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Troy Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Troy, Michigan?

Arrest records are public documents in Troy, Michigan, accessible to all citizens pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Michigan Compiled Laws § 15.231 et seq. This state legislation mandates that government records, including those pertaining to arrests made by the Troy Police Department, must be available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. The Michigan FOIA establishes the legal framework ensuring transparency in governmental operations, including law enforcement activities within the City of Troy.

Public access to arrest records serves multiple civic purposes, including:

  • Maintaining accountability of law enforcement agencies
  • Enabling citizens to monitor criminal activity in their communities
  • Providing necessary information for background checks
  • Supporting journalistic and research endeavors related to criminal justice

The Troy Police Department Records Unit maintains these records in accordance with state retention schedules and makes them available through established procedures that balance public access rights with privacy protections mandated by state and federal laws.

How to Access Troy Arrest Records in 2025

The City of Troy provides multiple channels through which members of the public may obtain arrest record information. Each method has specific requirements and processing timeframes as established by departmental procedures and state regulations:

In-Person Requests

Citizens may submit requests in person at:

Troy Police Department Records Section
500 W. Big Beaver Road
Troy, Michigan 48084
Phone: 248-524-3300
Official Records Section
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (excluding holidays)

For in-person requests, requestors must:

  • Present valid government-issued photo identification
  • Complete the designated FOIA request form available at the service counter
  • Provide specific information about the record being sought (e.g., name, date of arrest, case number)
  • Pay applicable fees as outlined in the department's fee schedule

Online Requests

The City of Troy has implemented a digital records request system accessible through the official municipal website. Online requestors must:

  • Navigate to the Police Department section of the Troy city website
  • Complete the electronic FOIA request form
  • Provide all required identifying information
  • Submit payment for processing fees via the secure payment portal

Processing times for online requests typically range from 5-10 business days, in accordance with Michigan FOIA response requirements.

Mail Requests

Written requests may be submitted via postal mail to:

Troy Police Department FOIA Coordinator
500 W. Big Beaver Road
Troy, Michigan 48084

Mail requests must include:

  • A detailed description of the records being requested
  • The requestor's complete contact information
  • A check or money order for the estimated processing fee
  • A signed authorization if requesting records on behalf of another individual

Contents of Troy Arrest Records

Arrest records maintained by the Troy Police Department typically contain comprehensive documentation of an individual's interaction with law enforcement. These records are structured according to standardized protocols established by the Michigan Criminal Justice Information Center and contain the following categories of information:

Demographic Information

  • Full legal name and any documented aliases
  • Date of birth and age at time of arrest
  • Physical descriptors (height, weight, identifying marks)
  • Residential address at time of processing
  • Gender and race as recorded by arresting officer

Arrest Details

  • Date, time, and specific location of the arrest
  • Statutory violations cited at time of arrest
  • Name and badge number of arresting officer(s)
  • Circumstances leading to the arrest as documented in the police report
  • Whether force was used during the apprehension

Processing Information

  • Booking photographs (mugshots) taken during processing
  • Fingerprint records and biometric identifiers
  • Property inventory of items in possession at time of arrest
  • Medical screening documentation if conducted
  • Detention facility assignment if applicable

Case Disposition

  • Court of jurisdiction for the case
  • Arraignment date and initial plea entered
  • Bond or bail determination
  • Preliminary hearing outcomes
  • Final disposition of charges (if resolved)

Pursuant to the City of Troy Municipal Code, certain information may be redacted from arrest records prior to public release, including:

  • Social Security numbers
  • Driver's license numbers
  • Information pertaining to juveniles (under 17 years of age)
  • Details that would compromise ongoing investigations
  • Victim information in cases involving sexual assault or domestic violence

Legal Framework for Arrest Records in Troy

The management and dissemination of arrest records in Troy operates within a multi-tiered legal framework established by federal, state, and local authorities. This regulatory structure balances public access rights with privacy protections and law enforcement operational needs.

Michigan Freedom of Information Act

Michigan Compiled Laws § 15.231-15.246 establishes the foundational right of access to public records, including arrest documentation. Key provisions applicable to Troy arrest records include:

  • Public bodies must respond to requests within 5 business days, with possible 10-day extensions
  • Fees may be charged only for actual costs of search, retrieval, and duplication
  • Certain exemptions apply to investigative records that would interfere with law enforcement proceedings
  • Partial disclosure is required when exempt and non-exempt information exists within the same record

The Troy City Attorney's Office provides oversight for FOIA compliance within all municipal departments, including the police records unit.

Criminal Justice Information Systems Regulations

The dissemination of arrest record information is further governed by:

  • Michigan Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) Policy Council Act (MCL § 28.211-28.216)
  • Federal CJIS Security Policy requirements
  • Interstate Identification Index (III) participation requirements

These regulations establish protocols for the secure handling, storage, and transmission of criminal history information between authorized agencies and to the public.

Local Ordinances

The Troy Municipal Code contains specific provisions regarding records management and public access that supplement state requirements, including:

  • Designation of departmental records custodians
  • Local fee schedules for record reproduction
  • Retention schedules for various categories of police records
  • Procedures for appealing denied record requests

Expungement of Arrest Records in Troy

Under Michigan law, eligible individuals may petition for the expungement (setting aside) of certain arrest records maintained by the Troy Police Department and other criminal justice agencies. The expungement process is governed by Michigan Compiled Laws § 780.621 et seq., which establishes specific eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.

Eligibility Requirements

As of 2025, individuals may qualify for expungement of Troy arrest records under the following circumstances:

  • Five years have elapsed since the date of sentencing or completion of imprisonment, whichever occurred later
  • The individual has no more than one felony conviction and two misdemeanor convictions on their record
  • The offense in question is not a disqualifying offense as enumerated in MCL § 780.621(3)
  • All court-ordered restitution has been paid in full
  • All fines and fees associated with the conviction have been satisfied

Certain offenses remain ineligible for expungement, including most sexual offenses, traffic violations resulting in injury or death, and felonies carrying potential life imprisonment sentences.

Application Process

The expungement process for Troy arrest records requires:

  1. Filing an application with the court where the conviction occurred
  2. Submission of fingerprints to the Michigan State Police
  3. Payment of applicable filing fees
  4. Notification of the Troy Police Department and Oakland County Prosecutor's Office
  5. Attendance at a hearing before the presiding judge

If granted, the expungement order directs all criminal justice agencies, including the Troy Police Department, to remove the record from public databases and seal physical records from public view. However, law enforcement agencies retain non-public access to expunged records for specific authorized purposes.

The Building Department and other city licensing authorities will no longer consider expunged arrests when evaluating permit applications or conducting background checks for municipal purposes.

Limitations on Use of Troy Arrest Records

The City of Troy Zoning Ordinance and related municipal regulations establish specific limitations on how arrest record information may be utilized by various entities within city jurisdiction. These limitations protect citizens from improper discrimination while allowing legitimate public safety considerations.

Employment Restrictions

Under Michigan law and Troy municipal regulations:

  • Employers may not inquire about arrests that did not result in conviction
  • Public employers must delay criminal history inquiries until after conditional offer of employment
  • Licensing authorities may consider only convictions substantially related to the occupation
  • Housing providers face restrictions on using arrest-only records for tenant screening

Commercial Use Restrictions

Commercial entities obtaining Troy arrest records are subject to:

  • Prohibition against reselling record information without subject consent
  • Requirements to verify accuracy of information before dissemination
  • Obligation to provide notice to individuals when adverse actions are taken based on record content
  • Duty to implement reasonable procedures ensuring record information is complete and up to date

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