>Allegan County Arrest Records Online

Allegan County, Michigan Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Allegan County, Michigan?

Arrest records in Allegan County, Michigan are considered public information pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq. This legislation establishes that government records, including arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies, shall be accessible to the general public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Michigan FOIA operates under the presumption that all records are public and should be disclosed upon request, supporting transparency in governmental operations.

Members of the public seeking arrest records may submit a FOIA request to the appropriate agency. However, certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections outlined in MCL 15.243, which provides exemptions for personal information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy if disclosed. Additionally, records pertaining to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld under § 15.243(1)(b) until the investigation is completed.

The Allegan County Sheriff's Office maintains these records and processes requests in accordance with statutory requirements. Requestors should note that while arrest records are public, they document only the fact that an arrest occurred and do not constitute proof of guilt, as all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Allegan County?

Arrest records in Allegan County are available through various online platforms maintained by governmental agencies and authorized third-party providers. The Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) maintains the Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS), which provides information about individuals who have been incarcerated in state facilities or are under supervision by the MDOC.

The Allegan County Sheriff's Office provides limited online access to current inmate information and recent arrest data through their official website. This information is updated regularly but may not include comprehensive historical arrest records. For complete records, individuals may need to submit formal requests through established channels.

The Michigan State Court Administrative Office has implemented the MiCourt Case Search system, which allows public access to court records, including those related to criminal cases that originated from arrests in Allegan County. This system operates pursuant to Michigan Court Rule 8.119, which governs public access to court records.

Online access to these records is subject to the same exemptions and redactions that apply to physical records under Michigan FOIA provisions. Users should be aware that some online systems may charge fees for access or require registration to verify identity before providing certain types of information.

How to Look Up Allegan County Arrest Records in 2025

Individuals seeking Allegan County arrest records have multiple methods available to obtain this information:

In-person requests may be submitted at the Allegan County Sheriff's Office located at 640 River Street, Allegan, MI 49010. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Requestors should bring valid identification and be prepared to complete a request form.
Written FOIA requests may be submitted to the Allegan County FOIA Coordinator at 113 Chestnut Street, Allegan, MI 49010. Pursuant to MCL 15.235, the county must respond to requests within 5 business days, with a possible 10-day extension if necessary.
The Allegan County Clerk's Office maintains court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings. These records may be accessed at 113 Chestnut Street, Allegan, MI 49010, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.
Electronic requests can be submitted through the Michigan Court System's online case search portal, which provides access to public court records including those related to criminal cases.
The Michigan State Police maintains the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT), which provides criminal history record information for a fee of $10 per search, as authorized by MCL 28.273.

Requestors should note that fees may apply for record searches and copies in accordance with MCL 15.234. The Allegan County Sheriff's Office charges $5 for the first page and $0.25 for each additional page for physical copies of records. Certified copies may incur additional fees as established by county ordinance.

Contents of an Allegan County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Allegan County law enforcement agencies typically contain the following information as prescribed by Michigan law and departmental policies:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, height, weight, and residential address at time of arrest
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest, including address or geographic coordinates
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s) for which the individual was arrested
Case number and identifying information of the arresting agency and officer(s)
Booking photograph (mugshot) taken during processing at the detention facility
Fingerprint impressions collected pursuant to MCL 28.243, which requires fingerprinting of individuals arrested for felonies and specified misdemeanors
Detention information, including whether the individual was released on bail or bond, the amount of bail set, or if the individual was detained pending arraignment
Court information, including scheduled appearance dates, assigned judge, and case disposition if available
Vehicle information, if the arrest was related to a traffic offense or if a vehicle was impounded as a result of the arrest

It should be noted that pursuant to MCL 15.243(1)(b)(iii), certain information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records if disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or could interfere with law enforcement proceedings. This commonly includes Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information related to victims or witnesses.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Allegan County

The State of Michigan provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of arrest records under specific circumstances through a process formally known as "setting aside a conviction." The Michigan Clean Slate legislation, which expanded expungement eligibility, took effect on April 11, 2021, with automatic expungement provisions beginning implementation in 2023.

Individuals seeking expungement in Allegan County must meet eligibility criteria established under MCL 780.621 et seq. The current provisions allow for:

Expungement of up to three felonies and an unlimited number of misdemeanors, with certain restrictions based on offense type
Automatic expungement of eligible misdemeanors after seven years and eligible non-assaultive felonies after ten years, provided there are no new convictions
Treatment of multiple offenses arising from the same transaction as a single offense for expungement purposes

The expungement process requires filing an application with the Allegan County Circuit Court, located at 113 Chestnut Street, Allegan, MI 49010. The application must include:

A certified record of conviction
Fingerprint card obtained from an authorized law enforcement agency
Application fee of $50, as established by MCL 780.621(10)
Proof of service to the Michigan State Police, Allegan County Prosecutor's Office, and the Attorney General's Office

Following submission, a hearing will be scheduled where a judge will consider factors including the applicant's behavior since conviction and the potential impact of expungement on public safety. If granted, the court will issue an order directing all public records of the conviction to be sealed from public view.

Pursuant to MCL 780.623, once an expungement is granted, the applicant may legally state that they have not been convicted of the expunged offense, except in specific circumstances outlined in the statute.

Search Arrest Records in Allegan County

Allegan County Sheriff's Office
640 River Street
Allegan, MI 49010
(269) 673-0500
Official Website

Allegan County District Court
1133 Chestnut Street
Allegan, MI 49010
(269) 673-0400
Official Website

Allegan County Clerk's Office
113 Chestnut Street, Room 1
Allegan, MI 49010
(269) 673-0450
Official Website