Hillsdale County Arrest Records

Hillsdale County arrest records are records of arrests generated by local law enforcement agencies in Hillsdale. Under Michigan law, law enforcement agencies are authorized to apprehend offenders and bring them before a court. Section 764.1 of the Michigan Code of Criminal Procedures details the legal aspects of arrests in Michigan and how they work.

An offender apprehended in Hillsdale will typically be taken to the local county jail operated by the county sheriff. After the arrest, the suspect is processed and then arraigned before the judge in a preliminary hearing. This hearing will determine if the arrestee will be granted bail or remain in the county jail until their court date.

Local law enforcement such as the Hillsdale County Sheriff and municipal police departments generate local arrest records. Arrest information may be found in criminal histories maintained by the Michigan State Police. Record seekers may access arrest records that lead to trials as part of Hillsdale County Court Records maintained by the state and local judiciary.

Are Arrest Records Public in Hillsdale County?

Under Michigan’s Freedom of Information Act, Hillsdale County arrest records are considered public. The law grants the general public the right to request, inspect, and copy records in the custody of government agencies, including public arrest records, with certain exceptions.

Certain arrest records, including the following may be restricted from public access under the Public Information Act.

• Arrest records sealed, expunged, or set aside by court order are no longer accessible to the public.
• Arrest records tied to active investigations or criminal litigation may be restricted to prevent compromising the case.
• Information that could identify victims in domestic violence/sexual offense cases may be restricted to protect the victim’s privacy
• Arrest records concerning minors and juveniles are restricted from public acce.ss

Hillsdale County Arrest Statistics

Local law enforcement, such as the Hillsdale County Sheriff, regularly submits arrest statistics for Hillsdale County to the FBI national database. According to the database, the Hillsdale County Sheriff reported about 324 arrests in 2023. This included 28 arrests for non-violent family offenses, 18 arrests for drugs and narcotics offenses, 24 arrests for simple assaults, nine arrests for aggravated assaults, seven arrests for larceny, six arrests for vandalism, three arrests for burglary, and one arrest for driving under the influence.

Find Hillsdale County Arrest Records

To find Hillsdale County arrest records and inmate information records, seekers may contact local law enforcement, such as the Hillsdale County Sheriff. Requests may be made in person at the sheriff's office located at:

Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office
165 W. Fayette St.
Hillsdale, MI 49242

The Corrections Division of the sheriff’s office also maintains a Jail Tracker where users may find current inmates, booking details, and court dates online. Record seekers may also request public records from the Sheriff using the Hillsdale County Public Record Request system. Visitors may call the sheriff’s office at (517) 437-7317 for more information.

The Michigan Department of Corrections Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) provides access to information about prisoners, parolees, and probationers serving their sentences under state-run facilities.

Hillsdale County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Hillsdale County criminal and arrest records document various aspects of a person’s relationship with law enforcement and the legal system. The distinction between these records lies in when they are generated and how comprehensive they are.

Arrest records are not actual proof of guilt. They prove that the subject was suspected of a crime and picked up by the police. These records mainly contain information about arrests, including descriptive details, arresting agency or officers, bail information, and charges brought.

Alternatively, a criminal record is proof of guilt and is only created when the individual passes through the legal system after a guilty verdict. It is comprehensive and contains information from different agencies, including arresting agencies, trial courts, and prisons.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

The length of time an arrest remains on a person’s record in Michigan depends on several factors. These factors may include the outcome of the arrest, whether charges were brought or dismissed, how long ago the offense was, and whether steps were taken to expunge the record.

Arrests that did not lead to convictions because the case was dismissed remain on a record but can be expunged under certain conditions by petitioning the court.

On the other hand, arrests that led to convictions will remain on the record until a certain amount of time passes and the conviction becomes eligible to be expunged. Michigan’s Clean Slate Act sets aside expungement conditions according to the offense.

• Some felonies and misdemeanors may be automatically expunged from a record after a certain time has passed. Felonies may be expunged 10 years and misdemeanors 7 years after sentencing or after the prison term has been completed.
• Most misdemeanors that do not qualify for automatic expungement may be expunged 3 years after completing the sentence
• Depending on how many felonies are on the record expungement may be possible 5 to 7 years after the sentences are completed.

Michigan Compiled Laws Section 780.621 provides an in-depth look at the expungement process and the rules that govern it.

Hillsdale County Arrest Warrants

Under Section 764.1 of the Michigan Code of Criminal Procedure, arrest warrants in Hillsdale County are issued to law enforcement for the apprehension of a person charged with a crime. For a warrant to be issued, the judge or magistrate must be presented with a complaint alleging a crime and showing reasonable belief that the person accused in the complaint committed it. Reasonable cause in the complaint may be based on sworn testimony, an affidavit, factual statements from the complainant, and other witnesses.

Arrest warrants issued in Michigan may contain the following information.

• The full name of the person to be apprehended. If not available, a reasonable description of the person
• The date and location where the warrant was issued
• Instructions to law enforcement to bring the subject before the issuing court promptly
• Nature of the offense, including summary of the evidence showing reasonable cause
• Signature, name, and title of the issuing judicial official

Do Hillsdale County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Arrest warrants issued in Hillsdale County do not expire. They may remain in effect indefinitely until resolved. Warrants can be resolved by the subject being apprehended or turning themselves in. Under certain conditions, the subject of the warrant may file a request for the warrant to be canceled or set aside.