>Clare County Arrest Records Online

Clare County, Michigan Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Clare County, Michigan?

Arrest records are public in Clare County, Michigan, pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq. This statute establishes the public's right to access government records, including arrest information maintained by law enforcement agencies. The Michigan FOIA specifically designates arrest records as public documents that must be disclosed upon proper request, with certain limited exceptions for ongoing investigations or protected personal information as outlined in MCL 15.243.

The Clare County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state law and provides access to them through established procedures. Members of the public seeking arrest records must submit a formal FOIA request to the appropriate records custodian. The Michigan FOIA requires public bodies to respond to such requests within 5 business days, with a possible 10-day extension under certain circumstances as specified in MCL 15.235.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Clare County?

Clare County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by state and county agencies. The Clare County Sheriff's Office provides limited online access to current inmate information and recent arrest data through their official website. This digital access is authorized under Michigan's public records laws and represents the county's commitment to governmental transparency.

The Michigan State Police also maintains electronic databases that may contain Clare County arrest information. These resources are available to the public in accordance with state regulations governing the dissemination of criminal justice information. Users should note that online records may not be comprehensive and might require supplementation through formal records requests.

Pursuant to the Michigan FOIA, electronic records are subject to the same disclosure requirements as paper documents. However, certain information may be redacted from online records to protect privacy interests as permitted under MCL 15.243(1)(a) and other applicable exemptions.

How to Look Up Clare County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for obtaining Clare County arrest records. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following methods:

Clare County Sheriff's Office Records Division: Submit a FOIA request in person or by mail to obtain comprehensive arrest records.

Clare County Sheriff's Office
255 W Main Street
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7166
Clare County Sheriff's Office
Michigan State Police Criminal Records Division: Request a criminal history record check through the state's central repository.

Michigan State Police Criminal Records Division
7150 Harris Drive
Lansing, MI 48913
Phone: (517) 241-0606
Clare County Clerk's Office: Access court records related to arrests and subsequent proceedings.

Clare County Clerk's Office
225 W Main Street
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7131
Michigan Offender Tracking Information System: Search for information about individuals who have been incarcerated in Michigan prisons or are under supervision by the Michigan Department of Corrections.

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information about the subject of the search, including full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest. Fees may apply for record searches and copies in accordance with MCL 15.234, which permits agencies to charge reasonable costs for providing public records.

Contents of a Clare County Arrest Record

Clare County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Michigan law enforcement protocols and the Michigan Criminal Justice Information System. These records typically include:

Subject's complete legal name and any documented aliases
Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye and hair color
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Residential address at time of booking
Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
Statutory citation and description of alleged offense(s)
Booking photographs (commonly known as mugshots)
Fingerprint impressions collected during processing
Arresting agency identification and officer information
Case or incident number assigned by law enforcement
Initial court appearance information
Bail or bond determination, if applicable

These records are maintained in accordance with the Michigan Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) standards and the Michigan Criminal History Records Improvement Act. The completeness and accuracy of these records are subject to verification procedures established by the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center pursuant to MCL 28.241 et seq.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Clare County

The State of Michigan provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records through the Michigan Clean Slate legislation. Under MCL 780.621 et seq., eligible individuals may petition the court to set aside qualifying convictions and associated arrest records. The Clare County Circuit Court has jurisdiction over expungement petitions for arrests that occurred within the county.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Clare County include:

Waiting periods ranging from 3-7 years after completion of sentence, depending on offense type
Limitations on the number and nature of convictions eligible for expungement
Restrictions on expungement for certain serious offenses as enumerated in MCL 780.621(3)

The expungement process requires:

Filing a petition with the Clare County Circuit Court
Payment of applicable filing fees
Submission to fingerprinting for a criminal background check
Attendance at a hearing before a circuit court judge
Demonstration that expungement serves the public welfare

Upon successful expungement, arrest records are removed from public access, though they remain available to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes as specified in MCL 780.623. The Michigan State Police maintains these non-public records in accordance with state law.

Clare County Circuit Court
225 W Main Street
Harrison, MI 48625
Phone: (989) 539-7131