Wexford County Arrest Records

In Wexford County, police officers can make an arrest where they have reasonable evidence or facts implicating a specific individual in a crime. When arrested, suspects are usually detained at the Wexford County Jail until their court appearance or release. The Sheriff’s Office is directly responsible for the jail’s operations.

The creation of arrest records is a crucial part of the arrest process, serving as official documentation of the incident. Arrest records are useful in charging suspects and determining a suspect's holding facility. Besides querying local law enforcement for their arrest records, individuals may also find arrest information in the Wexford County court records and other criminal justice documentation.

Are Arrest Records Public in Wexford County?

Yes. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) guarantees access to public records, including arrest records. Under this Act, police agencies are required to provide access to arrest records in their custody unless such records are restricted by law or court order. Statutory restrictions on access include records of juveniles, records of ongoing investigations, and records that infringe on an individual’s privacy. Records that disclose confidential sources or reveal sensitive law enforcement techniques are also exempt from public disclosure.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Wexford County public arrest records typically bear the following information:

• An arrestee’s bio-data, including full name, age, race, and gender
• The charges
• The arresting department
• The arrest location and date
• Booking information, including ID and mugshot

Wexford County Arrest Statistics

The Michigan Incident Crime Reporting Unit (MICR) is the central repository for statewide crime statistical data. Local law enforcement agencies across Michigan voluntarily submit their crime statistics to the MICR through the Michigan Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. This data is compiled and made available in the MICR’s annual publications.

Per the MICR report for 2022, Wexford County law enforcement agencies recorded 887 arrests, which included 91 arrests for Part I crimes and 796 for Part II crimes. Of the county's 2022 arrest total, the Cadillac Police Department was responsible for 426 arrests, the Michigan State Police for 457 arrests, and the Department of Natural Resources for four arrests.

Find Wexford County Arrest Records

To find an arrest record in Wexford County, an inquirer can visit the agency where the record is preserved, typically the arresting agency. However, the public arrest information of inmates/detainees at the local jail can also be retrieved from the Sheriff's Office. At an agency, the requester will typically be asked to provide information about the arrest to enable staff to locate the record. A requester may also need to pay to obtain a copy of the record.

It is necessary to mention that local authorities do not maintain records on those who were arrested and transferred to state or federal prison. The Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS), maintained by Michigan's Department of Corrections, provides relevant information about state inmates. It includes information about individuals currently incarcerated, those on parole/probation, and those who have completed their supervision within the last three years. Offenders can be searched by name or MDOC number. Other filters include an offender's sex, race, age, status, and body marking.

Meanwhile, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) maintains records on federal inmates. The public can access this information through the BOP's Inmate Locator. The system has offender information from 1982 to the present. The locator can be searched with an offender's name, race, sex, and age. Alternatively, users can query the system using an offender's BOP register, FBI, INS, or DCDC number.

Free Arrest Record Search in Wexford County

Individuals with internet-accessible devices can look up Wexford County arrest records on third-party websites. These sites provide easy access to arrest and other public records. A search on a third-party website is usually free. However, a fee may apply to access the complete database. Moreover, while third-party sites are convenient for extensive searches, they may not always contain the most up-to-date information.

How Long Do Arrests Stay on Your Record?

Forever. There is no defined timeframe for retaining an arrest record in Wexford County. An arrest remains on record unless the court sets it aside. However, for an arrest to be set aside, it must meet the Michigan Clean Slate Act's criteria.

Expunge Wexford County Arrest Records

Sections 780.621 through 780.624 of the Michigan Compiled Laws (the Michigan Clean Slate Act) govern the setting aside of arrest and criminal records in Wexford County. To be eligible for such relief in Wexford, individuals must meet the following criteria: their charges were dismissed or never filed, or their conviction does not relate to any of the following offenses:

• Felonies involving domestic violence
• Felonies carrying a life imprisonment sentence
• Sexual crimes, child abuse, or elder abuse
• Human trafficking
• Terrorism
• Severe traffic violations, such as those resulting in injury or death or involving commercial licenses

However, there are certain limits. Individuals can only have two assaultive convictions set aside in a lifetime, and felonies punishable by more than 10 years imprisonment can only be set aside once.

Individuals with eligible arrests also need to complete the waiting periods for their offenses before filing a petition. The waiting period for minor misdemeanors is three years, five years for serious misdemeanors, and seven years for felony convictions. Automatic expungement can also occur after seven years for misdemeanors with up to 92 days sentence and after ten years for some felony convictions.

If an arrest is set aside, it will no longer be publicly accessible, but the record may resurface if the petitioner is convicted of another crime.

More information is available on the Michigan Attorney General's Expungement Assistance website.

Wexford County Arrest Warrants

Simply put, an arrest warrant authorizes law enforcement to apprehend and detain an individual. In Wexford County, a judge or magistrate may issue an arrest warrant after receiving a complaint alleging a crime and stating the responsible party. After the complaint is filed, the judge or magistrate will examine it to determine probable cause for the arrest, upon which the warrant will be issued.

However, the judicial officer may approve a summons instead of a warrant unless one of these circumstances apply:

• The offense involves an assaultive crime or domestic violence
• There is a risk that the accused will not appear in response to a summons
• Issuing a summons may pose a public safety risk
• A prosecutor explicitly requests an arrest warrant

A Wexford County arrest warrant typically includes the following information:

• The name of the accused
• A description of the offense
• The county of issuance
• The signature and name of the issuing judge/magistrate

Do Wexford County Arrest Warrants Expire?

No, Wexford County arrest warrants do not expire. These writs remain active until the accused persons are arrested. However, a court may quash an arrest warrant if it was issued in error or the underlying charges are dismissed.