Iosco County Arrest Records

In Iosco County, an arrest is the first interaction an individual who commits a crime makes with the criminal justice system in the County. This becomes necessary when law enforcement agencies have reasons to believe the individual involved has committed or intends to commit a criminal action. After an arrest, the arrested individual is usually transported to the Iosco County Jail for temporary detainment and booking. There, the arrestee may post bail or remain in custody until arraignment.

During booking, law enforcement agencies document information about the arrest and the events surrounding the arrest. This documentation comprises the individual's arrest record. Arrest information may also be included in other criminal justice agencies' records, such as the Iosco County court records or the criminal history records maintained by the State Police.

Are Arrest Records Public in Iosco County?

Yes, according to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (MCL § 15.231). Under this law, everyone can access information maintained by public agencies, including law enforcement and criminal justice agencies.

Several limitations are attached to the public access to arrest records in Iosco County. These limitations are necessary for the protection of privacy rights and the prevention of information abuse by members of the public. Generally, persons incarcerated in a local or state correctional facility are prohibited from accessing Iosco County arrest records.

MCL § 15.243 contains the exemptions to the public access to arrest records in Iosco County. Some of these exemptions include:

• Arrest records of juveniles, minors, or sexual abuse victims
• Records that divulge sensitive information, such as a social security number or a confidential source
• Records of ongoing investigations
• Records that may influence a person's right to a fair hearing
• Records that may lead to invasion of privacy rights or endanger law enforcement agents.

Exempted arrest records may be obtained by record subjects, authorized government entities, and interested persons who file a subpoena with a court of jurisdiction.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Iosco County public arrest records typically contain the following information:

• Personal information of the arrestee, including full name and birthdate
• Personal identifying details of the arrestee, such as gender, height, color of skin/hair, weight, and scars
• Information about the arrest, including the time, date, and location of the arrest
• Arresting agency details and information about the officers involved in the arrest
• The class, type, and severity of the alleged criminal offense
• Booking information (facility, booking date/time, bond, and release information where available).

Iosco County Arrest Statistics

The Michigan State Police publishes annual reports for the counties via its Crime in Michigan Report. Based on data published in the Arrests by County and Agency publication, 551 arrests were recorded for Iosco County in 2022. Part I crimes recorded 68 arrests, while 483 arrests were recorded for Part II crimes.

Find Iosco County Arrest Records

In Iosco County, interested parties may find and obtain publicly available arrest records from the Sheriff's Office and other local police departments. The Sheriff's Office and other police departments usually provide various means through which requesters can submit record requests. These include in-person, online, US mail, email, or electronic media. Interested persons may contact the Sheriff's Office for additional information on how to request arrest records using the information below.

Iosco County Sheriff's Office
428 West Lake Street
Tawas City, MI 48763
Phone: (989) 362-6164
Fax: (989) 984-1103
Email: sfrank@ioscocounty.org

Additionally, concerned persons may access Iosco County arrest records by registering an account on the Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT). This ICHAT is the statewide repository for criminal history records maintained by the State Police. Interested parties may only be able to access arrest information for misdemeanors and felony charges on ICHAT for a fee.

Free Arrest Record Search in Iosco County

Residents of Iosco County may find arrest records for free by visiting the Sheriff's Office in person to inspect the records in their custody. The Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) managed by the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) may also be used to access inmate and arrest information at the state level for free.

In addition, concerned persons may utilize online third-party websites to retrieve Iosco County arrest records. Though these sites are convenient to use and provide ready access to public records, they may require a fee. Users may be required to pay subscription fees monthly or make a one-time payment to access the information they provide.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

It depends. The Michigan General Schedule for Local Law Enforcement provides specific retention and disposal guidelines for records maintained by law enforcement agencies. These retention periods depend on the type of arrest record and the information contained in them. For instance, juveniles may have their arrest records erased once they turn seventeen. Other arrest records may be retained for as little as three years after the case is closed or for as long as seven years after the case disposition.

It is important to note that the general schedule for local law enforcement is only applicable to the Sheriff's Office, local police departments, and County jail. Other agencies, like the courts, may have other guidelines for the retention of arrest records in their custody.

Expunge Iosco County Arrest Records

Per Michigan expungement laws, Iosco County arrest records that did not result in a conviction or whose charges were dismissed or acquitted are automatically expunged from the subject's public criminal records. In cases where the arrest resulted in a conviction, concerned persons may file for an expungement according to Michigan Public Act 193 of 2020 or MCL 780.621. These expungement laws provide the criteria and waiting periods needed for an arrest record to qualify for expungement in Michigan.

Interested parties must ensure that the record they wish to expunge meets the criteria outlined in the State's expungement laws. For qualifying records, eligible applicants may fill out form MC 227 or form MC 227a and submit it to a court of jurisdiction in Iosco County. Michigan expungement laws do not require a filing fee for processing expungements, and the processing time may last for as long as eight months. For additional information on how to expunge an arrest record in Iosco County, interested persons may visit Michigan's Attorney General's expungement assistance webpage.

Iosco County Arrest Warrants

Iosco County arrest warrants are legal documents issued by a judge or district court magistrate requesting the arrest of an individual to answer for a misdemeanor, felony, or other criminal charges (MCL Section 764.1). A magistrate or judge under state laws may only issue an arrest warrant after proper consideration of the probable cause submitted by the complainant. The probable cause is to be submitted alongside an affidavit and a sworn statement by the complainant or other witnesses (MCL Section 764.1a).

An issued arrest warrant must reveal the defendant's name, the issuing judicial official's signature/name/title, the alleged charges, bail/bond conditions, and an order mandating the defendant's arrest and detention.

Do Iosco County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. There is no specific statute of limitation for arrest warrants in Iosco County. Thus, an arrest warrant will remain valid and active until law enforcement agencies make an arrest or the individual willingly appears in court.