>Saginaw County Arrest Records Online

Saginaw County, Michigan Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Saginaw County, Michigan?

Arrest records in Saginaw 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 that all persons are entitled to complete information regarding governmental affairs and the official acts of public officials and employees. The Saginaw County Sheriff's Office maintains these records as part of their statutory obligation to document law enforcement activities within the jurisdiction. Public access to arrest records serves multiple governmental purposes, including maintaining transparency in the criminal justice system, enabling community awareness of public safety matters, and facilitating background checks for employment and housing.

The Michigan FOIA specifically designates law enforcement records, including arrest documentation, as public records subject to disclosure with certain statutory exemptions as outlined in MCL 15.243. These exemptions may include information that would interfere with law enforcement proceedings, deprive a person of the right to a fair trial, constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, or disclose the identity of a confidential source. Requestors seeking arrest records should be aware that while the records themselves are public, certain information within them may be redacted in accordance with these statutory provisions.

Saginaw County Sheriff's Office
618 Cass Street
Saginaw, MI 48602
(989) 790-5456
Saginaw County Sheriff's Office

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Saginaw County?

Saginaw County maintains digital repositories of arrest records that are accessible through various online platforms in accordance with Michigan's public records laws. The County's commitment to digital transparency allows members of the public to access certain arrest information without physically visiting government offices. The Michigan Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS) provides one such resource for locating information about individuals who have been processed through the Michigan Department of Corrections system.

Online access to arrest records is governed by the same statutory provisions that regulate physical records, including applicable exemptions under MCL 15.243. Digital platforms typically provide basic arrest information including names, charges, and court dates, while more comprehensive records may require formal requests through established FOIA procedures. The Michigan Court System also maintains the Michigan Courts Case Search portal, which allows users to search for case information across participating courts in the state, including those in Saginaw County.

Users of online arrest record systems should note that these databases may not contain real-time information, as there is typically a processing delay between an arrest and the publication of the record in accessible databases. Additionally, expunged or sealed records will not appear in public online searches in accordance with Michigan law.

How to Look Up Saginaw County Arrest Records in 2025

Members of the public seeking Saginaw County arrest records have multiple methods available for obtaining this information. The following procedures have been established to facilitate public access while maintaining compliance with Michigan's public records laws:

Submit a FOIA request directly to the Saginaw County Sheriff's Office Records Division. Requests may be made in person, by mail, or through the county's online FOIA portal. Pursuant to MCL 15.234, fees may be assessed for search, retrieval, and duplication of records.
Access the Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT), which provides criminal history record information for individuals arrested in Michigan with a reportable offense. A fee of $10.00 per search is required as authorized by the Michigan State Legislature.
Visit the Saginaw County Clerk's Office to review court records related to arrests that have proceeded to formal charges. Court records are maintained separately from arrest records and provide information on case progression.
Utilize the Saginaw County Court Records online portal, which provides access to public court records including those stemming from arrests within the county.

Saginaw County Clerk's Office
111 S. Michigan Avenue
Saginaw, MI 48602
(989) 790-5251
Saginaw County Clerk

Contents of a Saginaw County Arrest Record

Saginaw County arrest records contain standardized information as prescribed by Michigan law enforcement protocols and record-keeping requirements. These documents typically include the following elements:

Biographical information of the arrested individual, including full legal name, known aliases, date of birth, physical description, and, when available, fingerprint identification.
Temporal and geographical data pertaining to the arrest, including the date, time, and specific location where the apprehension occurred.
Statutory citations and descriptions of alleged offenses for which the individual was arrested, including whether the charges are misdemeanors or felonies.
Booking photographs (commonly referred to as "mugshots") taken during the processing of the arrested individual at the detention facility.
Arresting agency information, including the name and badge number of the primary arresting officer and any assisting officers.
Booking details, including the time of processing, property inventory, and initial detention location.
Preliminary hearing information, if applicable, including scheduled court dates and assigned judicial officer.

It should be noted that pursuant to MCL 15.243, certain information within arrest records may be exempt from disclosure, particularly in cases involving ongoing investigations, juvenile offenders, or where disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy. The Saginaw Correctional Facility maintains records for individuals who have been sentenced and are serving time within the Michigan Department of Corrections system.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Saginaw County

The State of Michigan provides statutory mechanisms for the expungement of certain arrest records under the Michigan Clean Slate legislation, which includes Public Acts 193-203 of 2020. Individuals seeking expungement in Saginaw County must adhere to specific eligibility criteria and procedural requirements as outlined in MCL 780.621 et seq.

Eligibility for expungement is determined by several factors:

The nature and severity of the offense(s) for which the individual was arrested
The disposition of the case (whether it resulted in conviction, dismissal, or acquittal)
The elapsed time since the arrest or completion of sentence
The individual's subsequent criminal history
Statutory exclusions for certain offenses, particularly those involving sexual conduct, serious violence, or breach of public trust

The expungement process requires petitioners to file an application with the court of original jurisdiction, typically the Saginaw County Circuit Court for felony matters or the 70th District Court for misdemeanors. The application must include certified copies of relevant court documents, fingerprint cards, and the prescribed filing fee. Upon receipt of a complete application, the court schedules a hearing where the petitioner must demonstrate that expungement serves the public welfare.

When an expungement is granted, the arrest record is removed from public access and sealed from routine background checks. However, law enforcement agencies retain access to expunged records for specific statutory purposes, including subsequent prosecutions and sentencing considerations.

Saginaw County Circuit Court
111 S. Michigan Avenue
Saginaw, MI 48602
(989) 790-5470
Saginaw County Circuit Court