Bay County Arrest Records

An arrest occurs when the police detain an individual with the aim of stopping or investigating a crime. While an arrest is taking place, the police officer informs the suspect that they are being arrested and gives them the reason for the arrest.

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office is the primary body responsible for the generation of arrest records. When a person is arrested in Bay County, the Sheriff’s record division creates a record of the arrest. This is done to ensure transparency concerning the actions of law enforcement and the detainment of Bay County residents.

Arrest records contain information that is relevant to a person’s arrest. The record includes personal information about the suspect as well as the pending criminal charges.

You can find information concerning Bay County arrest records and inmates within Bay County jail on the Bay County Sheriff’s Office website. You can also visit the Sheriff’s office at:

503 Third Street
Bay City, Michigan 48708
Phone: (989) 895-4050
Fax: (989) 895-4058

The Bay County Clerk’s Office also maintains a database of public records, which includes arrest records relevant to Bay County. You can reach out to the Bay County Clerk of Court to access Bay County Court Records.

To contact the County Clerk visit:

Bay County Building
515 Center Avenue, Ste. 101
Bay City, Michigan 48708-5941
Voice: (989) 895-4280
Fax: (989) 895-4284
baycountyclerk@baycounty.net

Are Arrest Records Public in Bay County?

The Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) grants the general public free access to arrest records. This means that Bay County residents can get vital information on arrests that take place within the county. This increases transparency surrounding the activities of law enforcement officials and empowers county residents to hold law enforcement accountable and ensure safety within their communities.

Though the public is given access to arrest records in Michigan, there are cases where the records are permanently or temporarily restricted from public access. Such cases include:

• Cases where the information contained within an arrest record may prove harmful to a witness
• Cases where the information contained in an arrest record may harm the progress of an investigation or the prosecution of a case
• Cases where the information within an arrest record may be harmful to a juvenile person
• Cases where the information within an arrest record may reveal details about the suspect’s medical or mental health that may put them at risk
• Cases where the information contained in an arrest record can be used for discriminatory purposes

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records contain information relevant to an arrest. This information includes:

• The suspect’s name, age, and address
• The suspect’s physical description
• The suspect’s charges
• The suspect’s mugshot and fingerprints
• Information about the arresting agency
• The date and location of the arrest

Arrest records sometimes include details about court appearances and the case disposition.

Bay County Crime Rate

Bay County, Michigan, has a high crime rate. The County’s violent crime rate is 33, which is much higher than the national average of 22.7. The property crime rate is also remarkably high at 42.5, significantly more than the national average of 35.4.

In 2019, there were 271 recorded cases of violent crime. 2 murder-related arrests were made, along with 35 rape cases, 20 robberies, and 214 cases of aggravated assault. In the same year, there were 654 reported cases of property crime. There were 154 burglaries, 476 cases of larceny, 43 motor vehicle thefts, and 4 cases of arson.

Bay County Arrest Statistics

Bay County has an arrest rate of 3,136 annually and a local jail rate of 255 inmates annually per 100,000 residents between the ages of 15-64. The jail admit rate is 6,412 and as of 2015, there were 480 male prisoners for every 47 female prisoners.

Find Bay County Arrest Records

You can find information concerning Bay County arrest records and inmates within Bay County jail on the Bay County Sheriff’s Office website. You can also visit the Sheriff’s office at:

503 Third Street
Bay City, Michigan 48708
Phone: (989) 895-4050
Fax: (989) 895-4058

The Bay County Clerk’s Office also maintains a database of public records, which includes arrest records relevant to Bay County. You can reach out to the Bay County Clerk of Court to access Bay County Court Records.

To contact the County Clerk visit:

Bay County Building
515 Center Avenue, Ste. 101
Bay City, Michigan 48708-5941
Voice: (989) 895-4280
Fax: (989) 895-4284
baycountyclerk@baycounty.net

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 Bay County

Outline any free resources for searching arrest records in Bay. You may discuss third-party sites as an option.

