Wayne County Arrest Records

Arrest records in Wayne County are the official documents generated when an individual is detained by law enforcement and booked into custody. These records are central to criminal case management, public oversight, and background verification. In Michigan, public access to arrest and criminal justice records is governed by the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (MCL 15.231 et seq.), while disclosure of criminal history record information is regulated under the Michigan Compiled Laws and administrative rules issued by the Michigan State Police. Arrest records in Wayne County serve multiple functions: they allow courts to track proceedings, attorneys to prepare cases, employers and agencies to perform background checks, and members of the public to hold the justice system accountable.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Michigan?

Yes, but with restrictions. Under Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, arrest records are public records unless a statutory exemption applies. However, state law draws a distinction between public arrest information and criminal history record information that may only be disclosed under certain conditions.

Exemptions include:

• Juvenile records, which are confidential under MCL 712A.28 unless the case involves certain designated felonies.
• Sealed or expunged records, which are no longer available to the public after a court grants relief under Michigan's Clean Slate laws (MCL 780.621 et seq.).
• Active investigation details, which are exempt if disclosure would interfere with law enforcement (MCL 15.243(1)(b)(i)).
• Victim and witness information, which is generally redacted for privacy and safety.

The general principle is openness, but access is balanced with privacy and security concerns.

Wayne County Arrest Search

Arrest records in Wayne County may be accessed through the county courts, local law enforcement, and state agencies.

The Wayne County Clerk of Courts maintains criminal case files for the Wayne County Circuit Court (Third Judicial Circuit). Case information may be searched through the Clerk's online portal or in person at the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice. Certified copies of case records can be obtained by written request or at the Clerk's Office:

Copy fees are $1.50 per page, with an additional $10 for certification.

Local arrest and incident reports are maintained by the Wayne County Sheriff's Office and municipal police departments such as the Detroit Police Department. Requests may be submitted under FOIA by mail, in person, or online. The request should include the subject's name, date of birth, approximate arrest date, and incident location. Standard FOIA response fees apply, generally $0.10 per page plus labor costs for extensive searches.

At the state level, the Michigan State Police (MSP) maintains the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT). For a $10 fee per search, ICHAT provides name-based statewide criminal history records, including arrest and conviction data reported to MSP by law enforcement and courts.

Wayne County Inmate Locator

The Wayne County Sheriff's Office manages the county jail system. An online Inmate Lookup is available through the Sheriff's website, allowing searches by name or booking number. Results provide booking date, charges, bond status, and facility location.

For arrest and booking reports, requests can be directed to:

Requests can be submitted in person, by mail, or via the Sheriff's public records portal. Identification is required, and fees apply for report copies.

Active Warrant Search in Wayne County

An arrest warrant is a court order authorizing law enforcement to detain a named individual. In Wayne County, warrants are issued by the 36th District Court or the Wayne County Circuit Court and carried out by the Sheriff's Office or local police departments.

Warrant information is not available through a statewide public database. Inquiries regarding active warrants may be made to:

Individuals may also check pending cases through the Michigan Courts One Court of Justice case search tool. Agencies may not provide full warrant details over the phone for privacy reasons.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Wayne County

Free arrest-related information in Wayne County can be found through:

• The Wayne County Sheriff's Inmate Lookup, which lists individuals currently in custody.
• The Michigan Courts case search portal, which provides free access to docket information in criminal cases.
• Court kiosks at the Wayne County Clerk's Office, which allow in-person viewing of unsealed criminal dockets.

Official police reports, certified copies, and statewide criminal history checks require payment of fees.

Wayne County Arrest Report

An arrest report is prepared by the arresting officer and provides a narrative of the circumstances of the arrest, including observations, evidence, and witness statements. By contrast, an arrest record is a summary entry showing that an arrest occurred, including the individual's identifying information, booking number, charges, and custody status. Arrest reports are more detailed; arrest records are concise summaries.

How to Get Arrest Records Expunged in Wayne County

Michigan law provides mechanisms to set aside convictions and expunge arrest records under the Clean Slate initiative (MCL 780.621 et seq.).

• Arrests without conviction may be expunged by petition if charges were dismissed or no charges were filed.
• Convictions may be set aside after a waiting period, which varies by offense type. Most misdemeanors and many felonies may be expunged, subject to numerical limits.
• Automatic expungement applies to some offenses after 7 to 10 years, depending on the offense type.

Applications must be filed with the Wayne County Circuit Court, accompanied by fingerprints, a certified record of conviction, and notice to the prosecutor. If granted, the record is removed from public access, although law enforcement retains limited access.

How Do You Remove Arrest Records from the Internet?

The most effective way to limit the online presence of arrest information is through expungement. Once records are set aside by the court, they must be removed from public access by state and local agencies.

Private websites may still display outdated information. Individuals can request removal directly from those sites, often providing proof of an expungement order. Search engines like Google allow outdated cached results to be removed through their "Remove Outdated Content" tool.

What Do Public Arrest Records Contain?

Public arrest records in Wayne County may include:

• Full name of the arrested individual
• Date and time of arrest
• Booking number
• Arresting agency (e.g., Detroit Police Department, Wayne County Sheriff's Office)
• Charges filed or alleged offenses
• Bail or bond status
• Case number (if filed in court)
• Custody status and facility location

Confidential details, such as juvenile records, sealed cases, expunged matters, and victim or witness information, are not available for public release.