Michigan Arrest Records

Michigan arrest records contain information received and created during or after arrest events. Such records typically include arrestee information, arrest date, location, charges, and the arresting agency. After an arrest event, arresting agencies compile related information about the arrestee and the incidents surrounding the arrest. The agency maintains this information as arrest records and reports and provides these records to other criminal justice agencies, particularly courts, when needed.

Arrest records are primarily under the jurisdiction of local and state-level law enforcement agencies. For instance, interested parties may look up Michigan arrest records by contacting the Wayne County sheriff's office, the Oakland County sheriff's office or the City of Detroit Police Department, if these agencies handled the arrest.

Note: Arrests generally occur when law enforcement officers apprehend persons suspected of violating state or federal laws. After an arrest, officers may book and temporarily detain the offender in the county jail. Arrestees are detained until they fulfill bail conditions or appear before the court.

Are Arrest Records Public in Michigan?

Yes, most arrest records in Michigan are classified as public documents. Under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (MCL § 15.231), the public has the right to obtain information generated by public agencies. This means the public may access arrest records from designated custodians like law enforcement and other criminal justice agencies. Only current inmates are restricted from viewing or obtaining crime-related public documents in Michigan.

Nevertheless, arrest records may contain information that is exempt under state laws. Public agencies may refuse or deny unauthorized requests for such records. Exempted records are only accessible to eligible parties or those empowered by court orders. That being said, the MCL § 15.243 exempts the following Michigan arrest records from public view:

• Records that may interfere with law enforcement proceedings;
• Records that may deprive an individual of having a fair trial or impartial administrative adjudication.
• Records whose release would constitute an unwarranted invasion of an individual's privacy;
• Records that disclose the identity of confidential sources or information;
• Records whose disclosure may endanger the life or safety of law enforcement personnel;
• Information or records that disclose an individual's Social Security Number (SSN).

Michigan Arrest Statistics

The FBI's Crime Data Explorer creates annual reports concerning arrest events within Michigan. Per the agency's report, the state's law enforcement agencies made 179,775 arrests in 2023. Of this arrest figure, 71.5% (128,636) and 28.5% (51,024) were males and females, respectively. The report also revealed that simple assaults and driving under the influence were the most reported arrests, at 59,256 and 29,102, respectively. Other arrest data listed in the report are outlined below:

Michigan 2023 Arrest Statistics

Find Public Arrest Records in Michigan

In Michigan, interested persons are typically required to find and obtain public arrest records through county sheriff's offices and municipal police departments. These law enforcement agencies usually provide different channels through which record seekers may request public records in their custody. Regardless of the law enforcement agency, inquirers may find and request public arrest records in Michigan by following these steps:

1. Determine the arresting agency in charge of the record: Local law enforcement agencies typically create records of arrest events that occurred within areas under their jurisdiction. Thus, record seekers may first determine where the arrest occurred before finding the agency in charge of the record.
2. Research the agency's request options and fees: interested parties will find this information on most local-level law enforcement agency websites. These websites usually feature online or offline request options. The former may include online searchable databases or online request forms. However, offline requests cover both in-person and mail-in request options. The agency's Record Division/Unit or the "Contact Us" page may provide information on offline request options. Case in point: the Traverse City Police Department's Central Records page offers information on how to access records.
3. Conduct a search or submit a request for the record: law enforcement agencies may accept online or offline requests for public arrest records. To use any of these options, inquirers must typically provide information about the record subject. Such information may include the arrestee's name and arrest date. In addition, some agencies may require the inquirer's contact information during this process.
   Public agencies may allow one or more request options. For instance, the Midland County Sheriff's Office allows phone-based inquiries via their personnel phone line ((989) 839-4600). Agencies that allow in-person inquiries will only attend to requests during business hours. In some cases, agencies may set appointment dates for in-person requests; the Kent County sheriff's office requires you to set up an appointment.
   Meanwhile, agencies that accept online requests typically provide FOIA portals or online forms that inquirers can use to submit their requests. In most cases, users are required to register an account on the portal to access its services. Some examples include the Ottawa County FOIA portal, the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office FOIA online request form, and the Jackson County Sheriff's Office FOIA portal.
   Online searches for arrest records are possible through state-level entities like the state's Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT). The platform provides access to criminal history checks, which may contain arrest information.
4. Pay the required fees: Per MCL § 15.234, Michigan law enforcement agencies charge fees for searching and providing copies of public records.

As previously stated, certain arrest records are exempt from the provisions of the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). As a result, the custodians of these records have the right to refuse requests for such records. However, it may be possible to access these records by submitting a subpoena to the custodian.

A subpoena is a court order that directs its intended recipient to perform a specific task, such as the following:

• Appearing in court.
• Testifying at a judicial proceeding.
• Producing copies of protected records.

