Michigan Arrest Records
How to Run a Michigan Arrest Records Search
Michigan arrest records are public information. These records can be accessed by anyone who knows how to request them. But, the process is not always straightforward. Many larger counties in the state offer Michigan arrest logs that can be viewed by the public directly from Sheriff Department sites. While other counties with less resources, you might need to request this information in person or over the phone.
We will highlight the main resource available online to search Michigan arrests & mugshots, as well as a person's criminal history. These are all publicly available that can be easy to find, if you know what online resources to use.
The first step in finding out if someone you know has been arrested is what county they were in. Then as long as you know the location, and that person's full name, the rest of your research should be fairly straightforward.
Understanding What Being Arrested Means
Before diving into the MI arrest search process, let's go over what these records are. When someone is arrested, the police report details that person's apprehension, which includes their alleged criminal charges. Then that person is booked into jail, or a detention center, and mugshots are taken and that person is given a chance to make a call, and contact an attorney.
However, it's important to point out that being arrested does not necessarily lead to a conviction. That person must be tried in court by a judge or jury and convicted of the alleged crime, and then that leads to an official criminal record. These are typically misdemeanors and felonies. Smaller criminal infractions do not usually lead to someone being arrested, such as in a traffic citation.
If that person is convicted in a criminal court preceding they will then have a criminal record, that will show up on a comprehensive background check. If that person is not convicted then there is the possibility to have that record being expunged or sealed so it will not show up on their permanent record.
The Legal Framework of Arrest Records in Michigan
The legal framework surrounding Michigan public arrest records is defined by the state's laws. The MI State Police (MSP) is the primary law enforcement agency tasked with maintaining these records on a state level. People can also request copies of a person's criminal history for more detailed information about someone's encounters with the state's legal system.
The MSP operates under the Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS). This system ensures the proper collection, storage, and dissemination of all things relating to criminal records. This agency is also responsible for making these publicly available records accessible to the general public.
The public's right to access these records is protected under the MI Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This act was established to create transparency and accountability government collected information. Under FOIA, anyone can request access to publicly available records, however there are certain exceptions and limitations to this right. These limitations may be because of records that are sealed, or those of a sensitive nature.
How to Find Out if Someone was Arrested in Michigan
Finding out if someone was arrested in Michigan involves multiple steps. The process begins with gathering accurate personal information the person in question. This means their full name, county of residence and age or birth date.
The next step is to choose a resource to access this information. This can be from the State Police (MSP), or from the respective county where the arrest occurred. For example, if you are wanting to find Macomb County arrest records, you can contact the Macomb County Sheriff Department. You can also sometimes locate this information from the county jails. The Macomb County Jail offers an Inmate Locator tool that is publicly accessible.
It is also possible to conduct an online search for these records using third-party public record websites. These online resources are used by many for verifying information about a person's criminal past which includes background checks, arrests, court records, convictions, warrants, criminal history, and incarceration records. Since these records are all publicly available, there is more than one resource to do your research.
How to Lookup Someone's Michigan Mugshot
A common online search query is how to lookup someone's MI mugshots. This is quite easy once you've found out how to locate that person's arresting information. Mugshots are typically part of a person's MI arrest record. When someone is booked into jail, mugshots are taken of them at that time. These are used as a reference image to verify the identity of the person, as well as their current state of being when they are being booked. These give both law enforcement, the courts, and the public an indication of that person's identity and status when they were apprehended by the police.
There are a couple of options when researching MI mugshots online. For example, if you want to find someone's Midland MI mugshots, you can contact the Midland Sheriff Department to make your inquiry. Alternatively, you can also find this information posted on third-party sites that offer access to criminal records. They are publicly available upon request, that falls under the states FOIA laws.
Are Arrest Records Public in Michigan?
Yes, they are considered public record. This means that if someone wants to find out if you or someone else has ever been arrested, they can easily find out without needing to ask. These records are posted on both government and non-government sites that allow general public access. They are also part of a person's criminal records which is also publicly available.
Are Michigan Mugshots Public Records That I Can Lookup?
Yes, mugshots are part of a person's arrest record and booking report that are considered public records. Mugshots can be viewed through the respective law enforcement websites, or through third party resources such as public records websites.
