>Wayne County Arrest Records Online

Wayne County, Michigan Arrest Records

Are Arrest Records Public in Wayne County, Michigan?

Arrest records are public documents in Wayne County, Michigan, pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Michigan Compiled Laws § 15.231 et seq. This legislation establishes the public's right to access governmental records, including those pertaining to arrests made by law enforcement agencies within Wayne County. The Michigan FOIA operates under the presumption that all records are accessible unless specifically exempted by statute.

Members of the public may request arrest records from the appropriate Wayne County law enforcement agencies. These agencies are required by law to respond to such requests within five business days, though this period may be extended by an additional ten business days under certain circumstances as outlined in MCL § 15.235.

It should be noted that while arrest records are generally public, certain information within these records may be redacted to protect privacy interests, ongoing investigations, or other legally protected matters as specified in MCL § 15.243.

Can Arrest Records be Found Online in Wayne County?

Wayne County arrest records are accessible through various online platforms maintained by governmental agencies and authorized third-party providers. The Michigan Courts Case Search system provides electronic access to court records, including those related to arrests and subsequent court proceedings in Wayne County.

The Michigan State Police maintains the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT), which allows users to conduct searches of public criminal history record information, including arrest data. ICHAT searches require payment of a fee as established by MCL § 28.273.

Additionally, the Michigan Department of Corrections offers the Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS), which provides information about individuals who have been processed through the Michigan correctional system following arrest and conviction.

Users should be aware that online records may not always be comprehensive or current. Some records may only be available through direct request to the relevant agency, particularly for recent arrests or cases with special handling requirements.

How to Look Up Wayne County Arrest Records in 2025

Wayne County residents and other interested parties may access arrest records through multiple channels in 2025:

In-person requests can be submitted at the Wayne County Sheriff's Office Records Division:

Wayne County Sheriff's Office
4747 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 224-2222
Official Website
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
The 36th District Court Case Inquiry System provides access to the Register of Actions for cases filed in Detroit, which encompasses a significant portion of Wayne County arrests.

36th District Court
421 Madison Avenue
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 965-8700
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
The Michigan State Police provides criminal history records through ICHAT, pursuant to the C.J.I.S. Policy Council Act, MCL § 28.211 et seq.

Michigan State Police Criminal Records Unit
7150 Harris Drive
Lansing, MI 48913
(517) 241-0606
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Local police departments within Wayne County maintain their own arrest records, which may be requested directly:

Detroit Police Department Records Section
1301 Third Street
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 596-2200
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

When requesting arrest records, individuals must provide sufficient identifying information, including the full name of the subject, date of birth, and approximate date of arrest if known. Requestors may be required to present identification and pay applicable fees as authorized by MCL § 15.234.

Contents of a Wayne County Arrest Record

Wayne County arrest records typically contain comprehensive information about the arrest event and the individual involved, as required by Michigan law and departmental policies. Standard arrest records include:

Biographical information of the arrested individual:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Physical description (height, weight, identifying marks)
- Address at time of arrest
- State identification number (SID) and/or FBI number if applicable
Arrest details:
- Date, time, and location of arrest
- Arresting agency and officer identification
- Statutory citation of alleged offense(s)
- Incident report number
- Circumstances leading to arrest
Processing information:
- Booking photographs (mugshots)
- Fingerprint records
- Property inventory
- Medical screening results (non-confidential portions)
Case disposition data:
- Court case number
- Bail or bond information
- Detention facility assignment
- Initial appearance date
- Preliminary examination scheduling

Pursuant to Michigan Court Rule 6.106, information regarding pretrial release conditions may also be included in the arrest record. These records are maintained in accordance with the record retention schedules established by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget as authorized by MCL § 399.811.

Expungement of Arrest Records in Wayne County

The State of Michigan provides a legal pathway for the expungement of certain arrest records through the Michigan Clean Slate legislation, including the most recent amendments under Public Acts 187-193 of 2020. Expungement (officially termed "setting aside a conviction" in Michigan law) removes eligible arrests and convictions from public view, though law enforcement agencies retain access to these records.

Eligibility criteria for expungement in Wayne County include:

For arrests that did not result in charges or convictions, individuals may apply for expungement after a waiting period of 60 days from the date of arrest, pursuant to MCL § 28.243.
For misdemeanor convictions, individuals must generally wait five years from the date of sentencing or release from incarceration (whichever is later) before applying for expungement.
For certain felony convictions, a seven-year waiting period applies, with exceptions for more serious offenses as outlined in MCL § 780.621.
The Clean Slate legislation provides for automatic expungement of eligible misdemeanors after seven years and eligible felonies after ten years, beginning in April 2023.

The expungement process requires filing an application with the court where the conviction occurred:

Third Circuit Court of Michigan
Frank Murphy Hall of Justice
1441 St. Antoine Street
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 224-5186
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Applicants must submit fingerprints to the Michigan State Police, pay applicable fees, and may need to attend a hearing before a judge. If granted, the court will issue an order requiring all public records of the arrest or conviction to be removed from public access.

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