Leelanau County Arrest Records

Arrest records in Leelanau County, Michigan, are official documents detailing the circumstances surrounding the arrests and detention of individuals by the county's law enforcement agencies. The Leelanau County Sheriff's Office, Grand Traverse Band Tribal Police, Michigan State Police (MSP), and other law enforcement agencies within the county have the authority to arrest individuals and generate corresponding arrest records.

In Leelanau County, an arrest becomes necessary when an officer witnesses a crime, has a legal reason to believe that an individual has committed a crime, or the court issues an arrest warrant. Leelanau County arrest records are accessible through law enforcement agencies and as part of Leelanau County court records if the arrests lead to formal legal proceedings.

The Leelanau County Jail is the primary correctional facility within the county. This arrest facility houses adult arrestees serving short-term sentences, awaiting trials, or transfers to the Michigan Department of Corrections. Juvenile arrestees are detained at regional juvenile centers.

Are Arrest Records Public in Leelanau County?

Yes, arrest records are public in Leelanau County. Per the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the public (except inmates at correctional facilities) can access official documents in the custody of government agencies. Michigan law also permits record custodians to redact arrest information whose disclosure is not in the public interest. Some of these arrest records include information relating to:

• Juveniles
• Witness and victim information
• Sealed or expunged records
• Ongoing law enforcement investigations
• Sensitive Personal Identifying Information
• Medical or mental health.

Leelanau County exempted arrest records are accessible to the subjects, their legal representatives, and authorized entities. In Leelanau County, the primary agency responsible for generating and maintaining arrest records is the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office (LCSO). Interested persons should contact the office at:

8525 E Government Center Drive, Suttons Bay,
MI 49682
Phone: (231) 256-8800

Leelanau County Arrest Statistics

Leelanau County arrest data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) database shows 285 arrests between January 2022 and January 2025. The participating law enforcement agencies in Leelanau County reported that 199 males and 86 females were arrested for various offenses. During this period, DUI, simple assaults, drug/narcotics, and aggravated assaults were the most prevalent arrest incidents within Leelanau County. One hundred thirty-nine persons were taken into custody for DUI offenses, 34 for simple assaults, 17 for drug/narcotics, and 9 for aggravated assaults. Other crimes accounted for 86 arrests.

Find Leelanau County Arrest Records

Interested individuals seeking to access Leelanau County arrest records should call, mail, or visit the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office. For information about a specific individual's arrest, contact the Leelanau County Jail at (231) 256-8661.

The Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) allows individuals to perform a name-based criminal history background check. Requesters should log in and use the online search tools to access Leelanau County arrest details.

Also, the Michigan Department of Corrections, through the Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS), provides information about inmates, parolees, and probationers currently under state supervision. Record seekers can use the search tools to obtain information on Leelanau County arrestees incarcerated in state facilities.

Leelanau County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

The Leelanau County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies within the county generate arrest records when they detain arrestees on suspicion of committing crimes. These documents contain the subject's personal information, booking details, and conditions for bail/bond. Having arrest records does not indicate guilt or conviction; the individual is still a suspect until proven guilty by the court.

Criminal records capture the history of a person's arrest, conviction, prosecution, and incarceration. Unlike arrest records, criminal records legally confirm convictions for criminal acts. These court-generated documents may affect employment, housing, and educational opportunities if not set aside by the Leelanau County Circuit Court.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Michigan, arrest documents are publicly accessible and may remain permanently on a record unless the court removes them. The Michigan Compiled Laws, Section 780.621, permits individuals to petition the court to set aside their arrest records if they fulfill the eligibility requirements.

Leelanau County Arrest Warrants

Per MCL - Section 764.1, a Leelanau County judge or district court magistrate may issue an arrest warrant if law enforcement or a prosecutor presents sufficient evidence that an individual committed a felony, misdemeanor, or ordinance violation. These court-issued documents authorize law officers to apprehend, summon, or detain offenders. Judges/magistrates may also issue arrest warrants if individuals flout court orders or violate parole or probation.

An arrest warrant contains, but is not limited to, the following information:

• Full name and physical description of the specific person
• Legal basis for the warrant
• Section of the MCL allegedly violated
• Date and location of the issuing court
• Name and signature of the issuing judge/magistrate
• Instructions to law enforcement on how to execute the warrant.

Do Leelanau County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, arrest warrants do not expire in Leelanau County, MI. In Leelanau County, an arrest warrant remains active until law enforcement arrests or detains the subject, the individual voluntarily appears in court, or the court recalls the warrant. However, prosecutors must file charges within the specified time frame if there is a statute of limitations associated with the offense.

Expunge Leelanau County Arrest Records

According to MCL - Section 764.26a, eligible individuals can expunge their arrest records if they did not result in convictions. If the prosecutor or the judge does not object within 60 days of dismissing the case, the arrest records will be automatically removed from the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT).

The Michigan Clean Slate Laws offer automatic expungement for arrests leading to convictions. Individuals can set aside an unlimited number of misdemeanor convictions punishable by less than 93 days' imprisonment after seven years of completing the sentence. In addition, not more than four misdemeanors punishable by less than 92 days imprisonment are expungeable seven years after completion of the sentence. Also, up to 2 convictions can be automatically set aside 10 years after sentencing or completion of any term of imprisonment.

For convictions not eligible for automatic expungement, individuals may petition the Leelanau County courts to set aside up to three eligible felonies and an unlimited number of misdemeanor convictions. There is a three-year waiting period for misdemeanors and five years for felonies. These exclude some assaults, weapons offenses, and felonies that carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Eligible persons seeking to apply for the expungement of their records should:

• Obtain certified copies of their criminal records from the Michigan Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT)
• Download and complete the appropriate application form for General Convictions and Marijuana- Related Convictions. The application requires notarization.
• Visit the local police station or Michigan State Police for fingerprinting
• Apply to the Leelanau County Circuit Court by submitting the application and a certified copy of the conviction record
• Petitioners should send copies of the application and conviction records to the Michigan State Police, the attorney general, and the prosecuting attorney. It is important to note that the application to the Michigan State Police should include a fingerprint card
• Attend the court hearing to present evidence of rehabilitation and reasons for seeking expungement.