>Midland County Arrest Records Online

Midland County, Michigan Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Midland County, Michigan?

Arrest records in Midland County, Michigan are public documents accessible to all citizens 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 agencies, including law enforcement entities. Under Michigan law, arrest records are considered public information unless specifically exempted by statute.

The Michigan FOIA stipulates that individuals requesting public records are not required to state the purpose of their request. Section 15.233(1) of the Act states that "a public body shall furnish a requesting person with a reasonable opportunity for inspection and examination of its public records." This provision ensures transparency in governmental operations and allows citizens to access arrest records maintained by Midland County law enforcement agencies.

Certain exceptions to public disclosure exist under MCL 15.243, which may limit access to specific information within arrest records, particularly when disclosure would:

Interfere with law enforcement proceedings
Deprive a person of the right to a fair trial
Constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy
Disclose the identity of a confidential source

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Midland County?

Midland County provides several online resources for accessing arrest records through official government websites. The Midland County Sheriff's Office maintains a database of current inmates and recent arrests that is updated regularly. Additionally, the 75th District Court's open warrants list provides information about individuals with active warrants in Midland County.

The Michigan Courts have implemented the MiCOURT Case Search system, which allows public access to court case information, including criminal cases resulting from arrests. This statewide database includes Midland County court records, though some limitations exist regarding the timeframe and types of cases displayed.

Online access to comprehensive arrest records may be limited by:

Records retention policies
Technical limitations of database systems
Privacy protections for certain categories of information
Statutory restrictions on dissemination of specific records

Midland County Sheriff's Office
2727 Rodd Street
Midland, MI 48640
Phone: (989) 839-4630
Jail Phone: (989) 832-6612
Official Website

How to Look Up Midland County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Midland County arrest records in 2025 have multiple methods available to them, both in-person and through electronic means. The following procedures are established for obtaining these public records:

In-person requests can be submitted at the Midland County Sheriff's Office records division during regular business hours. Requestors must complete a standard FOIA request form and may be required to present identification.
Online searches through the Midland County government website provide access to current inmate information and open warrants. The county maintains these databases as a public service.
Court record searches can be conducted through the 42nd Circuit Court, which processes criminal background checks for a fee of $5 per name, with records dating back to 1986.
State-level searches through the Michigan Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) provide information about individuals who are or were under the supervision of the Michigan Department of Corrections.

Pursuant to MCL 15.234, agencies may charge reasonable fees for providing copies of public records, including arrest records. These fees are limited to the actual cost of mailing, copying, and labor directly associated with producing the requested records.

Midland County Clerk's Office
220 W. Ellsworth Street
Midland, MI 48640
Phone: (989) 832-6739
Official Website

Contents of a Midland County Arrest Record

Midland County arrest records contain standardized information as required by Michigan law and local record-keeping protocols. These official documents typically include the following elements:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, gender, race, and physical descriptors such as height, weight, and identifying marks
Arrest details including the date, time, and location of the arrest, the arresting agency, and the names and badge numbers of the arresting officers
Criminal charges filed against the individual, including the Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) citation for each alleged offense
Booking information such as fingerprints, booking photographs (mugshots), and the individual's assigned identification number within the jail management system
Case disposition information, when available, indicating whether charges were pursued, dismissed, or resulted in conviction
Custody status showing whether the individual was released on bond, remains in custody, or was transferred to another facility

The Michigan Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) regulations govern the collection and maintenance of this information, ensuring consistency across jurisdictions while protecting certain sensitive data from improper disclosure.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Midland County

Michigan law provides mechanisms for the expungement (setting aside) of certain arrest and conviction records under MCL 780.621 et seq. In Midland County, eligible individuals may petition the court to have their arrest records sealed from public view. The Michigan Clean Slate legislation, which took effect in April 2023, has expanded eligibility criteria and established an automatic expungement process for certain offenses.

Eligibility requirements for expungement in Midland County include:

For arrests without conviction: Individuals may apply for expungement after the statute of limitations for the alleged offense has expired, or one year after the date of arrest, whichever is later
For convictions: Applicants must wait the statutorily prescribed waiting period (typically 3-7 years depending on the offense) and meet other eligibility criteria regarding the number and nature of prior convictions

The expungement process requires filing a petition with the 42nd Circuit Court, payment of filing fees, fingerprinting, and attendance at a hearing where a judge will determine whether granting the petition is consistent with the public welfare. If approved, the record is sealed from public view but remains accessible to law enforcement agencies for specific purposes.

42nd Circuit Court
301 W. Main Street
Midland, MI 48640
Phone: (989) 832-6735
Official Website

Legal Uses of Midland County Arrest Records

Arrest records maintained by Midland County agencies serve multiple legitimate purposes within the criminal justice system and broader society. These records may be lawfully utilized for:

Criminal justice administration by prosecutors, courts, and corrections officials to make informed decisions regarding charging, sentencing, and supervision of offenders
Background screening by employers for positions involving public safety, vulnerable populations, or financial responsibility, subject to the limitations imposed by the Michigan Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (MCL 37.2205a)
Housing determinations by landlords and property managers, though restrictions exist regarding the use of arrest records without subsequent convictions
Professional licensing by state regulatory boards evaluating applicants for occupational licenses in fields such as healthcare, education, and financial services
Statistical analysis by government agencies and researchers studying crime patterns, recidivism rates, and the effectiveness of criminal justice interventions

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Michigan state law impose restrictions on how arrest record information can be used, particularly for employment purposes. Employers must obtain consent before conducting background checks and follow specific procedures when taking adverse actions based on arrest record information.