Montcalm County Arrest Records

In Montcalm County, Michigan, law enforcement officers are authorized by state law (Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) § 764.15) to arrest an individual found committing or suspected of a crime. This criminal offense can be a misdemeanor or felony, with distinct regulations for each.

An arrest is usually necessary when a law enforcement officer determines there is probable cause for a criminal offense. For instance, an officer catches a person committing a crime, an officer provides evidence that a person committed a crime, or a judge issues an arrest warrant based on a police affidavit or report. When arrested, an individual is held in the Montcalm County Jail in Stanton, Michigan, the main holding facility for pre-trial arrestees and those serving short criminal sentences.

An arrest record is an official document containing extensive details of an individual’s arrest history and their interaction with the Michigan criminal justice system. In Montcalm County, arrest records are maintained by the local police departments or the Montcalm County Sheriff’s Office.

Arrest records are essential in commencing criminal proceedings, providing government agencies and members of the public insight into an individual’s criminal past. Details about arrests may be accessible in the Montcalm County Court records and criminal records held by the Michigan State Department of Corrections.

Are Arrest Records Public in Montcalm County?

Yes. Arrest records in Montcalm County are classified as public records by the Freedom of Information Act (MCL) 15.232. Thus, the same regulations that apply to public records also govern the Montcalm County arrest records, meaning that interested members of the public can access most types of arrest records.

However, certain kinds of records are restricted from public access. Below are some types of records that are restricted from public access:

• Records constituting sensitive personal details.
• Records, which, if disclosed, could pose a security risk.
• Records compiled for ongoing criminal investigations.
• Sealed or expunged court records.
• Juvenile arrest records.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Montcalm County arrest records typically contain the following information:

• The personal details (full name, date of birth, race, gender, weight, and height).
• Arrest information (arresting agency, location of arrest, time and date of the arrest).
• Case number
• Charges (description and classification of the arrest).
• Booking details (mugshots, bail or bond information)
• Details of the outcome of the arrest
• Court details.

Montcalm County Arrest Statistics

The Michigan State Police Department maintains and publishes arrest and crime statistics for counties within its jurisdiction. According to a 2022 arrest and incarceration statistic by the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center (CJIC), 1,592 cases were reported.

Of that figure, 1,448 belonged to un-accounted for crimes, 35 were retail fraud cases, 34 were aggravated /felonious assault, 19 were, 14 were burglary and forced entry, 12 were other categories of larceny, 10 reports were larceny theft from building, 6 were sexual penetration penis/vagina 3rd, 3 were sexual penetration penis/vagina 1st cases. There were 3 larceny theft from motor vehicle, 2 sexual penetration oral/anal incidents, 2 burglary entry without force cases, 2 were larceny pocket picking cases, larceny-theft of motor vehicle, and one robbery case.

Find Montcalm County Arrest Records

In Montcalm County, interested members of the public can obtain arrest records of individuals from certain State and Federal law enforcement agencies.

The Michigan State Police (MSP) collects, collates, and manages criminal history records from local law police departments across the State of Michigan. The agency also provides an Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) system, where Michigan citizens can look up arrest records. To do this, researchers should do the following:

• Visit the ICHAT online website
• Scroll down and click on the “Login” button at the bottom.
• By the right of the next page, under “Login as a Guest User”
• Click on the captcha, and accept the terms and conditions, then tap on “Guest Login”
• On the new page, select the reason for Search.
• Provide the full name, last name, date of birth, race, and gender.
• Click on “Submit”
• Pay the search fee to the agency, $10 per search.

Alternatively, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) conducts arrests and handles the dissemination of records all across the United States. Requesters can obtain an arrest record from the FBI by submitting a completed Request Form, choosing a preference, providing the necessary information, submitting some fingerprints related to the arrest record in question, submitting the required fees, and checking the state of the arrest record.

Researchers should ensure that the $18 credit card payment (Certified Check or Money Order payable to the U.S. Treasury), email address, phone number, and a complete mailing address are included. Requests should be mailed to the address below:

FBI CJIS Division – Summary Request
#1000 Custer Hollow Rd.,
Clarksburg, WV 26306

Free Arrest Record Search in Montcalm County

Interested members of the public can conduct a free arrest record search in Montcalm County by visiting the local police departments. The local police departments typically do not charge any fee for requesting access to records of arrests they handle within the county. The requester must provide the essential information for locating the record and a government-issued ID card.

Alternatively, the Montcalm County Sheriff’s Department maintains records of arrests it conducts. Inquirers can visit the Sheriff’s office to obtain free arrest records by submitting a FOIA Request Form at the address below.

Montcalm County Sheriff’s Department
#659 North State St.
Stanton, MI 48888

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Forever. Michigan State does not impose a definite timeline for terminating arrest records. Thus, arrest details remain on an individual’s public records forever, unless legal actions are taken to remove the arrest information from the record. To this, an individual with arrest information on their records can file for sealing or expungement of such records.

Expunge Montcalm County Arrest Records

Sealing and expungement of arrest records in Montcalm County are two distinct terminologies used to describe the exclusion of certain court records from public access. However, one must note the differences between them.

Expungement of records refers to the destruction of certain court records, thus their erasure from existence. In Montcalm County, expungement records are governed by the Michigan Clean Slate Law. Below are the types of information that are hidden from public access in Montcalm County, Michigan.

• Records about juvenile criminal offenses.
• Arrests or charges that did not result in a conviction.
• Some types of traffic offenses.
• Marijuana-related criminal offenses
• Records of property crimes.
• Records of assaultive crimes
• Certain drug offenses
• Some non-traffic misdemeanor convictions will automatically be expunged after 7 years.
• Non-felony convictions can be expunged after 10 years.
• Theft-related offenses.

Montcalm County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant in Montcalm County is an official document issued by a court, judge, or magistrate that permits law enforcement officers to conduct an arrest on an individual.

According to Michigan State law, law enforcement officers can arrest a suspected individual with or without an arrest warrant.

To arrest a person with an arrest warrant, an officer must first submit an application containing evidence that a suspect committed a crime. After that, the presiding judge may grant or deny the application based on the evidence. If the judge denies the application, the case will be dropped, but if it is approved, the officer will execute the warrant by arresting the individual.

A Montcalm County arrest warrant may be issued if a person is believed to have committed a criminal offense and is evading the police, if there is credible witness or evidence connecting the person to the crime, or if a person fails to appear in a Montcalm court after being summoned.

Typical arrest warrants contain the following information:

• The suspect’s full name.
• Probable cause statement (evidence and facts)
• Description of criminal charges
• Details of the issuing authority.
• Signature of the issuing magistrate or judge.
• Date of the issuance.
• Conditions of the arrest (including any special restrictions and conditions)

Do Montcalm County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Following the issuance of an arrest warrant in Montcalm County, it becomes active until the suspect surrenders, is apprehended by officers, or dead. Also, the presiding court may recall or quash the warrant based on a litigant’s motion that the warrant is invalid or illegal.