Sanilac County Arrest Records

Law enforcement in Sanilac County can arrest a person when they are caught in the act or reasonably suspected of committing a crime. Arresting a suspect allows law enforcement to investigate the incident while ensuring the suspect does not flee, tamper with evidence, or threaten themselves or others. Arrestees in Sanilac County are held in the county jail, which the local Sheriff's Office operates.

After an arrest, the arresting department generates an arrest record containing information about the arrest. Arrest information can also be documented in Sanilac County court records, as the court often uses arrest information when trying arrestees.

Are Arrest Records Public in Sanilac County?

Yes. Members of the public have the right to access Sanilac County arrest records under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). However, some arrest records are exempt from public disclosure. These records are confidential and accessible only to authorized persons. Unauthorized persons must obtain a court order before such records are disclosed. Arrest records generally exempt from public disclosure in Sanilac County include:

• Arrest records whose disclosure may affect an individual's right to a fair trial
• Arrest records that may disclose the identity of a confidential source
• Arrest records whose disclosure may impede an ongoing law enforcement investigation
• Arrest records whose disclosure will be a violation of a person's right to privacy
• Arrest records of minors

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Sanilac County generally comprise the following information:

• The arrestee's biographical Information: Name, gender, date of birth, race, height, weight, hair color, and eye color
• Charges
• Arrest date
• Arresting agency
• Custody status
• Booking number
• Mugshot

Sanilac County Arrest Statistics

Per the Public Act of 319 of 1968, local law enforcement agencies in Michigan submit monthly crime reports to the Michigan State Police. These reports outline each department's crime and arrest figures, and the agency (through its Michigan Incident Crime Reporting Unit (MICR)) publishes annual compilations for public review. The public can access the MICR Annual Reports online.

According to the 2022 Michigan Annual Report, 505 arrests were made in Sanilac County, comprising 75 Part I arrests and 430 Part II arrests. Part I arrests are made for serious crimes like murder, aggravated assault, and arson, while Part II arrests are for less serious offenses. The Sanilac County Sheriff's Office and the Michigan State Police made the most arrests, with 379 and 69 incidents reported, respectively.

Find Sanilac County Arrest Records

There are six arresting police departments in Sanilac County. Inquirers can visit a police department to request the record of an arrest they made. A record request may cost the requester a search fee and a reproduction fee. The Sheriff's Office is responsible for maintaining the records of inmates in jail. These records can be requested in person, via fax, mail, or email. All requests must be put in writing. The FOIA-Request Form may be used for convenience. Requesters should provide as much detail as possible to enable the department to locate the record. Below is the Sheriff's Office contact information for public records requests:

Sanilac County Sheriff's Office
65 North Elk Street
Sandusky, MI 48471
Fax: (810) 648-8348
Email: scsrecords@sanilaccounty.net

State inmate information can be accessed through the Michigan Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS). The OTIS discloses information on inmates and parolees under supervision or discharged within three years. The portal's search criteria include a last name, first name, MDOC number, sex, race, age, offender status, and bodily markings.

Inquirers can locate federal offenders via the Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator. A search can be done provided the researcher knows the inmate's name or INS, FBI, DCDC, or BOP number. An individual listed as Released or "Not in BOP custody" may be on parole, supervised release, or in the custody of another agency.

Free Arrest Record Search in Sanilac County

Individuals can search for Sanilac County arrest records for free on third-party websites. Private companies run these websites and provide unofficial access to court records. Users can generally search for an arrest record using a party's name. Conducting an arrest record search is free; however, some records may require a fee to access.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Forever. Arrests in Sanilac County typically remain on an arrestee's criminal record unless set aside by the court. An arrest record can be set aside when the arrestee petitions the court. Not all arrests can be set aside, as they must meet the statutory requirements.

Expunge Sanilac County Arrest Records

MCL Sections 780.621 to 780.624 (also known as the Michigan Clean Slate Act) governs the setting aside of arrest records in Sanilac County. When the court sets aside an arrest record, the arrest is legally considered never to have happened. However, the record is not expunged and may be resurfaced if the arrestee commits another crime.

Individuals who were arrested but had no charges filed or the charges were dismissed may petition the court to set aside the record. If the individual had charges filed and was convicted of the charges, they may file a petition provided the conviction is not for the following offenses:

• Felonies punishable by life imprisonment
• Violations of the Michigan Penal Code relating to child abuse, elder abuse, child pornography, and criminal sexual conduct
• Domestic violence
• Human trafficking and terrorism
• Traffic offenses that cause severe injuries or death or that involve commercial licenses. Exceptions may be made for certain first-time traffic violations

An individual cannot file a petition for more than two assaultive convictions in a lifetime, and a felony conviction punishable by more than ten years imprisonment can only be set aside once.

Sanilac County Arrest Warrants

An arrest warrant is a document that legalizes the arrest of an individual. In Sanilac County, a warrant can only be issued when a proper complaint (typically a sworn statement) has been formally filed in court. Both law enforcement officers and private citizens can file a complaint. The complaint must allege that a crime has occurred and that the accused is responsible for committing the offense. After examination of the complaint, the presiding official will only issue a warrant instead of a summons under these circumstances:

• If the offense stated in the complaint involves assault or relates to domestic violence
• If issuing a summons may affect public safety
• If the presiding official is convinced upon facts provided that the accused will not respond to a summons
• If the prosecutor specifically requests a warrant

Warrants are directed to law enforcement officers and cannot be executed by private citizens. Once executed, the arresting officer is required to return the warrant to the issuing court. A Sanilac County arrest warrant typically details the defendant's name, the offense committed, the county of issuance, and the name of the presiding official.

Do Sanilac County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No. Certain circumstances may delay the execution of an arrest warrant issued in Sanilac County. However, the warrant remains active until executed or withdrawn by the court. Individuals can verify if they have an active warrant by contacting the local Sheriff's Office.