>Kent County Arrest Records Online

Kent County, Michigan Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Kent County, Michigan?

Arrest records in Kent County, Michigan are considered public documents pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq. This legislation establishes the public's right to inspect, copy, or receive public records maintained by government bodies within the state, including those pertaining to arrests. The Michigan FOIA operates under the presumption that all records are accessible unless specifically exempted by statute.

The Kent County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records as part of its official duties in law enforcement. While these records are generally available to the public, certain information may be redacted to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, or personal identifying information as provided under MCL 15.243, which outlines specific exemptions to disclosure.

Members of the public seeking arrest records should be aware that while the information is public, the process for obtaining these records follows established protocols designed to balance transparency with privacy and security concerns.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Kent County?

Kent County provides several digital platforms through which members of the public may access arrest records online. The primary resource is the Kent County Inmate Lookup system, which provides real-time information regarding individuals currently in custody at the Kent County Correctional Facility.

Additionally, the Web Jail Viewer maintained by the Kent County Sheriff's Office offers public access to booking information. Users should note that while this system provides arrest data, certain information held by the Sheriff's Office remains confidential as protected by Michigan State Law.

For court records related to arrests, the 17th Circuit Court of Kent County maintains an electronic case management system accessible through their official website. This system allows for searches of court proceedings that follow arrests, including arraignments, preliminary examinations, and trial information.

The Michigan State Court Administrative Office also provides the MiCOURT Case Search platform, which includes Kent County cases. Per state policy, this system displays criminal conviction information if the sentencing occurred within seven years of the search date.

How to Look Up Kent County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in Kent County. Individuals seeking this information may utilize any of the following methods:

In-Person Requests at Law Enforcement Agencies: Citizens may visit the Kent County Sheriff's Office to submit formal requests for arrest records.

Kent County Sheriff's Office
701 Ball Avenue NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616-632-6100
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Court Records Search: Arrest information often appears in subsequent court records, which can be accessed through the Kent County Courthouse.

Kent County Courthouse
180 Ottawa Avenue NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616-632-5220
Search Court Records
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
FOIA Requests: Formal requests under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act may be submitted to the appropriate agency. Pursuant to MCL 15.235, the public body must respond to a request within 5 business days, with a possible 10-day extension.
Online Database Searches: The county maintains several digital platforms for public record searches, including the Inmate Lookup system and the 17th Circuit Court case search.
62-B District Court Records: For arrests processed through the Kentwood jurisdiction.

62-B District Court
4740 Walma SE
Kentwood, MI 49512
Phone: 616-698-9310
Court Record Search
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Contents of a Kent County Arrest Record

Standard arrest records maintained by Kent County law enforcement agencies contain specific categories of information as required by Michigan law. These records typically include:

Biographical Information: Full legal name, date of birth, physical description, and photograph (mugshot) of the arrested individual
Arrest Details: Date, time, and location of the arrest; name and badge number of the arresting officer(s); and the law enforcement agency involved
Criminal Charges: Specific violations of Michigan state law or local ordinances for which the individual was arrested, including the Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) citation
Booking Information: Processing details including fingerprinting, property inventory, and temporary detention location
Case Identification: Unique identifiers including case numbers, booking numbers, and court docket numbers
Court Information: Initial appearance details, bail or bond determinations, and scheduled court dates
Disposition Status: Current status of the case within the criminal justice system

Pursuant to the Michigan FOIA, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and other personal identifying information as specified in MCL 15.243(1)(w).

Expungement of Arrest Records in Kent County

The State of Michigan provides legal mechanisms for the expungement (setting aside) of certain arrest records under the Michigan Clean Slate legislation. Effective April 11, 2021, this legislation expanded eligibility for expungement of criminal records, including those related to arrests that did not result in conviction.

Under MCL 780.621, individuals may petition the court to set aside qualifying arrests and convictions if they meet specific criteria:

For arrests without conviction: Individuals may apply for expungement after the statute of limitations for the alleged offense has expired, or after 3 years from the date of arrest, whichever occurs first.
For misdemeanor convictions: Most misdemeanors become eligible for expungement 3 years after sentencing or release from incarceration, whichever is later.
For felony convictions: Most non-assaultive felonies become eligible 7 years after sentencing or release from incarceration, whichever is later.

The expungement process in Kent County requires filing a petition with the court of record where the case was adjudicated:

17th Circuit Court
180 Ottawa Avenue NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616-632-5480
17th Circuit Court Website

Petitioners must also submit fingerprints to the Michigan State Police for a background check and pay applicable filing fees. Upon approval by a judge, the record is sealed from public view, though it remains accessible to law enforcement agencies and courts for limited purposes as specified in MCL 780.623.

Search Arrest Records in Kent County

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Grand Rapids