Berrien County Arrest Records

Arrest records are official documents containing details of instances where individuals have been detained by law enforcement on suspicion of criminal activity. These records typically encompass personal information about the arrestee, the booking process details, the charges filed, and any related offenses.

Upon arrest, individuals are booked into the Berrien County Jail, where they remain until they can post bail or appear for arraignment. During the booking process, officers collect a range of information, including personal details, the nature of the charges, and specifics related to the arrest. This data is compiled into Berrien County arrest records, which various criminal justice agencies and courts utilize for legal proceedings.

In Berrien County, arrest records are maintained by the Sheriff's Office as well as other local law enforcement agencies. However, other judicial system divisions also maintain these records when they are deemed relevant to a judicial proceeding. In such cases, they may be featured within Berrien County Court Records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Berrien County?

Yes, arrest records in Berrien County are considered public under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231. This law allows individuals to request and obtain copies of public records, including arrest records, from the relevant law enforcement agencies.

Nonetheless, certain information within arrest records may be exempt from public disclosure to protect privacy and safety. Exemptions outlined in MCL 15.243 include:

• Personal details of the arrestee if disclosure could invade their privacy.
• Information that could reveal the identity of confidential sources
• Information that could jeopardize the safety of the members of law enforcement
• Law enforcement investigation files that are still under active review.
• Details that could identify crime witnesses or victims.

To access exempt records or detailed information, individuals may need to obtain written consent from the record subject or a court order.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Berrien County typically feature the following information pertaining to the subject of the record:

• Their Personal Information: Full name, any aliases, date of birth.
• Physical Description: Gender, height, weight, eye color, distinguishing marks, race.
• Booking Details: Time and date of arrest and booking, details of the holding facility, bond type and amount, release date if applicable.
• Arrest Information: The time and location of the arrest and the details of the arresting officer.
• Offense Details: The type of crime committed and specific criminal charges.

Berrien County Crime Rate

According to the 2022 Michigan Incident Crime Reporting Publication, the total reported crimes in Berrien County amounted to 18,881. This included 3,878 index crimes and 15,003 non-index crimes. Property crimes were notably prevalent, with larceny theft accounting for 2,136 incidents, followed by burglary (424), motor vehicle theft (416), and arson (27). Among violent crimes, aggravated assault was the most frequently reported (664), with reported cases of rape (145), robbery (52), and homicide (14).

Berrien County Arrest Statistics

The 2022 arrest data for Berrien County, also provided by the Michigan State Police, showed a total of 4,344 arrests made by law enforcement in that year, with 562 related to index crimes and 3,782 related to non-index crimes. The most arrests were conducted for aggravated/felonious assault (184). There were also 161 arrests for retail fraud theft, 54 arrests related to pickpocketing, and 27 arrests for other kinds of larceny.

Find Berrien County Arrest Records

Persons seeking Berrien County arrest records may access them through the Berrien County Sheriff's Office, which provides both in-person and online access to inmate information. Inquirers may visit the office and request the records or utilize the Jail Division's Inmate Search tool to lookup inmates by their first name, last name, and/or booking date. The Berrien County Jail operates under the Sheriff's Office and provides details on current inmates. Users can expect to obtain details of the offender's charges and visitation information.

Additionally, inquirers may obtain records pertaining to incarcerated persons through the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC), which operates an Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS). Using the MDOC, inquirers may lookup details of offenders within the MDOC's jurisdiction in the preceding 3 years. To search the MDOC database, users will need to provide the offender's name, MDOC number, and the offender's status.

Inquirers may also obtain physical copies of an arrest record by sending a written request to the Records Division of the Berrien County Sheriff's Office. A request for certified records should contain the following details:

• Full name of the inmate
• Date of birth
• Crime committed
• Booking or release date
• MDOC identification number (if applicable)

Requests for these records can be submitted in person or via mail to:

Berrien County Sheriff's Office
919 Port St.
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Phone: (269) 983-7141

Alternatively, inquirers may request these records from the Michigan Department of Corrections at:

Michigan Department of Corrections Grandview Plaza
206 E. Michigan Avenue
P.O. Box 30003
Lansing, MI 48909

Free Arrest Record Search in Berrien County

The provisions of Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (MCL § 15.234) allow law enforcement agencies (as well as other public record custodians) to charge fees for searching, copying, or providing records. As a result, it may not always be possible to access arrest records for free directly from official sources. Notwithstanding, the Jail Division's Inmate Search tool can be accessed for free, and inquirers can make phone requests for inmate-related information at no charge - especially if the record of interest does not require extensive research or physical copies. Additionally, third-party websites often provide free or low-cost access to public arrest records. These sites aggregate data from law enforcement agencies and can offer basic information using personal details like the arrestee's name and booking information.

