the violations the arrested person has been accused of, and other details such as probation. A criminal record is a much more detailed and definite record than an arrest record.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

An arrest will stay on your record indefinitely. This can only be remedied by applying to seal or expunge your arrest record. Depending on the outcome of your application or appeal, the record may be sealed (restricted from being accessed by the general public except for law enforcement and courts) or expunged (completely removed from public records).

Expunge Allegan County Arrest Records

Although an individual’s arrest records may be permanently accessible to the public, certain steps ensure they cannot be accessed by the public. Individuals have the option of sealing or expunging arrest records.

Sealing arrest records prevents the records from being accessed by the general public. On the other hand, expunging occurs when a court orders the complete elimination of arrests from an individual’s criminal record. Typically, an expunged record cannot be viewed by anyone. However, expungement in Allegan County doesn’t prevent law enforcement and the courts from viewing the arrest record. However, it does prevent landlords, employers, and the general public from viewing the arrest record.

Expungement in Michigan is closer to ‘sealing’ since law enforcement and the courts can still access the arrest record. That said, if the expungement is successful, one can still have a normal life. An expunged record will shield the individual from the downsides of having an arrest on their record, meaning they can still rent or purchase property and job hunt without experiencing discrimination.

The process of expunging an arrest record can take more than six months. The process includes compiling your records, attending a hearing, and receiving a court order to set the records aside. The length of the process depends on numerous factors, most notably the type of record you want to have expunged. Also, if the prosecutor is required to sign off on the expungement, the process could take much longer than necessary.

You must deliver an application to the prosecutor’s office to begin the expungement process. There is a good chance that the prosecutor will be required to sign off on the application. Otherwise, the court might show no interest in your case. You will also need to prepare court records and other documents relevant to the original arrest. Depending on the situation and the nature of the arrest, you might need to attend a court hearing.

However, a person must be eligible before a court can seal or expunge their arrest records. For example, if law enforcement arrests a person and their arrest does result in a conviction or court proceedings, they can petition to have their arrest records sealed or expunged. To determine whether you are eligible for expungement, it is best to consult a criminal attorney who operates in Allegan County.

Allegan County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is an official document issued by a judge to grant a police officer the authority to arrest a specific person or people. Warrants differ depending on the type of crime and the measures required for the arrest to be made. Warrants may also include details related to the type of bail that must be posted for the arrested person to regain their freedom.

The process of obtaining an arrest warrant begins with the police officer submitting a written affidavit to a judge or magistrate. The affidavit must contain information that establishes probable cause that the person named in the warrant committed an offense. Vague information that is not based on provable facts cannot be used to obtain a warrant. The warrant is issued once the affidavit is given, typically under oath, and the judge determines that the evidence within the affidavit is sufficient to make an arrest.

Allegan County Arrest Warrant Search

The Warrant Section of the Allegan County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest warrants in the county. While the Division does not provide online resources to search for arrest warrants, interested parties can visit the Sheriff’s Office to complete a warrant search. The office is located at:

Sheriff's Headquarters
640 River St. Allegan,
MI 49010
Fax: (269) 673-0500

Do Allegan County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Allegan County arrest warrants do not expire. However, the warrant ends once the named suspect has been apprehended or if the warrant is cleared. Without these circumstances, the arrest warrant will stay active indefinitely. This is necessary because if arrest warrants have expiration dates, the suspect could avoid getting arrested by going into hiding until the warrant expires. That said, in a case where the warrant is not acted on by the relevant authorities, the case may be dismissed due to a violation of the suspect’s right to a speedy trial.

Once the suspect becomes aware of an active warrant for their arrest, they also have the option of turning themselves into the police or the court. This allows them to file a motion to quash the warrant in order to render it void or invalid. This only works in cases where a significant amount of time has passed since the issuance of the arrest warrant or if the warrant is deficient. However, this is a risky play and should only be attempted with the advice and approval of a lawyer.