>Manistee County Arrest Records Online

Manistee County, Michigan Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Manistee County, Michigan?

Arrest records are public documents in Manistee 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 records maintained by government agencies, including those pertaining to arrests. The Michigan FOIA operates under the fundamental principle that all persons are entitled to complete information regarding governmental affairs and official acts of public officials and employees.

Members of the public may request arrest records from various law enforcement agencies within Manistee County, including the Sheriff's Office and local police departments. These agencies are required by law to respond to such requests within specified timeframes, typically 5 business days, with a possible 10-day extension under certain circumstances as outlined in MCL 15.235.

Certain information within arrest records may be redacted in accordance with statutory exemptions under MCL 15.243, which protects personal privacy and ongoing investigations. However, basic arrest information, including the name of the arrested individual, charges filed, and arrest date, generally remains accessible to the public.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Manistee County?

Manistee County arrest records are available through several online platforms maintained by governmental agencies. The Michigan Courts website provides a centralized case search function through the MiCOURT Case Search system, which includes criminal case information from participating courts in Manistee County.

The Manistee County Sheriff's Office maintains records of arrests conducted within their jurisdiction, some of which may be accessible through their online portal. Additionally, the 19th Circuit Court provides online access to felony case records that originate from arrests in the county.

Pursuant to Michigan Court Rule 1.109, courts are required to maintain electronic records and provide reasonable electronic access to non-confidential court records. However, users should be aware that:

Some records may require creation of an account or payment of nominal fees
Certain case types may have restricted access under Michigan Court Rules
Records of arrests that did not result in charges may not appear in court databases
Information regarding criminal convictions is typically displayed for seven years from the date of sentencing

How to Look Up Manistee County Arrest Records in 2025

Multiple official channels exist for obtaining Manistee County arrest records. Interested parties may utilize the following methods:

Visit the Manistee County Sheriff's Office in person to submit a records request: Manistee County Sheriff's Office 1525 E. Parkdale Avenue Manistee, MI 49660 Phone: (231) 723-8393 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Submit a request to the Manistee City Police Department: Manistee City Police Department 70 Maple Street Manistee, MI 49660 Phone: (231) 723-2533 Official Website Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Access the 85th District Court records for misdemeanor cases: 85th District Court 415 Third Street Manistee, MI 49660 Phone: (231) 723-7752 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Search the 19th Circuit Court Records for felony cases: 19th Circuit Court 415 Third Street Manistee, MI 49660 Phone: (231) 723-7752 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Utilize the Michigan statewide court case search system for comprehensive results

Requestors should be prepared to provide specific information such as the full name of the individual, approximate date of arrest, and case number (if known) to facilitate the search process. Pursuant to MCL 15.234, agencies may charge reasonable fees for the search, retrieval, and copying of requested records.

Contents of a Manistee County Arrest Record

Manistee County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about individuals who have been taken into custody by law enforcement agencies within the county. These records generally include:

Biographical information of the arrested individual:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth and age at time of arrest
- Physical description including height, weight, eye and hair color
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Identifying marks such as tattoos or scars
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Name and badge number of the arresting officer(s)
- Agency responsible for the arrest
- Statutory authority under which the arrest was made
Criminal charge information:
- Nature and description of alleged offense(s)
- Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) citation for each charge
- Classification of offense (felony or misdemeanor)
- Weapon involvement, if applicable
Processing information:
- Booking photograph (mugshot)
- Fingerprint records
- Property inventory
- Medical screening results
Case disposition details:
- Court of jurisdiction
- Case number
- Bond/bail amount and conditions
- Arraignment date
- Preliminary hearing information

Pursuant to Michigan Court Rule 8.119, certain sensitive information may be redacted from publicly available versions of these records, including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and driver's license numbers.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Manistee County

The State of Michigan provides a legal pathway for the expungement of certain arrest records through the Michigan Clean Slate legislation, which includes Public Acts 193-203 of 2020. Individuals seeking expungement in Manistee County must file their petition with the court of original jurisdiction.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Manistee County include:

For arrests that did not result in conviction: Individuals may apply for expungement one year after the date of arrest, pursuant to MCL 780.621c
For misdemeanor convictions: Generally eligible after three years from completion of sentence
For felony convictions: Generally eligible after seven years from completion of sentence
Automatic expungement for certain non-violent offenses occurs after 7-10 years without further action required

Certain offenses are ineligible for expungement under MCL 780.621d, including:

Felonies that carry a maximum punishment of life imprisonment
Most criminal sexual conduct offenses
Driving while intoxicated
Traffic offenses causing injury or death

The expungement process requires:

Filing a petition with the 19th Circuit Court for felonies or 85th District Court for misdemeanors
Payment of a $50 filing fee (may be waived for indigent petitioners)
Submission of fingerprints to the Michigan State Police
Serving copies of the petition on the Michigan Attorney General, Manistee County Prosecutor, and arresting agency
Attending a hearing before the presiding judge

Upon successful expungement, the record is sealed from public view but remains accessible to law enforcement agencies and courts for limited purposes as specified in MCL 780.623.