>Clinton County Arrest Records Online

Clinton County, Michigan Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Clinton County, Michigan?

Arrest records are public in Clinton County, Michigan, pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq. This legislation establishes that arrest records maintained by law enforcement agencies constitute public records accessible to citizens. The Clinton County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state regulations that promote governmental transparency and public oversight. Under Michigan law, specifically MCL 15.233, any person may request to inspect, copy, or receive public records upon providing a written request that describes the records sufficiently for the public body to locate them.

The Michigan FOIA provides certain exemptions under MCL 15.243 that may restrict access to portions of arrest records containing sensitive information such as ongoing investigation details, juvenile records, or personal identifying information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of privacy if disclosed. Records custodians in Clinton County are required to separate exempt from non-exempt material to facilitate maximum disclosure while protecting confidential information as mandated by statute.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Clinton County?

Clinton County arrest records are available through various online platforms maintained by governmental agencies. The Clinton County Sheriff's Office provides limited booking information through their official website, though comprehensive arrest record access may require additional verification steps to comply with privacy regulations under MCL 28.243. The Michigan State Police also maintains electronic databases that include arrest information from Clinton County law enforcement agencies.

Online access to these records is governed by the Michigan FOIA and the Criminal Justice Information Systems Policy Council guidelines. Pursuant to MCL 15.234, agencies may charge reasonable fees for providing copies of records, including those accessed electronically. Users should be aware that some online systems may display only partial information, with complete records requiring formal requests or in-person visits to the appropriate agency.

The 29th Circuit Court serving Clinton County provides case information through the statewide MiCOURT Case Search system, though this platform typically displays only conviction information rather than comprehensive arrest data. Per Michigan Court Administrative Order 2006-2, some case details may be restricted from online viewing even when they remain public records available through in-person requests.

How to Look Up Clinton County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Clinton County arrest records may utilize several authorized channels to obtain this information. The primary methods include:

Submitting a written FOIA request to the Clinton County Sheriff's Office located at 1347 E. Townsend Road, St. Johns, MI 48879. Requests must reasonably describe the records sought in accordance with MCL 15.233(1).
Visiting the Clinton County Sheriff's Records Division in person during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM) to complete a records request form. Photo identification is required for in-person requests.
Accessing the Michigan Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) for information about individuals currently in custody or under supervision of the Michigan Department of Corrections.
Contacting the Clinton County Clerk's Office at 100 E. State Street, Suite 2600, St. Johns, MI 48879 for court records related to arrests that resulted in formal charges.
Utilizing the Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) for official criminal history information, though fees apply per MCL 28.273.

Requestors should note that pursuant to MCL 15.235, public bodies must respond to FOIA requests within 5 business days, though this period may be extended by an additional 10 business days if necessary.

Contents of a Clinton County Arrest Record

Clinton County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Michigan law and maintained in accordance with the Michigan Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) protocols. These records typically include:

Biographical data of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and address at time of arrest.
Arrest details including date, time, location, and the specific statutory violations cited by the arresting officer (referenced by Michigan Compiled Laws section numbers).
Arresting agency information, including the department name, officer identification, and incident report number assigned to the case.
Booking information such as fingerprints, photographs, and personal property inventory taken during processing at the Clinton County Jail.
Charge classification (misdemeanor or felony) and preliminary court information including arraignment date, court case number, and initial bond determination.
Detention status indicating whether the individual was released on bond, held in custody, or transferred to another facility.

Pursuant to MCL 28.243, law enforcement agencies are required to collect fingerprint impressions and other identifying data for individuals arrested for felonies and specified misdemeanors, which become part of the official arrest record. These records are maintained in accordance with the record retention schedules established by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Clinton County

The State of Michigan provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under the Michigan Set Aside Law (MCL 780.621 et seq.). Individuals with Clinton County arrest records may petition for expungement if they meet eligibility criteria established by state law. The Michigan Clean Slate legislation, which took effect in April 2023, has expanded eligibility for both petition-based and automatic expungement.

For petition-based expungements, applicants must file with the 29th Circuit Court if the arrest occurred in Clinton County. The petition must include:

A certified record of the conviction or arrest to be set aside
Fingerprint card obtained from a law enforcement agency
Application fee as established by the State Court Administrative Office

Under MCL 780.621, individuals may petition to set aside one or more criminal convictions after a waiting period of 3-7 years, depending on the offense type. For arrests that did not result in conviction, individuals may apply for expungement immediately under MCL 28.243.

The automatic expungement process, implemented through MCL 780.621g-j, allows for certain non-violent felonies to be automatically set aside after 10 years, and certain misdemeanors after 7 years, without requiring a petition. The Michigan State Police is responsible for identifying eligible records and implementing the automatic process.

Expunged records are not destroyed but are sealed from public view and can only be accessed by law enforcement agencies for limited purposes as specified in MCL 780.623. Individuals whose records have been expunged may legally state on applications for employment, housing, or licensure that they have not been arrested or convicted of the expunged offense.

Search Arrest Records in Clinton County

Clinton County Sheriff's Office
1347 E. Townsend Road
St. Johns, MI 48879
(989) 224-5200
Official Website

Clinton County Clerk's Office
100 E. State Street, Suite 2600
St. Johns, MI 48879
(989) 224-5140
Official Website