Lapeer County, Michigan Arrest Records
Lapeer County arrest records are formal documentation of an individual's detention and processing by law enforcement. Arrest records may include the arrested party's identification, alleged crimes, the arresting agency, the time and place of arrest, booking data, the offenses for which they were charged, and, if applicable, their ultimate dispositions.
While police officers and correctional staff create original arrest reports, prosecuting attorneys and court systems often add to the case file afterward. Local governments may also keep these records, including counties, townships, and municipalities. The City of Lapeer Police Department and the Imlay City Police Department are two large municipal police agencies in this area.
Open access to these records provides both accountability and oversight of law enforcement activities. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in Michigan, all qualified agency-generated material will be considered a public record under MCL 15.232. Therefore, anyone may request access to those records.
However, under MCL 15.243, law enforcement agencies may exempt certain portions of a request based on privacy or active investigations. Additionally, the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Records Act separately controls how criminal history information is used and controlled.MCL 28.241a defines criminal history information, and MCL 28.242a governs its dissemination.
Are Arrest Records Public Information in Lapeer, Michigan?
Yes, local law enforcement agencies in the Lapeer area generally make arrest records available to the public. However, they are not universally accessible. Pursuant to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), specifically MCL 15.231 and 15.233, a person can review or receive copies of identifiable public records by making a written request for such documents. Records that qualify as private pursuant to MCL 15.243 may be withheld from disclosure or redacted from otherwise public records when necessary to protect privacy and preserve the integrity of ongoing investigations. They may also be withheld to avoid interfering with a fair trial, to maintain confidentiality regarding sources or methods used during an investigation, or to protect safety. Additionally, certain juvenile, sealed, or confidential information may be unavailable.
A person does not have to reside in either Lapeer County or Michigan to make a valid request. However, each request should include a description of the records being requested along with the requester's full name, street address, and contact telephone number or e-mail address. Agencies may request identifying information about the arrested individual to locate the relevant files. However, government-issued photographic identification is not typically required. Requests may also result in additional costs for search time, photocopying, postage, or labor. An agency may also require a prepayment before processing a costly request.
What Do Public Lapeer County Arrest Records Contain?
Public arrest records for Lapeer County provide a summary of an individual's arrest and do not include all investigative documents. Records may display some of the following depending upon who holds the records and at what point in the process the records are created:
- Name, aliases, date of birth, gender, ethnicity or race, and other physical identifiers of the arrestee
- The booking number, their mug shot, and whether they are currently being held
- Date and time of arrest, location of arrest, and which police department made the arrest
- Statutory reference or charge description, alleged offense, and the level of the charges against them
- Information regarding the bond or bail amount, as well as court action and disposition information
MCL 15.243 allows an agency to remove or redact materials from public access to protect a person's private identity, prevent unfairness or harm during a pending or potential trial, and protect a confidential informant. The information can also be redacted to conceal how an investigation was conducted and protect individuals from potential danger. Also, ICHAT is prohibited from releasing information on suppressed offenses, arrest warrants, and juvenile, federal, tribal, and local misdemeanor offenses. Material most commonly withheld or inaccessible includes:
- Social Security numbers and personal data are protected by statute
- Any identifying information of victims, witnesses, informants, or juveniles
- Evidence related to active investigations
- Records ordered to be removed, sealed, suppressed, or set aside by a court.
Lapeer County, Michigan Arrest Search
A search for an arrest in Lapeer County can start with the Michigan State Police. The Michigan State Police has a database called the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT), which allows you to search public criminal history information reported across Michigan. Users must create a user ID, enter their identification details, and pay for the search. Search results may include reportable felony arrests and convictions, but not suppressed records, warrants, juvenile cases, or some misdemeanors.
To perform a nationwide search of an arrest record, requesters must request an FBI Identity History Summary. An FBI Identity History Summary is a fingerprint-based report that includes all arrest information law enforcement agencies submit to the FBI. The FBI does not disclose another individual's arrest records to anyone who requests them. A requester can submit fingerprints to the FBI in two ways. They can send them either directly to the FBI or through an approved FBI channeler. Neither method proves that the requester was guilty of a crime, nor can it guarantee they will receive a complete history of your case.
