Ingham County, Michigan Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Ingham County, Michigan?
Arrest records are public documents in Ingham County, Michigan, pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Michigan Compiled Laws § 15.231 et seq. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies within the county. The Michigan FOIA operates under the presumption that all records are accessible unless specifically exempted by statute.
Members of the public may access these records to verify the arrest status of individuals, conduct background checks, or research criminal activity in their communities. The public nature of these records serves multiple governmental interests, including:
- Promoting transparency in law enforcement operations
- Ensuring accountability of public officials
- Facilitating informed civic participation
- Enhancing public safety through awareness of criminal activity
The Ingham County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules established by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget, Records Management Services.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Ingham County?
Ingham County arrest records are available through various online platforms in compliance with Michigan's public records laws. The Ingham County Clerk's Office maintains the official repository of county records, including those related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings. Digital access to these records has been implemented as part of Michigan's statewide court records modernization initiative.
Online accessibility is provided through several official channels:
- The Michigan Courts' statewide case search system (MiCOURT)
- The Ingham County Sheriff's Office inmate lookup portal
- The 54-A, 54-B, and 55th District Courts' online case access systems
- The 30th Circuit Court's electronic records database
Users should note that pursuant to Michigan Court Rule 1.109, certain identifying information may be redacted from publicly accessible versions of court records, even when the underlying case information remains public. Additionally, in accordance with Michigan Court Administrative Order 2006-2, some records may have limited online availability while remaining accessible through in-person requests.
How to Look Up Ingham County Arrest Records in 2025
Individuals seeking Ingham County arrest records in 2025 may utilize multiple methods to obtain this information. The primary agencies maintaining these records include:
Ingham County Sheriff's Office
630 North Cedar Street
Mason, MI 48854
Phone: (517) 676-2431
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website
Ingham County Clerk's Office
341 South Jefferson Street
Mason, MI 48854
Phone: (517) 676-7201
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Official Website
To access arrest records, requesters may:
- Submit a FOIA request to the Ingham County Sheriff's Office, specifying the information sought
- Visit the Ingham County Clerk's Office in person to conduct a records search
- Access the MiCOURT Case Search system for cases that have proceeded to court
- Contact the 54-A District Court for arrests within Lansing city limits
- Utilize third-party aggregator services that compile public records (additional fees may apply)
Pursuant to MCL § 15.234, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the search, retrieval, and duplication of records. Fee schedules are established by each agency and must be publicly available upon request.
Contents of an Ingham County Arrest Record
Ingham County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Michigan law enforcement protocols and judicial requirements. These records typically include the following categories of information:
Biographical data of the arrested individual:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Residential address (may be partially redacted in public versions)
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory citation of alleged offense(s)
- Incident report number
- Booking number and processing information
Case processing information:
- Court of jurisdiction (typically 54-A, 54-B, or 55th District Court)
- Case number if formally charged
- Bond/bail information
- Scheduled court appearances
- Disposition status
In accordance with Michigan Court Rule 8.119, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public versions of these records, including Social Security numbers, financial account information, and driver's license numbers. Additionally, pursuant to MCL § 780.621, records that have been subject to expungement orders will not appear in standard record searches.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Ingham County
The State of Michigan provides legal mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records through the Michigan Clean Slate legislation. Effective April 11, 2021, Michigan's expanded expungement law (Public Acts 187-193 of 2020) allows for broader eligibility for record clearing. In Ingham County, this process is administered through the 30th Circuit Court and the district courts with jurisdiction over the original case.
Eligibility criteria for expungement in Ingham County include:
- Waiting periods ranging from 3-7 years depending on offense severity
- Limitations on the number and type of convictions eligible for expungement
- Restrictions on expunging certain offenses, including most sexual offenses, traffic violations resulting in injury or death, and felonies carrying potential life imprisonment
The expungement process requires:
- Filing a petition with the court where the conviction occurred
- Payment of a $50 filing fee (fee waivers available for indigent applicants)
- Submission to fingerprinting for a criminal background check
- Attendance at a hearing before a judge who will determine whether granting the petition is consistent with public welfare
Upon successful expungement, pursuant to MCL § 780.623, the record is removed from public view and the individual may legally state they have not been convicted of the expunged offense on applications for employment, housing, or licensure. However, law enforcement agencies retain access to expunged records for limited purposes.
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