Grand Rapids Arrest Records

Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan, arrest records are files and documents from law enforcement archives that provide details of a person's arrest and detention. Arrest records are products of arrests executed by the sheriff's office or police department on the authority of arrest warrants. These records generally contain details such as the arresting agency's details, the arresting officer's details, the setting of the arrest (date, time, and location), the alleged offense, and booking and custody information.

Generally, arrests may be necessary when an individual is seen committing the offense or law enforcement investigations find such a person complicit. When an arrest is executed, the detainee is held at the Kent County Correctional Facility, part of the jail system maintained by the Kent County Sheriff's Office. These are public records accessible through the Sheriff's Office and Kent County Arrest Records, which contain criminal case files.

Are Arrest Records Public in Grand Rapids?

Yes, Grand Rapids arrest records are public records according to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, and are maintained by law enforcement agencies and the courts. There are also exemptions contained in the Act that restrict certain records from public access. They include:

• Commercial information and trade secrets
• Information that violates personal privacy, such as Social Security Numbers, Medical records, and private bank account details
• Information that violates attorney-client privilege
• Educational records
• Information that could jeopardize law enforcement investigations
• Confidential medical records

Requesters may access these records or make inquiries through the Grand Rapids Police Department headquarters at:

Grand Rapids Police Department
1 Monroe Center NW
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
(616) 456-3400 - Non-emergency Phone
(616) 456-4177 - Records Unit Phone Number

Grand Rapids Arrest Statistics

According to the FBI UCR, which provides city arrest data, between 2023 and 2024, Grand Rapids 's arrest statistics show 2,991 arrests for all other offenses. Within the same period, there were 1,445 arrests for simple assaults, 760 for aggravated assaults, 289 for larceny, 258 for motor vehicle theft, and 123 for larceny. The department recorded 87 robbery arrests, 52 rape arrests, 26 arrests for murder, 23 arrests for arson, and two arrests for manslaughter.

The individuals apprehended by law enforcement agents in these arrests are held at the:

Kent County Correctional Facility
701 Ball Avenue NE
Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503
(616) 632-6300 - Phone
(616) 632-6400 - General Phone Number

Find Grand Rapids Arrest Records

Under Michigan's open record laws, publicly accessible records, such as arrest records, may be inspected and obtained through law enforcement agencies. The city police department and Kent County Sheriff's Office execute arrests and maintain updated records of detained individuals.

Arrest records may be accessed using a records request submitted in person or by mail to their records offices. These records may also be submitted online through the county's Records website. The city also maintains a Jail Inmate Lookup Service (JILS) website to look up detainees in city jails. The state has an Offender Search website that provides statewide access to jail and prison records. The county also includes access to real-time inmate records through the Inmate Lookup website. This website provides access to inmate lookup by phone and online.

Grand Rapids Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

Grand Rapids criminal records contain a compilation of documents and files from courts and law enforcement agencies that detail a person's criminal activities, convictions, and sentences. Arrest records provide information about an individual's arrest and detention by law enforcement agencies. Arrest records are limited to information about arrests, such as name, age, and occupation of the detainee, the alleged offenses, the setting of the arrest, booking information, the arresting officer's particulars, and the arresting agency's details, whether it led to a conviction.

In comparison, criminal records are extensive as they cover details of arrests, court trials, convictions, and judgments entered by the courts. While these records are similar, it is evident that arrest records are a subset of criminal records. Criminal records may generally be used as proof of guilt where there was a conviction, but arrest records are speculative and unsuitable.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record in Grand Rapids?

Arrests in Grand Rapids do not stay on your criminal records indefinitely, as offenses are removed automatically if there are no convictions, an acquittal, or the charges were dropped before trial began. For cases where there was a conviction, Michigan's Clean Slate laws allow individuals to expunge arrests and convictions. This process is available to qualified individuals. The requirements for qualification include:

• There must be no active warrants or pending charges
• There must be no new convictions during the waiting period
• The applicant must have completed the waiting period
• The applicant must have completed the sentence, which includes restitution, fines, fees, parole, and probation.

Grand Rapids Arrest Warrants

Grand Rapids arrest warrants are legal documents issued by a judge or court to arrest and detain a named individual. This document is issued to law enforcement agencies based on probable cause, meaning the named individual must have been implicated by law enforcement investigations or was seen committing the crime.

Arrest warrants are not active until the issuing judge signs the document, and they will remain active indefinitely, until the arrest is executed or the judge cancels the warrant. These warrants are required for executing arrests lawfully, but are not required to be available at the arrest scene. However, the detainee must be informed of the reason for the arrest while executing the warrant, and the document must be shown to the detainee as soon as possible.

Arrest warrants are public records maintained by the county's sheriff's office and the courts. Between these agencies, active bench and arrest warrants, criminal court records, and county jail inmate records are maintained and administered according to requests. An arrest warrant in Grand Rapids will contain the following:

• The filed charges and corresponding laws.
• The arresting officer's details, such as name and badge number.
• The name and physical details of the arrested individual.
• The place, date, and time of the arrest.

Do Grand Rapids Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Grand Rapids arrest warrants generally do not expire. They will remain active until the individual named in the document is arrested or the courts cancel them. These warrants will be effective from the moment a judge signs them. This principle is relevant to all types of arrest warrants in the city.

Expunge Grand Rapids Arrest Records

Expungement is a legal process of removing unwanted details or information from your records. According to Michigan laws, Grand Rapids allows records expungement for individuals who satisfy the required conditions. This process begins with determining if you are eligible for expungement.

To resolve this, applicants typically start by confirming the requirements and whether they meet them. The requirements for eligibility include the following:

• There must be no active warrants.
• The applicant must have completed the waiting period
• The applicant must have completed the sentence, which includes restitution, fines, fees, parole, and probation.
• If there are any pending cases or convictions against the applicant when applying for expungement, or during the waiting period.

After confirming their eligibility, applicants must complete and provide all the documents required for the expungement, such as their criminal records. Pick up a petition form at the Michigan State Court Administrative Office or the Michigan Courts website. The MC 227 form is for Application to Set Aside Convictions, while the MC 228 is the Order on Application to Set Aside Convictions. Fill in the required information and then file the petition with all the required documents at the 61st District Court for misdemeanor offenses in the city or Kent County.

For felonies or serious misdemeanors, the petition will be filed at the Kent County 17th Circuit Court. Serve the petition on the relevant parties, such as the prosecuting attorney. The court will review the petition and may grant it, deny it, or set a hearing to adjudicate the matter. If the request is granted, an order to seal or expunge the records will be given.