Genesee County Arrest Records

Thank you for visiting our page. We aim to give you helpful facts on Genesee County MI Arrest Records. We will do our best work for you. We want this page to be a great resource for your search. Find the data you need right here.

If you want to begin searching right away, you can visit https://geneseecountyjails.org/genesee-county-arrest-records/. This site may help you start your Genesee County MI Arrest Records check fast. It offers a way to look for records now. Please note this link is provided for quick access as you start your information gathering process. Check it out if you need quick search results now.

Understanding Arrest Records in Genesee County

What is an Arrest Record?

An arrest record is an official paper. It is made when a person is taken into custody by police. This happens in Genesee County, Michigan. The record shows that an arrest took place. It lists the person's name and why they were held. It notes the date, time, and place of the arrest. These records are kept by the law enforcement group that made the arrest. This could be the county sheriff or a local police force.

Arrest vs. Conviction Records

It is key to know the change between arrest and court conviction records. An arrest record just shows a person was held by police. It does not mean the person is guilty of a crime. A conviction record means a person went to court. The court found them guilty of the crime. Or they pled guilty. Court records show the case outcome. Arrest records do not always lead to court action or a guilty finding. Charges might be dropped. A person might be found not guilty. So, an arrest record is not proof of guilt. You must check court records for case results.

Public Access Under Michigan Law

Most Genesee County arrest records are public information. This is based on the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This law gives people the right to see government records. This includes many police and arrest files. But, some data may be kept private. Things like ongoing case details might be held back. Also, parts of a record might be blacked out to keep private data safe. Not all parts of every record are open to all. You can learn more about the state rules here: Michigan Legislature - Freedom of Information Act (Act 442 of 1976). Access helps keep government open.

Official Sources for Genesee County MI Arrest Records

Genesee County Sheriff's Office

The Genesee County Sheriff's Office is a main source for arrest records. They handle arrests made by deputies in the county. They also run the county jail. Records for people booked into the jail are kept here. You can ask for arrest reports from the Sheriff. They might have an online tool to find inmates too. This can show recent arrests.

You can contact the Sheriff's Office for records help.

• Address: 1002 South Saginaw Street, Flint, MI 48502

• Phone: (810) 257-3426

• Hours: General office hours are likely Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Call to check for sure. Dispatch is open 24/7 for police help.

The Sheriff's office plays a big role. They enforce laws across the county areas not covered by local police. Their records detail arrests made during patrols. They also process people brought in by other police forces sometimes. When asking for records, be clear. Give the full name and date of birth if you know it. Also list the rough date of the arrest. This helps them find the right file fast. You may need to fill out a form. There might be a small fee for copies.

Local Police Departments

Many cities and towns in Genesee County have their own police. Examples include Flint Police, Burton Police, or the Metro Police Authority of Genesee County. These groups keep records of arrests made by their own officers. If an arrest took place in a specific city, contact that city's police. For example, the Metro Police Authority serves Mundy Township and Swartz Creek.

Contact Metro Police Authority:

• Main Office Address: 5420 Hill 23 Drive, Flint, MI 48507

• Office Phone: (810) 820-2190 (Call 911 for emergencies)

• Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Each local department has its own way to handle record requests. Some may use the same FOIA process as the county. Others might have a special form on their web site. It is best to call the records unit of the specific local agency first. Ask about their steps for getting arrest records. Provide as much detail as you can about the person and the arrest event. This will speed up the search. Remember, these police records will only cover arrests made by that agency. They won't have records from the Sheriff or State Police unless they were involved.

Michigan State Police (MSP)

The Michigan State Police keep statewide criminal history records. You can search these records online. They use a tool called the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT). ICHAT looks for conviction information mainly. It may show arrests that led to a conviction. It is a name-based search. It covers the whole state, not just Genesee County.

• Access ICHAT here: https://apps.michigan.gov/

ICHAT results show up right away online. You can print them. The results stay online for seven days. A fee is usually charged per search. ICHAT is good for background checks. It shows official state conviction data. But it may not show all arrests. Especially arrests that did not lead to a conviction. It will not show arrests from other states. You need the person's full name and date of birth for best results. Social security numbers cannot be used for searches on ICHAT. Make sure all data entered is right before paying.

Genesee County Courts (Related Records)

Arrest records show the start of a case. Court records show what happened next. Genesee County has two main courts handling criminal matters. The 7th Judicial Circuit Court handles serious crimes (felonies). The 67th District Court handles less serious crimes (misdemeanors) and early stages of felony cases. Court records show charges, hearings, pleas, and final decisions (convictions or dismissals). You can often search court case records online.

