Muskegon County Arrest Records

An arrest becomes necessary in Muskegon County when a peace officer has a warrant or without a warrant if a crime was committed in the presence or absence of the officer (MCL - Section 764.15). Upon the arrest, the officer will take the arrested person to the Muskegon County Jail. The officer will generate arrest and detention log data based on the information retrieved from the arrested person during booking and the case outcome. This data becomes available for public perusal after a few days. Requests for arrest records can be made online or in person at the Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office. Individuals can also request Muskegon County court records to understand how an arrest was authorized and subsequent judicial proceedings.

Are Arrest Records Public in Muskegon County?

Yes. The Michigan Freedom of Information Act authorizes the public disclosure of arrest records. This gives a person the right to examine, inspect, or copy arrest records maintained by Muskegon County law enforcement agencies. Some arrest records are not available to the public. Examples of such records are:

• Juvenile arrest records
• Medical, counseling, or psychological records
• Records of law enforcement communication codes or plans for deployment of law enforcement personnel
• Records containing personal information about an arrested individual, the disclosure of which would result in an unwarranted invasion of their privacy.
• Investigating records collected for law enforcement purposes whose disclosure would:
• Interfere with law enforcement proceedings.
• Expose law enforcement investigative techniques.
• Disclose the identity of a sexual misconduct victim.
• Constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
• Endanger law enforcement personnel’s lives or physical safety.
• Reveal the identity of a confidential source or information such a source provides.
• Deprive the arrested person of the right to a fair trial or impartial administrative adjudication.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

The Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office provides public access to online and in-person arrest records. Users should be able to view the following public arrest information when conducting an online search for arrest records:

• The arrested person’s full name
• Booking date
• Charges
• Disposition
• OCA number
• Court docket
• Bond type and amount

Muskegon County Crime Rate

The Michigan Incident Crime Reporting (MICR) Unit provides public access to crime data. According to its 2022 Annual Report, approximately 16,245 crimes occurred in Muskegon County, including 4,244 index crimes and 12,001 non-index crimes. The top three crimes that year were retail fraud theft (921 cases), larceny-other (834 cases), and larceny-theft from motor vehicles (499 cases). In comparison, Muskegon County reported 13,641 crimes in 2021, with 3,744 Part I crimes and 9,897 Part II crimes.

Muskegon County Arrest Statistics

The Michigan Incident Crime Reporting 2022 Annual Report indicates that approximately 4,746 arrests were made in Muskegon County that year, with around 791 arrests for Part I and 3,955 for Part II crimes. The number of arrests in 2022 was notably higher compared to 2021. In 2021, Muskegon County recorded approximately 3,082 arrests, including around 523 for Part I and 2,559 for Part II crimes.

Find Muskegon County Arrest Records

There are both state and federal resources for looking up arrest records of Muskegon County inmates. To conduct a statewide arrest record search, requesters can use the Offender Search Portal provided by the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC). The search criteria are last name or MDOC number. Users can streamline their searches by providing a first name, sex, race, age, or offender status. Alternatively, requesters can visit the state prison where the inmate is incarcerated to conduct an arrest search. Requests should be made during business hours. Individuals interested in conducting federal arrest record searches can use the options below:

• The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP): Record seekers can access the BOP’s arrest records online via the Inmate Locator. The search criteria are by number (BOP register number, DCDC number, FBI number, or INS number) or name (first, middle, or last). Requesters can also visit any of the BOP facilities to obtain copies of arrest records. All visits should be done during business hours.
• The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): The easiest way to find arrest records maintained by the ICE is online through the Online Detainee Locator System. A search can be conducted using A-Number or biographical information. Interested persons can also contact ICE field offices or detention facilities to request arrest records.
• The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Inquirers can find the FBI’s arrest records online, by mail, and through approved channelers. The service charge is $18, payable by credit card using the Credit Card Payment Form, money order, or certified check. Online applications include submitting fingerprints electronically by visiting a participating U.S. Post Office location. Online requests are processed for 15 days, while mail requests take 20 days. Mail requesters must submit a completed Applicant Information Form to:

FBI CJIS Division – Summary Request
1000 Custer Hollow Road
Clarksburg, WV 26306

• The United States Capitol Police (USCP): The USCP disseminates arrest summary reports to members of the public online and by mail. Mail requesters must submit a Request Form to:

United States Capitol Police
Reports Processing Section
119 D Street, Ne
Washington, DC 20510

• Free Arrest Record Search in Muskegon County

The Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office provides free arrest records information to members of the public online through its Inmate Search database. The portal provides arrest information of inmates pre- and post-arraignment without charges. The Sheriff’s Office may permit free inspection of arrest records in person during business hours. The arrested person’s name or arrest date will be needed to initiate the search.

Individuals can also find arrest information for free on third-party sites. Most of these sites accept name-based searches. Users can view basic arrest information for free, but extensive searches will cost a small fee.

Get Muskegon County Criminal Records

The Michigan State Police (MSP) provides access to Muskegon County criminal records (also called Criminal history background checks) through a search by name or a search using fingerprints. The name-based search can be conducted through the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT). The search criteria are first name, last name, and date of birth. Optional search criteria are race, middle initial, alias or nickname, sex, and/or maiden or previous name. Users will be able to view and print criminal records online immediately the fee of $10 per search is paid and approved. The record will be available that day and for the next seven days and will be deleted afterward. The MSP does not mail ICHAT search results. The search fee can be paid with credit or debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, and Discover).

Individuals who want to conduct a fingerprint-based criminal record search for employment and licensing purposes must obtain an RI-030 Live Scan Fingerprint Background Check Request form from the employer or the licensing agency. Then, complete sections II and IV of the form. Contact an MSP-approved Live Scan vendor or the Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office to request fingerprinting services. The processing time is about seven (7) business days or less. The desired record will be sent to the requesting employer or licensing agency indicated on the form.

Muskegon residents who want to conduct a fingerprint-based search of personal criminal records can visit the Sheriff’s Office’s Records Division and ask to be printed on Michigan Applicant Fingerprint Cards (RI-008). The Division charges $75 for Livescan fingerprinting and $18 for fingerprints on an MI-R008 card. The requester must provide a government-issued photo ID showing their date of birth. Requests can be made Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at:

Michael E. Kobza Hall of Justice
Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office
990 Terrace Street STE 450
1st Floor
Muskegon, MI 49442
Phone: (231) 724-6351
Fax: (231) 724-6008
Email: sheriff.no-reply@muskegonsheriff.com

Non-Michigan residents who require a fingerprint-based criminal record check must visit any law enforcement agency in the state and ask to be printed on an FBI Applicant Fingerprint card (FD-258). They must submit the fingerprints, a cover letter explaining the reason for the fingerprint submission, and a $30 processing fee to:

Michigan State Police
CJIC
P.O. Box 30266
Lansing, MI 48909-7766

The fee should be in the form of a money order or check. The MSP will send the requester an original certified/notarized copy of criminal records. Individuals requesting multiple original copies must include an additional $1 per copy in the mail package. The processing time is 3 to 5 weeks, including the recorded delivery by mail.

Muskegon County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

The major difference between an arrest record and a criminal record is the information contained in the document. Arrest records carry just information about an arrest and detention. Conversely, a criminal record is any information collected on a person by criminal justice agencies that consist of identifiable descriptions and details of arrests, detentions, indictments, criminal charges, and dispositions such as acquittal, sentencing, correctional supervision, or release (MCL-Section 3.1053(d)).

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Muskegon County arrests can remain on a person’s record forever unless they are expunged or sealed. However, the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB) publishes General Retention Schedules on its website, where record seekers can find the retention period of some arrest records. For example:

• Warrants are kept until they become inactive
• Inmate property intake/release records are kept until the calendar year ends, plus one (1) year
• Inmate receipts are kept until the calendar year ends, plus one (1) year
• Inmate request forms are kept until the calendar year ends, plus one (1) year
• Inmate social security information is destroyed after ten (10) years
• Inmate trust fund records are retained until the calendar year ends, plus six (6) years
• Jail annual inspection records are retained until the calendar year ends, plus one (1) year
• Jail Population Information System (JPIS) reports are retained until the calendar year ends, plus two (2) years
• Jail visitor logs are retained until the calendar year ends, plus two (2) years
• Jail transmittal of booking fees records are retained until the inmate is released, plus six (6) years
• Jail records (inmate jackets) are retained until the inmate is released, plus ten (10) years
• Arrest/detention log data will be kept until the calendar year ends, plus five (5) years
• Juvenile arrest records & fingerprint cards are kept until the juvenile’s 17th birthday
• Incident files that are non-criminal are retained until the case is closed, plus three (3) years
• Incident files for misdemeanors are retained until the case is closed and there are no open warrants plus seven (7) years
• Incident files for felonies are retained until the case is closed and there are no open warrants plus 20 years
• Incident files for homicides and criminal sexual conduct are retained, the case is closed, and there are no open warrants plus 110 years.
• Inmate medical records are retained until the calendar year ends, plus seven (7) years, unless the inmate grants permission for it to be destroyed earlier.

Expunge Muskegon County Arrest Records

In Muskegon County, expungement is used interchangeably with set aside. There are two methods for expunging adult arrest records: automatic expungement and applying for expungement. The automatic expungement program, which began on April 11, 2023, allows for the expungement of certain adult convictions without the need to submit an application. However, not all arrested persons or convictions qualify for automatic expungement. Eligible individuals can potentially expunge up to two (2) felonies, four (4) misdemeanors punishable by 93 days or more in jail, and an unlimited number of misdemeanors punishable by 92 days or less in jail. All eligible convictions will be automatically expunged after the waiting period. Typically, the waiting period for felony convictions is ten (10) years from the sentencing date, and that for misdemeanors is seven (7) years. Individuals applying for an expungement must follow the steps below:

• Applicants visit the court where they were convicted to get a certified copy of their record of conviction.
• Complete an Application to Set Aside Conviction Form and have it notarized.
• Make five copies of the application form and certified record.
• Visit the Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office or a Michigan State Police (MSP) post to get fingerprinted.
• The applicant must file the application form with the court where they were convicted.
• Send the MSP a copy of the application form, the certified record of conviction, a fee of $50 payable by check or money order, and fingerprints.
• Send a copy of the application and certified order of conviction to the Michigan Attorney General and the prosecutor who handled the conviction to notify them of the expungement request.
• The MSP will process the application, and a hearing will be scheduled
• The Judge will sign the Order On Application to Set Aside Conviction form if the application is accepted.
• The court will send a copy of the order to the MSP and the arresting agency.

After receiving the expungement order, the MSP will keep a copy of the order and other records related to the conviction that are unavailable to the public. Within a month, the MSP will remove the conviction from its online database. The expunged records will be open to law enforcement agencies. Applicants whose expungement application was denied can request a rehearing, appeal the decision, or wait three (3) years to reapply.

Muskegon County Arrest Warrants

Per Mich. Ct. R. 6.102, a judge will issue an arrest warrant when a complaint is presented, and they find probable cause to believe that the accused in the complaint committed the alleged offense. An arrest warrant issued in Muskegon County must contain the accused’s name or an identifying name or description, describe the alleged offense committed by the accused, and the judge’s signature. It must also command a peace officer or an authorized person to arrest and bring the accused before the issuing judge or some other designated judge or court. Only a peace officer or authorized person can execute an arrest warrant in Muskegon. Upon execution, the officer will return the warrant to the court, before which the arrested person will be taken.

Muskegon County Arrest Warrant Search

Individuals can visit the Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office’s Records Division in person to conduct arrest warrant searches. The Office attends to arrest warrant requests from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and closes for lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on those days. Requesters must provide a name or warrant number to the record staff. The Division might not charge any fee to view warrant records, but copies of records attract a small fee.

Do Muskegon County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Arrest warrants issued in Muskegon County do not expire. They remain active until executed or recalled by the issuing court.