Kent County Arrest Records

We are glad you came here to learn about Kent County MI Arrest Records. Our goal is to give you the best facts. We will show you how to find the info you need. This page guides you to official places for records.

If you want to begin your search now for Kent County MI Arrest Records, you can go to https://kentcountyjails.org/kent-county-mi-arrest-records/. This site offers a fast way to start looking. It helps people find details quickly. Many users find it a good first step. Check it out if you need immediate access. It focuses just on finding these specific records in Kent County.

Finding Kent County MI Arrest Records

There are a few main ways to get arrest records. You can check with the Sheriff's Office. You can also look at court records. The state police have a tool too. Each place holds different parts of the data.

Kent County Sheriff's Office (KCSO)

The Sheriff's Office handles law work in many parts of the county. They create reports when they make an arrest. These are often called incident reports. The arrest details are part of these reports. You usually need to ask for these reports. They do not have a simple online list of all arrests. You must use the proper steps to ask. This ensures they give you the right public data. They follow state laws on what they can share.

Requesting Records via FOIA

Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, or FOIA, lets you ask for public records. This includes Kent County MI Arrest Records held by the KCSO. You must make a FOIA request. Kent County lets you submit FOIA requests online. You can also mail or hand deliver a request form. Your request must describe the record well. Give names, dates, or case numbers if you know them. This helps them find the correct file. Be clear about the information you seek. The county has five work days to respond. They might grant, deny, or grant part of your request. They could also ask for ten more days if needed. Some info might be kept private by law. This could include data about young people or ongoing cases.

You can submit a Kent County FOIA request online here: https://www.kentcountymi.gov/1051/FOIA-Requests. This portal allows you to track your request status. Using the online form is often the fastest way. Make sure all your contact info is correct. They may need to ask you questions. Providing details helps speed things up. Remember that FOIA applies to existing public records. They do not create new summaries for you. You get copies of the actual records they have on file, with private info removed if needed by law.

KCSO Contact Information

The main office address is: Kent County Sheriff's Office 701 Ball Avenue NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Their main phone number is: (616) 632-6100. Office hours are usually Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. These hours are for the main administration office. Jail operations run all day, every day.

Types of Records Available

KCSO holds various public safety records. These often include:

• Incident Reports detailing specific events police responded to.

• Arrest information may be within these reports.

• Accident Reports (Crash reports).

• Jail booking information (See jail section below).

You typically request specific incident reports using FOIA. General arrest logs might not be easily available without a specific request. The content of reports follows state law for public release.

Kent County Correctional Facility (Jail)

The Kent County Correctional Facility holds people waiting for trial. It also holds those serving short sentences. The jail is run by the Sheriff's Office. It keeps records on who is currently housed there. This is often called an inmate lookup.

Inmate Lookup Information

Kent County provides information about current inmates. This often includes the inmate's name, booking date, charges, and bond amount. Sometimes a photo is included. This information changes quickly as people are booked or released. The KCSO website has a link to jail information. The phone number for inmate information is (616) 632-6300. There isn't always a public online search tool directly from KCSO for past arrests. But current inmate status is usually available by phone or potentially through specific portals linked from the county site. Always check the official county or sheriff site for the most current tools. Some data may only be available by phone or FOIA request.

Contact and Visiting Info

The jail address is next to the Sheriff's main office: Kent County Correctional Facility 703 Ball Avenue NE Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Jail Administration Phone: (616) 632-6400 Inmate Information Phone: (616) 632-6300

Visiting hours and rules can change. Check the official KCSO website or call for current visiting schedules. You usually need valid government ID to visit. There are rules about what you can bring.

Kent County Courts

Arrests often lead to court cases. Court records show charges filed after an arrest. They also show how the case ended. Kent County has Circuit Courts and District Courts. Each handles different types of cases. Getting court records is another way to find arrest outcomes. This path shows more than just the arrest itself. It shows the legal steps that came next. This is key for a full picture.

17th Circuit Court

The 17th Circuit Court handles serious cases. This includes all felony cases. It also handles serious misdemeanors after review. Family law cases like divorce are here too. Records here show the full history of these major cases. This court keeps detailed files. You can search for case information online. You can also visit the Clerk's office.

• Accessing Records: The Kent County Clerk acts as the clerk for the Circuit Court. You can search some court records online through county portals linked on their site. Visit the Clerk's office for full access or certified copies. They are located in the courthouse. You might need the case number or names involved. The online search may be limited to recent years for some case types. Older records might need an in-person request.