Bay County residents have free access to arrest records and can search them by visiting the Sheriff’s office and the Clerk of Court’s Office online. Bay County 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 Bay County Criminal Records

A criminal record is a document that contains the history of a person’s interactions with the law. This includes a list of felony arrests, misdemeanor convictions, convictions and sentences. Arrest records as well as the final disposition can be found in a person’s criminal record.

To get access to a criminal record you will need to perform a criminal history background check. This can be performed by searching using the name or fingerprints of the relevant person. Fingerprint searches require an executive order from the state or federal level.

For a name search, you can use the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT). ICHAT provides access to information on public criminal history records maintained by the Michigan State Police. Information regarding felonies and misdemeanors punishable by over 93 days are reported to the state repository by law enforcement, courts, and prosecutors in all Michigan counties. That said, you won’t find information about suppressed records through ICHAT, nor will you find information from other states.

Bay County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

A criminal record is a compilation of information related to a person’s arrests, convictions, prosecutions and sentences. It is often referred to as Record of Arrests and Prosecutions (RAP sheets). The information contained in a criminal record is not determined by the result of the prosecution, arrests still show up on a RAP sheet even when they don’t lead to convictions.

On the other hand, an arrest record is a document that provides details relevant to a person’s arrest. Arrest records don’t provide evidence that a person was guilty of a crime. Rather, they indicate that a crime took place and that the arrested person was a suspect in the investigation. Arrest records are simply evidence of an arrest and a record of details relevant to the arrest.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Michigan law states that arrests remain on an individual's record indefinitely, except in cases where the record is expunged or sealed. An expunged or sealed record will be removed from public access but will remain accessible to law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and courts.

Expunge Bay County Arrest Records

Arrest records can have a negative effect on a person's life. They sometimes show up in background checks and can make it difficult for a person to find employment or good housing. This happens because an arrest seems to suggest that the arrested person is a criminal, even if the arrest doesn't lead to a conviction.

Fortunately, it is possible to get rid of an arrest record. This is called expungement. In Michigan, an expunged record is restricted from public access and is only accessible to law enforcement and courts. In some other states, an expunged record is completely removed from the system, making it inaccessible to even the court. In such a case, the person with the expunged record is not legally required to disclose the record to anyone. However, this is not the case in Michigan.

The 2021 Clean Slate Act makes expungement in Michigan fairly easy. In fact, arrest records that are eligible for expungement in Michigan have been automatically expunged since 2023. That said, if your arrest record has not been automatically expunged, you can still apply for expungement by emailing the Michigan State Police. However, it is worth noting that some records can only be automatically expunged. Visit the ICHAT website to check if your record has been automatically expunged.

Bay County Arrest Warrants

Arrest warrants are issued when the police have probable cause to believe a person has committed a crime. An active arrest warrant gives the police the right to take a suspect into custody without formally charging them with a crime. Once an arrest warrant is issued, the police take steps to locate the suspect and make the arrest.

Bay County Arrest Warrant Search

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office website features an online active warrant search tool that gives you access to a list of outstanding arrest warrants relevant to the county.

To perform an active warrant search in Bay County, locate the Active Warrant Search tool on the Sheriff’s Office website and enter the first name, last name, and date of birth of the relevant person. After this, click the search button and review the results to find out if there’s an active warrant for the person you’re searching for.

Michigan arrest warrants are subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), so you can also search for public records using the MIcourt case search portal.

You can also visit the Bay County Court Clerk’s Office to find out if you or someone you know has an active arrest warrant. You can contact the Bay County Court Clerk at:

Bay County Building
515 Center Avenue, Ste. 101
Bay City, Michigan 48708-5941
Voice: (989) 895-4280
Fax: (989) 895-4284
baycountyclerk@baycounty.net

Do Bay County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Michigan arrest warrants do not expire. If a person has an active warrant for their arrest the warrant will appear during a background check, public search traffic stop etc. This leaves little to do besides turning oneself in to the authorities. However, there are ways to reduce the risks that come with being pursued, apprehended or stopped due to the warrant.

The best step would be to consult an attorney to receive expert guidance on your case. This will help you develop a strategy based on the circumstances of your case before you contact law enforcement and arrange for a safe surrender.