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  1. Washtenaw County Court
  2. Washtenaw County Arrest Records

Washtenaw County, Michigan Arrest Records

Arrest records in Washtenaw County are generated and maintained by county law enforcement, such as the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office and municipal police departments, including the Ann Arbor Police Department and the Ypsilanti Police Department. These agencies maintain arrest records as part of their responsibilities, and the records usually include basic details, such as the name, physical description, charges filed, date and location of the arrest, arresting agency, and booking information.

Arrest records are generally considered public information under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (Michigan Compiled Laws Section 15.231). Michigan regulates Criminal Offender Record Information maintained in an individual’s criminal history through separate statutes in the codified laws. These include MCL § 28.243, which governs how criminal history information, including arrest information, is collected and distributed, and MCL § 28.214 et seq, which instructs the Michigan State Police to create a central repository for the collection and maintenance of criminal records.

Are Arrest Records Public Information in Washtenaw, Michigan?

Under Michigan Compiled Laws Section 15.231, the Freedom of Information Act arrest records are typically presumed to be public information. According to the act, all persons are entitled to access information concerning the affairs of the government, which includes arrest records and booking information maintained by law enforcement. The act provides that anybody, not just Michigan residents, may access public records; the only notable restriction is for incarcerated persons. Although ID is not generally required when obtaining arrest records, it may be requested in limited cases, such as when an individual is requesting their own records or records containing restricted information.

What Do Public County Arrest Records Contain?

Washtenaw arrest records will typically reflect the facts of an arrest and booking as they are maintained by local law enforcement agencies and disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act. While the exact format/style may vary by agency, a Washtenaw County arrest record typically contains a combination of the following information.

  • The full name of the detained
  • Age/Date of Birth
  • The arresting agency 
  • The charges filed at the time of arrest
  • Booking information (booking date, booking number, and case number)
  • Biometrics like photographs and fingerprints
  • Bond and bail information (type and amount), if applicable
  • Current custody status

Although arrest records are usually public in Michigan, not all data is publicly available. Certain information is exempt or withheld from disclosure for various reasons, including preserving the integrity of cases and protecting personal information. These restrictions are often governed by the Freedom of Information Act and the statutes covering criminal histories. Information restricted or exempt from disclosure includes the following.

  • Information that identifies victims and witnesses
  • Records concerning minors and juveniles
  • Personal identifiers such as social security numbers
  • Details of ongoing investigations
  • Information that identifies undercover agents or confidential informants
  • Records that have been expunged or otherwise sealed by court order
  • Records concern an individual’s medical or mental health

Such restrictions aim to balance the public's right of access to these records with law enforcement integrity and privacy protections.

Washtenaw County,  Michigan Arrest Search

Interested parties may contact the Michigan State Police (MSP) for the most reliable options for statewide access to Criminal History Records. The Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT), maintained by the state police, provides access to statewide name-based criminal history searches. The public also has the option to submit fingerprints for a more comprehensive Fingerprint-based background check or to search, modify, or expunge criminal history records. Each request will incur a search fee, and results will only be issued after payment is approved.

State arrest information may also be available from the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC), Offender Tracking Information System (OTIS). This system only provides records for individuals who passed through the state prison system.

Federal arrest records are not typically open to public access. However, when the arrest leads to a federal criminal case, arrest information may be part of the case file. These may be accessed through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) database. This database provides search tools to access criminal case files, which may include arrest records.

Washtenaw County Inmate Locator

The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office and county jail provide the most direct access to arrest records and inmate information for the county. Interested parties can locate inmates detained in the county through the Corrections Division of the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office or by contacting the local jail directly. These offices are responsible for inmate records, including charge information, booking, and bond information. The Records Bureau can also be reached by phone or email for inmate record requests, county jail checks, and booking information. 

For more information, record seekers may contact the sheriff’s office or its divisions using the following details.

Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office

Service Center

2201 Hogback Road

Ann Arbor, MI 48105

Main Phone: (734) 971-8400

Jail Phone: (734) 585-7247

Records Bureau: (734) 973-4655

Corrections Division: (734) 973-4770

Fax: (734) 973-4624

Records Bureau Email: sheriffrecords@washtenaw.org 

Active Warrant Search in Washtenaw County

A Washtenaw County arrest warrant is a court order issued by a local judge or magistrate authorizing law enforcement to detain a named individual and bring them before the court. A typical arrest warrant generally contains the following information.