• Contact Info: Kent County Courthouse 180 Ottawa Avenue NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Clerk's Office Phone: (616) 632-5480 (Circuit Court Clerk specific line) Main Court Phone: (616) 632-5220 Clerk Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

District Courts

District Courts handle the first steps for all criminal cases. This includes arraignments after an arrest. They handle misdemeanor trials. They also handle small claims and landlord tenant issues. Kent County has several District Courts based on location. The 61st District Court serves the City of Grand Rapids. Other courts serve other cities like Kentwood, Walker, and Wyoming. Records from these courts show initial charges and misdemeanor case outcomes. Finding which court heard a case depends on where the arrest or crime occurred.

• 61st District Court (Grand Rapids): Located in the Kent County Courthouse building. 180 Ottawa Avenue NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Phone: (616) 632-5700 Website: grcourt.org They handle cases arising within the City of Grand Rapids. Record searches might be possible via their website or state portals.
  
  

• Other District Courts:
  
  

  • 59th District (Grandville & Walker): Offices in Grandville (616-538-9660) and Walker (616-453-5765).

  • 62A District (Wyoming): (616) 530-7385.

  • 62B District (Kentwood): (616) 698-9310. Record search info is on the Kentwood city site.

  • 63rd District (County areas outside cities): (616) 632-7770.

• Accessing Records: Many Michigan courts use the state's MiCourt case search portal. Some district courts also have local search options on their city or court websites. You can always contact the specific court clerk's office by phone or in person to ask about records. Fees may apply for copies. Online access might be limited for older cases.
  
  

Understanding Arrest Records and Public Access

What makes up an arrest record? How can the public see them? State law guides this access. It defines what is public. It also sets limits. Not all records can be shared freely.

What is an Arrest Record?

An arrest record is created when police take someone into custody. It notes that a person was detained. It includes the person's name and details. It lists the reason for the arrest or charges. The date, time, and place are also part of it. It might include fingerprints and a photo (mug shot). An arrest itself is not proof of guilt. It just shows that police believed a crime occurred. The court process determines guilt or innocence. Official arrest records are often part of larger police incident reports or jail booking logs. Court records show the charges filed later.

Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

The Michigan FOIA law grants access to public records. The law is found in Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL) Section 15.231 and following sections. You can read the law here: https://www.legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-15-231. This law states that people have the right to see government records. This includes Kent County MI Arrest Records held by public bodies like the police or sheriff. The law aims for open government. It helps people know what public officials are doing. You must make a request to get these records. Agencies must follow set rules to respond.

FOIA allows agencies to charge fees. Fees cover the cost of finding, copying, and mailing records. Labor costs are charged for search and review time. Copy costs depend on the number of pages. If the total fee is over $50, they may ask for half upfront. Kent County may waive the first $20 of fees for those who show they cannot pay. You must submit an affidavit for this. You can find the Kent County FOIA procedures and fee details on their website: https://www.kentcountymi.gov/1051/FOIA-Requests. Requests must describe the records sought clearly. The agency usually has 5 business days to respond. They can take a 10-day extension if needed.

Limitations on Access

Not all information is public. FOIA has exemptions. These protect privacy and safety. For example, records about ongoing police probes may be withheld. Information that invades personal privacy might be removed. Records about juveniles are often kept private. Medical details are usually not public. Expunged records are sealed by court order. They are not available to the public. Government agencies review requests carefully. They remove exempt information before releasing records. This is called redaction. They must tell you if they withhold records and why.

Statewide Record Checks

Sometimes you need a wider search than just Kent County. The Michigan State Police offer a tool for this. It checks criminal history across the state.

Michigan State Police ICHAT

ICHAT stands for Internet Criminal History Access Tool. It is run by the Michigan State Police. It lets you search public criminal conviction records for the whole state. This includes felonies and serious misdemeanors reported to the state. It does not show arrests that did not lead to a conviction. It also does not show most traffic offenses or juvenile records. ICHAT is useful for background checks. Many employers and licensing groups use it.

How to Use ICHAT

You can access ICHAT online. The main state portal is https://apps.michigan.gov/. Look for the ICHAT application link. You can register for an account or search as a guest. You need the person's full name and date of birth. The more info you have, the better the search results. Common names may return many results. Using the date of birth helps narrow it down. You submit the search information and pay the fee. The results are shown right away.

Fees for ICHAT

There is usually a fee for each search using ICHAT. The standard fee is often around $10 per name searched. Payment is made online with a credit card or debit card. Some non-profit groups or government agencies may have different fee arrangements. Always check the ICHAT website for current fees and payment options. Results are typically available to view or print for a short time, like seven days. Save your results if you need them long term. After that period, you would need to search and pay again.