Get Berrien County Criminal Records

Criminal records contain detailed information on an individual's history with the criminal justice system, including arrests, charges, convictions, and sentences. Berrien County criminal records are compiled from law enforcement agencies, courts, and correctional facilities within county limits. Inquirers may access criminal records by querying the county Sheriff's Office in person or via mail.

The Michigan State Police also offers access to criminal history information through its Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT), which is a name-based background check system. This database includes information on felony arrests, convictions, and misdemeanor offenses.

Berrien County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Arrest records document the details of a person's apprehension by law enforcement, including personal data such as name, age, and address, along with specifics about the arrest, such as charges and booking details. These records are generally created by law enforcement and judicial institutions following an individual's apprehension.

On the other hand, criminal records encompass a broader range of information, detailing an individual's criminal history, including arrests, court proceedings, convictions, and sentencing outcomes. Criminal records are typically created after an individual has gone through the legal process in the county courts.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

According to Michigan's General Schedule for Local Law Enforcement Agencies, the length of time an arrest will remain on an individual's record depends on the nature of the offense and the circumstances surrounding its prosecution. According to the schedule, the retainment period of some arrest records is as follows:

• Records involving non-criminal incidents are retained for 3 years after the case is closed.
• Arrest records involving misdemeanors are retained for 7 years after the case is closed.
• Arrest records involving felonies are kept for 20 years after the case is closed and all warrants are cleared.
• Arrest records related to homicide or criminal sexual conduct are retained for a much longer period, usually indefinitely, until all warrants are cleared.

Michigan law allows juveniles to expunge their arrest records once they turn 17, provided they were not convicted of certain serious offenses. This means their records are effectively sealed or destroyed to provide a clean slate upon reaching adulthood.

Expunge Berrien County Arrest Records

Expunging arrest records in Berrien County, Michigan, can help individuals remove past offenses or certain criminal convictions from their public records. Once expunged, these records are no longer accessible to the public, which means employers, landlords, and other parties cannot view or refer to them. According to Michigan Public Records Act 193 of 2020, arrest records where charges have been dismissed or the individual was acquitted are automatically eligible for expungement. If the arrest leads to a conviction, the conviction may also qualify for expungement under certain conditions if they include any of the following:

• Offenses that resulted in injury or death (specifically those pertaining to traffic offenses)
• Convictions that result in a life imprisonment sentence
• A felony domestic violence conviction if the individual has a prior misdemeanor conviction for domestic violence.
• Sexual offenses, such as criminal sexual conduct, child sexual abuse material offenses, or using a computer to commit certain sex crimes.
• Convictions involving child abuse, human trafficking, and all degrees of criminal sexual conduct.

For a comprehensive list of ineligible offenses, interested persons may consult MCL § 780.621, which governs expungement eligibility in Michigan.

Eligible persons may follow these steps to have their records expunged:

• Fill out the appropriate forms (e.g., MC 227) available in the "Applications & Checklists" section of the Michigan Attorney General's website.
• Submit the completed application along with supporting documents to the Michigan State Police (MSP). The MSP will verify the information and generate a Criminal History Report.
• Once the Criminal History Report is processed, receive the notification of the expungement hearing
• Attend the hearing, during which the court will determine whether the request for expungement will be granted.

Berrien County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant in Berrien County is a legal order allowing law enforcement officers to arrest a person suspected of committing a crime or violating a court order. Under Michigan law, there are some circumstances where police can arrest someone without a warrant. For example, if an officer has probable cause to believe a crime has been committed, they can make an arrest. Afterward, the courts may issue a formal arrest warrant for further investigation or legal action.

Berrien County Arrest Warrant Search

To check if someone has an active arrest warrant in Berrien County, individuals can contact the Berrien County Sheriff's Office in person. Local police departments do not typically process warrant search requests over the phone, so inquirers will need to visit the Sheriff's office or other police departments bearing their I.D.

Berrien County Sheriff's Office
919 Port St.
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Phone: (269) 983-7141
Email: sheriff@berriencounty.org

BCSO Niles Substation
1205 North Front Street,
Niles, MI 49085
Phone: (269) 983-5274

Do Berrien County Arrest Warrants Expire?

In Berrien County, arrest warrants do not expire. When an arrest warrant is issued, it remains active until the subject of the warrant is arrested or it is resolved through the court.

However, an arrest warrant may become void if the court recalls it or the statute of limitations for the underlying crime expires. It is important to note that statutes of limitations vary depending on the type of crime. For example, more serious offenses such as murder have no statute of limitations in Michigan, meaning the arrest warrant can be enforced indefinitely.