Arrest records are public documents in Lapeer County, Michigan, pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq. This legislation establishes the public's right to access government records maintained by public bodies, including law enforcement agencies. The Michigan FOIA specifically designates arrest records as public information, with certain statutory exceptions to protect ongoing investigations, juvenile records, and personal privacy in specific circumstances.
Members of the public may request arrest records from the Lapeer County Sheriff's Office Records Division, which serves as the custodian of these documents. The Sheriff's Office is required by law to respond to FOIA requests within 5 business days, with a possible 10-day extension under certain conditions as specified in MCL 15.235.
Certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with exemptions provided in Section 13 of the FOIA (MCL 15.243), such as information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy or that would disclose the identity of a confidential source.
Lapeer County provides limited online access to arrest records through several official digital platforms. The county maintains a public portal through which certain arrest information can be accessed electronically. These online resources are maintained in accordance with Michigan Court Rule 8.119, which governs public access to court records.
The Lapeer County Courts provide online access to case information, which may include arrest data for cases that have entered the court system. Additionally, the Michigan Department of Corrections maintains the Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS), which provides information about individuals who have been processed through the state correctional system.
It should be noted that online records may not be comprehensive and typically do not include arrests that have not resulted in charges or court proceedings. For complete arrest record information, requestors may need to submit a formal request to the Lapeer County Sheriff's Office or visit in person.
Lapeer County Sheriff's Office
3231 John Conley Drive
Lapeer, MI 48446
(810) 664-1801
Official Website
Individuals seeking Lapeer County arrest records in 2025 have multiple methods available to them, as prescribed by Michigan's public records laws. The following procedures are established for public access:
In-person requests may be submitted at the Lapeer County Sheriff's Records Division, located at 3231 John Conley Drive, Lapeer, MI 48446. The Records Division is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Written FOIA requests can be submitted by mail to the Sheriff's Office address or via email to the designated FOIA coordinator. Pursuant to MCL 15.233(1), requests must include a description of the record sufficient for processing.
The Michigan Courts Case Search provides online access to court cases, which may include information about arrests that have led to court proceedings.
The Lapeer County Court Dockets can be reviewed for information about scheduled court appearances related to arrests.
For arrests resulting in state incarceration, the Michigan Department of Corrections OTIS database provides offender information.
Requestors should be prepared to provide identifying information such as the subject's full name and date of birth to facilitate accurate record retrieval. Fees may apply for record searches and copies, as authorized by MCL 15.234.
Lapeer County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Michigan law and departmental policies. These official documents typically include the following elements:
Pursuant to Michigan law, certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies of arrest records, including Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and information related to victims of certain crimes as specified in MCL 780.758.
The Lapeer County Sheriff's Corrections Division maintains additional records related to individuals who are detained following arrest, including visitation logs, medical screening information, and classification data.
Michigan law provides mechanisms for the expungement (setting aside) of certain arrest records under specific conditions. The process is governed by the Michigan Set Aside Law, MCL 780.621 et seq., which was significantly expanded by the Clean Slate legislation that took full effect in 2023.
Individuals seeking expungement of arrest records in Lapeer County must adhere to the following statutory procedures:
For arrests that did not result in conviction, individuals may apply for expungement after a waiting period specified by statute, typically one year from the date of arrest.
For arrests resulting in conviction, eligibility depends on the nature and number of convictions, with waiting periods ranging from three to seven years after completion of sentence, as specified in MCL 780.621d.
Petitions for expungement must be filed with the 71A District Court or the 40th Circuit Court, depending on the level of the original charge.
The petition must be served on the Michigan State Police, the Michigan Attorney General, and the Lapeer County Prosecutor's Office, as required by MCL 780.621(8).
A hearing will be scheduled, during which the court will consider factors including the circumstances and seriousness of the offense and the petitioner's behavior since the arrest.
Certain offenses are ineligible for expungement, including most sexual offenses, traffic offenses involving operation while intoxicated, and felonies punishable by life imprisonment. The Michigan Clean Slate Act has implemented an automatic expungement process for certain eligible convictions, which began phased implementation in 2023.
Lapeer County Prosecutor's Office
255 Clay Street
Lapeer, MI 48446
(810) 245-4212
Official Website