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Sterling Heights Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Sterling Heights, Michigan?

Arrest records are public in Sterling Heights, Michigan, pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Michigan Compiled Laws § 15.231 et seq. This legislation establishes that government records, including arrest records, must be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by statute. The Michigan FOIA ensures transparency in governmental operations and provides citizens with the right to obtain information about arrests made within the jurisdiction. This access enables individuals to make informed decisions regarding legal matters and personal safety concerns within their community.

The Sterling Heights Police Department maintains these records in accordance with state law and departmental policies. Members of the public may request access to these records through established procedures, subject to certain limitations designed to protect ongoing investigations and individual privacy in specific circumstances as outlined in Michigan FOIA exemptions.

How to Look Up Sterling Heights Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for accessing arrest records in Sterling Heights. Interested parties may utilize any of the following methods to obtain this information:

Sterling Heights Police Department Records Bureau: Citizens may request police reports in person at the Records Bureau located at 40333 Dodge Park Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48313. The bureau operates Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM and can be reached at 586-446-2900.
Online Request System: The Sterling Heights Records Bureau provides an electronic portal through which citizens can submit requests for arrest records. This system requires basic information about the arrest, including date, time, and the name of the individual.
Mail Requests: Written requests may be submitted to the Sterling Heights Police Department Records Bureau at 40333 Dodge Park Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48313. All requests must include the requestor's contact information, specific details about the record being sought, and any applicable fees.
41-A District Court: For cases that have proceeded to court, records may be obtained through the 41-A District Court located at 40111 Dodge Park Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48313. The court can be contacted at 586-446-2500 for information regarding hours of operation and specific record request procedures.
Michigan State Police ICHAT System: For statewide criminal history information, the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) provides background check services for a nominal fee.

Pursuant to Michigan FOIA § 15.234, agencies may charge reasonable fees for searching, examining, reviewing, and copying requested records. These fees are limited to the actual costs of responding to the request.

Contents of a Sterling Heights Arrest Record

Sterling Heights arrest records contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody. Standard arrest records include the following elements as mandated by Michigan law and departmental procedures:

Full legal name and any known aliases or previous names
Date, time, and location of the arrest
Specific criminal charges filed at the time of arrest
Statutory citations for alleged violations
Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
Booking information including processing date and time
Physical description including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks
Date of birth and age at time of arrest
Residential address (may be partially redacted in public copies)
Booking photograph (mugshot)
Fingerprint information and identification numbers
Case or incident report number for reference
Preliminary court appearance information
Custody status (released, detained, bail amount if applicable)

The Sterling Heights Police Department maintains these records in accordance with Michigan law enforcement standards and retention schedules. Certain sensitive information may be redacted from public copies in accordance with privacy protections under Michigan FOIA exemptions § 15.243.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Sterling Heights

The State of Michigan provides a legal pathway for the expungement of certain arrest records through Michigan Compiled Laws § 780.621, known as the "Set Aside" statute. Individuals seeking to have arrest records expunged in Sterling Heights must meet specific eligibility criteria established by state law:

The arrest must not have resulted in a conviction, or the conviction must be eligible for expungement
Applicants must wait the statutorily required period after completion of sentence (typically five years for most offenses)
Certain serious offenses including sexual crimes, traffic offenses, and felonies carrying life imprisonment are ineligible
Applicants may have no more than one felony conviction and two misdemeanor convictions on their record (with certain exceptions)

The expungement process requires filing an application with the 41-A District Court if the case was adjudicated there, or with the Macomb County Circuit Court for felony cases. The procedure includes:

Obtaining a certified record of conviction from the court where the case was handled
Securing fingerprints from an authorized law enforcement agency
Completing the Application to Set Aside Conviction form (MC 227)
Filing the application with the appropriate court
Serving copies on the Michigan State Police, Attorney General, and Macomb County Prosecutor
Attending a hearing before a judge who will determine whether granting the request is consistent with public welfare

Successful expungement removes the record from public view, though law enforcement agencies retain access to the information for official purposes. Individuals considering expungement may check their public record through the Michigan State Police ICHAT portal before applying.

Legal Restrictions on Arrest Record Access

While arrest records are generally public in Sterling Heights, Michigan law establishes several important restrictions on access. The Michigan FOIA § 15.243 outlines specific exemptions that may limit public access to certain information contained in arrest records:

Records pertaining to ongoing investigations may be temporarily withheld if disclosure would interfere with law enforcement proceedings
Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy may be redacted
Records that would disclose the identity of a confidential source or confidential information provided by a source
Information that would endanger the life or physical safety of law enforcement personnel
Records pertaining to juveniles (under 17 years of age) are generally not public unless the juvenile is charged as an adult
Medical information, including mental health details, contained within arrest records is typically redacted
Social security numbers and driver's license numbers are removed from public copies

The Sterling Heights Records Bureau is responsible for reviewing and applying these exemptions to record requests. Requestors who believe records have been improperly withheld may appeal the decision through procedures outlined in the Michigan FOIA.

Fees for Obtaining Arrest Records in Sterling Heights

The Sterling Heights Police Department assesses fees for providing copies of arrest records in accordance with Michigan FOIA § 15.234. These fees are designed to recover the actual costs associated with searching for, retrieving, and duplicating the requested records:

Standard police reports: $5.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page
Certified copies: Additional $5.00 certification fee per document
Photographs: $5.00 per printed photograph or $10.00 per CD of digital images
Video recordings: $25.00 per DVD
Research fee: $20.00 per hour after the first hour (prorated in 15-minute increments)

Fee waivers or reductions may be available for indigent requestors who submit an affidavit stating they are receiving public assistance or can demonstrate inability to pay due to indigence. Additionally, requests made in the public interest by non-profit organizations may qualify for reduced fees if the request is primarily for public benefit rather than commercial interest.

Payment must be made by cash, check, or money order payable to the City of Sterling Heights. For online requests, credit card payments are accepted through the city's secure payment portal.