Otsego County Arrest Records

Otsego County arrest records are official records detailing individuals taken into custody following suspicion of a law violation. According to Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) 764.15, law enforcement officers are legally authorized to arrest an individual if there is probable cause to believe said individual has committed a crime or a court has issued an arrest warrant. Individuals detained in Otsego County are typically held at the Otsego County Jail under the supervision of the Otsego County Sheriff's Office. The County Sheriff's Office and other police departments generate and maintain Otsego County arrest records.

Even though arrest records are separate documents in Otsego County, they are closely related to Otsego County court records, criminal case files, and prosecution records from the district attorney's office.

Are Arrest Records Public in Otsego County?

Yes. Under Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) 15.231 et seq.), Otsego County arrest records are generally public records and therefore available for public access.

This law grants the public access to public records in Otsego County, including arrest records; nonetheless, specific details are withheld from public disclosure. This is particularly the case for documents that contain sensitive information that could put a person in danger or compromise an ongoing investigation. Below are some exemptions according to MCL - Section 15.243:

• Juvenile arrest details as per MCL 712a.28
• Records sealed by court order or statute
• Details that could compromise an ongoing investigation or prosecution
• Personal identifying details of victims, suspects, or witnesses
• Information that may deprive an individual of the right to a fair trial

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Otsego County generally contain non-confidential details gathered when the person was arrested. As per the Freedom of Information Act, a standard public record typically includes the following details:

• Name of the arrestee
• Physical description such as age, gender, height, weight, and race
• Date and time of arrest
• Place of arrest
• Name of arresting agency
• Charges filed at the time of arrest
• Booking details, including booking ID, mugshot, and fingerprints
• Bail amount.

Otsego County Arrest Statistics

Otsego County arrest statistics can be easily accessed on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Crime Data Explorer. However, it is worth noting that the portal does not provide county arrest records; it is accessible by the reporting law enforcement agency.

For instance, in 2022, the Otsego County Sheriff's office reported 46 arrests, 32 of which were male and 14 female.

Driving under the influence made up the majority of the crime, with a percentage of 60.87% (28), while simple assault followed closely with 34.78% (16). Other offences include aggravated assault and weapon law violations, each accounting for just 2.17%.

For example, the Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office recorded 282 arrests in 2023, with 198 male and 84 female suspects. Driving under the influence, disorderly conduct, and aggravated assault were identifiable as the most common arrests, with 15, 4, and 2 incidents reported, respectively.

Find Otsego County Arrest Records

Otsego County arrest records can be accessed using state and federal resources for the search. These resources are designed to provide users with updated details of incarcerated people, such as recent bookings or even reviewing basic custody information. Below are some avenues through which interested parties can access Otsego County arrest records:

• Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC):

The Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) offers interested parties the Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS). OTIS is Michigan's statewide remote search tool for locating individuals sentenced to prison. Even though the OTIS tool does not list county jail inmates, it is particularly helpful in tracking offenders once they are transferred to state custody.

Interested parties can search by inputting details such as name, birthdate or MDOC number. Upon completing a successful search, researchers can gain access to more information such as mugshots, sentencing details, prison facility information, and probation status.

• Otsego County Sheriff's Office

The Otsego County Sheriff's Office, the primary custodian of local records, maintains arrest and booking information for jail inmates. Interested individuals can either pay a visit to the County Sheriff's office at the address below or submit a public records request for arrest or booking data:

• Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Locator

The best tool for individuals convicted of a federal crime and serving time in federal custody is the FBI BOP Inmate Locator. The BOP inmate locator allows interested parties to access records regarding an arrestee from Otsego County. Interested parties can conduct a record search by name or BOP number, while the FBI BOP provides researchers with details such as custody status, facility location, and release date.

Free Arrest Record Search in Otsego County

The Michigan Freedom Act allows the public to access Otsego County arrest records at no cost. The County Sheriff's office and other government agencies grant access to Otsego County records. Additionally, numerous independent websites offer access to Otsego arrest records through searchable databases.

Interested parties can search for records of choice by inputting names or case numbers. It is worth noting that these platforms are not affiliated with government agencies, and information obtained from them should be verified for accuracy and authenticity.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

In Otsego County, arrests that did not result in a conviction typically remain on a person's criminal record unless they are formally expunged. Nonetheless, Michigan's Retention and Disposal Schedules clearly outline how long law enforcement can retain arrestees' arrest records.

Eligible individuals can file for expungement under Michigan's Clean Slate Laws. Additionally, certain arrest records may be automatically set aside after a specific waiting period.

Expunge Otsego County Arrest Records

In Otsego County, according to Michigan laws, an arrest record gets automatically expunged from an arrestee's record if:

• They are acquitted
• If the charges have been dismissed

Nonetheless, even for arrests that lead to conviction, they may be expunged if they meet the requirements under Michigan Public Act 193 of 2020 or MCL 780.621 as listed below:

• Individuals may qualify for expungement after a 7-year waiting period if they are guilty of a misdemeanor carrying less than 92 days of jail time
• If the individual is up for up to four misdemeanors, and they are each punishable by 93 days or more of incarceration (After a 7-year waiting period)
• An individual qualifies for record expungement after 10 years if they are up for a felony offence of up to two convictions

It is worth noting that while eligible individuals can petition a court with the proper jurisdiction as per MCL 780.621 for expungement, certain convictions cannot be expunged as outlined below, following MCL 780.621c:

• 2nd degree child abuse
• Criminal convictions for possession or distribution of child sexual abuse content
• Certain felony domestic violence offences
• Offences related to human trafficking
• Certain traffic crimes
• 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct

Interested individuals can begin the expungement process by completing the MC 227 or form MC 227a, particularly for misdemeanor marijuana convictions, and filing it with the court with the appropriate jurisdiction. It is worth noting that no fee is required to file an expungement application. Additionally, the entire expungement process can take eight months before completion.

Otsego County Arrest Warrants

An Otsego County arrest warrant is a legal document issued by a judge or magistrate authorizing law enforcement agencies to arrest a named individual suspected of committing a crime. Warrants become necessary and are issued when there is probable cause to believe a crime has been committed and the named individual is responsible. This can result from the police investigation, witness statements, or evidence presented by prosecutors.

An arrest warrant typically includes the suspect's name, the alleged offence (s), the date of issuance, and the judge's signature. It may also include bail conditions, if any.

Do Otsego County Arrest Warrants Expire?

Once issued, arrest warrants do not expire in Otsego County; they remain active until resolved. Regardless of the offence, whether for a misdemeanor, felony, or failure to appear in court, warrants stay in effect indefinitely until either of the following happens:

• The individual is arrested
• Voluntarily appears in court
• Until the court squashes the warrant