>Charlevoix County Arrest Records Online

Charlevoix County, Michigan Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Charlevoix County, Michigan?

Arrest records in Charlevoix County, Michigan are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq. This legislation establishes the public's right to inspect, copy, or receive public records maintained by government agencies, including law enforcement entities. The Michigan FOIA specifically designates arrest records as public information, with certain limited exceptions for ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and matters of public safety.

Members of the public seeking arrest records must understand that while these documents are generally available, certain information may be redacted in accordance with MCL 15.243, which outlines specific exemptions to disclosure. These exemptions include personal information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy, information that would identify a confidential source, or details that might endanger law enforcement personnel.

The Charlevoix County Sheriff's Office maintains these records and processes requests in accordance with statutory guidelines. Requestors should note that pursuant to MCL 15.234, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the search, retrieval, and duplication of requested records.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Charlevoix County?

Charlevoix County provides digital access to certain arrest records through authorized online platforms in compliance with Michigan's public records laws. The Charlevoix County website serves as the primary portal for accessing public information, including limited arrest data. Additionally, the Michigan Department of Corrections' Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) provides searchable records for individuals who have been processed through the state correctional system.

Online access to arrest records is subject to the following statutory provisions:

Records must comply with the Michigan FOIA (MCL 15.231-15.246)
Information is subject to the Criminal Justice Information Systems Policy Council Act (MCL 28.211-28.215)
Digital access must adhere to the Enhanced Access to Public Records Act (MCL 15.441-15.445)

Users should be advised that online records may not be comprehensive and might not include recent arrests or cases under active investigation. Furthermore, pursuant to MCL 28.243, certain arrest records may be removed from public access following specific legal proceedings such as expungements or non-conviction dispositions.

How to Look Up Charlevoix County Arrest Records in 2025

Individuals seeking Charlevoix County arrest records in 2025 may utilize multiple official channels to obtain this information. The Michigan Court Rules MCR 8.119 establishes that court records, including those related to arrests, shall be available for public inspection with certain exceptions.

Official methods for accessing Charlevoix County arrest records include:

In-person requests at the Charlevoix County Sheriff's Office 1301 State Street, Charlevoix, MI 49720 Phone: (231) 547-4461 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Online searches through the Michigan Courts Case Search system, which provides access to court records including those stemming from arrests
Written requests submitted to the Charlevoix County Clerk's Office 203 Antrim Street, Charlevoix, MI 49720 Phone: (231) 547-7200 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Local police department inquiries at the Charlevoix Police Department 111 State Street, Charlevoix, MI 49720 Phone: (231) 547-3258 Hours: 24-hour service (administrative office: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday)

Pursuant to MCL 15.233(1), a public body must furnish a requesting person with a reasonable opportunity to inspect and examine public records during usual business hours. Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information such as the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and any other identifying information to facilitate the search process.

Contents of a Charlevoix County Arrest Record

Charlevoix County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Michigan Compiled Laws § 28.243, which mandates the collection and maintenance of specific data elements. These official documents typically include the following components:

Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of the alleged offense(s)
Case number and booking information
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Law enforcement agency responsible for the arrest
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint classification when collected pursuant to MCL 28.243
Custody status information
Court docket number when assigned
Preliminary hearing date if scheduled

The Archives of Michigan maintains historical arrest records for Charlevoix County, with some records dating back to the county's establishment. These historical documents may contain different information than contemporary arrest records due to evolving legal requirements and record-keeping practices.

Requestors should note that certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available arrest records in accordance with privacy protections established under Michigan law, particularly information related to victims of certain crimes, confidential informants, or details that might compromise ongoing investigations.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Charlevoix County

The expungement process in Charlevoix County operates under Michigan's "Clean Slate" legislation, specifically MCL 780.621 et seq., which provides mechanisms for the setting aside of certain criminal records. Individuals seeking expungement must file a petition with the court where the conviction occurred and meet specific statutory eligibility requirements.

As of 2025, the following criteria generally apply to expungement eligibility in Charlevoix County:

For misdemeanor offenses: Individuals may petition for expungement after 3 years from the completion of all terms of the sentence
For non-assaultive felonies: Individuals may petition after 5 years from the completion of all terms of the sentence
For assaultive felonies: Individuals may petition after 7 years from the completion of all terms of the sentence

Pursuant to the 2020 amendments to Michigan's expungement laws, automatic expungement for certain qualifying offenses began implementation in 2023. Under MCL 780.621g, eligible non-violent misdemeanors are automatically set aside after 7 years, and eligible non-violent felonies after 10 years, provided there are no subsequent convictions.

The Charlevoix County Circuit Court processes expungement petitions at: Charlevoix County Circuit Court 301 State Street Charlevoix, MI 49720 Phone: (231) 547-7243 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Individuals should be aware that certain offenses are statutorily ineligible for expungement, including most sexual offenses, serious violent crimes, and traffic violations such as Operating While Intoxicated. The Charlevoix County Board of Commissioners periodically reviews local procedures related to expungement processes to ensure compliance with state legislation.