Michigan residents may request a subpoena by following these steps:

1. Complete the MC 11 form with the district or circuit court.
2. File it with a court with appropriate jurisdiction.
3. Pay the necessary filing fees.

Note that a Michigan court would only issue a subpoena if there is reasonable cause. After obtaining a subpoena for protected arrest records, you may serve it on the appropriate law enforcement agency to get the desired arrest record.

What is Included in Michigan Arrest Records?

Michigan arrest records typically consist of the following components:

• The arrestee's personal information, such as the arrestee's full name and date of birth.
• The arrestee's personal identifiers, such as physical features and body markings.
• Arrest information, including the arrest date, location, and arresting agency details.
• Booking information
• Bond amount.
• Arrest charges and crime classification.

How to Look Up Arrest Records Online in Michigan

Michigan arrest records are accessible online through resources provided by law enforcement agencies and third-party service providers. The Michigan State Police's ICHAT portal provides access to some arrest information, including that generated by local law enforcement agencies. However, the search platform only covers arrest information concerning felony and misdemeanor crimes.

Local- or state-level correctional agencies and facilities offer alternative means of looking up arrest records in Michigan. The Michigan Department of Corrections, via the Offender Tracking Information System, offers access to arrest information on current inmates.

Inquirers may also locate arrest records via online request portals maintained by local law enforcement agencies. Case in point: the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office and Jackson County Sheriff's Office provide online request portals for accessing arrest records.

Interested parties might opt to use third-party search websites to look up Michigan arrest records. Users typically need to provide a subject's full name along with the arrest location to conduct searches on these sites. Third-party search sites may charge fees before releasing arrest records to the interested parties. That being said, most third-party sites are not regulated by the government and may not offer accurate information.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Michigan

The duration of arrest records in public files may vary, depending on the arrest charges and details. Michigan's Retention and Disposal Schedules specify the duration for which law enforcement agencies must retain arrest records. These schedules identify records and determine how long agencies must maintain those records to satisfy administrative, financial, legal, and historical requirements. They also stipulate whether arrest records should be destroyed after their required retention period.

Per Michigan's General Schedule for Local Law enforcement, custodian agencies must retain arrest log data for five (5) years before destroying it. Meanwhile, arrest records on non-criminal incidents must be retained for three (3) years after the closure of the incident file and then destroyed. The Schedule further mandates that arrest records on misdemeanor incidents be maintained on file for an extra seven (7) years after the official retention period. On the other hand, arrest records that detail felony incidents are destroyed after the following:

• It has been more than 20 years since the official retention date.
• The arrestee has no active warrant.

Lastly, arrest records on homicide and criminal sexual conduct incidents remain on file for 110 years, after which they are destroyed.

Note: The state automatically removes juvenile arrest records after the juvenile's 17th birthday. Note that Michigan's General Schedule for Local Law enforcement only applies to local law enforcement agencies. The state police department may still retain arrest records even after the retention period ends.

Expunge an Arrest Record in Michigan

Michigan automatically expunges arrest records if the charges were dismissed or the court acquitted the arrestee. The Michigan Public Act 193 of 2020 also allows the automatic expungement of criminal records under these conditions:

• It is more than seven years after completing a sentence for misdemeanors punishable by less than 92 days' imprisonment;
• It is more than seven years after completing a sentence for a maximum of four misdemeanours punishable by 93 days or more imprisonment;
• It is more than 10 years after completing a sentence for a maximum of two felonies.

Meanwhile, individuals may expunge certain convictions by filing a petition with a court of competent jurisdiction. Nevertheless, the following convictions are not eligible for expungement:

• Convictions for child sexually abusive material or activity offences
• Offences related to human trafficking
• Certain traffic offences
• Certain felony domestic violence offences
• 2nd-degree child abuse.
• 2nd-degree criminal sexual conduct

Interested parties may fill out form MC 227 or form MC 227a (for marijuana-related misdemeanor convictions) and file it with a court with appropriate jurisdiction. If the petition is approved, the court will issue an expungement order to all agencies holding the record. Note that the expungement process may take up to eight months. Interested persons may visit the Michigan Attorney General's expungement assistance webpage for more information about the record expungement process in Michigan.

Note: There are no filing fees for expungement petitions.

How Do I Find Recent Arrests in Michigan?

In Michigan, interested parties may find recent arrest events through online or offline resources provided by custodian agencies. Some local law enforcement agencies maintain online lists of recent arrest events on their websites. For instance, you may view recent arrests via the Lansing Police Department's Public arrest report page or the Monroe County Sheriff's Office arrest page.

Are Michigan Arrest Records Free?

Yes, interested persons may access Michigan arrest records for free through online searchable databases maintained by local- or state-level agencies. Such databases, however, only review basic or limited arrest information. Inquirers seeking to get comprehensive reports may need to obtain physical copies of the document. Custodian agencies may charge various fees before producing copies of arrest records.