St. Clair County, Michigan Arrest Records
Are Arrest Records Public in St. Clair County, Michigan?
Arrest records in St. Clair County, Michigan are considered public documents and are accessible to members of the general public. This accessibility is governed by the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Michigan Compiled Laws § 15.231-15.246, which establishes that government records, including those pertaining to arrests, must be made available for public inspection unless specifically exempted by statute. The Michigan FOIA serves as the legal framework ensuring transparency in governmental operations, including those of law enforcement agencies operating within St. Clair County.
Public access to arrest records supports several governmental objectives:
• Maintaining transparency in law enforcement operations • Enabling community awareness of public safety matters • Supporting accountability in the criminal justice system • Facilitating background checks for employment and housing purposes
Certain portions of arrest records may be redacted or withheld pursuant to statutory exemptions, particularly information that might compromise ongoing investigations or violate privacy rights protected under Michigan law. The St. Clair County Sheriff's Office is the primary custodian of arrest records within the county jurisdiction.
Can Arrest Records be Found Online in St. Clair County?
St. Clair County arrest records are available through various online platforms, though the comprehensiveness of digital access varies by source. The St. Clair County Sheriff's Office maintains limited online resources for recent booking information and inmate status. Digital access to arrest records has been implemented in accordance with Michigan Public Act 563 of 2006, which amended the FOIA to address electronic record maintenance and distribution.
Online resources for St. Clair County arrest records include:
• The St. Clair County Sheriff's Office Inmate Lookup system • Michigan State Police Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT) • St. Clair County Clerk's Office court records portal • Third-party aggregator websites that compile public records
Users should note that online records may not contain complete arrest information, as certain details may only be available through in-person requests. Additionally, pursuant to Michigan law, some arrest information may be subject to removal from online platforms after specified time periods, particularly in cases resulting in non-conviction outcomes.
How to Look Up St. Clair County Arrest Records in 2025
Members of the public seeking St. Clair County arrest records in 2025 may utilize several official channels to obtain this information. The primary methods for accessing these records include in-person requests, mail submissions, and digital platforms where available.
For in-person requests, individuals may visit:
St. Clair County Sheriff's Office 1170 Michigan Road Port Huron, MI 48060 (810) 987-1700 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM www.stclaircounty.org/offices/sheriff
St. Clair County Clerk's Office 201 McMorran Boulevard Port Huron, MI 48060 (810) 985-2200 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM www.stclaircounty.org/offices/county_clerk
When requesting arrest records, requestors must provide:
• Full name of the subject • Date of birth (if known) • Approximate date of arrest (if known) • Case number (if available) • Government-issued photo identification of the requestor
Pursuant to Michigan FOIA regulations, agencies may charge reasonable fees for search, retrieval, and duplication of records. As of 2025, the standard fee structure includes a $5.00 processing fee plus $0.25 per page for photocopies. Record requests may take 5-10 business days for processing, with possible extensions as permitted under MCL § 15.235.
Contents of a St. Clair County Arrest Record
St. Clair County arrest records contain standardized information as mandated by Michigan law enforcement protocols and the Michigan Criminal Justice Information Center. These records serve as official documentation of law enforcement actions taken during and following an arrest event.
A comprehensive St. Clair County arrest record typically contains:
• Biographical information of the arrested individual:
- Full legal name and any known aliases
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Residential address at time of arrest
- Fingerprint classification
- State identification number (SID)
• Arrest event details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory violations cited
- Booking photograph ("mugshot")
- Detention facility information
• Case processing information:
- Court case number (if applicable)
- Bond/bail determination
- Initial appearance date
- Disposition information (if available)
Pursuant to Michigan Administrative Code R 28.5208, certain information within arrest records may be restricted from public disclosure, particularly details pertaining to juveniles, sexual assault victims, or information that might compromise ongoing investigations.
Expungement of Arrest Records in St. Clair County
The expungement process in St. Clair County allows for the setting aside of certain arrest records under conditions established by Michigan law. This legal procedure is governed by Michigan Compiled Laws § 780.621 et seq., which outlines eligibility criteria and procedural requirements for removing arrest information from public access.
Individuals may petition for expungement if they meet the following criteria:
• The arrest did not result in a conviction • The conviction was for an eligible offense under Michigan law • The required waiting period has elapsed (typically 3-7 years depending on offense type) • The petitioner has no more than the statutorily permitted number of convictions on their record • The offense is not specifically excluded from expungement eligibility
The expungement process requires filing a petition with:
72nd District Court 201 McMorran Boulevard Port Huron, MI 48060 (810) 985-2070 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
31st Circuit Court 201 McMorran Boulevard Port Huron, MI 48060 (810) 985-2031 Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Petitioners must submit fingerprints to the Michigan State Police for a certified record check and pay applicable filing fees, currently set at $50 for the petition and $50 for the record check. Upon receipt of a complete petition, the court schedules a hearing where a judge determines whether granting the expungement serves the public welfare. If approved, the court issues an order requiring all public records of the arrest to be removed from public access, though law enforcement agencies retain non-public records of the expunged arrest.
The Michigan Clean Slate legislation, effective April 2023, has expanded automatic expungement eligibility for certain offenses, potentially affecting many St. Clair County arrest records without requiring individual petition filing.
Search Arrest Records in St. Clair County
• St. Clair County Sheriff's Office • Michigan State Police • St. Clair County Courts • Michigan ICHAT