Lapeer County Inmate Locator
To find out if an individual is currently being held at the Lapeer County Jail, searchers can use the County inmate locator to search by name. The search will include all available booking dates, charges, bond, and status information. While these entries may confirm a recent arrest, users should be aware that they are jail records and do not contain complete arrest reports, so they may exclude individuals who have been released from jail.
To access inmate information on your mobile device, go to the Inmate section of the Lapeer County Sheriff's official mobile app. The Sheriff's department has made general information about the jail available online. However, it does not currently have a searchable web roster. If users receive no results from the mobile app, they should contact the jail by calling 810-664-1801 ext. 2314 or 2315. Requesters should provide as much detail as possible, including the person's full name, so they may check for the availability of your search.
The office operates the county jail.
Lapeer County Sheriff's Office and Jail
3231 John Conley Drive
Lapeer, Michigan 48446
Phone: (810)-664-1801
After-hours nonemergency line: 810-667-0292
Fax: (810)-664-5520
How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Lapeer County
The Lapeer County Sheriff and municipal police websites do not provide searchable databases offering free access to comprehensive arrest histories. The Lapeer County Sheriff's Office has an inmates page within its mobile app that lists those being held at the county jail. Searchers can call (810) 664-1801 and use extension 2314 or 2315 for custody information. Searchers do not have to give their ID. However, providing as much info as possible will help locate someone else with a similar name.
The App is not an arrest archive, therefore, it may miss some older arrests, those who were released from jail, pending bookings, and other protected information. Most entries will contain custody or booking data, not arrest reports, witness statements, or investigatory evidence.
For more information, searchers should contact the Lapeer County Sheriff's Records Department or the appropriate municipal police department to review a specific document or file a FOIA request. A free inspection is available. However, the agency may charge a reasonable fee for time spent conducting searches, reviewing documents, removing sensitive information, copying documents, or making digital copies. Also, a $10.00 fee per search will apply for ICHAT searches throughout the state
Lapeer County Arrest Report
A Lapeer County arrest record usually appears as a brief listing in one of several booking, jail, court, or criminal history databases. It may include the subject's name, identification information, date of arrest, alleged crime, booking number, charges, bail amount, and whether the individual was in custody when it was recorded. The primary purpose of an arrest record is to document that an arrest took place and the processing that followed.
An arrest report is different. It is a detailed written account the arresting officer prepares immediately after the incident. An arrest report may describe how the arrest occurred, what the officer observed during the encounter with the arrested individual, and any statements made by the arrested individual. It also includes statements from a witness to the arrest, any physical evidence recovered from the scene, and any use of force by the officers involved in the arrest. Additional supporting documentation, such as photographs taken at the time of the arrest and additional reports submitted by other individuals or agencies, may also be attached to the arrest report.
How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Lapeer County
Lapeer County does not have a local rule for expunging cases separately. All expungements follow Michigan law. Expungement means setting aside the conviction as if it never occurred and keeping the record private, but law enforcement can still access the information privately. Some eligible offenses will be cleared through Michigan's Clean Slate program. To seek an expungement, petitioners should first obtain certified court records, have their fingerprints taken, complete a notarized copy of the MC-227 form, and submit the documents to the Lapeer County Court that issued the conviction.
After submitting those forms to the Lapeer Court, petitioners should send the same documentation, along with the required fee, to the Michigan State Police, the Michigan Attorney General's office, and the prosecuting attorney during the case. Petitioners would then be required to appear at a hearing. The type of crime committed and whether petitioners have prior convictions will affect how long they must wait and what will make them eligible to have a prior conviction expunged. Petitioners should note that many crimes cannot be expunged.
How Do You Remove Lapeer County Arrest Records From the Internet?
Persons who wish to remove a Lappier County arrest record from the internet must prove that it is incorrect or that there is a disposition that renders it non-public. When charges are dismissed before trial and statutory conditions are met, MCL 28.243 requires removal of this information from Michigan's Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT).
The process for eligible convictions to be automatically set aside under clean slate laws begins with judicial action or a court order. Once set aside, the entry is no longer available to the public. However, authorized agencies still have access to the entry, but in a non-public format.
Individuals who have been acquitted, had charges dismissed before trial, or had their conviction set aside can check ICHAT and the sheriff's office to see whether any other listings contain their name or the same charge as in the original ICHAT listing. If these entries still contain their name or reflect the charges, they can contact the Michigan State Police with the certified disposition or set-aside order to request correction or removal from ICHAT.