>Lenawee County Arrest Records Online

Lenawee County, Michigan Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Lenawee County, Michigan?

Arrest records in Lenawee County, Michigan are public documents accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Michigan Compiled Laws § 15.231 et seq. This legislation establishes the public's right to inspect, copy, or receive public records maintained by government agencies, including law enforcement entities. The Michigan FOIA specifically designates arrest information as public record, thereby ensuring transparency in the criminal justice system and accountability of law enforcement operations.

The Lenawee County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with state statutes and makes them available through their Records Division. Members of the public seeking arrest information may submit formal requests to the appropriate agencies, subject to certain statutory exemptions that may apply to protect ongoing investigations or sensitive personal information as outlined in MCL § 15.243.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Lenawee County?

Lenawee County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms, though the comprehensiveness of digital records varies by source. The Lenawee County Sheriff's Office maintains certain arrest information that may be accessed electronically, including current inmate populations and individuals with outstanding warrants.

The Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) provides another avenue for obtaining criminal history information, including arrest data, though fees apply for these searches. Additionally, the Lenawee County District Court and Circuit Court maintain electronic case management systems that may include information related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings.

It should be noted that while basic arrest information is generally available online, comprehensive records may require direct contact with the Records Division of the Lenawee County Sheriff's Office. Online records are subject to update schedules that may not reflect the most current information, particularly for recent arrests.

How to Look Up Lenawee County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for obtaining arrest records in Lenawee County. Interested parties may utilize any of the following methods:

Contact the Lenawee County Sheriff's Office Records Division directly:

Lenawee County Sheriff's Office Records Division
405 N. Winter Street
Adrian, MI 49221
Phone: 517-263-0524 ext. 2052
Official Website

Submit a FOIA request to the appropriate law enforcement agency that made the arrest. Requests must be submitted in writing and should include specific information about the record being sought, including the individual's full name, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known.
Visit the Lenawee County District Court or Circuit Court to access case information related to arrests:

Lenawee County District Court
425 N. Winter Street
Adrian, MI 49221
Phone: 517-264-4675
Official Website

Lenawee County Circuit Court
425 N. Winter Street, Room 301
Adrian, MI 49221
Phone: 517-264-4597
Official Website

Utilize the Michigan State Police ICHAT system for criminal history information, which includes arrest data. This service requires payment of a statutory fee per search and is available at: https://apps.michigan.gov/ICHAT/Home.aspx
For individuals currently incarcerated, the Corrections Division of the Lenawee County Sheriff's Office maintains current inmate information.

Pursuant to MCL § 15.234, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the search, retrieval, and copying of requested records. Fee schedules are established by each agency and may vary.

Contents of a Lenawee County Arrest Record

Arrest records maintained by Lenawee County law enforcement agencies typically contain the following information as mandated by Michigan state law and departmental policies:

Subject's complete legal name and any documented aliases
Demographic information including date of birth, gender, race, and place of birth
Physical descriptors such as height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks (scars, tattoos)
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint impressions collected during booking procedures
Arrest details including:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory violations and formal charges
- Incident report number
Custody status information including:
- Bail or bond amount and conditions
- Detention facility location
- Booking number
Court assignment information including:
- Court of jurisdiction (District Court or Circuit Court)
- Case number
- Scheduled appearance dates

The Records Division of the Lenawee County Sheriff's Office maintains these records in accordance with departmental policies and state retention schedules. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies pursuant to exemptions under the Michigan FOIA (MCL § 15.243), including but not limited to Social Security numbers, driver's license numbers, and certain medical information.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Lenawee County

Michigan law provides mechanisms for the expungement (setting aside) of certain arrest and conviction records under specific circumstances. The Michigan Clean Slate legislation, which includes Public Acts 187-193 of 2020, has expanded eligibility for expungement in recent years.

Individuals seeking expungement in Lenawee County must file an application with the court of record where the case was adjudicated. The process generally includes:

Filing an Application to Set Aside Conviction form with the Lenawee County Circuit Court
Submitting fingerprints to the Michigan State Police
Paying applicable filing fees
Attending a hearing before a Circuit Court judge

Eligibility criteria for expungement include:

Waiting periods ranging from 3-7 years depending on offense type and number
Limitations on the number and type of offenses eligible for expungement
Restrictions on expunging certain serious offenses as enumerated in MCL § 780.621

Successful expungement removes the record from public view, though law enforcement agencies retain non-public records. Expunged records are not disclosed in background checks conducted by most employers or housing providers.

The Michigan Clean Slate Act also provides for automatic expungement of certain non-violent misdemeanors after 7 years and eligible felonies after 10 years, without requiring application, though implementation of this system is ongoing.

Individuals with questions regarding eligibility should consult with legal counsel or contact the Lenawee County Circuit Court: