St. Clair County Arrest Records

St. Clair County law enforcement officers can make an arrest with or without a warrant when there is probable cause to believe a crime has been committed and the suspect is responsible. After the arrest, the officer will take the suspect to the police station for booking. This booking process involves recording the suspect’s personal information and taking fingerprints and mugshots. The officer will also write a report on the arrest. After the booking, the suspect will be held in custody or released with instructions on arraignment. At the arraignment, the judge will inform the suspect of the charges against them, address bail or bond matters, and set a trial date. If the suspect is found guilty, they may be sentenced to St. Clair County jail or a state prison. The sentence can also be fines, probation, community service, restitution to victims, or a combination

Law enforcement agencies use information about an arrest to create an arrest record. These records are usually available to the public online or in person at the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office or city police departments. The case information is also available to members of the public when a St. Clair County court record search is conducted.

Are Arrest Records Public in St. Clair County?

Yes. Arrest records are public information under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. This authorizes members of the public to examine, inspect, or copy arrest records maintained by St. Clair County law enforcement agencies. The Michigan Freedom of Information Act excludes certain arrest records from public disclosure. Examples of confidential arrest records in St. Clair County 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?

Record seekers can find the following information in a St. Clair County arrest record:

• Mugshot
• Booking number and date
• Projected release date
• The arrestee’s full name, alias(es), gender, and date of birth
• Unsentenced, sentenced, and satisfied charges (charge, case number, court name, agency, charge booked, bail, and fine)
• Fines and fees (fines, bonds, holds, and total)

St. Clair County Crime Rate

The Michigan Incident Crime Reporting (MICR) Unit publishes crime data on its website. The 2022 Annual Report reveals approximately 8,342 crimes occurred in St. Clair County, including 1,739 index crimes and 6,603 non-index crimes. The top three crimes that year were other larcenies (462), aggravated/felonious assault (291), and larceny theft from motor vehicles (187). In comparison, the 2021 Annual Report reveals 7,836 crimes in 2021, with 1,737 Part I crimes and 6,099 Part II crimes in St Clair County.

St. Clair County Arrest Statistics

The Michigan Incident Crime Reporting 2022 Annual Report shows approximately 2,673 arrests in St Clair County, with about 333 Part I and 2,340 Part II arrests. In 2021, St. Clair County recorded approximately 2,748 arrests, including around 364 for Part I and 2,382 for Part II crimes.

Find St. Clair County Arrest Records

The Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) provides arrest records to members of the public online and in person. Online requests can be made using the Offender Search Portal. A search can be conducted by last name or MDOC number. Users can streamline their searches by providing a first name, sex, race, age, or offender status. Record seekers can also visit any of the MDOC’s state prisons to conduct an arrest record search. Arrest record requests are only handled during business hours.

St. Clair County residents can also conduct an arrest record search of offenders housed in federal prisons. Federal law enforcement agencies are the custodians of such records. Most arrest records are available online, but mail and in-person requests are also possible. Here are the ways of finding arrest records from some federal law enforcement agencies:

• The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP): Individuals seeking arrest records can use the BOP’s Inmate Locator online. Searches can be conducted by number (BOP register number, DCDC number, FBI number, or INS number) or by name (first, middle, or last). Alternatively, requesters can visit any BOP facility during business hours to obtain copies of arrest records in person.
• The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Record seekers can access arrest records maintained by ICE through the Online Detainee Locator System. Searches can be performed using an A-Number or biographical details. Alternatively, individuals can request arrest records by contacting ICE field offices or detention facilities. In-person requests should be made during business hours.
• The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Arrest records from the FBI can be obtained online, by mail, or through authorized channelers for $18. Acceptable forms of payment include credit card using the Credit Card Payment Form, money order, or certified check. For online requests, fingerprints can be submitted electronically at participating U.S. Post Office locations. Processing times are 15 days for online requests and 20 days for mail requests. Mail applications must include a completed Applicant Information Form submitted to:

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

• The United States Capitol Police (USCP): The USCP provides arrest summary reports to the public both online and by mail. Those requesting by mail 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 St. Clair County

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office provides free arrest records online through its Inmate Lookup tool. Search criteria are by last name or booking number. Enter a first name to narrow the search. Record seekers can also find arrest records for free through third-party websites. Unfortunately, free access only applies to initial searches, where users can only view basic information about an arrest. Users interested in full arrest reports must pay a small search fee.

