Tuscola County Arrest Records

Official records about a person's arrest and detention by Tuscola County law enforcement agencies are known as Tuscola County arrest records. The information included in an arrest record includes the personal details of an arrested individual, the alleged offense, the date of the arrest, the arresting agency, the arrest warrant, and the arrest location. The Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, and local law enforcement agencies are the entities authorized to make arrests in the county.

Arrests in Tuscola County are only permitted when there is a reasonable suspicion that an individual has done or is committing a crime. Arrests may be made without a warrant especially if the offense was committed in front of a law enforcement official. Arrested individuals are detained in the Tuscola County Jail pending prosecution. Tuscola County arrest information can be found in other official records like Tuscola County court records, criminal records, and inmate records.

Are Arrest Records Public in Tuscola County?

Yes. Per the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, written records owned and generated by government agencies, including arrest records, are public records and may be accessed by anyone. However, certain arrest records are exempt from public access in the county. Arrest information and records that are marked confidential or restricted from public disclosure in Tuscola County include the following:

• Juvenile arrest records
• Expunged records
• Information that can endanger the safety of victims, witnesses, agents, or any other individual involved in an investigation
• Information that can compromise an ongoing investigation
• Personally identifiable information, such as social security numbers, license plate numbers, and driver’s license number

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

The following information about an arrested individual and the circumstances surrounding the arrest are commonly included in Tuscola County arrest records:

• Personal details of the arrestee, such as first and last name, gender, height, date of birth, weight, residential address, race, and eye color
• Booking number
• Arrest charges and statutes description
• Booking date
• Date and location of arrest
• Arrestee’s fingerprint
• Arresting agency and address
• Specific crime committed
• Arrest warrant number (if applicable)
• Arrestee’s mugshot
• Court date and bond

Tuscola County Arrest Statistics

According to the arrest data submitted by the Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office to the FBI, 379 persons, comprising 284 males and 95 females, were arrested in the county in 2023. Their offenses range from driving under the influence (110) to aggravated assault (27). The 2023 arrest data showed a 22% increase on the 311 persons arrested in 2022.

Also, the Michigan State Police reported an arrest of 299 persons in 2023 within Tuscola County. The arrest breakdown revealed that there were 56 simple assault arrests, 42 drug-related arrests, 12 aggravated assault arrests, and 48 DUI arrests.

Find Tuscola County Arrest Records

Information about inmates in jails or prisons typically includes details of their arrests. County, state, and federal inmate records contain information about arrests made in Tuscola County. The Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office maintains inmate records of those incarcerated in the county jail. Interested persons can visit and request inmate records from the Sheriff’s Office at:

Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office
420 Court Street
Caro, MI 48723
Phone: (989) 673-8161

Record seekers can use the Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) provided by the Michigan Department of Corrections to search for inmate records from the state prisons. In addition, they can use the Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Inmate Locator to search for inmate records from the county.

Free Arrest Record Search in Tuscola County

The following official websites provide free access to arrest records in Tuscola County:

• Michigan Department of Corrections Offender Tracking Information System
• Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator

Record-seekers may also find Tuscola County arrest records using free third-party sites. These resources offer user-friendly interfaces that facilitate the quick retrieval of the county’s arrest records. However, the information garnered from these websites should be independently verified as they may not be accurate or up-to-date.

Tuscola County Arrest Records Vs. Criminal Records

In Tuscola County, an individual's arrest record is typically a major item on their criminal history. An arrest record contains the arrestee's personal information, the charges against them, the time and date of the arrest, the place where they were arrested, and their booking information. Since it does not provide the outcomes or activities that follow an arrest, such as trial proceedings or judgments, arrest records only provide a glimpse of the initial stage of the criminal process. It is insufficient for comprehensive background checks in housing or employment situations.

On the contrary, Tuscola County criminal records offer a more complete picture of an individual's interactions with the criminal justice system. It includes details on arrest, pending charges, incarceration history, and convictions. Background checks that demand a detailed understanding of an individual's criminal history are better suited for criminal records.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

The duration for which arrest records stay on a person’s record in Tuscola County depends on the type of offense and the record custodian. The Michigan General Schedule for Local Law Enforcement permits local law enforcement agencies like the Tuscola County Sheriff’s Office to retain arrest logs for up to 5 years before they are destroyed. Similarly, arrest records for misdemeanors, non-sexual or homicide felonies, and sexual or homicide felonies are retained by Tuscola County law enforcement agencies after the case has been closed for 7, 20, and 110 years, respectively.

Expunge Tuscola County Arrest Records

Arrest records that do not result in convictions are automatically expunged in Tuscola County. Furthermore, per the Michigan Public Act 193 of 2020, arrest records that end in a conviction will be expunged automatically if they meet any of the following criteria:

• The arrestee has a maximum of two eligible felonies and at least 10 years have passed since completing all penalties
• A minimum of 7 years has elapsed since completing all punishments and the arrestee has a maximum of four misdemeanors punishable by at least 93 days of imprisonment
• The arrestee has waited for at least 7 years since completing all punishment for any misdemeanor punishable by less than 93 days of incarceration

Anyone who is ineligible for automatic record expungement may petition a Tuscola County court for expungement of an eligible conviction. They must fill out the MC 227 or MC 227a form and submit it to the court. The court will review the application and will issue an order of expungement if the petition is successful.

Tuscola County Arrest Warrants

In Tuscola County, arrest warrants are court documents authorizing law enforcement officials to apprehend and detain the persons listed on them. A judge or magistrate will only issue an arrest warrant when a law enforcement officer shows that there is reasonable cause to believe that the subject of the warrant has committed a crime. Arrest warrants in Tuscola County will typically include the following details:

• The name of the person to be arrested and their description
• Arrest charges
• The time the offense was committed
• The place where the offense was committed
• The court judge or magistrate’s name
• The court issuing the warrant
• Case number
• Warrant number
• The warrant issuance date

Do Tuscola County Arrest Warrants Expire?

A Tuscola County arrest warrant never expires. It remains enforceable unless the subject dies or the warrant is recalled and quashed by a judge.