  • The full name of the suspect and any aliases
  • A reasonable physical description
  • The alleged offenses and statutes they violate
  • The date of issuance
  • Instructions to law enforcement
  • Bail or bond information
  • Details of the issuing court, such as location and jurisdiction
  • The name, position, and signature of the issuing judicial officer

In Washtenaw County, these warrants are issued by officers of the local courts and executed by law enforcement such as the local sheriff’s office and police departments. Although there is no general warrant database, interested parties seeking warrant information may contact the local sheriff’s office or its records bureau directly in person or by phone.

How to Find Arrest Records for Free in Washtenaw County

Although the Washtenaw County Sheriff does not offer an online database for arrest records and inmate information, there are other options to obtain this information. Record seekers may call the jail at (734) 585-7247 to make inquiries or contact the Sheriff’s Office Corrections Division or Records Bureau by phone at (734) 973-4770 or (734) 973-4655, respectively. Record seekers must be ready to provide information to help with the inquiry, such as names or dates of birth. Although ID is not always compulsory, it may be required when requesting restricted or personal information. Viewing or obtaining basic information may be free, but copies of records will incur modest fees. It is also unlikely that restricted or confidential records will be available from free sources of information.

Washtenaw County Arrest Report

Arrest records and arrest reports are two types of law enforcement documentation generated after a suspect has been detained. These records are similar but generally differ in their contents, purpose, and, in some situations, how the public may access them.

An arrest record is a summarized entry of the arrest that is generated during the booking process. It is an administrative record and is maintained in law enforcement and jail databases. Arrest records typically contain basic details of the arrest, such as the full name of the suspect, the offense committed, the date and location of the arrest, the arresting agency/officer, and booking and bail information. 

On the other hand, an arrest report is a narrative account of the arrest, usually written by the officers involved. It is usually part of the larger police report of the investigation, explaining how and why the arrest occurred. In a narrative format, the report provides a detailed account of the incident, including witness testimony, evidence gathered, the justification for the arrest, and the officer’s observations and actions.

How to Get an Arrest Record Expunged in Washtenaw County

Expungement in Michigan is known as “setting aside” and is governed by the state's clean slate reforms. Expungement in Michigan removes the record from public access, and the general public, including employers and landlords, cannot access it. However, law enforcement and the courts can still access the record.

To expunge the record, the applicant must meet the eligibility requirements set down by the state. Arrests qualify if the party was not charged, the case was dismissed, or the party was found not guilty at trial. In Michigan, these cases can be addressed through expungement or record correction through the local courts or law enforcement agencies. 

Arrests that did not end in a conviction may qualify for automatic expungement under Michigan’s Clean Slate laws without needing an application or petition. When there is a conviction, individuals may file for expungement after the following waiting period. 3 years for minor misdemeanors, 5 years for serious misdemeanors or minor felonies, and 7 years for multiple felonies.

Interested parties may file for expungement by following the steps below.

  • Confirm that the eligibility criteria and waiting periods are satisfied.
  • Obtain the application to set aside the conviction from (Form-MC227).
  • File the form with fingerprints and a state background check at the Washtenaw County Court, where the offense was charged.
  • Send copies of the application form to the County Prosecutor, the Michigan Attorney General, and the Michigan State Police.
  • Attend a court hearing where a judge will consider the application, and law enforcement may challenge it.
  • The judge will grant the application based on several criteria, including rehabilitation and public safety.

How Do You Remove Washtenaw County Arrest Records From the Internet?

Obtaining the removal of Washtenaw County arrest records may not be a simple process because it likely involves dealing with third-party organizations that republish arrest records from official sources. While government agencies are informed about expungement and other legal processes, these websites must be contacted individually to ensure removal.

Interested parties may follow these steps when removing arrest records from online sources.

  • The first step is to obtain a form of legal relief, such as expungement, which officially removes the record from public access. Confirm it has been removed from official government sites before seeking removal from private ones.
  • Identify the sources of the arrest records online by finding out where they have been posted or uploaded. These sources typically include third-party record sites, news websites, or press releases.
  • When the expungement is official and confirmed, visit the third-party site and look for its privacy request or opt-out options. Indicate the record and submit the supporting information showing it is no longer public. As some of the sites may charge fees and delay responses, follow up with regular checks to make sure the record was removed.
  • News articles and press releases may be harder to deal with, as the information was accurate when they were issued. Because of this, it may be easier to update the information rather than remove it. Request that the article be edited or updated to include that the record has been sealed or expunged, and the reasons for it. The article may only be removed if it contains actual errors.