Get St. Clair County Criminal Records

Record seekers can find St. Clair County criminal records at the Michigan State Police (MSP). The MSP provides a statewide criminal records search by name and fingerprints. A name-based search can be done online through the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT). Users can view and print criminal records online immediately after a search is conducted, and a fee of $10 per search is paid and approved. The search fee can be paid with credit or debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, and Discover). A search can be conducted by 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. The ICHAT makes the searched record available on the searched day and for the next seven days and will be deleted afterward. Users cannot obtain ICHAT search results by mail.

A fingerprint-based criminal record search for employment and licensing purposes can be done by obtaining an RI-030 Live Scan Fingerprint Background Check Request form from the employer or the licensing agency. The requester must complete sections II and IV of the form. They must also contact an MSP-approved Live Scan vendor or the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office to request fingerprinting services. The turnabout time is about seven (7) business days or less. The MSP will send the desired record to the requesting employer or licensing agency indicated on the form.

St. Clair County residents can conduct a fingerprint-based search of personal criminal records by visiting the Sheriff’s Office’s Service Bureau. They must ask to be printed on Michigan Applicant Fingerprint Cards (RI-008). The Bureau provides fingerprinting services from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., for a fee of $15.

Non-Michigan residents can conduct a fingerprint-based criminal record check by visiting any law enforcement agency in their state. They must ask to be printed on an FBI Applicant Fingerprint card (FD-258). Requesters should submit the fingerprints, a cover letter explaining the reason for the fingerprint submission, and a $30 processing fee (payable by money order or check) to:

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

The MSP will provide the requester with an original certified or notarized copy of the criminal records. If multiple original copies are needed, the mailing package must include an additional fee of $1 per copy. Processing takes approximately 3 to 5 weeks.

St. Clair County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

An arrest record differs from a criminal record because of its content. An arrest record only contains information about an arrest and detention. Conversely, a criminal record contains information on a person’s 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?

Arrests can remain on a person’s record permanently in St. Clair County. They can only be restricted from the public through expungement or sealing. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget (DTMB) has a General Retention Schedules on its website, where St. Clair County residents can find the retention period of some arrest records. For example:

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

Expunge St. Clair County Arrest Records

In St. Clair County, the terms expungement and set aside are often used interchangeably. Arrested persons have two options for expunging their arrest records:

• Automatic expungement: The type of expungement started on April 11, 2023, and allows the expungement of certain adult convictions without needing to submit an application. Only eligible persons and convictions qualify for automatic expungement in St. Clair County. Eligible individuals may expunge up to two felonies, four misdemeanors with penalties of 93 days or more in jail, and an unlimited number of misdemeanors with penalties of 92 days or less in jail. All qualifying convictions will be automatically expunged after the required waiting period, which is typically ten years from the sentencing date for felonies and seven years for misdemeanors.
• Expungement application: Eligible individuals applying for an expungement must follow the steps below:
  • Applicants must obtain copies of their conviction records from the court where they were convicted.
  • Complete an Application to Set Aside Conviction Form and have it notarized.
  • Make five copies of the application form and certified record.
  • Go to a Michigan State Police (MSP) post or St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office 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 conviction record, a $50 fee 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.

Upon receiving the expungement order, the MSP will retain a copy of the order and related records. The conviction will be removed from its online database within one month. While the expunged records will remain closed to the public, they will still be accessible to law enforcement agencies. Applicants whose expungement requests are denied may seek a rehearing, appeal the decision, or wait three (3) years to reapply.

St. Clair County Arrest Warrants

Pursuant to Mich. Ct. R. 6.102, a St. Clair County judge will issue an arrest warrant when a law enforcement officer presents a complaint. Also, they must find probable cause to believe that the accused stated in the complaint has committed the alleged offense. Only a peace officer or other authorized person can execute an arrest warrant in St. Clair County. After the arrest, the arresting officer will return the warrant to the court, before which the arrested person will be taken. The arrest warrant will contain:

• The accused’s name or an identifying name or description
• Describe the alleged offense committed by the accused
• The issuing judge’s signature
• 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.

St. Clair County Arrest Warrant Search

Individuals can request arrest warrants in person at the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office’s Service Bureau. Requesters can go to the front information desk or the bureau window from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Copies of records attract a fee. The Sheriff’s Office is located at:

St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office
1170 Michigan Rd.
Port Huron, MI 48060
Phone: (810) 987-1700

Do St. Clair County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, an arrest warrant issued by a St. Clair County judge does not expire. Law enforcement officers can arrest the individual named in the warrant whenever they come into contact with them. Arrest warrants do not have a statute of limitations and remain valid indefinitely, regardless of when they were issued.