Grand Traverse County, Michigan Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Grand Traverse County, Michigan?
Arrest records are public documents in Grand Traverse County, Michigan, pursuant to Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Michigan Compiled Laws § 15.231 et seq. This legislation establishes the public's right to access governmental records, including arrest documentation maintained by county law enforcement agencies. The Michigan FOIA specifically designates arrest records as public information to ensure transparency in the criminal justice system and accountability of governmental operations.
Members of the public may request access to these records through formal FOIA requests submitted to the appropriate custodial agency. However, certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with privacy exemptions outlined in MCL § 15.243, particularly when disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or compromise an ongoing investigation.
The Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in compliance with state retention schedules established by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, Records Management Services.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Grand Traverse County?
Grand Traverse County provides digital access to certain arrest records through official county government portals. The Criminal Records Database maintained by the county allows public access to arrest information as part of the county's commitment to digital government services.
Online accessibility is subject to the provisions of Public Act 193 of 2020, which established new guidelines for the digital publication of court records. As a result, not all arrest records may be available through online platforms, particularly those involving certain categories of offenses or cases under specific legal restrictions.
The Records Division of the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office oversees the processing and maintenance of arrest records in electronic formats. This division ensures compliance with both state transparency requirements and privacy protections mandated by Michigan law.
Users of online systems should note that records available digitally may not represent the complete arrest history for individuals, as certain records may be accessible only through in-person requests at county offices.
How to Look Up Grand Traverse County Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in Grand Traverse County. Individuals seeking such information may utilize the following methods:
- Submit a FOIA request directly to the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office Records Division
- Access the county's Civil & Criminal Records Search portal
- Visit the Grand Traverse County Clerk's Office to review Circuit & Family Court Records related to criminal cases
- Consult the Court Cases database for information on criminal proceedings resulting from arrests
For in-person inquiries, individuals may visit:
Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office
851 Woodmere Avenue
Traverse City, MI 49686
Phone: (231) 995-5000
Official Website
Grand Traverse County Clerk's Office
400 Boardman Avenue, Suite 101
Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone: (231) 922-4760
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website
When requesting arrest records, individuals must provide sufficient identifying information about the subject of the search, including full legal name and, when possible, date of birth. Pursuant to MCL § 15.234, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the reproduction and provision of public records.
Contents of a Grand Traverse County Arrest Record
Grand Traverse County arrest records contain standardized information in compliance with Michigan law enforcement documentation requirements. These records typically include:
- Subject's full legal name and any documented aliases
- Demographic information including date of birth, gender, and physical descriptors
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Arresting agency identification
- Booking photographs ("mugshots")
- Fingerprint information
- Case or incident number
- Custody status information
- Initial court appearance details
The Corrections Division of the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office maintains booking information as part of the arrest record. This division processes individuals following arrest and creates the initial documentation that becomes part of the permanent record.
Certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available versions of arrest records in accordance with privacy protections under Michigan law, including social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and certain medical information.
Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access
While arrest records are generally public in Grand Traverse County, several legal restrictions limit access to certain information. Michigan law establishes specific exemptions to public disclosure, including:
- Records pertaining to juvenile arrests (individuals under 17 years of age), which are subject to confidentiality provisions under the Michigan Juvenile Code, MCL § 712A.1 et seq.
- Information related to ongoing investigations, as protected under MCL § 15.243(1)(b)
- Records sealed by court order
- Expunged arrest records pursuant to Michigan's Clean Slate legislation
- Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy under MCL § 15.243(1)(a)
The Michigan Court of Appeals has established that while arrest records are presumptively public, this presumption may be overcome when privacy interests substantially outweigh the public interest in disclosure (Michigan Federation of Teachers v. University of Michigan, 481 Mich. 657, 2008).
Law enforcement agencies in Grand Traverse County must balance transparency obligations with privacy protections when responding to requests for arrest records. This balancing test is applied on a case-by-case basis in accordance with Michigan FOIA jurisprudence.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Grand Traverse County
Grand Traverse County residents may petition for expungement of arrest records under Michigan's expanded expungement laws, including the Clean Slate legislation (Public Acts 187-193 of 2020). This legislation significantly broadened eligibility for record expungement, allowing for the removal of certain arrest records from public access.
Eligibility criteria for expungement include:
- Completion of all terms of the sentence
- Passage of specified waiting periods (typically 3-7 years depending on offense type)
- Limitations on the number and type of convictions on the individual's record
- Absence of pending criminal charges
The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court of original jurisdiction, typically the 13th Circuit Court for felony cases or the 86th District Court for misdemeanors in Grand Traverse County. Petitioners must submit fingerprints and undergo a criminal background check as part of the application process.
Upon approval of an expungement petition, the court issues an order to all relevant agencies, including the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Office, to remove the record from public databases. Pursuant to MCL § 780.623, expunged records remain available to law enforcement agencies for limited purposes but are no longer accessible to the general public.
Automatic expungement provisions under the Clean Slate legislation began implementation in April 2023, creating a system for certain eligible records to be expunged without requiring individual petitions.
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