Pontiac Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in Pontiac, Michigan?
Arrest records are public documents in Pontiac, Michigan, pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), MCL 15.231 et seq. This statute establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, shall be accessible to the public unless specifically exempted by law. The Michigan FOIA promotes governmental transparency and accountability by enabling citizens to obtain information regarding law enforcement activities, including arrests made within the jurisdiction.
Public access to arrest records serves multiple purposes within the criminal justice system. These records document the actions of law enforcement agencies and provide citizens with information about individuals who have been taken into custody. Under Michigan law, certain exceptions to disclosure may apply to protect ongoing investigations, confidential informants, or juvenile records as specified in MCL 15.243.
Requesters should note that while arrest records are generally public, certain information within these records may be redacted in accordance with privacy protections established under state and federal law. The Oakland County Sheriff's Office and Pontiac Police Department maintain these records in compliance with Michigan's record retention requirements.
How to Look Up Pontiac Arrest Records in 2025
Multiple methods exist for accessing arrest records in Pontiac, Michigan. The Michigan Department of State Police and local law enforcement agencies maintain these records in accordance with MCL 28.241a. Interested parties may utilize the following official channels to obtain arrest record information:
- In-Person Requests: Citizens may visit the Oakland County Sheriff's Office Pontiac Substation to submit requests for arrest records during regular business hours. Proper identification is required, and applicable fees may apply for document reproduction.
Oakland County Sheriff's Office - Pontiac Substation
1200 N. Telegraph Road, Building 38E
Pontiac, MI 48341
Phone: (248) 858-5000
Oakland County Sheriff's Office
Online Database Access: The Michigan Courts Case Search system provides electronic access to court records related to arrests in Pontiac and throughout Oakland County. Users must accept the terms of service before conducting searches.
Written FOIA Requests: Pursuant to MCL 15.235, individuals may submit written FOIA requests to the Records Division of the Oakland County Sheriff's Office. Requests must reasonably describe the records sought and provide contact information for the requester.
50th District Court Records: Court records related to arrests in Pontiac may be accessed through the 50th District Court, which maintains records of arraignments, preliminary examinations, and case dispositions.
50th District Court
70 N. Saginaw Street
Pontiac, MI 48342
Phone: (248) 758-3800
50th District Court Records
- Michigan State Police Central Records Division: For statewide criminal history information, requesters may contact the Michigan State Police, which maintains the central repository for criminal history records pursuant to MCL 28.242.
Michigan State Police Central Records Division
7150 Harris Drive
Dimondale, MI 48821
Phone: (517) 241-0606
Michigan State Police Records
Contents of a Pontiac Arrest Record
Arrest records maintained by Pontiac law enforcement agencies typically contain comprehensive information as required by MCL 28.243. Standard arrest records include the following elements:
- Full legal name of the arrested individual and any documented aliases
- Date of birth and demographic information
- Physical descriptors including height, weight, eye color, hair color, and identifying marks
- Date, time, and location of the arrest
- Statutory charges filed at the time of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots")
- Fingerprint impressions collected during processing
- Unique booking identification number
- Property inventory collected during the booking process
- Initial court appearance information
- Bail or bond determination
- Detention facility assignment
The Michigan Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) maintains electronic records of arrests pursuant to Administrative Rules R 28.5101-5414. These records are accessible to authorized criminal justice agencies throughout the state and may be shared with federal partners through the Interstate Identification Index when appropriate.
Expungement of Arrest Records in Pontiac
Michigan law provides mechanisms for the expungement or setting aside of certain arrest records under the Michigan Clean Slate legislation, specifically MCL 780.621 et seq. Individuals seeking expungement of arrest records in Pontiac must comply with statutory requirements and procedural rules established by the Michigan Supreme Court.
The expungement process involves several key components:
Eligibility Determination: Not all arrest records qualify for expungement. Factors affecting eligibility include the nature of the offense, disposition of the case, time elapsed since arrest or conviction, and the individual's complete criminal history.
Petition Filing: Eligible individuals must file a petition with the court of record where the case was adjudicated. For Pontiac arrests, this is typically the 50th District Court or the Oakland County Circuit Court, depending on the severity of the charges.
Prosecutorial Review: The Oakland County Prosecutor's Office has the right to contest expungement petitions pursuant to MCL 780.621(8). The prosecutor must be served with a copy of the petition and supporting documentation.
Judicial Determination: A hearing may be scheduled where a judge will consider factors outlined in MCL 780.621d, including the circumstances and seriousness of the offense, the petitioner's criminal record, and the potential impact of expungement on public safety.
Record Sealing: If granted, the court will issue an order directing all relevant agencies to remove the record from public access. This includes the Michigan State Police, which must update the Criminal History Records database accordingly.
Under Michigan's Clean Slate legislation, certain eligible misdemeanor convictions may be automatically set aside seven years after sentencing, and eligible non-assaultive felonies may be automatically set aside ten years after sentencing or release from incarceration, whichever occurs later. This automatic process began in April 2023, pursuant to MCL 780.621g.
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