• 7th Judicial Circuit Court:
  
  

  • Address: 900 S. Saginaw St., Flint, MI 48502

  • Phone: (810) 424-4355 (Clerk's Office: 810-257-3220)

  • Hours: Court: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Clerk: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

  • Online Search: Available through court links, often via MiCOURT portals. Check the 7th Circuit Court SADO page for links.

• 67th District Court (Central Location):
  
  

  • Address: 630 S. Saginaw St., Flint, MI 48502

  • Phone: (810) 257-3170

  • Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Counter closed 12 PM - 1 PM Tue-Thu).

  • Online Search: MiCOURT Case Search link on 67th DC website. Note: Special process for records before July 31, 2014.

Court records give the full picture of a criminal case. They show if an arrest led to formal charges. They detail the legal path of the case. You can find out if someone was found guilty or not guilty. Or if the case was dropped. Searching court records often requires a case number or party names. Online portals make searching easy. But some older records might need a direct request to the court clerk. Fees may apply for copies of court documents.

How to Request Genesee County Arrest Records

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests

The best way to ask for official records is often through FOIA. Michigan's Freedom of Information Act allows you to request records from public bodies. This includes the Sheriff's Office and local police. You must submit a written request. Describe the records you seek clearly. Include names, dates, and locations if known.

Genesee County has a FOIA Coordinator. Send requests here:

• FOIA Specialist: Monaca Elston

• Address: Genesee County Board of Commissioners, 1101 Beach Street, Room 312, Flint, Michigan 48502  

• 
  

• Email: [email address removed]

• Phone: (810) 257-3014

Your FOIA request should state you are asking under the Michigan FOIA. Be specific about the arrest records you need. Public bodies have 5 business days to respond. They can grant the request, deny it, or ask for more time. Fees may be charged for searching, copying, and mailing records. Low fees may be waived. Learn more about the law here: Michigan FOIA Law Summary.

Using Online Portals

Some records can be found online. This is often faster than FOIA.

• MSP ICHAT: As noted, this is for statewide criminal history checks. It mainly shows convictions. You need to register or use as a guest. There is a fee per search. Visit https://apps.michigan.gov/.

• Court Records: Both the 7th Circuit and 67th District courts offer online case lookups. These show court activity after an arrest. You can often view case summaries (Register of Actions) for free. Links can be found on their official websites. For the 67th District Court, use the MiCOURT link: https://www.67thdc.com/records_search/index.php. Remember old records may need a form.

Online tools provide quick access. But they may not have all details. ICHAT focuses on convictions. Court portals show court cases, not the initial arrest report details usually. They are great starting points. They help confirm if someone has a public criminal record or court case history in Michigan or Genesee County. Always check the official source for full data.

In-Person or Mail Requests

You can also ask for records by going in person or sending mail. Visit the Genesee County Sheriff's Office or the relevant local police department. Bring photo ID. Be ready to fill out a request form. Asking in person lets you ask questions directly. You might get records faster if they are easy to find.

For mail requests, write a clear letter. Include all details you have. Send it to the records division of the correct agency. Include your contact information. They will tell you about any fees. Mail can take longer due to postage times and processing. For older court records from the 67th District Court (before July 31, 2014), they specify using a form. You can mail or email this form. Find the form details on their Court Records & Request page.

Information Found in Arrest Records

Genesee County arrest records usually contain key details. This information documents the event of the arrest. What you find can include:

• Personal Information: The full name of the person arrested. Their date of birth. Physical details like height, weight, eye color. Address at time of arrest.

• Arrest Details: The date and time the arrest occurred. The location where the arrest took place. The name of the officer who made the arrest. The police agency involved (e.g., Sheriff, Flint PD).

• Charges: The specific crime or crimes the person was arrested for. This lists the statute or ordinance number.

• Booking Information: A unique identification number (booking number). Mugshot photograph taken during processing. Fingerprints record. Notes about property taken. Date and time booked into jail.

Access Limitations and Record Expungement

Public vs. Non-Public Information

While many arrest records are public, some data is not. Information that could harm an ongoing probe may be withheld. Details about victims or witnesses might be blacked out. Certain parts of police reports may be private by law. Also, records of people found not guilty are sometimes restricted. Juvenile records have very strict privacy rules. They are usually not public.

Michigan's Clean Slate Law

Michigan law allows some criminal records to be removed from public view. This is called expungement or "setting aside" a conviction. The Clean Slate Law took effect in 2023. It allows for automatic expungement of some old convictions without needing an application. This applies to certain felonies and misdemeanors after a waiting period with no new crimes. If a record was expunged, it should not show up on public checks like ICHAT. You can check ICHAT to see if a record is public. If it is gone, it may have been set aside. Individuals can check their own records for free or low cost through state means. This helps people move past old mistakes. Find more info on expungement and ICHAT on state or court sites.