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Lansing Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lansing, Michigan?

Arrest records are public documents in Lansing, Michigan, pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Michigan Compiled Laws § 15.231 et seq. This legislation establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Michigan FOIA operates under the presumption that all records are public, reflecting the state's commitment to governmental transparency and accountability in law enforcement operations.

Members of the public may request arrest records from the Lansing Police Department through formal FOIA procedures. These procedures are designed to balance the public's right to information with privacy considerations and ongoing investigative needs. Certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with exemptions provided under Michigan FOIA § 15.243, which protects personal privacy and the integrity of law enforcement proceedings.

How to Look Up Lansing Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in Lansing, Michigan. The City of Lansing maintains several methods through which interested parties may obtain these public documents:

In-Person Requests: Citizens may submit requests for arrest records at the Lansing Police Department Records Bureau.

Lansing Police Department Records Bureau
120 W. Michigan Avenue
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (517) 483-4600
Lansing Police Department
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Online FOIA Requests: The City of Lansing maintains an electronic record request portal where citizens may submit FOIA requests for arrest records.
Mail or Fax: Written requests may be submitted via postal mail or fax to the Records Bureau at the address listed above.
Court Records: Arrest records that have resulted in court proceedings may be accessed through the 54-A District Court.

54-A District Court
124 W. Michigan Avenue
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (517) 483-4433
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information to facilitate the search, including the full name of the individual, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known. Pursuant to Michigan FOIA § 15.234, fees may be assessed for the search, retrieval, and duplication of records.

Contents of a Lansing Arrest Record

Lansing arrest records typically contain comprehensive information regarding the circumstances and processing of an individual's arrest. Standard elements included in these records are as follows:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, date of birth, address, and other identifying information of the arrestee
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest
Arresting Agency: Identification of the law enforcement agency that executed the arrest
Charges: Criminal charges filed at the time of arrest
Booking Information: Processing details including date, time, and facility
Physical Description: Height, weight, identifying marks, and other physical characteristics
Fingerprint Data: Biometric identification collected during processing
Photographic Documentation: Mugshots taken during booking
Detention Status: Information regarding bail, bond, or release conditions
Case Disposition: Outcome of the arrest if resolved

It should be noted that pursuant to Michigan Compiled Laws § 28.243, certain arrest record information may be withheld if the release would interfere with law enforcement proceedings, deprive a person of the right to a fair trial, constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, or disclose the identity of a confidential source.

Legal Framework for Arrest Records in Michigan

The management and accessibility of arrest records in Lansing operate within a comprehensive legal framework established by Michigan state law. This framework balances public access rights with privacy protections and law enforcement needs:

Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA): MCL § 15.231-15.246 establishes the presumption that all government records, including arrest records, are accessible to the public unless specifically exempted.
Michigan Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) Policy: Governs the collection, storage, and dissemination of criminal justice information, including arrest records.
Michigan Criminal Procedure Code: MCL § 764.1 et seq. establishes procedures for arrests and the documentation thereof.
Michigan Identification and Records Act: MCL § 28.241 et seq. regulates the collection and maintenance of criminal history record information.
Michigan Court Rules: MCR 8.119 addresses public access to court records, which may include records related to arrests.

Law enforcement agencies in Lansing must adhere to these statutory requirements when creating, maintaining, and providing access to arrest records. The Lansing Police Department has established protocols to ensure compliance with these legal mandates while fulfilling their public service obligations.

Limitations on Access to Arrest Records

While arrest records in Lansing are generally public, certain statutory limitations restrict access to specific information contained within these records. These limitations serve to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, and the integrity of the criminal justice system:

Sealed Records: Pursuant to MCL § 780.621, records that have been legally sealed by court order are not accessible to the general public.
Juvenile Records: Under MCL § 712A.28, records pertaining to juvenile arrests are subject to heightened confidentiality protections and limited public access.
Ongoing Investigations: Information that could interfere with law enforcement proceedings or deprive an individual of the right to a fair trial may be temporarily withheld under FOIA exemptions.
Personal Privacy Protections: Certain personal identifying information may be redacted to protect privacy interests, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and dates of birth.
Expunged Records: Records that have been legally expunged pursuant to MCL § 780.621 are removed from public access.

The Lansing Police Department and 54-A District Court evaluate each record request in accordance with these statutory limitations to determine the appropriate level of access.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Lansing

Michigan law provides mechanisms through which eligible individuals may petition for the expungement of arrest records in Lansing. The expungement process is governed by Michigan's Clean Slate legislation, including Public Acts 193-203 of 2020, which expanded eligibility criteria and established automatic expungement for certain offenses.

Eligibility requirements for expungement include:

Waiting periods ranging from 3-7 years depending on offense severity
Limitations on the number and type of convictions
Completion of all terms of sentence, including probation and payment of fines
No pending charges

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the court where the case was adjudicated. For arrests that occurred in Lansing, petitions are typically filed with the 54-A District Court or the Ingham County Circuit Court, depending on the severity of the original charge.

Ingham County Circuit Court
313 W. Kalamazoo Street
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (517) 483-6500
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Individuals seeking expungement are advised that the process involves multiple steps, including fingerprinting, background checks, and a court hearing. The court may grant expungement if it determines that doing so is consistent with the public welfare.